Endurance racing legend Tom Kristensen heads the list of 2016 inductees into the Sebring Hall of Fame. Joining Kristensen are Sam Posey, 1975 Sebring winner; Dick Smothers, two-time class winner; Alex Job Racing, ten-time Sebring-winning team; Tres Stephenson, President of Sebring Raceway for over three decades; and former Tampa Tribune Sports Editor Tom McEwen.
The Sebring Hall of Fame 2016 inductees will be honored at the Hall of Fame Luncheon on Friday, March 18th, the day before the 64th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The ceremonies take place at the Chateau Elan Hotel overlooking the Hairpin Turn of the 3.74-mile circuit. Endurance racing legend and Sebring Hall of Fame member Derek Bell will serve as MC of the event.
“The 2016 class of inductees represents some of the most important names in Sebring history,” stated Wayne Estes, President and General Manager of Sebring International Raceway. “The drivers, team owner, promoter and journalist to be inducted are a diverse group that have all earned the honor of induction into the prestigious Sebring Hall of Fame.”
Sebring Hall of Fame 2016 Inductees
- Tom Kristensen is the all-time winner at Sebring with six overall victories and one class win. In addition, he recorded the fastest race lap a record four times. After his initial win at Sebring in 1999 driving for BMW, all of his victories have been driving an Audi. The Danish driver also has the most overall wins at Le Mans (9), including six consecutive 2000-2005.
- Sam Posey competed in Formula One, IndyCar, Can-Am, Trans-Am and several other series during a 26-year driving career. He won the 1975 Sebring 12-hours driving for BMW. As a network commentator, he covered a variety of sports events, winning an Emmy in 1989. Posey is also a noted author, artist and designer.
- Dick Smothers, half of the Smothers Brothers comedy team with brother Tom, won twice at Sebring. In 1969 he drove a Porsche 906E to a class win with Fred Baker, and in 1971 he joined John Greenwood in a Corvette to win the GT class and finish seventh overall. Smothers also competed successfully in both formula racing and drag racing.
- Alex Job Racing is the most successful team in Sebring history, recording ten class wins in the 12-hour classic, all with Porsche. Based in Florida, the team has recorded 70 wins since 1995, including two wins at Le Mans, 48 pole positions, 106 podium finishes and five season championships (2002, 03, 04, 12, 13).
- Tres Stephenson led Sebring Raceway for over 30 years as President and General Manager. Earlier this year he announced he was stepping down after a career that saw the raceway record growth during his tenure. A graduate of Sebring High School and the University of Florida, Stephenson supervised a series of numerous improvement programs and cultivated numerous major sponsors for the Raceway.
- Tom McEwen (1923-2011) was the award-winning columnist and Sports Editor of the Tampa Tribune. Raised in Wauchula, Florida, he was a long-time supporter of the Sebring 12 Hour race, writing about its importance in the Florida sports scene for over three decades. His wife Linda, whom he met at a Sebring race, will be accepting in his honor.
The Sebring Hall of Fame was established during Sebring’s 50th anniversary in 2002. It recognizes the drivers, officials, teams, manufacturers and journalists who have made significant contributions and recorded major achievements at the Sebring 12-hour race.
The Sebring Hall of Fame luncheon is open to the public, but tickets are limited. Admission is a $200 contribution to the Sebring Hall of Fame (a 501 3(C) Florida not for profit corporation). For more information and reservations, call Ariel Starling at 863-655-1442 or 863-655-7721.
[Source: Sebring]
