Sebring 12 hrs advice?

[Upside Down Bug]

I'm thinking off making a trip to Sebring 12 hours in March next year, but have never visited Florida, let alone Sebring. Can anybody give me some advice?? Especially where to fly to, where to stay, deals on tickets etc etc etc

[skycafe]

www.sebringraceway.com is the track website, lots of information on tickets, and area hotels and such. Another good source is www.sebringfans.com. www.americanlemans.com forums also has a Sebring section. Coming from UK, you can fly into Orlando, Sanford/Orlando or Tampa airports--Tampa the closest. You will need rental car. I can't speak if there are all inclusive package deals out of UK, but somebody else can answer that.

It is a great race and an experience, have a good hat and wear sunscreen, and be prepared for anything from chilly to warm/hot weather as it is spring and changeable.

robert

[thebear]

Originally Posted by Upside Down Bug

I'm thinking off making a trip to Sebring 12 hours in March next year, but have never visited Florida, let alone Sebring. Can anybody give me some advice?? Especially where to fly to, where to stay, deals on tickets etc etc etc

Don't forget some sort of raingear as well!

Click HERE for my write-up. It has information for Marshals but you might find some good stuff there. I would not count on finding a hotel/motel within 50 miles (at least two hours on raceday). At somepoint on raceday morning (SAT 18 MAR 06) they will stop admitting spectator cars to the track and will provide free shuttle service. If camping is an alternative (FREE), PM for details.

Any interested Marshals, PM as well.

[MGDavid]

I did it in '04, our first time to Florida too; we took the fortnight with the race on the middle weekend. Flight to Orlando, picked up a campervan, both booked on the net. Did mid-Florida the first week, hit the circuit on Friday, picked up tickets - including a trackside RV space - pre-booked on the net. Second week went south down the Keys and back. Had a great time but don't feel the need to return. TBQH the race is not a patch on Le Mans, but good excuse for a good holiday. Don't forget to visit Daytona - if only to understand how Rockingham is so wide of the mark!

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by thebear

Don't forget some sort of raingear as well!

Rain?

That just isn't allowed


robert

[thebear]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Rain?

That just isn't allowed robert

Oops! I forgot. It is "Orange Juice" that falls from the sky.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by thebear

"Orange Juice"

If that was over in Green Park, I am not so sure that was Juice.......

robert

[911GT3RS]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Rain?

That just isn't allowed


robert

Great...someone said the "R" word....guess we're going to have a wet day duing the 12hrs...

[Upside Down Bug]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the advice so far, it's given me more places to look and think about. I like the idea of hiring a RV etc. I could still do with as much advice as possible, especially if anyone knows of somewhere to get all inclusive deals.

Not sure about the falling orange juice though!!!!!

[thebear]

Originally Posted by Upside Down Bug

Hi Guys

Thanks for the advice so far, it's given me more places to look and think about. I like the idea of hiring a RV etc. I could still do with as much advice as possible, especially if anyone knows of somewhere to get all inclusive deals.

Not sure about the falling orange juice though!!!!!

Make sure you visit the track website and ask questions about RV admission/parking. The track will rent you an RV "In Place" for a LOT of money and I don't think you can use it away from the track.

Click HERE for the largest company in the US. Web page shows availability in Orlando, Miami and Tampa. Class "C" is the `truck cab' with RV body, class "A" is bigger, purpose built and lots more expensive.

I would expect ~6 miles/US (128oz/3.76L) gallon of gas. Current price is ~$2.75/gal. Hopefully it will be back down by the time you get here.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by 911GT3RS

Great...someone said the "R" word....guess we're going to have a wet day duing the 12hrs...

Don't blame me, I am firmly against rain at the race track and will do my standard Sebring week anti-rain dance (yes, I know, failed miserably on Thursday this year...).

The RV's rented through the track are parked in a spot for you and aren't moved. I believe they do that at turn one so you get trackside space too, but I believe around $6000 total for race week.

If you are going to rent one and drive in, get there early, especially if driving an RV is new to you and you want to avoid parking in tight spaces.

robert

[MGDavid]

UDB - I think we went with CruiseAmerica too, and they sorted the flights so almost 'inclusive'. We had a 'small' RV, I think it was the 2nd size up, it was huge for just the 2 of us and seemed to do 15 - 20 to the gallon. Very easy to drive though, no worries there. I'll PM you my list of URLs from that hol, from the office tomorrow...

[Happy Snapper]

Originally Posted by Upside Down Bug

I'm thinking off making a trip to Sebring 12 hours in March next year, but have never visited Florida, let alone Sebring. Can anybody give me some advice?? Especially where to fly to, where to stay, deals on tickets etc etc etc

I went with 500mm last year was fantastic get to Turn Ten at sometime you'll have fun!

Hotels very expensive unless you drive a away from Sebring, we flew LHR to Miami then hired a car drove up to Sebring nice straight forward trip (HW 25/US 27) one road takes you there about 3.5 hours and about 190 miles. I had a Motor home in the paddock it was delivered and set up for me just the job and about $1000 for a week. I was next door to the Rollcentre guys. An alternative route fly in to Orlando, this is OK but just remember you get all the Families going to Disney!

It was very hot and very wet! On the Thursday we had two or three tornado warnings and an incredible amount of rain, the rest of the time very hot and humid

[Fieldgate]

Fly to Orlando or failing that Tampa, not Miami because
a) Miami has the single worst immigration entry point in to the US
b) It's only an hour and a half away (2hrs Tampa)

I've only ever stayed in little Villas about 30 mins away (North) of the track - it's the place many of the teams use.

Signum Resort Las Palmas
600 East Canfield Street
Avon Park
Florida
33825
Tel 863 452 2020
Fax 863 452 0545


Fortunately I've missed the wet races - the sun is lovely at that time and it's generally not school vacation

[The Badger]

I did Sebring in 2003 . How I found reasonable accomodation is , i got in contact with the "Sebring chamber of commerce" whose number i got off the internet . I contacted them and explained that I was looking for a place to stay . They have some families who do bed and breakfast , much the same as at Le Mans , and they supplied me with some phone numbers .The deal was done over the phone and money sent via western express .
I found that telephone cards dont work inside the circuit , maybe it was just my card though ?
I didnt enjoy the ants so bring something against them .
The track food is brilliant !!! Keep your eye open for a "Johnsonville" Bratwurst truck . Its a 40 foot grill with pneumatic lid and can cook something like 2500 brats in an hour . Pork butt on a stick .
My place for the last 3 hours was at the inside of the last corner , there is a gate post that can serve as a beer table or seat and a good view as the cars come blasting out of the corner and head off up the straight .
I loved it !!