SVRA Sebring Spring Classic 2013 – Report and Photos

Report and photos by David Ferguson

The SVRA Spring Vintage Classic 2013 was staged February 28 to March 3rd at the Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida. A strong field of more than 200 entries participated in 14 sprint races and three enduros on the historic 3.74-mile, 17-turn circuit.

The Florida weather was cold, windy and mostly cloudy all weekend long which made for surprisingly uncomfortable conditions for those working outdoors.

This cold may have contributed to a larger number of accidents than normally seen at a vintage car race.

There were several entertaining races throughout the weekend. In Group 6, Alan Sevadjian in his Corvette had a good race with the Shelby Mustang GT350 of Leo Voyazides before pulling away for a win. In Group 1, 3 and 4, there were many evenly-matched Porsche 356s racing each other throughout both events. Paul Swanson in his black Speedster eventually pulled out impressive wins in both heats. Toby Bean in a Dekon Monza and Jeff Bernatovich in a Corvette GT1 were well matched, with each winning one race in Group 10.

Race one for Group 8 had the largest field with 28 starters, and the smallest margin of victory, with Todd Treffert in a Porsche 911 beating John Deford in a Porsche 914/6 by 0.292 seconds.

A field of nearly 40 entries participated in the SCCA Trans-Am series event. The race proved to be very entertaining, but numerous yellow flags kept the winner’s average speed down to 78 MPH. There was a frightful moment during this race when John Baucom’s Mustang caught on fire off of turn 15. Baucom was unhurt, but his car was–pardon me for this–toast.

There was also a Corvette celebration, with 2013 being the 60th anniversary of the famed Chevrolet, and there were some lovely ‘Vettes on display.

Sebring is located in central Florida, about halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Most know that Sebring has a great history in the world of endurance sports car racing that dates back to the early ’50s. Many know that the raceway was built on an old WWII airfield that was used to train B-17 bomber pilots. Though the raceway has been much improved over the years, it still has the patina of an old airfield. The track is surrounded by, airplanes, hangars, telephone poles and palm trees. It really is a delightfully unique place.

For additional information, visit SVRA.com.

SVRA Sebring Spring Vintage Classic 2013 – Photo Gallery

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SVRA Sebring Spring Vintage Classic 2013 – Race Results

 

Night Enduro

1- Christian Zugel, 2006 Porsche RS Spyder
2- William Binnie, 2008 Ferrari F430 GTC
3- Charles Harris, 1973 Porsche 911 RSR

Keenan Motors Vintage/Classic Enduro

1- Todd Treffert, 1973 Porsche 911
2- John Deford / Marc Bunting, 1973 Porsche 914/6
3- Frank Boucher / Fritz Seidel, 1969 Porsche 911S

Keenan Motors Historic GT/GTP/ALMS Enduro

1- George Robinson/Wally Dallenbach Jr., 2007 Lola B0718
2- David Porter, 2007 Pescarolo Judd
3- Phil Lasco / Don Soenen, 2000 Ford Mustang T/A

Group 1, 3 and 4

Race 1
1- Paul Swanson, 1958 Porsche Speedster
2- Vic Skirmants, 1961 Porsche 356B
3- George C. Balbach, 1961 Porsche 356

Race 2
1- Paul Swanson, 1958 Porsche Speedster
2- Andre Herke, 1961 Porsche 356
3- Vic Skirmants, 1961 Porsche 356B

Group 2 and 5

Race 1
1- Hobie Buppert, 1969 Lola T70 MKIII
2- John Delane, 1965 Brabham BT18
3- Brian Johnson, 1965 Lola T70

Race 2
1- Hobie Buppert, 1969 Lola T70 MKIII
2- John Delane, 1965 Brabham BT18
3- James Cullen, 1968 Ford SPF GT40 MK 1

Group 6

Race 1
1- Alan Sevadjian, 1969 Corvette
2- Clair Schwendeman, 1968 Corvette
3- Leo Voyazides, 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350

Race 2
1- Alan Sevadjian, 1969 Corvette
2- Leo Voyazides, 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350
3- Charles Harris, 1973 Porsche 911 RSR

Group 7, 9 and Formula Libre

Race 1
1- Bob Lima, 1978 Lola T298
2- Roy Walzer, 1970 Chevron B16 Spyder
3- Brian Stark, 1976 Chevron B36

Race 2
1- Robert Blain, 1967 Lola T70 Spyder
2- Bob Lima, 1978 Lola T298
3- Farrell Preston, 1966 McLaren M1B

Group 8

Race 1
1- Todd Treffert, 1973 Porsche 911
2- John Defford, 1973 Porsche 914/6
3- Frank Beck, 1992 Porsche 911 RS

Race 2
1- Todd Treffert, 1973 Porsche 911
2- John Defford, 1973 Porsche 914/6
3- Lee Giannone, 1966 Porsche 911

Group 10

Race 1
1- Jeff Bernatovich, 1990 Corvette GT1
2- Don Soenen, 1998 Ford Taurus
3- John Cloud, 2006 Ford Fusion

Race 2
1- Toby Bean, 1975 Dekon Monza
2- Jeff Bernatovich, 1990 Corvette GT1
3- Don Soenen, 1998 Ford Taurus

Group 11 and 9/F1

Race 1
1- George Robinson, 2007 Lola B0718
2- Toby Bean, 1990 Chevrolet Intrepid
3- David Porter, 2007 Pescarolo Judd

Race 2
1- George Robinson, 2007 Lola B0718
2- David Porter, 2007 Pescarolo Judd
3- Christian Zugel, 2006 Porsche RS Spyder

For complete results, visit SVRA.com.

SVRA Sebring Spring Classic 2013 – Video

 

[Source: SVRA; David Ferguson]