Presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network, Debuts Next December at Sebring International RacewayFull-Weekend Event a Dual Celebration of Sebring’s Racing and Aviation Historyhe Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Classic 12 Hours of Sebring, Pistons and Props, Presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network – an on-track and on-the-runways celebration of the 12 Hours of Sebring and historic Hendricks Field, will debut in December 2016 at Sebring International Raceway.The announcement of the new event was made today during the drivers meeting for this weekend’s HSR Sebring Historic Races Presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network by HSR President David Hinton and Sebring International Raceway President and General Manager Wayne Estes.The HSR Classic 12 Hours of Sebring, Pistons and Props, Presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network will follow the same concept of HSR’s Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA, which was run for the second time at Daytona International Speedway three weeks ago.The immediate success of the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona, which has quickly ascended to “must-attend” status on the worldwide motorsports scene, provided the inspiration behind the similar event on the iconic grounds of Sebring International Raceway. While the Rolex 24 Hour At Daytona is America’s premier 24-hour race, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida, has gained equally legendary status as the oldest major sports car race in the United States.An entirely unique aspect of the Classic 12 Hours of Sebring, Pistons and Props, however, will be the simultaneous celebration of Sebring’s rich military and civil aviation history that is as much a part of the 12 Hours of Sebring as the race itself.

“We met with Wayne during the recent Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA and decided even before the final checkered flags flew that we had to do a similar event at Sebring International Raceway,” Hinton said. “Wayne and his team here at Sebring then had the amazing idea to make this not only a celebration of the 12 Hours but also the rich aviation history and heritage of the very facility on which we race each year. We look forward to what will certainly be a unique and exciting event.”“Combining Sebring’s aviation heritage and six decades of endurance racing history into one event will make for a truly spectacular weekend,” Estes said. “We look forward to working with HSR and the Sebring Airport Authority to build this into a diverse and entertaining event that captures the imagination of aviation and automotive enthusiasts alike.”Representatives from both the Alan Jay Automotive Network and Sebring Airport General Manager Mike Willingham were in attendance at today’s announcement.“With the support of marketing partners such as the Alan Jay Automotive Network, and our strong relationship with the Sebring Airport and the HSR, this event is on solid footing," Estes said. "We really look forward to the debut in December 2016.” The on-track activity for the Classic 12 Hours of Sebring, Pistons and Props, will be similar to the format of the Classic 24 Hour, with run groups of period correct race cars from the last 50 to 60 years competing on the same circuit used each March for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Preliminary plans for the aviation celebration call for a vintage aircraft “fly in” on Friday and airplane and facility tours throughout the weekend. The lasting connection between historic race cars and aviation will also come to life again with sports cars and classic airplanes parked next to each other on the hallowed ground of Sebring’s Hendricks Field. A United States Army Air Force (UAAF) base, Hendricks Field officially operated from January 1942 until December 31, 1945. During its operation the base trained hundreds of combat crews, primarily in B-17 “Flying Fortress” bombers.Originally called the Sebring Basic Flying School, the base was renamed Hendricks Field in honor of Lt. Laird W. Hendricks, Jr., a Floridian and West Point Graduate who was killed in England while training Royal Air Force pilots prior to the United States entering World War II. After the war, the military base was turned over to the City of Sebring. Today, the Sebring Regional Airport & Commerce Park, owned and managed by the Sebring Airport Authority, is recognized for its prime location and over 40 years of experience in project development and property management.Sebring‘s motorsports heritage began with the running of the Sam Collier Six Hour Memorial Grand Prix on December 31, 1950. Founder and Promoter Alec Ulmann then established the first 12 Hours of Sebring in 1952. The race quickly evolved into America’s most important international road racing event.

Sebring International Raceway’s legendary 3.74-mile road course still utilizes portions of the original Hendricks Field concrete taxiways and runways. In addition to the annual 12-hour classic, the road course is utilized over 300 days per year for club events, testing, racing schools and other activities.Additional details about the HSR Classic 12 Hours of Sebring, Pistons and Props, Presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network, will be announced in the coming months.About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from our past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions seven vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Road Atlanta, and many more. News, schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Follow on Twitter @HSR_race and look for HSR on Facebook and on YouTube at the HSR channel.