Automobile Racing Club of Florida

05/31/2026

Sebring 1971: As a historian of all things associated with the 12 Hours of Sebring, we try to document as many entries as we can, including the ones that didn't actually start! These entries are usually tough to find pictures of, so I get excited when I do find them. Below are many of the cars that didn't qualify or withdrew before the race in 1971. The #53 Ford Lotus-Cortina was entered by Marion Dickson and had Warren Drescher and Robert Luchette as drivers. The #78 Volvo 122S George Sanderson and had Ron Polimeni and Robert Theall as drivers. The #55 Datsun 510 was entered by Clearwater Datsun and had Bobby Clark and Ray Kessler as drivers. The #10 Corvette was entered by Iroquois Racing Association and had William Schumacher and Robert Kiefer as drivers. The #9 Corvette was entered by Simone Fleming and had Paul Fleming, Amos Johnson, and Bill Barnes as drivers. The #80 Datsun 510 was entered by Jack Baldwin and he and Jerry Jacob were the drivers.
To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of Florida and our mission to preserve the history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, please visit ARCF.net.

04/15/2026

Sebring 1956 is often remembered for the dominant victory of the factory Ferrari 860 Monza, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Eugenio Castellotti. However, the story of that race extends well beyond the winning car.

Ferrari fielded two additional factory entries, joined by at least five privateer cars—including this #32 Ferrari 250 MM Vignale Spyder. Originally purchased in 1955 by Alfred Momo, the car changed hands just months later to Gene Greenspun. Greenspun shared driving duties at Sebring with Bruce Kessler in the #32, which in Ferrari world is known as chassis . They did their best to hold their own in the race but after 82 laps, they had to pit with engine issues, ultimately resulting in the retirement of the car.

To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of Florida (ARCF) and our mission to preserve the rich history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, please visit us at ARCF.net. If you feel the same passion as we do, we invite you to become a member and join our journey!

03/14/2026

The Sebring Hall of Fame and the Automobile Racing Club of Florida proudly congratulate John Morton on his recent induction into the Class of 2026 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

Morton, who was inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame in 2010, has a long and storied history at Sebring, with his first experience at the track dating back to 1964. That year he co-drove the 427 prototype Cobra (CSX2196) with Ken Miles in the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Morton technically didn’t have the proper FIA license required to drive in the race. However, he managed to secure one with a handwritten note from Ken Miles that he presented to officials — and remarkably, they accepted it. When Carroll Shelby asked Morton if he knew the track, he confidently replied that he did, mentioning that he had been to Sebring several times. What he didn’t say was that his previous visits had all been as a spectator!

To prepare for the race, Morton bought a driver’s suit from a vendor at the track and borrowed a helmet from Edd Brown, who had competed in the motorcycle support race the day before. Complicating matters further, Miles had crashed the car during practice, leaving Morton with no opportunity to turn a lap before the race.
Although the Cobra had been repaired as best as possible under the conditions, it was still in rough shape when the race began. Miles started and drove the opening two hours, concealing injuries he had suffered in the crash before handing the battered car over to Morton.
Morton did his best to keep the struggling machine on course, making multiple pit stops to address clutch, fuel, and brake issues. Despite his efforts, the car’s troubles eventually proved too much, and the engine finally failed, ending their race.
It would be 12 years before Morton returned to Sebring to race again. From there, he went on to compete at the track for decades, racing in most years between 1976 and 1999. His Sebring career was highlighted by an overall victory in 1994, when he drove the No. 75 Nissan 300ZX to the win.
To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of Florida (ARCF) and our mission to preserve the rich history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, please visit us at ARCF.net. If you feel the same passion as we do, we invite you to become a member and join our journey!

03/03/2026

This month marks the 70th anniversary of Ferrari’s first official factory-team appearance—and its first overall victory—at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1956.
Ferrari arrived with three entries, two of them the brand-new 860 Monza. The #17 car was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Eugenio Castellotti, while the #18 was piloted by Luigi Musso and Harry Schell. The third Ferrari entry, the #19 857S Monza, was a year old but still a formidable contender, entrusted to Alfonso de Portago and Jim Kimberly.
The race itself marked a historic moment: it was the first professional road race held in the United States since the Vanderbilt Cup a generation earlier. A $10,000 purse awaited the winning professional drivers, while members of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) were required to forgo prize money—though they could proudly accept trophies for their achievements.
Ferrari faced fierce competition. Manufacturers including Jaguar, Maserati, Aston Martin, Porsche, and America’s own Chevrolet Corvette converged on Sebring, each fielding top machinery and world-class talent. Teams and privateers arrived with not only their finest machines, but also many of the era’s most celebrated drivers, each eager to test their skill against the unforgiving circuit. Though Juan Manuel Fangio was nearing the twilight of his career, he seemed to glide effortlessly around the course, making the challenge look less like a battle at the limit and more like a relaxed Sunday drive.
In the end, Ferrari’s gamble paid off spectacularly. The #17 car persevered to claim the overall victory, becoming the first entry to break the 1,000-mile mark. while the sister #18 860 Monza secured second place, 2 laps behind—delivering a dominant one-two finish in the marque’s debut as a factory team at Sebring.
To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of Florida (ARCF) and our mission to preserve the rich history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, please visit us at ARCF.net. If you feel the same passion as we do, we invite you to become a member and join our journey!

02/09/2026

Sebring 1962: Although Jim Hall and Hap Sharp had raced together at Sebring before 1962, this was the first year that they would enter their own team, Chaparral. They would use 2 front engine models made by Troutman-Barnes. The #10 would be driven by Hap Sharp and Ronnie Hissom. The #11 would be driven by Jim Hall and Chuck Daigh. After the #11 retired after 127 laps with a broken steering knuckle, Jim Hall would join the #10 and they would take 6th overall and 1st in class. Hall was convinced that the next Chaparral model would have a rear engine and the chassis would be of his own design.
To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of Florida (ARCF) and our mission to preserve the rich history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, visit us at ARCF.net. If our passion for motorsports history resonates with you, we invite you to become a member and join our journey!

01/27/2026

Erich Smith has put together an incredible lineup of cars for the ARCF over the years—and this year’s showcase at The Amelia Concours is even bigger. In addition to the ARCF category, nine more cars will be featured from IMSA and the Podium Class, representing legendary races like the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the 24 Heures du Mans. The event also highlights multiple other racing categories, with a Can-Am class rounding out an impressive and diverse field. Please join us on Amelia Island from March 5-8, 2026 to view one of the finest field of sports cars ever assembled in Florida! Tickets and information may be obtained from the website below.

Celebrate speed and style March 5 - 8, 2026 at The Amelia Concours at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

01/04/2026

Most motorsports fans know the legendary Carl Haas. One of America’s most successful team owners, Haas was also the nation’s leading race car salesman, longtime SCCA Board chairman, race promoter, and even a Formula 1 team owner in the mid-1980s.
Haas’ own racing journey began in 1951 at Elkhart Lake and he eventually ended up racing in the 12 Hours of Sebring 4 times, 1957-1959, and 1962. In 1957, he co-drove the #56 Stanguellini Bialbero with Harry Behm and Sandy McArthur. They finished 28th overall and 1st in class. In 1958, he joined Alan Ross and Charles Dietrich in driving the #53 Stanguellini Sports to 21st overall and 4th in class. In 1959, he drove with Frank Campbell in the #38 OSCA 1500. Unfortunately, they DNF’d after 115 laps. After taking a couple years off, Haas was back at Sebring driving a NART entered Ferrari 250GT SWB with Charlie Hayes and Charles Dietrich. They finished in 34th overall and 5th in class that year.
After retiring as a driver, he became a powerhouse team owner. His greatest legacy came with Newman-Haas Racing, which he co-owned with Paul Newman from 1983–2011. Based in Illinois, the team became one of IndyCar’s most successful, ranking second all-time with 107 wins, 109 poles, and eight championships. Add in 39 Can-Am and Formula 5000 victories and seven more titles, and the numbers are staggering.
From grassroots racing to championship glory, Carl Haas helped shape American motorsports for more than six decades.
To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of Florida (ARCF) and our mission to preserve the rich history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, visit us at ARCF.net. If our passion for motorsport history resonates with you, we invite you to become a member and join our journey!

12/17/2025

1957 Sebring: Robert Johns mentioned earlier today that he had raced at Sebring back in 1957 in a Triumph TR3. I mentioned I had acquired some of Ed Pennybacker's memorabilia, a few years ago, from the race so I dug it out to share. Ed drove the sister car of Robert's, the #33. Here's a summary of some of Ed's notes I have from the race: "Sebring, like many great sporting events, transcends mere competition; it becomes a state of mind. Its allure is not just in the speed and danger but in being part of a unique community that shares a common passion. Among the many stories unfolding at Sebring, one of the most captivating was the performance of the modest Triumph TR3s. While more prestigious brands like the Austin-Healeys, MGs, Arnolt-Bristols, and the potent AC Bristols were expected to dominate, the Triumphs steadily made their mark, outperforming their competitors in endurance and determination.
Time after time, a Bristol or Austin-Healey would speed past a Triumph TR3 on the straights, only to be overtaken in the bends. The Triumphs' superior disc brakes allowed them to dive deeper into the corners, compensating for their lower top speeds. On several occasions, drivers of the more expensive machinery, frustrated by being overtaken, would charge into corners side by side with the TR3s. They would deliberately keep their foot down, forcing the TR3s to brake, only to find themselves struggling to match the Triumphs' cornering prowess. Each time, the more expensive cars would spin off onto escape routes while the TR3s, with their superior braking, held their line through the corners. One particularly noteworthy but less visible aspect of the race was that, from the second hour onward, one of the Triumph TR3s was racing without a functioning clutch. For ten hours, Bob Oker and Ed Pennybacker shifted gears manually, relying on their ear and skill rather than the usual clutch disengagement."
In the end, the #34 Triumph TR3, driven by Mike Rothschild and Robert Johns, would finish 19th overall and 2nd in class, 1 lap behind the class winning #36 AC Bristol Ace. The #33 would finish 3 laps down to its sister car but still finished 3rd in class. Please see some of the pictures below. If anyone recognizes any of the team members in the pictures, please comment so I can make sure to document them with the photos for future reference.
To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of Florida (ARCF) and our mission to preserve the history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, please visit our website, ARCF.net and sign up to become a member!

12/07/2025

Sebring 1979: After the FIA withdrew from Sebring following the 1972 race, the track endured a rough stretch through much of the 1970s. But by the decade’s end, signs of revival were beginning to emerge. While many American circuits struggled to draw spectators, fans continued to flock to Sebring each March—proof of the race’s enduring pull.
A fresh coat of paint on the pits , along with bold red-and-white Winston branding on the control tower, gave parts of the facility a newer look, though the circuit still badly needed a full facelift. Charles Mendez Jr., who had taken over promotional duties the previous year, began implementing steady improvements, year after year. Interestingly, if you ever come across photos of Sebring featuring Winston signage, you can immediately date them to 1979—the company’s only year as the event’s sponsor.
On track, Porsche produced a commanding performance that typified the era. The top eleven qualifiers were all Porsche 935s, and by the end of the 12 Hours, only three non-Porsche entries managed to break into the top twenty. It was dominance in its purest form.
To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of Florida (ARCF) and our mission to preserve the history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, please check out our website, ARCF.net. If you're interested in becoming a member, please sign up on our website.

11/17/2025

Sebring 1965: I scanned a bunch of slides from 1965 today and picked a few to share. Most of the ones I chose were taken from near the hairpin. I also included 1 of the brand-new Firemen's pit structure, and 1 shot of some of the spectator scaffolding projects...don't forget...this was the year of the massive storm a little after 5:30pm that day...that would have been a heck of a ride if you were up top when it hit!!! Scaffolding was forbidden in 1966.
To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of Florida (ARCF) and our mission to preserve the history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, please check out our website, ARCF,net. If you're interested in becoming a member, please sign up on our website.