Sebring: Huge field, past champions highlight event

Huge Field of Entries and the Return of Past Champions Highlights Sebring^Òs Golden Anniversary Celebration

Sebring, FL (March 6, 2002) ^Ö A stellar entry plus a salute to past champions highlights the Golden Anniversary running of America^Òs premier sports car endurance race. The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Dodge begins at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 16 at the historic Sebring International Raceway.

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season-opener has attracted a 60-car field featuring many of the teams that will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The winning team at Sebring the past three years has gone on to win Le Mans.

Four different classes will be racing together at Sebring, including the exotic Le Mans prototypes such as the Audi R8, Panoz, MG Lola, Dallara, Ascari and the new Cadillac LMP02. The thundering GT classes will include the factory Corvette team up against Ferrari, Dodge Vipers, Saleen and Porsche entries.

A highlight of Sebring^Òs 50th Anniversary will be the appearance of over 30 former Sebring-winning drivers, such as Dan Gurney, John Fitch, Vic Elford, Bobby Rahal, Bob Akin, Juan Fangio II, Hurley Haywood and Jim Hall. In addition, over 20 former Sebring-winning cars will be on display all week.

The legendary 3.7-mile circuit provides a wide variety of spectator viewing, parking and camping options. Gates open at Sebring on Wednesday, March 13, and remain open 24 hours a day through Saturday.

A full slate of racing includes seven different support races. Other special events include the new ^ÓSpring Brake Party Zone^Ô and an appearance by a B-17 in tribute to the former WWII air base known as Hendricks Field, which later became Sebring International Raceway.

Ticket information is available by calling tollfree in Florida 800-626-7223 (outside Florida 863-655-1442). Sebring^Òs website is located at www.sebringraceway.com.

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