The rims on which Michelin’s tyres sit put in another top performance at Sebring last weekend, but the 58th running of the American endurance classic was marked by distinctly wheely tale!

Porsche of team Falkan

Shortly after the race’s seven-hour mark, the N°17 Team Falken Porsche was forced to pit after seeing its rear right wheel come off while in sixth position.

Coming back onto the track after the stop, the same wheel came loose again and ended up smashing into the N°45 Flying Lizard Porsche, which was then second in GT2, just 3.7 seconds behind the leader!

The incident led to the safety car being sent out, and the damaged Porsche was consequently unable to pit since the pit-lane was closed. Poor Jorg Bergmeister was compelled to cover three more laps at the wheel of the N°45 car before being able to stop for repairs.

Meanwhile, the team running the car that caused the situation in the first place was able to repair at the end of the pit-lane (incurring a time penalty), only to see the same wheel come off a third time just minutes later!

The N°45 Porsche ended up claiming fourth place, while the N°17 car crossed the line in 12th spot. Flying Lizard was nonetheless able to taken comfort in the victory of the N°44 Porsche in the MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge.

12 heures de Sebring, Michelin, Porsche