A visitor guide to Sebring 

Sebring brings about thrills for the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Situated on a former army airfield, it offers motorsport enthusiasts a chance to witness some adrenaline-fuelled racing action up close.

Expect to see some pedal-to-the-metal fun amidst the Florida heat. Let’s indulge a little further on this iconic racecourse. In this guide, we’ll go into what it is, how to get there, where to stay, as well as other things you can do during your visit. Ready, set – let’s go.

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What is Sebring?

The 1000 miles of Sebring is a part of the WEC calendar and the 2023 edition took place on March 17th. It’s on a former airfield, used as a training base by the army during World War Two in Highlands County, Florida.

Spanning around six kilometres, in 17 exhilarating turns, the Sebring race track has 36 participants, and it is the first race in the WEC schedule where Hertz Team Gold won the LMP2 category this year. Drivers David Beckmann, Will Stevens, and Yifei Ye dominated the second half of the event.

 

How Do I Get to Sebring?

Let’s look at how you can get to the Sebring circuit.

 Plane

The nearest airports to the WEC in Sebring are:

 

Train

The main train station closest to the Sebring race track is the Amtrack Train Station. It depends on where you’re traveling from. For example, if you’re coming from Miami, you can get from the Tri-Rail-Metrorail Transfer Station to Amtrack station near the circuit in Sebring in just over three and a half hours. If you’re coming from Orlando, it’s slightly closer in around two hours, depending on which station you get the train from.

Car

The racetrack is near the intersections of Highways 27 and 98. It’s around two hours drive from most of the other popular Florida hotspots such as the Tampa Bay area, Orlando, and Palm Beach. Grab your Hertz car rental and get to the 1000 miles of Sebring without relying on public transport.

 

Where Can I Stay at Sebring?

Hotels

There are some solid hotel options when you’re coming for the WEC race in Sebring, which include hotels like La Quinta by Wyndham Sebring, Inn on the Lakes, and The Overlook. These are stylish, chic, and luxurious places to rest during your visit, with prices ranging from $322 to $2,528 per night. They can hike up during the race, so the earlier you book – the better.

The pros of staying in a hotel are that some of them provide free breakfast, you get your room cleaned daily, and some even have fitness centers to get a quick sweat on during your stay. The main downside is that some of them can be costly, and you risk being at the mercy of noisy next-door neighbors.

Holiday rentals

If a hotel isn’t your thing, you can rent out your property for your stay. Here you’ll have an entire home to yourself. More space, more independence, and a feeling of a ‘home away from home’. Prices for these types of rentals can range from $144 to $2,363 a night.

Campsites

An even cheaper option is a campsite, although it’s not as convenient as a hotel or renting out your own holiday home. There are around 13 camping grounds near Sebring, some of them are RV-friendly. If you fancy a road trip to the racetrack, why not get in your RV and head on up? This way you’ll get a double whammy – the racetrack experience, as well as the road trip. Camping can cost around $22 per night.

 

What to Do at Sebring

Let’s look at what you can expect from your visit to the Sebring race track.

The Sebring circuit

Prepare for the rouses of the main event as the cars take to the circuit across the Hypercar, LMP2, and LMGTE Am categories. The racetrack consists of ‘The Midway’, which acts as the race’s main ‘hub’. You can grab a bite to eat and buy souvenirs for your loved ones here.

Fans have many hospitality options, including Gurney Terrace Suites, Club Sebring, and Celebrity Cruises Luxury Lounge. These provide great views and VIP treatment, though they’re slightly on the pricey side. There’s even a corporate hospitality option, where enterprises can take the whole team for an unforgettable group experience. If you’re willing to splash out a little extra, there’s a hotel called Seven Sebring Hotel which overlooks the hairpin Turn 7 – although it’s a tough place to book.

The pit building is on the right as you enter, as well as the terraces overlooking the action. There are a few grandstands, however, fans like to move around the track as the race goes on to see the race from different perspectives.

There’s a real family-friendly vibe here, as children under 12 have free entry and there are ample opportunities to meet the drivers for autograph sessions. There’s free parking at Gate Four, where there is a tram to get you to the Sebring race track, but the walk isn’t so bad either.

The area

The Sebring area prides itself on its motor racing legacy. Otherwise a small area, it’s one of the longest-running race tracks in the US. Pilots used it to prepare for war here in yesteryear, now drivers look to compete for the racing crown. The idea came from Alec Ulmann who took it upon himself to convert old military bases to racing tracks, using Le Mans as inspiration.

You can get to Lakeland, Clermont, Sanford, and Gainesville very easily from here. All these locations offer their own specialties, such as Lakeland and Clermont for the gorgeous panoramic vistas of the lakes. Sanford is famous for its brick-lined avenues, giant oaks, chic stores, and beautiful Victorian architecture. There’s a good level of historic building preservation in Gainsville too, so witness the old architecture for yourself on a visit here.

 

Why Should I Visit Sebring?

A breathtaking race experience awaits you at the Sebring circuit in Florida. There are great views of the track across the grandstands or hospitality suites. If you’re a family-oriented person – you’ll like it here. The atmosphere is quite friendly, and with children under 12 getting in free – you can enjoy the experience with the little ones.

Why not check out our other track guides for the WEC calendar?

  • Portimão – six hours on Portugal’s Algarve coast.
  • Spa-Francorchamps – seven kilometers of racing across six hours in the Belgian countryside.
  • Le Mans – The classic, a riveting 24-hour race marathon at the home of endurance racing in the sleepy French town.
  • Monza – six hours of gripping race action in Italy’s iconic racetrack.
  • Fuji – Enjoy racing amongst the mountains in Japan’s six-hour WEC offering.
  • Bahrain – Eight hours of motorsport in the Bahrain desert.

 

Let's Go!

Sebring is more than just a racetrack; it's an experience, a legacy, and a testament to the spirit of racing. From the roar of the engines to the camaraderie of fellow fans, every moment at Sebring is a memory in the making. As you plan your next adventure, consider the thrill of the race, the beauty of Florida, and the convenience of a Hertz rental to get you there. W

Whether you're a die-hard racing enthusiast or just looking for a unique getaway, Hertz will get you to the heart of the action.

Book your Hertz car today and be part of the Sebring legacy!

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