12 TO GO POWERED BY JAGUAR - Vol. 3
SEBRING'S 12-HOUR CLASSIC -
THE "WOODSTOCK OF AUTO RACING"
The legendary Sebring 12-hour endurance race every March features the world's top sports car racing teams. It also features the most dedicated following of fans in all of motorsports.
Often called the "Woodstock of Auto Racing," Sebring attracts thousands of race fans from around the world for a four-day festival of international sports car racing. The 59th edition of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida takes places March 16-19th, kicking off the 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.
Since 1952, Sebring has been a harbinger of spring for sports car racing. With the scent of orange blossoms in the air, the event has always attracted an eclectic mix of hard-core racing enthusiasts, foreign visitors, college students on spring break and Floridians looking to watch the world's most exotic and technically-advanced racing machines. Even in 1974, when the race wasn't held due to a fuel shortage, thousands of fans showed up anyway to party and celebrate the Sebring tradition.
Today, Sebring remains America's greatest sports car race, and second only to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in terms of international significance. The Sebring tradition is alive and well. The race's dedicated fans, bolstered by new fans joining the Sebring tradition every year, will begin lining-up at several weeks before the gates open (when fans started lining up in December, three months before the race, officials decided to make March 1st the earliest they could arrive since there is simply not enough room or facilities outside the entrance).
SEBRING TO RECOGNIZE
CAMPSITES, CRUISERS
In honor of its loyal following of fans, Sebring International Raceway will recognize its top campsites and cruisers at this year's Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida.
A "Campsite of the Year" and a "Cruiser of the Year" will be designated in a new competition that will recognize this important part of the Sebring tradition.
It was 40 years ago that Sebring's most famous campsite "F-Troop" was founded by race fans Bobby Amour and Chauncey Wallace. That site has grown annually and now boasts members from throughout the USA and as far away as Holland. Current F-Troop "Commander" Terry Harms has organized the campsite's annual activities for over 30 years. There are now dozens of campsites around Sebring's historic 3.7-mile circuit, originally a World War II B-17 training base known as Hendricks Field.
With the Sebring classic getting bigger every year, new campsites and cruisers have been joining the fun. Can these "rookies" upstage the veterans?
"Our guests are certainly part of the Sebring spectacle," stated Sebring President and General Manager Tres Stephenson. "This competition is one way we can recognize their dedication to Sebring, and at the same time inspire new fans to join in the fun.
"This year will be truly special," added Stephenson. "With Sebring joining the new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, we expect the finest entry in over a decade. Ticket sales are approaching a record pace, and the momentum continues to build."
Campsites will be judged by a committee that will visit each location the day before the running of the 12-hour classic. Judges will focus on the creativity of each entry's Sebring race-related theme when selecting the winner. Cruising vehicles will be judged Friday afternoon on the Midway at 3 pm. To register for either competition, see below. Complete details will be posted at sebringraceway.com.
Winners in each category will be honored at the 60th Anniversary race in 2012 and will be featured in the race program and on Sebring's website. In addition, Sebring International Raceway will donate $500 to a non-profit organization of each winner's choice.
CAMPSITE COMPETITION:
To enter your Sebring campsite, contact mchristian@sebringraceway.com with the following information (deadline to register is March 1):
1. Campsite Name
2. Location
3. Organizer's name, address, email address and phone number.
Rules: Campsite name must be clearly indicated. Campsite must be up and running by Friday, March 18 at 3 pm.
CRUISER COMPETITION:
To enter your Sebring cruising vehicle (deadline is March 1), contact mchristian@sebringraceway.com with the following information:
1. Type of vehicle and "name"
2. Owner's name, address, email address and phone number.
Rules: Vehicle name must be clearly indicated. No alcohol beverages inside the vehicle. All passengers must be seated at all times. Judging will take place at 3 pm on the Midway. Cruising activity at Sebring will be limited to the Midway and North Paddock (no cruising in the main paddock will be allowed).
SEBRING TICKET DISCOUNT
ENDS FEBRUARY 15th!
February 15th is the deadline to order your Sebring tickets at a discount rate! The 59th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring takes place on Saturday, March 19th. All Supertickets are currently available at a $10 advance-purchase discount, so be sure to purchase before the deadline.
To order call 800-626-7223 or online at sebringraceway.com.Gates open on Wednesday, March 16, and remain open 24 hours a day through Saturday's endurance classic. Supertickets can be purchased as four-day, two-day (Friday-Saturday) or Saturday only.
ALMS SEBRING WINTER TEST
FEBRUARY 9-10
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will hold its annual Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway February 9-10. Over 25 cars will participate, including the Muscle Milk Aston Martin LMP1, three Corvettes, the Dyson Racing Mazda, the Flying Lizard Porsche team and three new Ferrari 458 GTs.
Admission is $10 per day (no overnight camping allowed). Several leading teams will be attending, including the new Aston Martin LMP.
