The First Race - Sebring Historical Society

Tomorrow - New Year's Eve - marks the 75TH anniversary of the very first race at what would become the world-famous Sebring International Raceway.

It was the 6-hour Sam Collier Memorial Race on December 31ST 1950. Following the race there was an awards banquet at The Historic Harder Hall Hotel. The Crosley Hot Shot (# 19) was the winning stock car. It was the only American-built car in the race. It was on display at the hotel entrance during the banquet.

Tomorrow on our Circle - festivities will celebrate the start of 75 years of racing here in Sebring. There will be a short parade through downtown aboard a vintage fire truck. There will also be vendor tents with live music, food for sale, and historic cars on display. It'll be a free fun family event for all ages - starting at 1 PM at Circle Park. Official ceremonies will start at 3 PM to honor the historic 1950 race. At 6 PM a fireworks show will be on display over Lake Jackson.

Tomorrow's events - hosted by the Automobile Racing Club of Florida - are actually the start of a year-plus celebration honoring 75 years. It will culminate with the actual 75TH running of the "12 Hours Of Sebring" in March 2027. (The first race was in March 1952. No race occurred in 1974 due to the energy crisis.)

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