Shorter, Tighter Course May Make Today’s Sebring 12-Hours Tougher

The Sebring 12-Hours International Motor Sports Assn. Camel GT sports car race has a reputation that makes some drivers dread it more than a 24-hour race.

“The track is rough, you don’t have as much time to recover from a problem and, at night, there are times when you’re not exactly sure what’s happening out there,” defending champion Bob Akin said as he made final preparations for today’s race.

The event, on the newly shortened, improved and re-designed 4.11-mile, 15-turn circuit, begins at 8 a.m. PST.

There were 91 entries, and about 80 of them are expected to start the grueling race on the Sebring Airport circuit. That includes the top GT Prototype class, as well as entries in the Camel Light, GTO and GTU divisions.

“I’ve always liked this place,” said Akin, who has two victories here and whose team has led every Sebring race since 1979. “But that doesn’t minimize the fact that it’s a very difficult place. And now that the track is shorter and tighter, there may even be more to worry about.”

Chip Robinson, who won the pole position with a lap of 120.331 m.p.h., is entered with Al Holbert, former Sebring winner and defending IMSA Camel GT champion.

In recent years, most teams have gone with three drivers for the 12 hours, but Robinson and Holbert are planning to do it by themselves.