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Among the top drivers entered were Jim Kimberly, Briggs Cunningham
(who had raced at Le Mans earlier in the year), Luigi Chinetti
(who won at Le Mans in 1949), Phil Walters, Bill Spear and Tommy
Cole. Among the field of cars were Ferrari, Aston Martin, Jaguar,
Allard, MG and Fiat entries. Almost all were still oddities in the
United States.
Vic Sharpe of Tampa, whose family owned the Cadillac dealership
in Tampa, drove his little Crosley Hot Shot to Sebring to watch
the race and bring some spare parts for Tommy Cole, who was
co-driving an Allard Cadillac with Erwin Goldschmidt.
It was Cole who approached Sharpe about borrowing the Crosley
for a lap around the circuit. He timed himself with his wristwatch,
then used a slide rule to calculate how the 724cc Crosley could do
on the complicated handicapping system. He concluded it would
have an excellent chance of winning.
Since Sharpe was not an eligible SCCA
driver, Ralph (Bob) Deshon and Fritz
Koster were chosen to drive the Crosley.
Sharpe agreed to have the bumpers and
windshield removed to reduce weight.
The field of 28 cars lined up for the Le
Mans start. Grid positions were determined
by engine displacement — the cars
with the largest engines were placed at the
front of the field. The crude Sebring circuit was marked with hay
bales and a few signs. The pits were merely wooden tables. It was
certainly a modest beginning.
The Sam Collier Memorial Grand Prix started at 3 p.m. on
December 31, 1950. While the Crosley was certainly one of the
slowest cars on the track, it settled into a consistent lap speed
and quickly took the lead on the handicapping index. Deshon and
Koster held off Allard and Ferrari entries to win the race. The lone
American car had done the impossible and recorded the first of
many Sebring upsets.
The first Sebring race received international coverage and was
rated as a huge success. It would return in March 1952 as a 12-
hour race. Sebring had truly become the birthplace of American
Endurance Racing. Over the next six decades Sebring would
annually host America’s biggest endurance race. The 66th edition
runs March 14-17.
Start of the first Sebring 12-hour race in 1952.
Sebring’s 12-Hour Endurance Classic
Voted as one of the
World’s Ten Best Motorsports Events
USAToday 10Best Reader's Choice Selects Sebring For
Repeat Honor With Impressive Top Five Finish
Sebring International Raceway’s legendary 12-hour endurance
race has been voted as one of the world’s ten best motorsports
races in the USAToday 10Best competition.
Sebring was one of 20
races nominated by a
panel of experts for the
month long vote, and
finished fourth overall.
This is a repeat honor
for the famed Florida
circuit as the 12-hour
race also earned a top
ten ranking in the previous
Order Tickets Online at sebringraceway.com 15
10Best competition
in 2015.
“It is a remarkable achievement to have our 12-hour endurance
race again voted to be among the world’s ten best races,” stated
Sebring International Raceway President & General Manager
Wayne Estes. “As the ‘Birthplace of American Endurance Racing,’
Sebring has a loyal following of fans from around the world, and
we thank them for voting. We are proud of our heritage and the
international prestige Sebring has earned through seven decades.”
The 66th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring runs March 17th, 2018.
The race is part of the International Motor Sports Association
(IMSA) WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The Rolex24 at
Daytona also finished in
the top ten (9th), making
IMSA’s “36 Hours
of Florida” endurance
races a key part of USA
Today’s 10Best list.
Other events voted
in the top ten include
the Indianapolis 500,
Daytona 500, Knoxville
(IA) Nationals, Baja
1000, Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals (Tulsa, OK),
the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, Isle of Man Tourist Trophy and
the NASCAR night race held at Bristol (TN).
Tickets to the 66th Sebring, March 14-17, can be ordered online
at sebringraceway.com or by calling 800-626-7223.