Report and photos by Louis Galanos
Sebring International Raceway has always held some wonderful memories for me ever since I worked as a race official at my very first 12-Hour Grand Prix in 1970. That was the legendary race where Mario Andretti in a Ferrari 512S beat the then leading Steve McQueen/Peter Revson Porsche 908 by 28.5 seconds, the closest Sebring finish up to that time. From that point on I was hooked on the speed, history and thrill that is Sebring.
Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) has been sanctioning events at Sebring for over twenty years and the event held October 14-16, 2011 on the 3.740 mile Sebring course is part of the winding down of the second half of the HSR racing calendar which will conclude with an event at the Daytona International Speedway in November.
Up until 2009 the Sebring event was held in December but in 2010 the officials at Sebring abruptly gave the December date to the newly-formed Bobby Rahal’s Legends of Motorsports organization and HSR was forced to move their event to October.
According to HSR Competition Director Ken Fengler, the date change has had an impact on entries for the last two years. This year HSR and its participants are forced to deal with four events in a very short forty-five days. This has made it tough on some participants and many were forced to pick and choose which events they can afford to enter.
Prior to 2010, and the date change, entries for this event might exceed 170, while this year at Sebring just 90 were in attendance. Not helping the situation this year was the running of the Rennsport Reunion IV at Laguna Seca in California. This siphoned off a number of historic racers that normally would travel to Sebring.
Also the continuing economic problems in the U.S. have impacted amateur, historic and professional racing at all levels. Sanctioning bodies, sponsors, spectators and teams have been forced to husband their resources and make tough choices.
While there may have been fewer entries at Sebring in 2011 it did not have an impact on the kind of exciting racing for which HSR is known. The highlight of the fourteen competitions for the weekend was Sunday’s Group 5 & 5C Classic GT/Cayman event where the top two finishers took the checkered flag with 0.251 seconds separating them. The third place car was just another second behind.
As they say on television, “But that is not all!” The first place car was a red #2 1966 GT40 Mk. II driven by Dennis Olthoff of Mount Ulla, N.C. Coming in second was a 1961 XKE Jaguar driven by Larry Ligas of Pinellas Park, FL. Third was a 1969 Ford GT40, in Gulf livery, driven by James Cullen of Burlingame, Calif. Closely following those three was a 1965 Shelby GT350 entered by Oliver and Grahame Bryant of the United Kingdom. For several years now a contingent of Brits from across the pond have been racing at Sebring. Many of their cars are vintage American iron.
If you are an old codger like me, seeing these vintage makes again was like being transported back in time to the golden age of endurance racing at Sebring with Dan Gurney, Brian Redman, Jacky Ickx, Carroll Shelby and other legends on the track or in the pits. The close competition all during the race with numerous lead changes was a thrill for all who witnessed it.
No doubt the thrills will continue for HSR and its fans at the season-ending event to be held at the Daytona International Raceway on November 10-13, 2011. In 2010 HSR was forced to cancel the Daytona event due to the repaving project following the problems the Speedway experienced when the racing surface began to come apart during the 2010 Daytona 500.
Already there is a lot of “buzz” about Daytona and during the second week of October a number of historic racers privately rented the track to tryout the new racing surface. The word is that the racing surface is great and this should make for some great historic racing in November.
HSR Sebring Historic Races 2011 – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)
HSR 2011 Sebring Historic Races – Results (Overall)
Klub Sport Porsche Challenge
1 – Frank Beck, 1972 Porsche 914/6
2 – Juan Lopez-Santini, 1969 Porsche 911S
3 – Tom Briest, 1970 Porsche 914/6
Friday Night Race
1 – Travis Engen, 2005 Audi R8
2 – John Reisman, 2002 Lola B2K40
3 – Jerry Vento/Scott Sharp, 2010 Ferrrai 430 GTC
International – American Challenge
1 – Dennis Olthoff, 1966 GT40 Mk. II
2 – Jody O’Donnell, 1966 Corvette
3 – James Cullen, 1969 Ford GT40
Louis Chevrolet Vintage/Classic GT Enduro
1 – Cody Ellsworth, 1972 Porsche 911 ST
2 – Brian Johnson/Byron DeFoor, 1965 Lola T-70 Mk 1
3 – Tim Lewis Jr./Jim Thomason, 2009 Cayman
Louis Chevrolet Historic and GTP/WSC Enduro
1 – Andy Wallace/Bill Adam, 2005 Audi R8
2 – Travis Engen, 2005 Audi R8
3 – John Reisman, 2002 Lola B2K40
Group 2 & 3 Vintage/Historic Production – Race Two Results
1 – Juan Lopez-Santini, 1969 Porsche 911S
2 – Ray Grillo, 1996 Toyota World Sports
3 – Allan/Jonathan Ziegelman, 1970 Porsche 914/6
Group 5 & 5C Classic GT/Cayman – Race Two Results
1 – Dennis Olthoff, 1966 GT40 Mk. II
2 – Larry Ligas, 1961 Jaguar XKE
3 – James Cullen, 1969 Ford GT40
Group 6 & 7 GTP/WSC/Makes – Race Two Results
1 – Andy Wallace/Bill Adam, 2005 Audi R8
2 – Travis Engen, 2005 Audi R8
3 – Paul Reisman, 2002 Lola B2K40
Group 8 & 9 Stock Cars/Historic GT – Race Two Results
1 – Grahame/Oliver Bryant, 1995 Mustang
2 – Phil Lasco, 2000 Mustang Trans Am
3 – Freddy Baker, 2000 Porsche 911 Carrera
HSR Four Hours of Sebring (shortened to 2:30)
1 – Jerry Vento/Guy Cosmo, 2010 Ferrari 430 GTC
2 – Paul & John Reisman, 2002 lola B2K40
3 – Brad Blum/Ron Zitza, 2006 Porsche 997
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[Source: Louis Galanos]
About Louis Galanos
Nice story Lou. 1970 was also my first experience with Sebring, though I was in the infield. I still remember Andretti’s charge in the night to pass Revson and win the race.
It’s worth noting that HSR’s group 5 is giving us quite a show! As at Road Atlanta, the lovely and varied cars in this group gave us a race long battle for the win.
As always, a well written and interesting article. You never disappoint me.
The silver FFR Type 65 Coupe shown as photo number three on page one is a rendition of the famous Brock Daytona Coupe from 1965, It handles like a slot car on the track and I had the 66 Mustang use an HD camera to record 30 minutes of track time at Sebring. I have over 245 laps at Sebring with various competitive groups driving a Superformance Roadster (aka Shelby 427 roadster), a 2007 Jaguar XK, and the FFR coupe. The coupe is the most trackable car of all three vehicles. Thanks for the coverage and I have a photo of the photographer taking the photo that appears on the web site. I just happened to be looking across at the back stretch from the top of the covered stands when the shot was taken and had no idea it would be on a web site. Thanks to the photographer from all my rowdy friends!
Fantastic photos and a completye/factual article….as always.
Keep it up, Lou!
Ah- the Sebring Fall events. No mud, no dust, no crowding and no craziness…..
Great story and photos Lou!
Lou, another great story and those photos are terrific! I hope you are contemplating a “coffee table” edition of your romps and stomps through vintage racing both back in the day and today. Keep the shinny side up …!
Your usual high standard of writing, Lou. The photos ain’t bad either! I hope to see you in January.
Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Sebring Historic Races 2011, although much shorter races than the original 12 Hours of Sebring, leaves those who have competed there a yearning to go back in time to do it all over again. Although that may not be practical for most, I have enjoyed a great vintage season winning the F5000 Revival Championship…. Again in 2011, some 42 years later. It seems like only yesterday that the 13 th race of the FA5000 Continental Championship was decided upon in Dec 1969 at Sebring.
check out http://www.a2zracer.com/page20.html
The writer of this fine article, Report and photos by my friend “Louis Galanos” recants his first venture working at 70 Sebring as an Official and photographer, this was my first race there as well driving the NART 312P Ferrari coupe, where he captured me passing Steve McQueen in his Porsche 908 on the back straight. Steve had originally considered me to drive with him in the 908, however a last minute corporate decision to utilize Peter Revson was made. My aspirations of beating Steve and Peter were short lived when we retired after 56 laps and they went off to finish 1st in class , 2nd overall. http://www.a2zracer.com/page23.html
It is amazing that the history of Sebring continues to live on with the combination of historic and more modern racing cars of yesteryear, bringing the sights and sounds of a different era. Tks & Cheers , Tony Adamowicz
Hey Lou,
Great piece and nice pics as well. HSR Sebring is an event I’ve wanted to catch for a few years now, as its combination of perfect timing at the end of the season and warm Florida sun make it a nice end of year race. Maybe we can get F5000 there next year to bolster the turnout.
Cheers!
Will
Hey Will,
Great idea, a historic F 5000 race, to commemorate
the race at Sebring in Dec. 1969.
Good to hear from you, miss your writing for SCD.
Our Mutual friend Lou G does a good job, his photos,
especially his period photos are outa sight.
Keep up the good skills
Cheers Tony a2z racer
Hi Tony,
It was really great being there this year to watch you take the F5000 title at Infineon. Working with Seb on his Lola T192 has really been out of sight too.
A race at Sebring sure would be perfect in my opinion, not only as a way to remember the 1969 season finale, but the weather will sure be nice in late October in Florida.
As always, Lou’s work is a real stunner, just great pics mixed with spot on commentary.
Take it easy and I’ll see you next season on the F5000 grid.
Cheers!
Will
What the heck is a Miata dong in a historic?
It’s an old one ???
It’s hard to believe that the MX-5 is 20 years old isn’t it!
Another great article and outstanding photos from Lou, those of us involved in vintage racing really appreciate your coverage and insights of our events. This weekend at Hutchinson Island in Savannah, GA there is another HSR event that will feature some interesting cars on a great track that was built for an Indy Lights race several years ago. This is a spectator event that is part of the Savannah Speed Festival and is a really nice venue.