Roger Penskes Chevrolet Lola was stolen after
the 1969 Sebring 12 Hours.
FACT
While towing the car back from Sebring, the team stopped
near Ormond Beach, where it was stolen (most of it was
eventually recovered).
A movie starring Robert Redford was fi lmed at
Sebring Raceway.
FACT
Portions of the 1975 movie “The Great Waldo Pepper”
were fi lmed at the Sebring Airport and Raceway.
President Jimmy Carter frequently was a spectator
at Sebring.
FACT
It is well documented that Carter and his family traveled
to Sebring annually (long before he got into politics) to
attend the 12 hours.
Sebring Raceway is a “boneyard” of pieces from
defunct race tracks.
FACT at least to some degree
Bridges, fencing, tire barriers, lighting and other equipment
(including the now deceased scoring tower) came from defunct
races including the original version of the St. Petersburg
Grand Prix, Tamiami Park Indy Car race, New Orleans
Grand Prix, Baltimore Grand Prix, World Challenge of Tampa,
Lakeland Speedway and other tracks. We recycle!
The car that won the fi rst ever race at Sebring
in 1950 was actually a spectator’s car.
FACT
Yes, this car won the fi rst ever Sebring race in 1950, and it was
borrowed from a spectator! Yes, there was no Sebring race in 1974, but fans showed up
Victor Sharpe of Tampa drove his Crosley Hot Shot to the
Sam Collier 6-hour Memorial race in 1950. He was convinced
to loan his car to drivers Ralph Deshon and Fritz
Koster. They ended up winning the race, which was run on
a handicap formula.
A spectator once arrived three months early to
get in line for the race.
FACT
The earliest arrival was by Patrick Taylor of Palm Bay, Florida,
who arrived on December 26th 2003, nearly three
months before the race. Fans are now not allowed to arrive
until March 1st.
The 1974 race, before being cancelled, was
changed to a 1,200 kilometer race (instead of
12 hours) to save fuel.
FACT
The sanctioning organization changed the race name to
the “Sebring-Camel 1200 km” instead of “The 12 Hours of
Sebring.” However, the race was never held.
The 12 Hours of Sebring was once a
24-hour race.
FICTION
For some reason this is one of the most common myths
about Sebring. The race was NEVER a 24-hour race.
One of the victims of the Charles Manson
family in 1969 was hair salon entrepreneur
Jay Sebring, who named himself after the
famous 12-hour race.
FACT
Sadly true. He real name was Thomas Kummer, but he
chose Jay “Sebring” because he liked the name of the famous
Florida sports car race.
Walter Cronkite once drove in the 12 Hours of
Sebring.
FACT
The famous journalist drove a Lancia in the 1959 Sebring
12 Hours. On his fi rst practice lap three days before the
race, he witnessed a fatal accident when Edwin Lawrence
crashed his Maserati at the Hairpin. Lawrence’s family
comes to the 12 Hours race every year, camps at the track
and holds a private memorial service.
anyway!
Yes, there was no Sebring race in 1974, but fans showed up
anyway!
42 T h e 6 6 t h A n n u a l 1 2 H o u r s o f S e b r i n g