The 12 Hours of Sebring begins today, kicking off the brand new 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Stopping off at Spa and Le Mans among many others, the new championship has eight of the top car manufacturers fully committed to taking part. Audi and Peugeot are the two most notable, but equally, BMW, Audi, Ferrari and more are all determined to prove they are the best of the best.

Audi test at Sebring earlier in the year
Audi test at Sebring earlier in the yearAudi USA / CC

This first event gives the endurance calendar a truly challenging start, with no less than 56 cars battling for supremacy around the Sebring International Raceway - a hot and bumpy circuit that pushes the drivers to their limit. It's often been said that 12 hours around Sebring feels like 24 hours elsewhere.

Peugeot have made the best start to the weekend that they can, with Stephane Sarrazin putting them on pole (that's Franck's car!) but Audi are, as ever, close behind.

We'll be watching the race, live commenting here, and the Factbyte Factbox will also be covering all 12 hours as well. I hope you can join in the fun (and help me out too because I know nothing!), and good luck to everyone taking part!