EVOLUTION O F T H E S E B R I N G C I R C U I T
1952-82
5.2 mile circuit
1983-86
1983 4.75 miles
1984-86 4.86 miles
1400'
2245'
3620'
GREEN
PARK
2000'
AIR
CONTROL
TOWER
WATER
TOWER
925'
580'
1101'
3050'
North-South Runway
Hairpin Turn
MAIN GATE
Asphalt
Concrete
Paddock expanded in 1984,
moving the back straight out.
The
Esses
SPECTATOR
AREA
HANGER
SPECTATOR AREA
TIMERS
Vehicle Bridge
1958-86
Vehicle Bridge
1965
PITS PITS
Control Tower
Bridge
1955 PADDOCK AREA
3890'
Ulmann Straight
1987 -2017
1987-90 4.11 miles
1991-97 3.70 miles
1998 3.75 miles
1999-17 3.74 miles
1400'
1612
3050'
Fangio Chicane
Modifed Hairpin
SPECTATOR AREA
MAIN GATE
Vehicle
Bridge
1991
Bridge
1986
Vehicle Bridge
1965
1987-90
GREEN
PARK
Gurneye Bend
PITS PITS
Bridge
PADDOCK AREA
3082'
Ulmann Straight
Asphalt
Concrete
Le Mans
Curve
Carrousel
1987-1990
HOW THE CIRCUIT
HAS CHANGED
1952-82 (5.2 miles)
The first 30 years of the 12 Hours of Sebring were held
on the famous 5.2 mile circuit which included two long
airport runways. The only major change in the course
during this period was the elimination of the Webster
Turn in 1967. It was replaced with the Green Park Chicane.
1983 (4.75 miles)
A segment deleting part of the runway section altered
the course in 1983. The new section was asphalt and
reduced the length slightly, bypassing part of an active
airport runway.
1984-86 (4.86 miles)
The expansion of the paddock area increased the course
length slightly as the Ulmann straight was moved out.
1987-90 (4.11 miles)
The north-south runway was deleted and a new asphalt
course re placed the circuit from turn one through the
esses, which were replaced by the carrousel.
1991-95 (3.70 miles)
A major improvement program began with wid en ing, resurfacing
and rerouting of the track. Turns 8, 9 and the
carrousel were deleted, placing the Lesco building outside
the circuit.
1996-97 (3.6 miles)
Following the 95 race, the Fangio chicane was relocated
closer to the Hairpin, which shortened the circuit slightly.
1997 (3.75 miles)
Following the 97 12 hour and before the October FIA
event, the entrance and exit (turn 17) of the Ulmann
straight was reconfigured, increasing the length of the
circuit slightly. The Ulmann straight was also paved with
asphalt. Turn 17 was returned to its original design after
the FIA race.
1998-present (3.74 miles)
After the 1998 12 hour and before the September event,
the Hairpin was changed to an “S” con fig u ra tion and
portions of the circuit were repaved.
48 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