Appreciating an American Classic: Sebring

The Sebring 12 Hours truly is a unique race with special appeal. It enjoys a great history going back fifty-seven years to 1952 and is America's founding international sports car race and the country's fourth oldest motor race, preceded only by the Indy 500, Pike's Peak and the Southern 500.

The other thing about Sebring is that it's the antithesis of the silk gloves and white wine myth of sports car racing. The old airport track is very fast in places but it's as crude and rough as they come, making a serious challenge for car designers, builders and crewmen as well as the drivers. It's both intimidating and physically demanding and, of course, it's also a tremendous party for the fans, a legendary spring break celebration. Memorably, the race was cancelled in 1974 because of the energy crisis but a few thousand party-goers showed up anyway.

Going back to the days of Dan Gurney and Mario Andretti in the sixties and seventies the drivers tell stories of smelling a pig roast at one corner and some pot-smoking at another turn, and if you look at the littered remains of the party on Sunday morning after the race you would be excused for thinking you had just witnessed a classic, Woodstock-style rock concert rather than a motor race. But it's all part of what makes Sebring a genuinely unique event. More at Gordon Kirby: The Way It Is