Sebring 1939

Sebring

Sebring has been one of the most famous names in American racing ever since the concrete runways of this World War II airfield (where pilots had trained on B-17 Flying Fortresses) were first used in 1950.

Sebring has been one of the most famous names in American racing ever since the concrete runways of this World War II airfield (where pilots had trained on B-17 Flying Fortresses) were first used in 1950. Within two years, the first of the now traditional 12-hour sports car races was staged with Harry Gray and Larry Kulok’s Frazer-Nash successful. The first World Championship United States Grand Prix was also held here in 1959. Although it was the only time Formula 1 would visit Sebring, it was a memorable race. Bruce McLaren became the youngest winner to that date and his record would stand for over 40 years. Meanwhile, his Cooper team-mate Jack Brabham pushed his car across the line to clinch his first World Championship. However, attendance was disappointing, and the race moved to Riverside in 1960. The formerly abrasive surface was repaved with tarmac in 1991 and new owner Don Panoz further modernised the venue with new pit complex, hospitality units and a hotel adjacent to the hairpin all opened in 1999. NASCAR acquired the venue in 2012 as part of its purchase of the Panoz Motor Racing Group.

Circuit

Type

Temporary road course

Length

3.74 (Miles)

Change

Second pitlane added for 1000 miles of Sebring

Fastest Race Lap

Sebastien Bourdais (Peugeot 908 HDi), 1m43.274, 130.372 mph, ALMS Sports Cars, 2009

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Allan McNish/Tom Kristensen/Rinaldo Capello (Audi R10 TDi), 1m43.195, 130.472 mph, ALMS Sports Cars, 2008 (grid decided by practice times after qualifying declared null and void)

Type

Temporary road course

Length

3.74 (Miles)

Change

Hairpin changed to an "S" bend

Fastest Race Lap

Sebastien Bourdais (Peugeot 908 HDi), 1m43.274, 130.372 mph, ALMS Sports Cars, 2009

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Allan McNish/Tom Kristensen/Rinaldo Capello (Audi R10 TDi), 1m43.195, 130.472 mph, ALMS Sports Cars, 2008 (grid decided by practice times after qualifying declared null and void)

Type

Temporary road course

Length

3.6 (Miles)

Change

Fangio chicane moved nearer the Hairpin

Fastest Race Lap

Andrea Montermini (Ferrari 333SP), 1m51.867, 115.852 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1997

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Yannick Dalmas (Ferrari 333SP), 1m49.425, 118.437 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1997

Type

Temporary road course

Length

3.7 (Miles)

Change

Carousel bypassed by new section from Cunningham to Tower turns. Track widened and resurfaced

Fastest Race Lap

Geoff Brabham (Nissan NPT-90), 1m49.661, 121.466 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1992

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Juan Manuel Fangio II (Eagle Mk3-Toyota), 1m46.135, 125.501 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1993

Type

Temporary road course

Length

4.11 (Miles)

Change

Runways replaced by new asphalt sections

Fastest Race Lap

Geoff Brabham (Nissan GTP ZX-T), 1m58.582, 124.775 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1990

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Chip Robinson (Nissan GTP ZX-T), 1m55.767, 127.808 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1990

Type

Temporary road course

Length

4.86 (Miles)

Change

Ulmann Straight moved out to expand the paddock

Fastest Race Lap

Derek Bell (Porsche 962), 2m13.857, 130.707 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1986

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Whitney Ganz (March 85G-Buick), 2m11.134, 133.421 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1986

Type

Temporary road course

Length

4.75 (Miles)

Change

New asphalt section from Carousel to North South Runway

Fastest Race Lap

Bill Whittington (March 83G-Chevrolet), 2m22.750, 119.790 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1983

Fastest Qualifying Lap

John Paul jr (Porsche 935), 2m23.96, 118.783 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1983

Type

Temporary road course

Length

5.2 (Miles)

Change

Webster Turn bypassed with the Green Park Chicane introduced

Fastest Race Lap

John Paul jr (Porsche 935), 2m28.63, 125.950 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1981

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Bobby Rahal (March 82G-Chevrolet), 2m27.067, 127.289 mph, IMSA Sports Cars, 1982

Type

Temporary road course

Length

5.2 (Miles)

Change

Pits and start moved to current location

Fastest Race Lap

Dan Gurney (Ford GT40 Mk2), 2m54.8, 107.094 mph, Sports Cars, 1966

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Dan Gurney (Ford GT40 Mk2), 2m54.6, 107.216 mph, Sports Cars, 1966

Type

Temporary road course

Length

5.2 (Miles)

Change

Classic layout introduced using two concrete airport runways

Type

Temporary road course

Length

3.5 (Miles)

Change

Original circuit

Short Circuit

1969 - 1970

Type

Temporary road course

Length

2.2 (Miles)

Change

Five turn short circuit laid out around the pits

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