1000 Miles of Sebring


The 1,000 Miles of Sebring is a sports car race that is held at the Sebring International Raceway, on the site of the former Hendricks Army Airfield World War II Air Base, in Sebring, Florida. It was created for the FIA World Endurance Championship, and was held for the first time on 15 March 2019 as the sixth round of the 2018–19 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Race History

The FIA/ACO announced a provisional schedule on 1st September 2017 that shifted the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar from a spring to autumn layout with the 24 Hours of Le Mans marque event held in the middle of the championship, and include two runnings of Le Mans. This "super season" of eight races spanned more than a year instead of the usual eight months. The shift allowed the following 2019–20 season to return to a shorter length by starting in the autumn and concluding at Le Mans in the summer. The Provisional Calendar saw a raft of changes, with several races dropped, but included a return to Sebring for the first time since 2012. In the provisional calendar issued, the race was originally planned to be run as a second 12-hour race after the IMSA Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring on the same weekend, and would start at midnight after the conclusion of the IMSA 12 hours. On 21st September 2017, the race became known as the 1,500 Miles of Sebring, to avoid confusion between the 2 events, at the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris. On 4th April 2018, it was announced that the race would become shortened to 1,000 Miles or 268 laps, have a time limit of 8 Hours, and would take place on March 15 instead, prior to the start of the 12 Hours of Sebring, rather than after the race. A new pit lane would also be built for the race.
The second race, originally scheduled for 20th March 2020, was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. On 11th March, United States president Donald Trump announced a suspension of travel by non-US citizens from Europe to the United States. Many of the drivers and team personnel were in Europe, and thus would be unable to travel to the United States for the race. The next day, the WEC announced the cancellation of the race. The 2020 race was also planned to include a schedule change. Previously, the race had run from 4 p.m. to midnight, with the short duration between the 1000 Miles and the 12 Hour race causing challenges for both track and support personnel, as well as drivers who were competing in both the WEC race and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on the following day. This change ensured a 15-hour break between the 2 races.

Winners

External Links