TRACK HISTORY
1950
Alec Ulmann suggests Sebring Airport site for a sports car road race. Sam Collier Memorial Sebring Grand Prix of Endurance Six Hours held on December 31 is first racing event ever held at Sebring and the first sports car endurance race held in the U.S.
1952
First 12 Hours of Sebring race held on March 15.
1953
The 12 Hours of Sebring is the first event of the new FIA sports car world championship.
A Chrysler-powered Cunningham wins, giving America its first international sports car victory.
1954
Stunning upset as an OSCA co-driven by Stirling Moss Wins.
1955
Jaguar wins controversial race.
1956
The legendary Fangio gives Ferrari its first Sebring win.
1957
Fangio wins his second consecutive Sebring race, this time driving for Maserati.
1959
Sebring hosts first-ever Formula One race in the United States in December.
1960
Porsche wins its first major endurance race at Sebring.
1964
Ferrari wins fourth-consecutive Sebring race; Carroll Shelby’s Cobras dominate the GT class.
1965
First American car to win Sebring in over a decade as Chevrolet Chaparral wins with Hap Sharp and Jim Hall driving.
1966
Sebring hosts first Trans-Am race. Tragedy strikes as four spectators are killed in an incident at Webster Turn. Dan Gurney’s Ford leading with two minutes left, stops on course. As he tries to push the car across the finish line, the Miles/Ruby Ford passes him in the final minute.
1967
Promoter Alec Ulmann announces the race will move to a new circuit in West Palm Beach. Two months later he changes his mind. First major change made to the circuit as the Webster Turn is replaced with a chicane.
1968
Trans-Am race included within the 12-hour race.
1969
Last “Le Mans start” at Sebring.
1970
Mario Andretti gives Ferrari a thrilling 22-second victory over actor Steve McQueen and Peter Revson in a Porsche.
1972
Ulmann announces this will be last Sebring race.
1973
Sebring revived by John Bishop and Reggie Smith under IMSA sanction.
1974
Race canceled due to “energy crisis.” Several thousands fan show up anyway to party.
1975
Race revived with John Greenwood as promoter.
BMW records its first Sebring victory.
1978
Tampa businessman Charles Mendez takes over promotion of race. FIA sanction restored.
1980
Dick Barbour Racing wins its third consecutive Sebring 12 Hour race.
1983
Sebring Airport Authority takes over promotion of race.
First major circuit change in 20 years as a new section bypasses airport runway.
In biggest upset in endurance racing history, a GT Porsche takes overall win, coming from 11 laps down.
1984
Paddock expanded, increasing course length to 4.86 miles.
1985
Co-driving with Bob Wolleck, A.J. Foyt wins his first Sebring race, the last win of his career as a driver.
1986
Akin, Stuck and Gartner drive a Porsche 962 to victory in the last race to utilize the airport runways.
1987
Revised track configuration results in new 4.11-mile course bypassing the airport runways, making Sebring a year-round circuit.
1989
Nissan victory ends 13-year Porsche win streak.
1990
Sebring Airport Authority leases facility to Mike Cone, major improvements include track resurfacing and a new paddock bridge.
1992
Sebring celebrates its 40th Anniversary.
Toyota wins first endurance race with Juan Fangio II and Andy Wallace driving.
1994
World Sports Car era begins, GT Nissan wins overall.
1995
Ferrari records historic win, first in 23 years at Sebring.
Chicane is relocated and renamed the Fangio Chicane.
1996
Oldsmobile with Riley and Scott Chassis scores first victory for an American manufacturer at Sebring in 27 years.
1997
Andy Evans sells Sebring lease to Panoz Motor Sports Group.
1998
Hairpin turn reconfigured.
1999
American Le Mans Series debuts at Sebring.
New pit tower construction as part of multimillion dollar improvement program.
Hotel constructed adjacent to the Hairpin.
2000
Audi records historic one-two finish.
2001
Audi sweeps top four positions.
Saleen upsets Corvette in GTS class.
Large Portion of track resurfaced.
2002
Sebring celebrates 50th Anniversary as Audi scores its third straight victory.
Sebring Hall of Fame established.
2006
Audi records first win for diesel-powered R10.
2007
GT2 class produces closest finish in Sebring history with a spectacular last lap battle.
2008
Porsche breaks Audi’s eight-year Sebring win streak.
2009
The fastest Sebring 12 Hours ever as Audi wins in debut of the R15.
2010
Peugeot becomes the first French manufacturer to win Sebring.
2011
Sebring opens the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup season.
Oreca Peugeot wins against factory entries.
2012
On Sept. 5, IMSA Holdings, a subsidiary of NASCAR, acquires assets of ALMS including Sebring International Raceway, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel. Grand-Am Road Racing and America Le Mans Series merged.
FIA World Endurance Championship debuts at Sebring.
2016
First rainfall during race in 19 years.
Honda scores first overall win.
2017
Debut of new DPi formula in the Prototype class.
2019
SuperSebring IMSA /FIA WEC doubleheader.
2020
Sebring 12 Hour moved to November due to pandemic.
2023
Whelen Engineering Cadillac wins the first Sebring race featuring Hybrid technology in the premier IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship class. Pipo Derani wins fourth overall 12 Hours of Sebring.
2025
Porsche Penske Motorsports sweeps the top two spots and extends Porsche’s overall win record at Sebring to 19.