We are just a few hours away from the start of the 72nd Sebring 12-hour race. This classic event occurs at a traditional circuit that has undergone numerous changes while retaining its original charm.
Sebring is probably one of the most exciting places in Florida. And it’s obvious why the Army Air Corps chose it to be Hendricks Field in 1941. It’s as flat as can be in all directions, surrounded by vast open patches where a B-17 could conceivably land without worrying about hitting anything should you not make the airfield, and the weather is near perfect for most of the year. The surrounding city hasn’t changed much in as many years either. Sure, it’s gotten more extensive and somewhat more populated than in 1942 when the US Military came to town, but in so many ways, it’s the same 1940s and 50s classic architecture and speed as what you find in the South. It’s full of pensioners and laborers working in the vast citrus plantations, and for one week in March, it’s home to one of the best events in Motorsport.
I can remember my first exposure to Sebring, which came on TV in the early 90s. As far as I can gather, it was probably the 1992 or 1993 race through a highlights show, most likely on ESPN. The Camel IMSA GT Championship was one of the most remarkable series an impressionable ten-year-old could have been exposed to. The NPT Nissan and the AAR Toyota MkIII were the wildest cars you could have experienced in person. I was so lucky to have grown up during this time in racing.
About ten years later, I was part of a fly-in crew working for an LMP 675 team, which was my first and last exposure to working in professional Motorsport as my career took me in a different way a year later. It was a harsh introduction to the business, filled with highs and lows, but overall, I was hooked. Sebring instantly found its way deeper into my heart, and having been back multiple times as a spectator, I always look forward to going when I can get time away from my hectic life in emergency services.
If you’ve never been, you owe it to yourself to put it on the global bucket list. It compares with the other pillars: Monaco, Indianapolis, and Le Mans. It would be best if you experienced it at least once.
On BoP
IMSA took control back in GTD following Daytona. They have yet to explain the issue with BMW and Ferrari, though the hypothesis I spoke about in Article 4 seems to be supported by the changes made in this Balance of Performance change. Power was removed from the BMW and Ferrari, and weight was added for both brands. Acura has hopefully had their handcuffs removed from what they got at Daytona to open the season that saw them be entirely non-competitive. Through FP1 and FP2, the 10 and 40 were not far off from the front and seemed to improve, with the 10 finishing out FP3 in P3 and the 40 not participating due to a complete engine change. Despite the talents under the Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti tent, this has to be a concern. The team I worked for had our race ended early after being up nine laps at one point after we had an oil cooler let go a few hours short of the win. Sebring is suitable for crushing defeats.
It’s good to see that most GTP fields are not far apart, and the BoP modifications made will keep this competitive for 12 hours on Saturday. In 2.8 seconds, it covered the entire field at the top end, closing out FP3. Strategy and staying out of trouble will matter the most, just like always. With such a crowded field, we’re guaranteed to have numerous yellows, so stay out of trouble, and you’ll probably have a good result.
On Space X.
For several years, we’ve seemed to have a late-race Falcon 9 launch while Elon Musk continues building up the Starlink Internet constellation. This year? We are not likely to get one. Starlink 6-44 riding atop Booster 1062 is scheduled for a late afternoon departure on the 15th, with no launches ready for race day. A tradition comes to an end. The only fireworks we will get will be courtesy of the folks from Fresh From Florida.
On Class Predictions.
This will be tough, so let’s start at the tail end and work through GTD first.
Jack Hawksworth took the pole in GTD Pro with the No. 14 Lexus for Vasser Sullivan, and I will also put them on the top step come Saturday night. After numerous issues killed their race in Daytona, they’ll be looking to have a much better run here, and I think they will have it.
I think the rest of the podium will see the No. 4 from Pratt Miller Corvette and the No. 1 from Paul Miller round it out, although I think the No. 80 from AO Racing with Rexy will challenge hard for a podium spot. And don’t ignore Risi. They’re always at the end of so many of these long races.
In GTD, things get a little muddier, but I think the Cetilar Ferrari, who’s had a great weekend so far, will finish P3, the Turner BMW entry will take P2, and the Winward Mercedes will be on the top step.
In P2, it’s Ben Keating, with United Autosports grabbing another win. It just is. I feel like ERA brings it home. P2 is coming up short with a late-race yellow, and AO is racing with Spike to round it out. Potentially taking two podium finishes with cars straight out of the Cretaceous Period.
GTP. Somehow, this will end in tears again, and if it doesn’t, it will be a streetfight in an alleyway. I’m not even sure who to pick with this level of talent. So, I guess it’s dartboard time?
P3 will be the No. 6 from Penske with Tandy, Jaminet, and Fred Makowiecki. P2 ends up being the 31 Whelen entry with Derani and friends, which sometimes seems to be all he has. Despite his successes, it has not come without its complaints. The 31 and the 6 will chase down the winner and split the podium because of a late race yellow. And P1? Louis Deletraz ends up mugging Derani in traffic to bring the No. 40 home along with Jordan Taylor and Colton Herta after he finished fifth in the race in St. Petersburg on Sunday.
On Ganassi.
It was announced that they are not going to continue with Caddillac. I don’t know the reasons why, but I think we can guess a little.
The team and car have severely underperformed at times. There was a bunch of negative press shared after Chip hit and killed Devin DeFrancesco’s dog in the paddock. And with not much to show for the WEC and IMSA efforts compared to that of AXR, it sure feels that this is not just a situation in that they were notified very early in the year that the contract wouldn’t be renewed.
There is something more here, and it sure feels like GM is dumping this program on Ganassi, and moving to others who might have more success.
MSR will likely contact GM to inquire about at least one car should the long-rumored Alpine Hypercar not come to the IMSA paddock. I’m sure at least one other outfit will be looking, too. I suspect their involvement in the WEC will probably end as well unless a privateer takes it over there.
2025 Schedule.
We have it already. That’s pretty neat. IMSA decided to get out in front of the rest of the motorsports world. This is a good move. And it makes it easy to plan my vacations. Moving it up from the traditional date reveal at the State of the Series which is normally held in August at Road America.
Notable things? Not really. Lime Rock didn’t come back, and CTMP remains without GTP. But Indianapolis is getting a longer race. And that’s great.
Otherwise, it’s status quo, and we’re off and running.
As for the rest of it.
This is always a brilliant weekend. The WEC was always a great addition, but this year returns to a more traditional weekend schedule. The Mazda MX-5 Cup has already been bonkers; the Lamborghini and Porsche Cup races will finish in near darkness here on Friday night, which will make for spectacular visuals. We have an IMPC race in the middle for several hours, and then we get to cap it off on Saturday.
I cannot wait to return next year after missing the last few.