Ahead of the FIA WEC’s return to the Sebring International Raceway for SuperSebring, we decided to explore some of the circuit’s most iconic moments over the past 78 years…
1942: Hendricks Field opens near Sebring as an Army Air Force training base
1946: Hendricks Field deactivated and becomes Sebring Airport
1950: Alex Ulmann suggests Sebring Airport site for a sports car road race… on 31 December of that year, the first ever sports car endurance race is held in the USA at Sebring
1956: The legendary Fangio gives Ferrari its first Sebring win
1967: First major change made to the circuit as the Webster Turn is replaced with a chicane
1969: Last “Le Mans start” at Sebring
1974: Race cancelled due to “energy crisis”. Several thousand fans show up regardless to party!
1983: First major circuit change in 20 years as a new section bypasses airport runway
1984: Paddock expanded, increasing course length to 4.86 miles
1987: Revised track configuration results in new 4.11-mile course making Sebring a year-round circuit
1992: Sebring celebrates its 40th anniversary
1999: American Le Mans Series debuts at Sebring and new pit tower constructed
2002: Sebring Hall of Fame established
2009: The fastest Sebring 12 Hours ever as Audi wins in debut of the R15
2010: Peugeot breaks Audi’s eight-year Sebring win streak
2012: FIA WEC debuts at Sebring
2016: First rainfall during race in 19 years
2019: The first-ever SuperSebring: an FIA WEC/IMSA double-header
2020: TBC…
*With thanks to Sebring International Raceway and IMSA for the facts provided.
