Sebring Announces “Fresh from Florida”
as Presenting Sponsor

Sebring, Florida - Sebring International Raceway announced today “Fresh from Florida” as the presenting sponsor for the 56th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.  America’s premier sports car endurance race runs Saturday, March 15, 2008 at the famed raceway in central Florida.

The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by “Fresh from Florida” is the opening race of the prestigious American Le Mans Series.  For six decades Sebring has hosted the most important endurance race in North America, a key prelude to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.
"This is the second consecutive year that the 'Fresh from Florida' campaign has sponsored this high-profile event," Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said.  "As they did last year, this year's winning team will toast their victory with Fresh from Florida orange juice in the winner's circle while racing fans worldwide look on via television."

Bronson said the "Fresh from Florida" logo will again be a familiar sight for race attendees as well as millions viewing worldwide.  The "Fresh from Florida" logo will be displayed on billboards, barrier signs and banners and in the midway of the Sebring International Raceway.

"Sponsorship of this event is an excellent way to promote 'Fresh from Florida' agricultural products to consumers worldwide," Bronson said. "This legendary American Le Mans race -- held right here in the Sunshine State and seen all around the world -- is an exciting venue for advertising our state's products on a global stage."

 “With thousands of race fans attending the race, and an international television audience, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by ‘Fresh from Florida’ is an ideal venue for its marketing partners,” stated Sebring President and General Manager Tres Stephenson.   “The ‘Fresh from Florida’ campaign is a stellar addition to our family of sponsors.”

Sebring International Raceway is located in the heart of Florida’s citrus industry. The raceway evolved from a World War II B-17 training base known as Hendricks Field.  Since the first 12-hour classic in 1952, Sebring has attracted the world’s best road racing teams. Former winners at Sebring include Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney, A.J. Foyt, Stirling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill, Bobby Rahal, and dozens of other legendary drivers. 

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is statutorily mandated to assist Florida’s agricultural producers with marketing their products throughout the United States and abroad.  The Department’s Division of Marketing and Development develops and executes marketing promotions as part of their “Fresh from Florida” identification and promotional campaign.  The “Fresh from Florida” program also helps increase public awareness of the importance of Florida’s agricultural and natural resources industries, which have an overall economic impact estimated at over $97 billion.