Page 46 - KCRPCA MayJune 2022

46
Der Sportwagen
PART 2 - SEBRING SHOW
As the weekend for the 12 Hours of Sebring in mid March drew near, Sola and I reluctantly departed Sanibel and made quick work of the short drive north east to Sebring. Unfortunately, my tardy response in making hotel reservations in Sebring resulted in a stay in Frost Proof, Florida. Situated 25 minutes north of the race track, in the middle of acres of orange groves, Frost Proof
has almost disappeared. Small town general stores, antique two- pump gas stations, a red brick train depot and a few other retail buildings still stand. However, paint peels from many facades and warped plywood shutters most doors and windows. A
few structures have been given
a second life. The train depot now makes for a quaint coffee shop. Today, the movie theater on the one block stretch of Main Street, provides occasional dinner mystery theater productions for the locals. It’s 1950s and 60s recycled.
My fortunes at the track were
better. Just outside of turn
seven is the aptly named Turn Seven Hotel. From the hotel, I purchased an all-access pass that provided parking, track entrance, three brunches, a seminar with David Hobbs, (more on that later), entrance to their bar and restaurant, also pet friendly, and of course, up close and personal lawn seating by the kink of turn seven.
The first race of the week was Thursday’s North American Porsche Carrera Cup support race. Very tight racing provided a good show for the fans, as the young gun drivers try to impress teams and sponsors.
Later that afternoon, an IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
race took to the track. Here, K.C. Region Porsche Club’s mechanical guru, Karl Wilen, saw his team take the checkered flag. Fuel strategy and terrific driving held off challenges from Mercedes, Toyota, Porsche and BMW.
One morning, the Turn Seven
ABOVE
David Hobbs former pro-racer, who had seats in Indy, Formula 1, CAN-AM, IMSA and Le Mans cars