Sebring – A Rite Of Spring

The pits at Sebring are quiet now, but not for long. [Photo by Jack Webster]

By Eddie LePine and Jack Webster

Up north, the snows have melted and the days are getting longer and warmer. It is that time of year again, as spring has arrived and the dreary days of winter have given way to the promise of better times.

To race fans around the world, the true arrival of spring is made real by their annual pilgrimage to that most hallowed of racing venues – The 12 Hours of Sebring.

Thousands are making their way to that small town and its famous airstrip from all over the country and the world. They are traveling by car, plane, camper and even foot. They will all arrive for what is arguably the greatest endurance racing contest in the US, if not the world, which is held every year on the third Saturday of March – The 12 Hours of Sebring.

The teams have been preparing since last year’s event, and many of the fans have as well. Green Park will fill up with its usual assortment of interesting camp sites and elaborate compounds, the paddock will fill up with team transporters and equipment, corner workers will arrive at their stations from around the globe. This is a truly a one of a kind event – The 12 Hours of Sebring.

If you have never been there, you have to go. It is much more than just a race. It is an event, an experience. For racing fans, it has to be on your bucket list.

This year’s event, the second under the banner of the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship, will be the 63rd running of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring and it promises to be one of the best.

A total of 47 cars are entered for the contest, with 14 Prototypes, 7 Prototype Challenge cars, 9 GT Le Mans cars and 17 GT Daytona cars.

Driving those cars will be some of the finest race drivers from all over the world, with experience ranging from Formula One, to IndyCar, to Le Mans. As this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona proved, the competition will be fierce and very close and at this stage it is impossible to pick a winner – there are just too many good cars and drivers in every category.

Will the Ford EcoBoost Riley of Ganassi Racing end up on the top step of the podium, repeating their Daytona success? Will the new Ligier JS P2 of Michael Shank Racing continue to show the speed they did at Daytona? Will the ever improving DeltaWing be a factor? You can go right down the entire entry list for this year’s Sebring and find potential winners in each class.

The bottom line is that this is going to be a superb race. If you haven’t already made your travel plans, do so now. If you are a real race fan, you have to be at Sebring.

Spring just couldn’t arrive without the 12 Hours of Sebring.

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