Sebring - An historical perspective
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Sebring - An historical perspective
With the upcoming 12 hours, I found this interesting track map from 1952. The original track was 5.2 miles (vs. the 3.7 miles now). It used part of the airport which had to be closed down during the 12 hour event. To keep the airport open during the race, they reconfigured the back end of the track, leading onto the back strait, which reduced it to 3.7 miles.
Talk about holy long straitaways batman!!!
Many folks don't know Sebring hosted the fist US F1 Grand Prix.
For much of Sebring's history, the track followed a 5.2 miles (8.4 km) layout. In 1967, the Webster Turn right between the hairpin and the top of the track was removed and replaced with the faster Green Park Chicane, which was closer to the hairpin and allowed a flat-out run through a very fast corner to the top of the track and the runway, which made the circuit 50 yards longer. In 1983, the track was changed to allow simultaneous use of the track and one of the runways. In 1987, more changes allowed use of another runway. Further changes in 1991 accommodated expansion of the airport's facilities, and brought the track close to its current configuration. The entire track could now be used without interfering with normal airport operations. In 1997, the hairpin was removed due to a lack of run-off, and replaced with what became known as the "safety pin". Gendebien Bend was also re-profiled to slow the cars' entry to the Ullman straight.[6]
Talk about holy long straitaways batman!!!
Many folks don't know Sebring hosted the fist US F1 Grand Prix.
For much of Sebring's history, the track followed a 5.2 miles (8.4 km) layout. In 1967, the Webster Turn right between the hairpin and the top of the track was removed and replaced with the faster Green Park Chicane, which was closer to the hairpin and allowed a flat-out run through a very fast corner to the top of the track and the runway, which made the circuit 50 yards longer. In 1983, the track was changed to allow simultaneous use of the track and one of the runways. In 1987, more changes allowed use of another runway. Further changes in 1991 accommodated expansion of the airport's facilities, and brought the track close to its current configuration. The entire track could now be used without interfering with normal airport operations. In 1997, the hairpin was removed due to a lack of run-off, and replaced with what became known as the "safety pin". Gendebien Bend was also re-profiled to slow the cars' entry to the Ullman straight.[6]
#3
Great back in the day info...
My Dad, Bill (Reds) Huffman built the # 69 '63 Split Window, Bob Mouat was primary driver & Rusty Jowett was back-up. We ran the 1967 Sebring race.
My Dad & Bob also made history in SCCA with our '57 Corvette "THE 57".
Dennis Huffman...
"THE 57"...HMS57...
My Dad & Bob also made history in SCCA with our '57 Corvette "THE 57".
Dennis Huffman...
"THE 57"...HMS57...