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 | | March 14 2008 02:52:13 AM EST | |
| 1941. Hendricks Field. Curtis LeMay. 1952. Alec Ulmann.
* A military airfield is built.
* Airbases become the new home for US racing in the 50's thanks to Curtis.
* Ulmann promotes the first Sebring race in 1952.
That covers the heritage of this [now] 3.7 mile homage to endurance racing. From day 1, Sebring's blend of high-speed runways and the rough track surface marked it as THE proving ground for auto / racing durability / performance technology validation.
........And few picked up on that with more resolve than Zora. Corvette arrived in 1956 and used the place to cut Corvette's teeth. He paved the way for a continued Corvette presence @ Sebring with very few exceptions [only 1959, 1963, 1969, and an off-year or 2 in the 80's / 90's....maybe].
Le Mans may be the holy grail, but Sebring is the real deal for Corvette.
* BBV honors the fact that racing MADE Corvette.
* History suggests Sebring MADE Corvette Racing.
C1, SS, L88, Grand Sport, Wide Bodies, and other legendary 'vettes. Racing legends that carried the torch- Fitch, FANGIO, Cunningham, Thompson, Penske, Yenko, Greenwood, et al.
Savor some of the highlights and photos of a few landmark Sebring Corvette race cars and accomplishments. Feel free to fill in the facts where we 'need help'......
1956- It begins. Zora tests his options. 4 Corvette racers enter the 12 hour. Car 1, 307-ci engine, driven by John Fitch and Walt Hansgen, runs SCCA class C/Modified, finishes 1st in class, 9th overall. Car 5, 265-ci engine, Duntov cam, 4.11 final drive, driven by Dale Duncan and John Eager, runs in B/Production, breaks an axle shaft 20 minutes in. Car 6, 265-ci engine, 3.70 final drive, driven by Ray Crawford and Max Goldman, B/Production, finishes 6th in class and 15th overall. Car 7, 265-ci engine, 4.11 final drive, driven by Ernie Erickson and Chuck Hassan, B/Production, blows a piston 1 hour into the race.
1957- 4 'vettes entered. The SS, driven by John Fitch and Juan Fangio, runs only 120 miles before it DNF's for erratic brakes and rear suspension. Richard Thompson and Gaston Andrey in a C1 finish 1st in GT Production, 12th overall, best showing for a GT car, to date. A third Corvette wins Modified Production class, 15th overall. The fourth Car takes 16th overall.
1958- 2 Corvettes entered, one finishes 1st in GT.
1960- Corvettes finish 1, 2, 3, 4 in GT 5000 class!
1961- Corvette finishes 1st in GT class and 11th overall.
1963- GM Chairman Fred Donner issues a policy memo, reiterating compliance with the '57 AMA racing ban. Only 5 of the 125 planned Corvette Grand Sports get built.
1966- Roger Penske's Corvette 427 ci GS finishes 1st in GT.
1967 / 1968- the iconic SunRay DX Sting Rays.
1973- John Greenwood, Ron Grable, and Mike Brockman finish 1st in class, 3rd overall, the best ever showing for a Corvette at Sebring. Greenwood Corvette's continue to compete through the 70's. The widebody era is born.
1995- The Rippie ZR1.
1999- 2 Pratt & Miller C5R's [with drivers Ron Fellows, John Paul Jr., Chris Kneifel and Andy Pilgrim, Scott Sharp, John Heinricy] make their Sebring debut.
2000 to 2008- You know the rest........
Time to enjoy Sebring 2008.
BTW- So, how can you identify a true Corvette fan @ Sebring. They are the ones that honor the green flag on bended knee.....then party their BadBoy butts off in victory lane.
PS- Hey Chevy, how do you NOT offer a 'Sebring special edition C6' to honor such a great heritage as this? |
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