A quick two-hour drive up the middle of the state, through cow pastures and citrus orchards, will put you at one of the busiest raceways in North America. Sebring International Raceway was established in 1950 and is known as the birthplace of American endurance racing. Today, it still hosts the 12-hour endurance classic race under the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, plus other events such as drag racing and the Porsche Carrera Cup. The track has a packed schedule, with more than 300 events every year.
Grab a Spot in the Stands
Admission to Sebring International Raceway (113 Midway Drive, Sebring; 863.655.1442; sebringraceway.com) includes access to the Gurney Terrace, an open-air viewing area overlooking the pit road and the front straight. Spectators can bring their own seats, drinks and snacks—charcoal grills are even allowed at the track. For a slightly more upscale experience, Club Sebring offers an enclosed suite on the second level that overlooks the front straight. With an open bar and catered meals, it’s a step above the hot dogs and boiled peanuts of general seating.
Get Behind the Wheel
Sebring’s racing schedule has enough events to satisfy every kind of car enthusiast. For those who like to be behind the wheel, the Florida-based Performance Driving Group (800.453.5506; performancedrivinggroup.com) hosts regular meetups at Sebring. Though the group’s events don’t involve racing or being timed, they give folks with track-ready cars a chance to take them for a spin in a legit race environment. You’ll find Porsches, Mercedes, Mustangs and Corvettes, plus a number of hot rods. Performance Driving Group has special sessions just for beginners, which includes classroom time and an instructor in the car. If you’re not ready to take that Taycan off the mean streets of Naples, the group has cars available for rent; try out the C7 Corvette Stingray or the SS Camaro 1LE.
Stay the Night
Though Sebring can be done in a day, it’s worth a weekend trip. For the full motorway experience, stay onsite at Seven (150 Midway Drive, Sebring; 888.738.3601; sevensebringhotel.com), the raceway’s hotel situated at Turn 7 on the Sebring International Raceway circuit. Seven bills itself as “comfortable, yet classy” and features motorsports history throughout plus two on-site restaurants, a pool and a fitness center. On race days, the place buzzes with the excitement of the track.
Grab a Burger and a Beer
Seven’s restaurant, Apex (150 Midway Drive, Sebring; 888.738.3601; sevensebringhotel.com), gets consistently rave reviews. People claim it serves the best burger in Sebring. The bar is also popular with the racing crowd. Its beer menu skips the trendy craft brews in favor of classic favorites, including Pabst Blue Ribbon and Miller High Life, but the cocktail menu is more inventive. Our favorite? The Sebring Breeze made with gin, fresh lime juice, elderflower liqueur, basil and soda water. It’s the perfect nightcap after a long day at the track.
