From Robin Hoffman – Historic and vintage race cars were in action Saturday at Sebring for the HSR “Classic 12 Hour” Tribute Race, from noon to midnight, with four separate Run Groups competing in a non-stop rotation throughout the twelve-hour span. Space Coast Members Scott Kee and Ron Zitza won 3rd Place overall and 2nd in Class! Congratulations to you both!
The event also featured a “fly-in,” parade, and weekend display of military and civilian aircraft from the last half century and WWII on the “false grid” adjacent to the race car grid area. Porsches, Mustangs, Corvettes, BMW’s, Audi’s, Chevron’s, Lolas, Cobras, Ginetta’s, Prototypes, and American Stock Cars all competed for honors to be awarded after a final elimination race on Sunday. There was plenty to see in the garages as well as on the track, where race cars were prepped for action along with other cars featured and displayed for rent and sale. Many of the on-track competitor cars, such as the fully restored Amalfi Racing 935 Kremer Porsche, came with long histories of racing success and still actively compete in vintage race events across the country. Whatever your interest in sports car racing might be, you would have likely found more than a few things to satisfy that interest on the historic racing circuit Saturday. One of which might have been the large contingent of Backdraft Cobra Replica owners arriving en masse for a track-side display of their cars, many of which were powered by Roush Ford Racing motors of all sizes.
It was a stunning display. At the same time, out on the track the Porsches were having their day taking it to the competition in Run Group D, with the Kelly-Moss cars, driven by father and son, running 1 & 2 in their class.
In addition to the racing, the vintage aircraft on display contained some excellent examples of WWII military planes, including the well-known AT-6 “Texan” many WWII aviators trained on, along with two well-restored Valiant Trainers. Also, gracing the concrete of the former Hendricks Army Airfield was a meticulously restored 1931 Stearman Bi-Plane, and other civilian aircraft. “Pistons & Props” was a fitting description as race cars maneuvered past the aircraft on the way to the racing grid.
Photos – Sebring “Classic 12 Hour” Historic Sports Car Race & Pistons & Props – Saturday, December 03, 2022 (photos by David Kelly)
