Walkover Bridge

GREENVILLE, S.C. (February 3, 2011) – This year, visitors of Sebring International Raceway will be introduced to the latest Michelin ultra-high performance (UHP) consumer tire offering, as Michelin becomes the official tire of Sebring International Raceway. The MICHELIN^® Pilot^® Super Sport tire, born from endurance racing, launches in the United States this April and is appropriately featured on the newest signage around the Sebring track. (photo link #1) The signage will make its debut in front of an audience of over 175,000 fans attending the Twelve Hours of Sebring race weekend, March 16-19, 2011.

“It is very fitting that we begin the North American launch of our outstanding new Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire here at Sebring, the home of America’s premier sports car endurance event, the Twelve Hours of Sebring,” said Don Byrd, vice-president, marketing, Michelin Americas Small Tires (MAST).  “The turn 17 bridge linking the pit and paddock area to the infield and the fans is the ideal visual link connecting our Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire’s endurance racing technology to consumers.” (photo link #2)

Michelin’s decision to prominently feature its newest UHP tire on billboards in prime locations around the 3.7 mile Sebring circuit, matches its commitment to delivering race tires with all-around performance in braking, turn in, cornering power, corner exit and power down around the track.

 “We are delighted to welcome Michelin as the official tire of Sebring and to help them feature the all-new Michelin Pilot Super Sport,” said Tres Stephenson, Sebring president & general manager.  “Michelin became the first tire maker and just the fourth manufacturer (joining Porsche, Ferrari, and Audi) inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame in 2010.  Michelin technical partner teams have won the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring for the last 12 consecutive years. Our fans know and respect Michelin.”

The Michelin^® Pilot^® Super Sport tire owes its excellence to years of success in the world’s most demanding endurance races. As the new benchmark in UHP tires, the Michelin^® Pilot^® Super Sport tire integrates technologies that have demonstrated their validity and efficiency at the highest levels of motorsports.  In fact, two of the three most innovative technologies featured in the new Michelin^® Pilot^® Super Sport tire, were developed at Sebring and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: a Bi-Compound tread, allowing for exceptional grip and endurance and Twaron, a high-density fiber providing the Michelin^® Pilot^® Super Sport tire with superior high-speed stability.

Pilot Super Sport Logo

An additional feature of the new Michelin^® Pilot^® Super Sport tire is a continued expansion of Michelin’s long-standing reputation for delivering extended wear with a balance of performances. Thanks to continued development in design, construction, compounds and materials, Michelin teams have reduced tire usage at the 24 Hours of Le Mans by over 20 percent in the last two years while continuing Michelin’s unprecedented record of success.

 “Michelin seeks out open competition like the ALMS for many reasons including a technical push to constantly innovate and develop new technologies, while allowing consumers to see our performance advantages for themselves,” said Byrd. “Adding our signage and relationship with an iconic venue like Sebring reinforces that approach.”

Manufacturers and top independent teams from Audi, Aston Martin, Porsche, Peugeot, Honda, Ferrari, Corvette, and Toyota have chosen Michelin as their technical partner for the 2011 American Le Mans Series, and Intercontinental Le Mans Cup seasons.

The 59^th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh From Florida will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011.

About Michelin

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin (www.michelin.com) designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs approximately 20,900 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.

For more information, visit www.michelinmedia.com or contact:

Lynne Fowler                                                                        John Love

Michelin North America                                                     EMC Strategic Communications

office: 1 864 458 6365                                                           office: 1 248 816 0106

mobile: 1 864 561 9914                                                         mobile: 1 313 506 2114

lynne.fowler@us.michelin.com                                          john@emcstrategic.com

 THE “WOODSTOCK OF AUTO RACING”

The legendary Sebring 12-hour endurance race every March features the world’s top sports car racing teams.  It also features the most dedicated following of fans in all of motorsports.

Often called the “Woodstock of Auto Racing,” Sebring attracts thousands of race fans from around the world for a four-day festival of international sports car racing.  The  59^th edition of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida takes places March 16-19^th, kicking off the 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron.

Since 1952, Sebring has been a harbinger of spring for sports car racing. With the scent of orange blossoms in the air, the event has always attracted an eclectic mix of hard-core racing enthusiasts, foreign visitors, college students on spring break and Floridians looking to watch the world’s most exotic and technically-advanced racing machines. Even in 1974, when the race wasn’t held due to a fuel shortage, thousands of fans showed up anyway to party and celebrate the Sebring tradition.

Today, Sebring remains America’s greatest sports car race, and second only to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in terms of international significance. The Sebring tradition is alive and well.  The race’s dedicated fans, bolstered by new fans joining the Sebring tradition every year, will begin lining-up at several weeks before the gates open (when fans started lining up in December, three months before the race, officials decided to make March 1^st the earliest they could arrive since there is simply not enough room or facilities outside the entrance).

SEBRING TO RECOGNIZE CAMPSITES, CRUISERS

In honor of its loyal following of fans, Sebring International Raceway will recognize its top campsites and cruisers at this year’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida.

A “Campsite of the Year” and a “Cruiser of the Year” will be designated in a new competition that will recognize this important part of the Sebring tradition.

It was 40 years ago that Sebring’s most famous campsite “F-Troop” was founded by race fans Bobby Amour and Chauncey Wallace.  That site has grown annually and now boasts members from throughout the USA and as far away as Holland. Current F-Troop “Commander” Terry Harms has organized the campsite’s annual activities for over 30 years. There are now dozens of campsites around Sebring’s historic 3.7-mile circuit, originally a World War II B-17 training base known as Hendricks Field.

With the Sebring classic getting bigger every year, new campsites and cruisers have been joining the fun.  Can these “rookies” upstage the veterans?

“Our guests are certainly part of the Sebring spectacle,” stated Sebring President and General Manager Tres Stephenson. “This competition is one way we can recognize their dedication to Sebring, and at the same time inspire new fans to join in the fun.

“This year will be truly special,” added Stephenson. “With Sebring joining the new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, we expect the finest entry in over a decade.  Ticket sales are approaching a record pace, and the momentum continues to build.”

Campsites will be judged by a committee that will visit each location the day before the running of the 12-hour classic. Judges will focus on the creativity of each entry’s Sebring race-related theme when selecting the winner. Cruising vehicles will be judged Friday afternoon on the Midway at 3 pm. To register for either competition, see below. Complete details will be posted at sebringraceway.com.

Winners in each category will be honored at the 60^th Anniversary race in 2012 and will be featured in the race program and on Sebring’s website. In addition, Sebring International Raceway will donate $500 to a non-profit organization of each winner’s choice.

CAMPSITE COMPETITION:

To enter your Sebring campsite, contact mchristian@sebringraceway.com with the following information (deadline to register is March 1):

1. Campsite Name
2. Location
3. Organizer’s name, address, email address and phone number.

Rules: Campsite name must be clearly indicated. Campsite must be up and running by Friday, March 18 at 3 pm.

CRUISER COMPETITION:

To enter your Sebring cruising vehicle (deadline is March 1), contact mchristian@sebringraceway.com with the following information:

1. Type of vehicle and “name”
2.  Owner’s name, address, email address and phone number.

Rules: Vehicle name must be clearly indicated. No alcohol beverages inside the vehicle.  All passengers must be seated at all times. Judging will take place at 3 pm on the Midway. Cruising activity at Sebring will be limited to the Midway and North Paddock (no cruising in the main paddock will be allowed).

                                  

 SEBRING, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2010) – Legends of Motorsports, A Bobby Rahal Signature Event, wrapped 2010 with a successful finale at Sebring International Raceway. The historic racing series’ inaugural season closed with its largest entry list to date and a strong turnout from race fans and auto enthusiasts.

 With the lure of the Florida sun in December, Legends of Motorsports’ final event of 2010 proved to be an attractive proposition for many historic racing participants. The Sebring entry list featured numerous first-time series entrants ready to make the regulars work to earn their race wins, and in some cases, category championships.

 The event kicked off with a “Lunch with Legends” road rally into downtown Sebring. Led by Rahal himself, a parade of race cars traveled from the track into Sebring on public roads. Once there, Mayor George Hensley presented Rahal with a key to the city. Rahal was back downtown on Friday night aboard a 2011 Jaguar XKR convertible to lead the city’s annual Christmas parade.

 As the event’s featured marque, there were Jaguars aplenty at the 3.7-mile Sebring circuit. In addition to those on the entry list, Jaguar brought a fleet of its current models for guests to sample, both on the road and on a specially designed autocross course.

 Saturday was a particularly busy day, with a 50-minute enduro race in the morning won by GTP entrant Mark Brannon and his Riley & Scott 3C. Shortly after the conclusion of the enduro, fans gathered at the Gallery of Legends for a fan forum with 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner and series co-founder Bobby Rahal, American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton and the event Grand Marshal, Brian Redman, who is a two-time 12 Hours of Sebring winner.

 “It was very enjoyable to see so many old friends and old cars (which are old friends also) in beautiful Sebring,” Redman said. “I think Legends of Motorsports has done a very good job. This isn’t easy. There was a good collection of cars and it was all done to a high standard.”

 Saturday closed with an elegant awards banquet held at the adjoining Four Points by Sheraton Chateau Elan. In addition to recognizing several category Champions and Robert Newman Jr. as “Rookie” of the Year, Rolex watches were awarded to Driver of the Year, Nick Incantalupo, Team of the Year, Michael Snowden and Yvan Binette, Prep Shop of the Year, Lee Chapman Racing and Car of the Year to John Giordano for his 1969 Ferrari 512S. From those drivers who entered the Sebring event early, Lorne Leibel’s name was drawn to win a fifth Rolex.

 The weekend closed with six feature races on Sunday, including the hotly contested Thunder & Lightning category, which was won by Floridian Larry Ligas in a 1961 Jaguar XKE after a close race with Brad Hoyt and his 1969 Chevrolet Corvette. Sunday also included an autograph session with Rahal and Redman, plus IMSA GT stars of the 1980’s Howard Cherry and Doc Bundy, and female British racing driver Davina Galica.

 “Sebring was the perfect end to our inaugural season,” Rahal said. “We had our largest field of cars and spectators yet, and from what I could see and hear, everyone was having a great time. An event like this is how we want Legends of Motorsports to be remembered over the winter, so that everyone is marking their calendars with our 2011 dates.”

 With live music from local rock band Slickwilly, a fully accessible paddock filled with gorgeous cars, a Legends Club stocked with Stella Artois and JetSet Magazine, fan forums and autograph sessions, the weekend was bustling. Even during the lunch hour, fans and car corral participants were able to purchase track touring sessions and drive their own vehicles on the world famous Sebring circuit.

 “We couldn’t be happier with the first Legends of Motorsports Event at Sebring,” Tres Stephenson, President and General Manager of Sebring International Raceway said. “We’ve been hearing a lot of positive feedback from Sebring fans and we’re already looking forward to next year.”

 Legends of Motorsports will return to Sebring International Raceway, Dec. 2-4, 2011, following events at Alabama’s Barber Motorsports Park, May 20-22 and Canada’s Circuit Mont-Tremblant, July 8-10. Full results and photos from the Legends of Motorsports 2010 finale at Sebring International Raceway are available at www.legendsofmotorsports.com.

QUOTE SHEET: LEGENDS OF MOTORSPORTS AT SEBRING

INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

 What People Had to Say About Legends of Motorsports’ 2010 Finale

SEBRING, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2010) – Legends of Motorsports completed its inaugural season at the iconic Sebring International Raceway. The event welcomed numerous first-time Legends of Motorsports entrants and also recognized those drivers and teams who had performed exceptionally well all season at an awards banquet. Listed below is a collection of what the participants had to say about their experience:

 Lee Chapman (Prep Shop of the Year and entered a 1969 Lotus 7 SIII in Thunder & Lightning):

 “To win the award made me really proud. It comes down to having a really good crew and a great bunch of clients that make me look good.

 “It’s (Legends of Motorsports) our favorite race series. We feel like we’re wanted here and people go out of their way to make us feel welcome. They encourage us to make criticism and suggestions, which they usually follow up on. I’m so impressed. It’s like being with a professional racing series. It’s so professionally done, I wish there was one every week! My clients are sold on Legends. It’s a fabulous organization. Everybody is so friendly and so willing to help and that’s what we enjoy.”

Sharon Coffman (Race fan):

 “This event was far more than any other fall or winter race I’ve seen at Sebring Raceway, and all drivers took the time to sign autographs and answer questions, including Bobby Rahal. This race should be promoted heavily because it is the premier winter race, and has a stocked entry of premier cars from past and present. Thanks for making my trip to Legends of Motorsports at Sebring a time to remember, and one that I will never forget.”

Chip Halverson (Entered a 1976 Chevron B36 in 2-Liter Sports Cars):

 “It’s a great weekend. We’ve been having a good time. There’s some nice amenities and the quality of cars is really nice. I was just up in the hospitality area, which no one else has. I just visited my wife and friends up there and they’re having a blast.

 “I’m going to look at the calendar and hopefully do more than one of these next year.”

Nick Incantalupo (Driver of the Year and entered a 1973 Chevron B23 in 2-Liter Sports Cars):

 “I did not expect to win. I was really surprised and totally flabbergasted. When the gentleman from Rolex said ‘this is a hard name to pronounce,’ I knew it was me! I was totally taken by surprise. It means a lot because it’s from my peers and contemporaries. That part of it sunk in later. I thought about it and thought ‘that’s quite an award!’

 “The weekend’s been a success and my theory is that every day I can go racing, is a good day. I’ve been racing since Thursday and I’ve had a wonderful weekend. Every weekend, you know, going back to Barber [Motorsports Park] with Legends has been great. I’ve done all the events. Barber, to me, was one of the most spectacular events I’ve been to and every one after that. You guys (Legends of Motorsports) are running a good show and it’s going to do well, I know it. It’s all word of mouth

 “Legends of Motorsports has raised the bar. I’ve already set my schedule to be at every Legends of Motorsports event next year.”

Les Loushin (Entered a 1978 Lola T332 in GTP):

 “This is a great experience. It’s the first time for me being at Sebring. It’s very enjoyable being at such a famous race track. I started my racing in the north at Watkins Glen, so to be at another famous track is very enjoyable.

 This is one of the best events I’ve ever been. I anticipate doing the whole series and maybe be in the running for Rookie of the Year next year!”

John Giordano (Car of the Year for his 1969 Ferrari 512 S):

 “It’s such a great honor to receive the Car of the Year Award. I’m very happy that they gave it to me and I really appreciate it.

 “A number of years ago we went to Laguna Seca and I really wanted to get a P34. I couldn’t get into the P34, I couldn’t get into the 906 Porsche or the 910 Porsche and a ‘fella had a 512 there and I could get into the 512. It’s a car that fits me and that’s how I got into it. I searched for it until I found someone that had one for sale and we negotiated.

 “It’s (Legend of Motorsports) a fantastic group and I hope it grows and grows and grows, because we need something like this. We’ll be back next year.”

Robert Newman Jr. (“Rookie” of the Year and entered a 1970 Porsche 911 S in Thunder & Lightning and a 1974 Porsche 911 RSR in IMSA GT):

 “It was quite a thrill. It was a great banquet and I was very happy to receive the Rookie of the Year Award. It was a great season and I’ll see everyone next year.

 “The organization of every event that I went to was absolutely perfect. I’m sure from the inside there are things you’d like to do better, but as a contestant and a competitor and a guest, I think it was absolutely fabulous the whole year.”

 Brian Redman (Grand Marshal and member of Sebring Hall of Fame):

 “It was very enjoyable to see so many old friends and old cars (which are old friend also) in beautiful Sebring.

 “I think Legends of Motorsports has done a very good job. This isn’t easy. There was a good collection of cars and it was all done to a high standard.”

 Brady Refenning (Co-Owner of 901 Shop):

“We had a great time. All of our customers really enjoyed it. It’s great racing and wonderful weather. We enjoyed the hospitality club and it’s been a really great weekend. All the staff is really friendly. The hospitality kind of brings it to a new level and allows our clients to enjoy themselves. There were a lot of upscale cars and all of it was very nice.

 “We plan on running Tremblant and Sebring for sure next year.”

 Michael Snowden (Team of the Year and entered a 1971 GRD 272 F2 in Formula Libre):

 “This year we’ve had a lot of adversity, but we’ve managed to prevail. The experience has been great with the four events this year. We’ve had a great time with a wonderful group of people and couldn’t ask for any better racing and camaraderie. We’re looking forward to next year. We’re hoping we can get through the winter and get to the spring.

 “I’d like to thank my wife for allowing me to do this. It’s a very important part of my life and I’ve always wanted to race a car. To wait 30 years to do it has been to long, but it’s great. This Rolex watch makes it worthwhile and I’m really grateful to all the people that made this possible, it’s just great.”

 Brian Stark (Entered a 1976 Chevron B36 in 2-Liter Sports Cars):

 “I live in Milwaukee, so December in Sebring is better than December, January and February in Milwaukee. It’s been a nice weekend and a nice group. There’s been a lot of nice cars out. It’s nice to see all the 2-liter cars in my group. There’s more here than I’ve seen at the other races that I do.”

  About Legends of Motorsports

Legends of Motorsports is a premium race series owned by Historic Motorsports Productions LLC (‘HMP’). Specifically, Legends of Motorsports is an annual series of premium historic racing events and related lifestyle experiences staged at historic North American venues. The series recently announced its 2011 schedule, which will travel to Barber Motorsports Park (May 20 – 22), Circuit Mont-Tremblant (July 8 – 10) and Sebring International Raceway (Dec. 2 – 4). Based in Zionsville, Indiana, HMP’s principal owners are racers and businessmen Bobby Rahal, Peter Stoneberg and Zak Brown. Additional equity investors in HMP include Spire Capital Partners and Just Marketing International, which provides comprehensive strategy, marketing, public relations, and event logistics services to the venture. For more information, please visit HMP on the web at www.legendsofmotorsports.com or by calling (317) 344-1998.

Follow Legends of Motorsports:

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About Sebring International Raceway

Originally a World War II B-17 training base known as Hendricks Field, Sebring hosted its first sports car race in 1950. Sebring’s 3.7-mile (5.95km) asphalt and concrete road course is the home of the legendary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. Former winners at Sebring include Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Stirling Moss, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Juan Manuel Fangio, Bobby Rahal and Al Holbert. Sebring International Raceway is owned and operated by the Panoz Motor Sports Group. For more information visit www.sebringraceway.com.

                                                                                              -Erin Cechal 
                                                                                               Legends of Motorsports 
                                                                                               press@legendsofmotorsports.com
                                                                                               +1 317 989 5366

Bobby Signs Autographs

December 2nd, 2010 – It was a beautiful day in historic downtown Sebring as a handful of vintage race cars roared to a stop. Bobby Rahal stepped out of a forest green 1970 Chevron B16 bearing his and Brian Redman’s names. It only took a moment for the mass of people to realize from which car Mr. Rahal had emerged. They swarmed towards him with smiles and open arms. I quickly unloaded the remainder of promotional event posters from the back of the pace car for Bobby to autograph. As the crowd continued to gather and line up for autographs, I realized just how much the town of Sebring embraced this racing legend. Little old ladies smiled and giggled as they took their pictures with him and reminisced of days of old at the Sebring International Raceway.  

                                                                                                                          – Matt Christian