60th Anniversary Celebration For
The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
presented by Fresh from Florida
March 14-17, 2012.

 

Although the next 12-hour classic is 275 days away, the staff at Sebring International Raceway is already busy planning the 60th Anniversary celebration for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida, March 14-17, 2012.

"We are not resting on our laurels following the hugely successful 2011 race," stated Sebring President and General Manager Tres Stephenson. "We fully intend on making the 2012 race the biggest and best Sebring ever. Our 60th anniversary celebration will  be something special."

Sebring International Raceway recently unveiled the 60th anniversary logo and a preliminary list of special events surrounding Sebring's anniversary. Of particular interest to race fans will be a gathering of former Sebring-winning cars and drivers, Hall of Fame induction luncheon, a new Sebring Record Book detailing the results of every race, and numerous community events surrounding the anniversary celebration.

Not only will Sebring be marking a milestone year. The City of Sebring will be celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, and the Sebring Airport will commemorate its 70th anniversary.

"Aside from Le Mans, there is no sports car endurance race in the world that boasts the history and tradition of Sebring," added Stephenson. "Next year's race will add yet another chapter to Sebring's legendary status."

Details of all Sebring 60th anniversary events will be announced at sebringraceway.com

 History

Sebring International Raceway is America's premier sports car racing facility. Nestled among the orange groves and cattle ranches of central Florida, it is the oldest permanent road racing track in North America, evolving from a World War II air base.

 

Sebring is world famous for the annual 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, part of the prestigious American Le Mans Series. Every year on the third Saturday of March, the raceway hosts thousands of race fans from around the world to witness the historic 12 hour classic. All the legends have raced at Sebring... Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Stirling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill and dozens of other international motor racing legends, driving race cars built by the world's great manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, Audi, Ford, Maserati, Aston Martin and Nissan.

 

Today, Sebring International Raceway is owned by the Panoz Motorsports Group, whose founder Dr. Don Panoz revived the famous Sebring circuit in 1999 by initiating a multi-million dollar enhancement program. The track is active 365 days a year with automotive testing, club events, racing schools, corporate events and other activities.

Conveniently located adjacent to the Sebring Regional Airport, it is less than 100 miles from Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Sarasota. The raceway has its own hotel, the Four Points by Sheraton Chateau Elan, and is the home to two major racing schools.

 

  

 

Fast Facks

Sebring International Raceway is a 3.7 mile, 17-turn circuit. It is the Oldest road course in North America, portions of which were originally a WWII B-17 training base.

3,360 cars have started the 12 Hours of Sebring, covering over 2.3 million miles on the famous circuit.

102 drivers have won the 12 Hours of Sebring. Thirty-nine drivers from the USA have won, more than any other country.

Audi has won Sebring eight consecutive years.

In 2009, the 57th Annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring presented By Fresh From Florida received 170,800 spectators.

Steve McQueen, James Brolin, Gene Hackman, Craig T. Nelson, Paul Newman and Patrick Dempsey are among the many entertainers who have driven at Sebring.

 

60th ANNIVERSARY 12 HOUR CLASSIC OPENS THE FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Sebring International Raceway will host the opening round of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida. America's premier sports car endurance race runs on Saturday, March 17.

Sebring will also open the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and mark the return of the FIA to the birthplace of its endurance racing heritage - Sebring hosted the first FIA World Championship race for sports cars in 1953.

"Sebring's 60th anniversary year will certainly be something special with the addition of the FIA World Endurance Championship," stated Sebring Raceway President and General Manager Tres Stephenson. "This brings to Sebring the leading cars and drivers that compete in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race in addition to our stellar lineup of ALMS teams."

In 1953, a Cunningham C4R built in West Palm Beach, Florida by Briggs Cunningham and driven by John Fitch and Phil Walters won the Sebring 12 Hours. For the next 20 years, Sebring would be part of the FIA World Championship for sports cars.

"History repeats itself at Sebring 2012," added Stephenson. "The new FIA World Endurance Championship begins at Sebring, America's greatest sports car race, just as it did 58 years ago."

Audi, Peugeot, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda are expected to be among the top prototype contenders, while Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW and Aston Martin will lead a large contingent of GT entries. Over 60 cars are expected to start the race, including the radical new DeltaWing entry.

Gates open at Sebring on Wednesday, March 14th. Tickets to the 60th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida can be ordered online or by calling 800-626-7223.

INAUGURAL SEBRING HISTORICS
SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 25-28, 2012

Sebring International Raceway announced the addition of the Sebring Historics event to the 2012 calendar. In conjunction with the 60th anniversary celebration of the Sebring 12 hour classic, the track is creating an annual event to honor the historic cars that have competed on the legendary circuit. Participation is open to all vintage and historic cars meeting the usual eligibility criteria for these types of events.