12 Hours of Sebring 2011 - in pictures

It's not just Team Oreca who love US racing, around 170,000 fans made the pilgrimage to this unique circuit for the race as well Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

The racing line: Audi's Tom Kristensen focuses on the job at hand during a hugely popular 'meet the drivers' session Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Unlike most races in Europe, the fans are allowed access to the grid before the start, Audi and Peugeot mechanics and drivers, cope with the throng Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Fly the flag: High heels and the brand new Highcroft – on the grid for it's first competitive race Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

And they're off: The field head towards the fast left-hander of turn one Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Audi Sport Team Joest's R15, on its swansong at Sebring, powers through turn seven with Romain Dumas at the wheel Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Don't have a cow, man: Team Bovine take a close look at the pits Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Extreme Speed Motorsports put the new Ferrari F458 through its paces at turn 14 Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

The Risi Competizone crew await the arrival of their 458 Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Running on empty: Fans at Sebring make their own bottle bank Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

The Ferrari F458 of Risi Competizione climbs all over the back of Magnus Racing's Porsche 911 through the high-speed turn 17 Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

NGT Motorsports' Porsche 911 overcooks it at turn 13 Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Turn 13 claims another victim as Anthony Nicolosi ends up facing the wrong way in his Performance Tech FLM09 Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

... Before the unhappy driver ends up disconsolate on the wall Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Team Oreca's Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP, showing the single red light denoting first place, gets on the power in turn 7 Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Howdy pardner: Fans make themselves comfortable in all manner of trackside constructions Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

... As the infamous crew at Turn 10 also illustrate Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Corvette Racing keep their eyes on the prize behind the pit wall Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

The Kelly-Moss Motorsports 911 loses a spot of aero ... Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Sunset at Sebring Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

An ESPN TV crew stand back as the Highcroft car, leading the race at this point, hits its marks Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Old boots: Checking tyre temperatures following a pit-stop Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

The 56 BMW works car ... gone in a blur Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Thirsty work: The Oak Racing LMP2 in a late-race stop Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Lighting up time at turn 15 Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Loic Duval, of the victorious Team Oreca, has a moment for the people of Japan on his way to celebrate Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer

Team Oreca's boss Hugues de Chaunac, and drivers (left to right) Oliver Panis, Loïc Duval and Nicolas Lapierre on the podium and the front page, after a great victory Photograph: Steven Bloor for the Observer