SEBRING: AMERICA'S TOUGHEST ENDURANCE TEST.

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

Detroit. America has four long-distance endurance road races of note: The Daytona 24 Hour (Rolex24), the 6-Hour race at Watkins Glen, Petit Le Mans (approximately 10 hours) at Road Atlanta, and of course this country's oldest and most prestigious event, the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Historically speaking, Daytona is the first and longest race on the calendar, however it is no secret that the Daytona International Speedway road course probably isn't the most ideal circuit for a long-distance race. But it has occupied the traditional first position on the U.S. calendar for so long that nothing is likely to change that. The Watkins Glen 6-Hour was once run on the same weekend as the Can-Am series back in the day. That made for some interesting "guest" appearances by drivers and cars in the Sunday Can-Am feature to be sure, and the traditional early summer date at The Glen has survived over a number of years and sanctioning bodies. And Petit Le Mans now occupies a traditional place on the calendar by the sheer force of will of Don Panoz, who molded it into a premier event over time.

It's clear that Daytona and Sebring are head and shoulders above the other events, but it's also clear that America's most prestigious long-distance road racing event is the 12 Hours of Sebring, hands down. Normally, a 12-Hour event wouldn't eclipse a 24-Hour in terms of prestige, but Sebring is the oldest (the first 12-Hour event ran in 1952) and by far the toughest road race on this continent. Set amidst the surrounding orange groves, the Sebring circuit itself is partially made up of the remnants of an old W.W. II training base for the U.S. Air Force, Hendricks Army Field. That means running on old concrete runways that are brutally rough and unforgiving. So tough and unforgiving in fact that there are places on the circuit where all four wheels can leave the ground, if you happen to get caught out in a really bad section.

It's no wonder that the factory prototype teams from Audi and Porsche regularly test their cars in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans at Sebring. If something is going to break or come apart on a race car, it will definitely break from the relentless pounding that takes place at Sebring. And even though the Le Mans circuit is billiard table-smooth for the most part, the German factory teams consider it well worth the expense to test at Sebring. (It's too bad that FIA is so screwed up that they can't see fit to put America's two most prestigious endurance events - Sebring and Daytona - on its international endurance calendar for the World Endurance Championship. It's a complete travesty, in fact, especially when the prototype teams from Porsche and Audi have regularly tested at Sebring the week immediately after the 12 Hours of Sebring is run. It's silly and stupid, but most of all it's flat-out insulting to American racing interests. Is it any wonder that many people in the racing business today are sick and tired of the FIA's dictatorial control of racing? But I digress.)

Sebring is a state of mind as much as anything else. Long an alternative destination for Spring Breakers, it regularly attracts the biggest crowds for a road race in this country. It's not even close in fact. And the race itself can be run under the most brutal conditions, too, from searing heat and lung-sucking winds to torrential rain (go back and look at pictures from the '65 race when a deluge hit the track, incredible). It takes relentless determination, meticulous preparation and a dose of sheer luck to win this country's most prestigious endurance race. And even then it may not be enough, especially in this era of flat-out sprint "endurance" racing. Ask anyone who has participated and won - there's nothing like Sebring. If you win there you've really accomplished something.

The 12 Hours of Sebring is the one road racing event that everyone should make the effort to see at least once (this year's race is on March 19), but there's a caveat that goes with that statement.

Once you go, you'll be back.

And that's the High-Octane Truth for this week.


 

Editor's Note: Many of you have seen Peter's references over the years to the Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation (HERF), which he launched in 2007. For those of you who weren't following AE at the time, you can read two of HERF's press releases here and here. And for even more details (including a link to Peter's announcement speech), check out the HERF entry on Wikipedia here. -WG

Publisher's Note: As part of our continuing series celebrating the "Glory Days" of racing, we're proud to present another noteworthy image from the Ford Racing Archives. - PMD
(Photo courtesy of the GM Archives)
Sebring, Florida, March 21, 1964. The No. 2 Mecom Racing Team Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport driven by A. J. Foyt and John Cannon at speed during that year's 12 Hour race. The duo finished way back in 23rd position after encountering myriad problems during the race. Mike Parkes/Umberto Maglioli (No. 22 S.E.F.A.C. Ferrari 275P) won the race overall by one lap, followed by Ludovico Scarfiotti/Nino Vaccarella (No. 23 S.E.F.A.C. Ferrari 275P) and John Surtees/Lorenzo Bandini (No. 21 S.E.F.A.C. Ferrari 330P) for a Ferrari 1-2-3. Though the Ferrari team dominated the event, Carroll Shelby's Shelby American racing team served notice that day that things were about to change. Bob Holbert/Dave MacDonald (No. 10 Shelby American Cobra Daytona Coupe) finished fourth overall and first in GT, followed by Bob Bondurant/Lew Spencer (No. 12 Shelby American Cobra) and Jo Schlesser/Phil Hill (No. 14 Ford of France Shelby American Cobra). Much to Enzo's chagrin and dismay, American endurance racing would get tougher for his squad. The next year, Jim Hall's Chaparral would dominate the race, and then the Fords would take over after that. Watch a video here.

Publisher's Note: Like these Ford racing photos? Check out www.fordimages.com. Be forewarned, however, because you won't be able to go there and not order something. - PMD