Featured Article: Sebring’s Racing Legacy

Sebring’s Racing Legacy

Every March, the sound of engines echoes across Sebring — a roar that’s been part of the town’s heartbeat for more than seventy years. To the rest of the world, Sebring is known for endurance racing. But to those who know its history, that legacy began long before the checkered flags and grandstands. It started on a World War II airfield, where determination and innovation turned a piece of military history into one of motorsport’s most legendary tracks.

From Warplanes to Race Cars

Before there was a racetrack, there was Hendricks Field, a training base for U.S. Army Air Forces pilots during World War II. Rows of bombers once lined the runways, and young airmen practiced takeoffs and landings on the vast stretches of concrete that cut through the heart of Highlands County.

After the war, the base was deactivated, and for a while, it sat quietly, an empty airfield under the Florida sun. But in 1950, a man named Alec Ulmann, a sports car enthusiast and aviation consultant, saw something others didn’t. Where others saw abandoned runways, he saw potential. With permission to use parts of the airfield, Ulmann organized the first Sebring International Grand Prix of Endurance in 1952, a six-hour race that would soon grow into the famous 12 Hours of Sebring.

The Birth of a Legend

The event quickly gained attention. Drivers and teams from around the world traveled to Sebring, bringing with them cars from Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, and Maserati. The combination of long, rough concrete runways and sharp turns made it one of the most challenging circuits anywhere.

It wasn’t glamorous, at least not at first. Spectators parked their cars on the grass, and the “pits” were little more than tents and makeshift garages. But the atmosphere was electric. Sebring became known as a place where endurance, skill, and grit mattered more than flash.

By the mid-1950s, the race had become part of the World Sportscar Championship, alongside Le Mans and other iconic European events. Suddenly, this small Central Florida town was on the international map.

A Community Tradition

Over the decades, the 12 Hours of Sebring has seen it all, historic wins, legendary drivers, and a few wild stories that locals still love to tell. From racing greats like Stirling Moss and Mario Andretti to modern stars, the race has drawn generations of fans who come back year after year.

For locals, race week is more than just a sporting event, it’s a tradition. Families camp out together, friends reunite, and the entire town buzzes with excitement. For many, it’s the sound, smell, and spirit of Sebring at its finest.

Preserving the Racing Heritage

The Sebring Historical Society plays an important role in keeping that story alive. The archives hold photographs, race programs, and memorabilia dating back to the earliest years, preserving the details of how a quiet airfield became one of the world’s most famous endurance tracks.

Visitors can explore old race photos, vintage posters, and stories from the people who witnessed the transformation firsthand. It’s a chance to see not only the history of a race but also the evolution of a community that grew around it.

Still Racing Forward

Today, Sebring International Raceway continues to honor its roots while embracing the future of motorsport. New technologies, hybrid engines, and global broadcasts may have changed the look of the event, but its soul remains the same, a test of endurance, teamwork, and passion.

The next time you hear the distant rumble of engines rolling over the old Hendricks Field runways, remember, you’re hearing history in motion. From the airfield to the 12 Hours, Sebring’s racing legacy isn’t just about cars. It’s about vision, perseverance, and a community that never stopped believing in its own story.