Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Signals Beginning of Spring

The classic race run on Sebring’s 3.74-mile circuit follows January’s Rolex 24 At Daytona and serves as the opening event of the 2013 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón season. Florida’s one-two punch of premier international sports car racing concludes March 16 with the 61st running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida. The classic race run on Sebring’s 3.74-mile circuit follows January’s Rolex 24 At Daytona and serves as the opening event of the 2013 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón season.

A field of 41cars is expected to start the race that begins in daylight at 10:45 a.m. ET and ends at 10:45 p.m. It features five different classes of cars headlined by a pair of Audi R18 e-tron Quattro Le Mans prototypes attempting to become the first hybrid-engined vehicle to win a Sebring race.

A large field of GT cars presents a six-way battle between Ferrari, BMW, Corvette, Dodge, Aston Martin and Porsche teams.

“We expect this to be one of the most exciting races in recent years,” said Tres Stephenson, Sebring President and General Manager. “The quality of cars and drivers is spectacular.”

The driver list includes eight former winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Actor Patrick Dempsey is also among the entries and will debut his new Porsche team in the GTC class.

The event, which opens Wednesday, March 13, includes racing for six support classes; ALMS driver autograph session; tech talks with crew chiefs and engineers from leading teams; Gallery of Legends displaying cars from Sebring’s past including the 1973 winning Porsche RSR; the Spring Break Party Zone; and a tribute to Audi. The latter event will display four past Sebring-winning cars and host several former winning drivers.

On Thursday, March 14, ALMS and GRAND-AM Road Racing will unveil the name, branding, logo and class names for the 2014 unified series.

The 61st running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida can be seen on SPEED with live coverage beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET Saturday, March 16.