Every sport has it's premiere event and in the world of sports car racing there are two, the 24 hours of Le Mans in Europe and the 12 hours of Sebring here in America. With several days of support races, qualifying and practice sessions that lead up to the main event on Saturday, thousands annually make the trip to central Florida to camp around the track for days of ear drum busting automobile racing. Because free camping is on a first come basis, some come as much as a month in advance to get the best spot and set up elaborate party headquarters with stages and bars. In contrast to these hard core campers within the infield’s “green park” free areas, there are pay campsites occupied by massive coaches that have the closest views of the racing. Not many motor racing venues can get you closer than a Sebring trackside campsite which are mere feet from the track and in some cases have only a small waist high fence separating the racing from the revelry. The biggest decision as a spectator might be whether to view the racing in front of you, or to turn around and watch the constant flow of inebriated fans that circle the venue cruising in custom designed vehicles and costumes. The party lasts all week, day and night, with the culmination being the 12 hour endurance race on Saturday that races into the darkness. This was my first time to Sebring, but I think it is a tradition that I may join for years to come.
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