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A decade to remember at Sebring International Raceway

The top 10 moments from the past 10 years at America’s greatest sports car race

 

The first decade of the new century will be remembered as perhaps the greatest in Sebring history. Ten years, 120 hours of racing, and 404 cars entered by the world’s best sports car racing teams and manufacturers.

The year 2000 ushered in big changes to Sebring including a new pit structure and a track hotel, to name just a few. And the American Le Mans Series brought the world’s best racing teams to Sebring, producing some of the most exciting moments in endurance racing history. It is difficult to pick just 10 great moments from the previous 10 years, but Sebring’s informal panel of experts did its best:

The Great Finish – 2007


1.    The Great Finish – 2007
The now legendary last lap Porsche vs. Ferrari battle for the GT2 win thrilled all those in attendance and a worldwide television audience. With fireworks as a backdrop, the Risi Ferrari with Jaime Melo driving bumped its way to victory by the closest margin in Sebring history – 0.202 seconds. 

First Diesel Win – 2006


2.    First Diesel Win – 2006
Audi records a historic first, winning Sebring with its diesel-powered R10 TDI prototype.

Audi vs. BMW Battle –2000


3.    Audi vs. BMW Battle –2000
Audi records its first major international endurance racing victory after a furious 12-hour battle with defending Sebring champion BMW.

50th Anniversary Celebration – 2002


4.    50th Anniversary Celebration – 2002
A record crowd watches Audi win its third straight Sebring. Dozens of former winning drivers and their cars return to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of America’s greatest sports car race.

Saleen Upsets Corvette – 2001


5.    Saleen Upsets Corvette – 2001 
One of the biggest upsets ever at Sebring, as Saleen stuns Corvette in the GTS class.

Penske Porsche Breaks Audi Streak – 2008


6.    Penske Porsche Breaks Audi Streak – 2008
Porsche takes the overall win for the first time in 20 years, ending Audi’s eight-year winning streak.

Aston Martin Victory – 2005


7. Aston Martin Victory – 2005
In the debut race of the DBR9, the legendary British manufacturer returns to victory lane at Sebring for the first time in 49 years, winning the GT1 category.

The Fastest Sebring Ever – 2009


8. The Fastest Sebring Ever – 2009
The new Audi R15 TDI wins in its debut race, setting the fastest average speed in Sebring history and the all-time distance record. Tom Kristensen becomes Sebring’s first five-time winner.

Bentley Comes to Sebring – 2003


9. Bentley Comes to Sebring – 2003
Although it didn’t win at Sebring, the Bentley team made its only North American appearance here before winning at Le Mans with its exquisite closed-top coupe.

First MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge – 2009


10. First MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge – 2009
A new era in motorsports as the American Le Mans Series introduces the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge for the first time at Sebring. Audi (LMP) and Corvette (GT) were the winners.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. For ticket and accommodation information, see sebringraceway.com.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway

 

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