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Sebring International Raceway

Coordinates: 27°27′18″N 81°21′00″W / 27.455°N 81.35°W / 27.455; -81.35
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Sebring International Raceway

LocationHighlands County, east of
Sebring, Florida, U.S.
Time zoneUTC-5 (UTC-4 DST)
Capacityopen seating without capacity limitation
FIA Grade2[N 1]
OwnerNASCAR via IMSA Holdings, LLC[1]
OperatorSebring International Raceway, LLC
Opened1950
Major eventsCurrent:
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
12 Hours of Sebring (1950–present)
FIA WEC
1000 Miles of Sebring (2019, 2022)
GT World Challenge America
(2001–2009, 2021–present)
Trans-Am Series
(1966–1968, 1999–2001, 2011, 2013–present)
Future:
USF Pro 2000 (1999, 2001–2010, 2023)
USF 2000 (1999, 2001–2004, 2011–2013, 2023)
Former:
24H Series
24 Hours of Sebring (2021)
FR Americas (2019–2020)
American Le Mans Series (1999–2013)
IMSA GT Championship (1973, 1975–1998)
FIA GT (1997)
World Sportscar Championship (1953–1972, 1981)
LATAM Challenge Series (2014)
Websitehttp://www.sebringraceway.com/
GP Road Course (8th variation) (1999–present)
SurfaceAsphalt/Concrete
Length3.741 miles (6.019 km)
Turns17
Race lap record1:41.800 (Japan Kamui Kobayashi, Toyota TS050 Hybrid, 2019, LMP1)
School Circuit
Length2.000 miles (3.219 km)
Turns9
7th variation (1996–1998)
Length3.600 miles (5.794 km)
Turns13
Race lap record1:51.867 (Italy Andrea Montermini, Ferrari 333 SP, 1997, LMP)
6th variation (1991–1995)
Length3.700 miles (5.954 km)
Turns18
Race lap record1:49.616 (Australia Geoff Brabham, Nissan NPT-91 A, 1992, GTP)
5th variation (1987–1990)
Length4.110 miles (6.614 km)
Turns17
Race lap record1:58.582 (Australia Geoff Brabham, Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo, 1990, GTP)
4th variation (1984–1986)
Length4.860 miles (7.821 km)
Turns17
Race lap record2:13.857 (United Kingdom Derek Bell, Porsche 962, 1986, GTP)
3rd variation (1983)
Length4.750 miles (7.644 km)
Turns16
Race lap record2:12.750 (United States Bill Whittington, March 83G, 1983, GTP)
2nd variation (1967–1982)
Length5.200 miles (8.369 km)
Turns17
Race lap record2:28.630 (United States John Paul Jr., Porsche 935, 1981, GTP)
1st variation (1952–1966)
Length5.192 miles (8.356 km)
Turns17
Race lap record2:54.8 (United States Dan Gurney, Ford GT40 Mk.II, 1966, WSC)
Original circuit (1950–1951)
Length3.500 miles (5.632 km)
Turns12

Sebring International Raceway is a road course auto racing facility in the southeastern United States, located near Sebring, Florida.

Sebring Raceway is one of the oldest continuously operating race tracks in the U.S., its first race being run in 1950. Sebring is one of the classic race tracks in North American sports car racing,[citation needed] and plays host to the 12 Hours of Sebring.

The raceway occupies a portion of Sebring Regional Airport (an active airport for private and commercial traffic that was originally built as Hendricks Army Airfield, which was a World War II training base for the United States Army Air Forces).

History

Previous logo

Sebring Raceway occupies the site of Hendricks Army Airfield (a training base for B-17 pilots in operation from 1941 to 1946). After the war, Russian-American aeronautical engineer Alec Ulmann[2] was seeking sites for converting military aircraft to civilian use when he discovered potential in Hendricks' runways and service roads to stage a sports car endurance race similar to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race Ulmann was inspired to somewhat re-create in the United States. Sebring's first race was held on New Year's Eve of 1950, attracting thirty race cars from across North America.[3] The Sam Collier 6 Hour Memorial race was won by Frits Koster and Ralph Deshon in a Crosley Hot Shot that had been driven to the track by Victor Sharpe.

Aerial map of Sebring International Raceway

The first 12 Hours of Sebring was held on March 15, 1952, shortly growing into a major international race. In 1959, the track hosted the U.S.' first Formula One race (the successor to historic European Grand Prix motor racing), held as that year's installment of the historic United States Grand Prix competition. However poor attendance and high costs relocated the next U.S. Grand Prix to Riverside International Raceway in southern California.[4]

Press box

For much of Sebring's history, the track followed a 5.200 mi (8.369 km) layout. After a disastrous 1966 12 Hours with five fatalities, the track was widened in parts and also lengthened a total of 50 yards (46 m) for 1967 with the removal of the Webster Turn between the hairpin and the top of the track and replacement with the faster Green Park Chicane, further down the track. This was closer to the hairpin and allowed a flat-out run through a very fast corner to the top of the track and the runway. This was done to move the track off the dangerous Warehouse Straight and the warehouses, hangars and airplanes flanking it; a crash during that 1966 12 Hours involving a privately entered Porsche that went into one of the warehouses (this area was off-limits to non-track personnel) and into a crowd, killing four spectators.

The circuit was changed and shortened in 1983 to allow simultaneous use of the track and one of the runways, and major changes in 1987 allowed use of another runway. Further changes in 1991 accommodated expansion of the airport's facilities, allowing the entire track to be used without interfering with normal airport operations and bringing it close to its current configuration. The hairpin was removed in 1997 due to a lack of run-off, and replaced with what became known as the "safety pin". Gendebien Bend was also re-profiled to slow the cars' entry to the Ullman straight.[5]

Final Hours of Sebring 2011

The track is currently owned by IMSA Holdings, LLC through its subsidiary Sebring International Raceway, LLC via its purchase of the Panoz MSG in September 2012.[6] It is currently leased by the Sebring International Raceway, LLC, which acquired the facility from Andy Evans in 1997.[7]

The track is often recognized for its famous, high-speed "Turn 17",[citation needed] a long, bumpy, fast right hander that can make or break a car's speed down the front straight. The corner can fit up to 3 cars wide.

Skip Barber Racing School held numerous programs at the facility, including a scholarship opportunity for young racers.

The World Endurance Championship runs a round called the 1000 Miles of Sebring, run concurrently with the famed 12 Hours. This race was first run in 2019, with Toyota Gazoo Racing winning overall.

On October 30, 2021 the 1st ever 24 Hours race at Sebring took place hosted by The World Racing League, an Amateur endurance championship series.

Track configuration

Sportscars at Sunset Bend at Sebring International Raceway during 2018 12 Hours of Sebring.

Sebring International Raceway consist of three tracks: the Full Circuit, the Short Circuit, and the Club Circuit. The course of the track itself is 3.74 miles (6.02 km) long. It is a seventeen-turn road course with long straights, several high-speed corners, and very technical slower corners. Many of the turns and points along the track are named for the early teams and drivers. Due to Florida's flat nature there is very little elevation change around the track and little camber on the surface, providing a challenging track for drivers, especially when it rains.

The track layout from 1967 to 1982 (2nd variation). Length: 5.200 mi (8.368 km) Lap record: John Paul Jr., Porsche 935 JLP-3, 2:28.360, 1981
The track layout from 1952 to 1966 (1st variation). Length: 5.192 mi (8.356 km) Lap record: Dan Gurney, Ford GT40, 2:54.8, 1966

Sebring is renowned for its rough, bumpy and changing surfaces. The course still runs on old sections of World War II-era landing fields that were constructed of concrete sections with large seams. The transitions between sections are quite rough and often, sparks fly from the undercarriages of the cars as they traverse them. Much of the track has intentionally been left with its original concrete runway surface. The 12 Hours of Sebring is renowned as a race that is even harder on machinery and drivers than Le Mans, and is seen as an ideal preparation run for the famed French race.

The track surface has 3.04 mi (4.89 km) of asphalt and 0.7 mi (1.1 km) of concrete. Mario Andretti, a 3-time 12 Hours winner, said that one of the hardest parts about the original Sebring track was "finding the track to begin with." There had been many accounts of drivers retiring due to accidents at night, quite simply because they got lost on the runway sections and couldn't find the track again. Some drivers got lost even during the day, mostly because the track was poorly marked down with white lines and cones.[8]

Events

Sebring is most notable for hosting the 12 Hours of Sebring, sanctioned by the FIA and IMSA, as part of many major endurance racing series, including the World Sportscar Championship, Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, ALMS, and now, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This race is the second of four races in the Michelin Endurance Cup. It has also hosted the final round of the Creventic 24H Series since 2021.

The track also hosts the Legends of Motorsport and Historic Sportscar Racing series, and is the winter home of the Skip Barber Racing School. Many IndyCar, sports prototype, and Grand Touring teams use Sebring for winter testing due to the warm climate.

The track is used numerous times each year by the Sports Car Club of American (SCCA) and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) for amateur events that draw participants from all over the country.

Each February, the racetrack hosts the Bike Sebring 12/24 Hours, an ultra-distance cycling race organized by the Highlands Pedalers Bicycle Club and the Rotary Club of Highlands County.[9]

IndyCar regularly holds tests at the facility to simulate street circuits on its calendar.

Audi R15 at Sebring 2011

Lap records

The official fastest race lap records at the Sebring International Raceway for different classes are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Date
Current Grand Prix Road Course Layout: 6.019 km (1999–present)
LMP1 1:41.800[10] Kamui Kobayashi Toyota TS050 Hybrid 2019 1000 Miles of Sebring
DPi 1:46.151[11] Felipe Nasr[a]
Renger van der Zande[a]		 Cadillac DPi-V.R 2021 12 Hours of Sebring
LMP2 1:46.638[12] Romain Dumas Porsche RS Spyder Evo 2007 12 Hours of Sebring
LMP900 1:48.418[13] Tom Kristensen Audi R8 2002 12 Hours of Sebring
LMH 1:49.033[14] Matthieu Vaxivière Alpine A480 2022 1000 Miles of Sebring
LMP675 1:50.953[15] James Weaver Lola EX257 2003 12 Hours of Sebring
LMP 1:51.608[16] Tomáš Enge Riley & Scott Mk III 1999 12 Hours of Sebring
DP 1:52.134[17] Ryan Dalziel HPD ARX-03b 2014 12 Hours of Sebring
Prototype Challenge 1:54.549[18] Pato O'Ward Oreca FLM09 2017 12 Hours of Sebring
LM GTE 1:55.642[11] Antonio García Chevrolet Corvette C8.R 2021 12 Hours of Sebring
Formula Atlantic 1:55.942[19] John Edwards Swift 016.a 2009 Sebring Formula Atlantic round
LMP3 1:56.166[11] Colin Braun Ligier JS P320 2021 12 Hours of Sebring
GT1 (GTS) 1:56.473[20] Tomáš Enge Aston Martin DBR9 2006 12 Hours of Sebring
Star Mazda 1:59.526[21] Anders Krohn Star Formula Mazda 'Pro' 2010 Sebring Star Mazda Championship round
GT3 2:00.479[22] Andrea Caldarelli Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2022 Sebring GT World Challenge America round
F3 Americas 2:01.200[23] Jacob Abel Ligier JS F3 2019 Sebring F3 Americas Championship round
US F2000 2:02.860[24] Neil Alberico Van Diemen DP08 2013 Sebring USF2000 round
Porsche Carrera Cup 2:02.999[25] Sebastian Priaulx Porsche 992 Carrera Cup 2021 Sebring Porsche Carrera Cup North America round
Ferrari Challenge 2:05.781[26] Cooper MacNeil Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo 2020 Sebring Ferrari Challenge North America round
SRO GT2 2:05.803[27] Elias Sabo Audi R8 LMS GT2 2021 Sebring GT America round
GT4 2:10.889[28] Jan Heylen Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport 2021 Alan Jay Automotive Network 120
Formula 4 2:13.343[29] Hunter Yeany Crawford F4-16 2020 Sebring F4 United States round
TCR Touring Car 2:14.799[28] Denis Dupont Hyundai Veloster N TCR 2021 Alan Jay Automotive Network 120
Grand Prix Road Course: 5.794 km (1996–1998)
WSC 1:51.867[30] Andrea Montermini Ferrari 333 SP 1997 12 Hours of Sebring
GT1 (Prototype) 1:57.453[31] David Brabham Panoz Esperante GTR-1 1998 Sebring Classic
GT2 2:11.056[31] Martin Snow Porsche 911 1998 Sebring Classic
GT3 2:12.242[31] Bill Auberlen BMW M3 (E36) 1998 Sebring Classic
Grand Prix Road Course: 5.954 km (1991–1995)
IMSA GTP 1:49.616[32] Geoff Brabham Nissan NPT-91 A 1992 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTP Lights 2:01.271[33] Ruggero Melgrati Spice SE89P 1991 12 Hours of Sebring
WSC 2:03.423[34] Andy Evans Spice WSC94 1994 12 Hours of Sebring
GTS 2:03.993[32] Irv Hoerr Oldsmobile Cutlass 1992 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTO 2:04.230[33] Price Cobb Mazda RX-7 1991 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTU 2:14.772[35] Jim Pace Nissan 240SX 1994 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA Supercar 2:20.725[36] Sean Roe Greenwood Corvette 1995 12 Hours of Sebring
Grand Prix Road Course: 6.614 km (1987–1990)
IMSA GTP 1:58.582[37] Geoff Brabham Nissan GTP ZX-T 1990 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTO 2:12.457[37] Pete Halsmer Mazda RX-7 1990 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTP Lights 2:12.499[37] Ruggero Melgrati Spice SE89P 1990 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTU 2:22.988[37] Stu Hayner Dodge Daytona 1990 12 Hours of Sebring
Grand Prix Road Course: 7.821 km (1984–1986)
IMSA GTP 2:13.857[38] Derek Bell Porsche 962 1986 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTO 2:30.536[38] Jack Baldwin Chevrolet Camaro 1986 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTP Lights 2:33.571[38] Kelly Marsh Argo JM16 1986 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTU 2:43.072[38] Tom Kendall Mazda RX-7 1986 12 Hours of Sebring
Grand Prix Road Course: 7.644 km (1983)
IMSA GTP 2:22.750[39] Bill Whittington March 83G 1983 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTO 2:35.130[39] Carl Schafer Pontiac Firebird 1983 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTU 2:48.400[39] Joe Varde Mazda RX-7 1983 12 Hours of Sebring
Grand Prix Road Course: 8.369 km (1967–1982)
IMSA GTP 2:28.630[40] John Paul Jr. Porsche 935 JLP-3 1981 12 Hours of Sebring
Group 5 2:30.460[41] Jo Siffert Porsche 917 K 1971 12 Hours of Sebring
Group 4 sports car 2:43.860[40] Marc Surer BMW M1 1981 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTX 2:47.444[42] Peter Gregg Porsche 934/5 1977 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTO 2:49.200[43] Hans-Joachim Stuck BMW 3.0 CSL 1975 12 Hours of Sebring
IMSA GTU 2:54.180[40] Lee Mueller Mazda RX-7 1981 12 Hours of Sebring
American Challenge 3:06.336[44] Gene Felton Buick Skylark 1978 12 Hours of Sebring
Grand Prix Road Course: 8.356 km (1952–1966)
WSC 2:54.8 Dan Gurney Ford GT40 Mk.II 1966 12 Hours of Sebring
F1 3:05.0 Maurice Trintignant Cooper T51 1959 United States Grand Prix
Short Road Course: 3.540 km (1969–1970)[45]
Formula 5000 1:04.8[46] David Hobbs Surtees TS5 1969 Sebring F5000 round

Sebring in pop culture

Sebring Raceway is featured in the video games rFactor 2,[47]Pitstop II, iRacing,[48] The Crew, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Forza Motorsport 4,[49] Forza Motorsport 5,[50] Forza Motorsport 6,[51] Forza Motorsport 7, Total Immersion Racing[52] and Sports Car GT.[53] There are also end-user created versions for rFactor,[54] GTR2, GTR Evolution, GT Legends, Grand Prix Legends and NASCAR Racing 2003 Season. In board gaming, Sebring was also featured in the first expansion for the Formula D board game by Asmodee games. People have also recreated this track using the course maker in Gran Turismo 6.

Notes

  1. ^ a b Both drivers take the same lap time in this race independently.
  1. ^ Sebring International Raceway's Grade 2 licence expired 31 August 2021. It hosted WEC race in 2022, so the circuit should have at least Grade 2 license.

References

  1. ^ "NASCAR Makes Big Purchase and Plans Merger: A Fan's Reaction". Archived from the original on March 22, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  2. ^ "Alec Ulmann Is Dead at 82; Pioneer in Sports Car Racing". The New York Times. April 26, 1986. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  3. ^ "Forgotten History: The First Sebring Race 12/31/1950". Archived from the original on October 11, 2004. Retrieved November 8, 2004.
  4. ^ "History of Formula 1 - The United States Grand Prix (USGP)". ddavid.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  5. ^ 12 Hours of Sebring Archived March 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "NASCAR Makes Big Purchase and Plans Merger: A Fan's Reaction". Archived from the original on March 22, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  7. ^ "The TACH Report: USRRC Announces '98 Sched, Panoz Buys Sebring From Andy Evans, GM Has New Longer Range Battery For EVs". theautochannel.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  8. ^ About Sebring Raceway Archived March 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Bike Sebring official website
  10. ^ "2019 1000 Miles of Sebring Race Results" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. March 15, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "2021 12 Hours of Sebring Official Race Results" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association. March 20, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  12. ^ "2007 12 Hours of Sebring Results". Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  13. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 2002". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  14. ^ "2022 FIA WEC 1000 Miles of Sebring Race Final Classification" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  15. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 2003". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  16. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1999". Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "2014 12 Hours of Sebring Results". Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  18. ^ "2017 12 Hours of Sebring Official Race Results by Class" (PDF). Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  19. ^ "Sebring International Raceway, Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, March 20 Mars 2009". Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  20. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 2006". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  21. ^ "2010 Indy Pro 2000 Sebring Race Statistics". Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  22. ^ "2022 Sebring International Raceway FANATEC GT World Challenge America powered by aws Race 1 - Classification - Provisional" (PDF). Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  23. ^ "2019 F3 Americas Championship Sebring - Round 14 Official Race Result" (PDF). Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  24. ^ "2013 USF2000 National Championship Sebring Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  25. ^ "2021 Porsche Carrera Cup North America Race 2 Provisional Results" (PDF). Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  26. ^ "2020 Ferrari Challenge North America Trofeo Pirelli Sebring Race 1 Official Results (30 Minutes)" (PDF). Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  27. ^ "2021 Sebring International Raceway GT America powered by aws Race 2 - Classification - Final" (PDF). Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "2021 Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 Official Race Results" (PDF). Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  29. ^ "2020 F4 United States Championship Sebring Int'l Raceway - Round 11 Official Race Result" (PDF). Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  30. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1997". Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  31. ^ a b c "Sebring 3 Hours 1998". Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  32. ^ a b "Sebring 12 Hours 1992". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Sebring 12 Hours 1991". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  34. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1994". Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  35. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1994". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  36. ^ "IMSA Supercar Sebring 12 Hours 1995". Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  37. ^ a b c d "Sebring 12 Hours 1990". Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  38. ^ a b c d "Sebring 12 Hours 1986". Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  39. ^ a b c "Sebring 12 Hours 1983". Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  40. ^ a b c "Sebring 12 Hours 1981". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  41. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1971". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  42. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1977". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  43. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1975". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  44. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1978". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  45. ^ "Sebring - Motorsport Magazine". Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  46. ^ "1969 Sebring F5000". Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  47. ^ "Sebring International Raceway Release".
  48. ^ "Sebring International Raceway - iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations". iracing.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  49. ^ "Forza Motorsport 4 - Tracks - Sebring International Raceway". Forza. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  50. ^ "Forza Motorsport 5 - Tracks - Sebring International Raceway". forzamotorsport.net. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  51. ^ "Forza Motorsport 6 - Tracks - Sebring International Raceway". forzamotorsport.net. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  52. ^ Strohm, Axel (May 17, 2006). "Total Immersion Racing update". GameSpot. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  53. ^ "Sports Car GT". Archived from the original on September 20, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  54. ^ "Sebring". Archived from the original on March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sebring International Raceway.

27°27′18″N 81°21′00″W / 27.455°N 81.35°W / 27.455; -81.35

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