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| On Friday March 20, 1998 the adventure begins with the picking up of Steve in Hallendale, about 9AM. We took our usual route; U.S 27. The ride up was uneventful; we stopped at our usual spot on the lake, just below South Bay, for our first beer of the trip. Shortly after, we arrived in Sebring. The weather on the way up was cloudy but no rain. As we arrived it looked like some rain was moving in. We went to our traditional lunch spot, The Wild Turkey Tavern, approx 5 Miles north of Sebring on U.S.27. As we arrived it was starting to rain. We went in ordered beers and Gatortail basket for starters. The gatortail is famous around the area, and it doesn't taste like chicken, it tastes like gator.Soon we ordered the rest of lunch and could see outside as people came in, that it was raining heavily. We were finishing up and the bartender told us that there were 80 MPH winds and hail at the track and we may as well stay put. So we were forced to drink more beer, until the rain let up. The rain finally let up and we headed for the track. As we drove in we saw a sign that said "Brewery", we stopped to check it out. As we went in we were told they brewed "Budmiloors" i.e. it was a redneck dump and they only had the big three on tap. We then want to the track. As we arrived the sun came out for the first time in days, perfect timing! The sport stock race was still running when we finally got inside the track. We found our campsite, which had been claimed and held by our old friends Sheila, Jerry, Sandy, Larry, Todd and many others that vary by year. They had survived a full day of rain and the big tarp was very helpful. As usual we had electricity in the campsite, which is great. We checked out the race and set up our tents. The rain was over for the weekend but we would discover why there were so many people between us and the midway--the places they usually camp were flooded for the weekend. As the night progressed a drunk front passed through as it always does on Friday night at Sebring. There were many typical adventures such as Steve moving into his tent Larry cooking his steak dinner (Jerry cooked it). We walked to the midway for bad pizza and lotto tickets (also bad it turns out), returned to the area and hung around the lighted tarp area and caught up on the past year with our friends and eventually stumbled to our tents for a good nights sleep in our new sleeping bags, which did he job well it turns out. |
| Our Campsite | The Wild Turkey Tavern |
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| We awoke on Saturday morning to the sound of race cars practicing. What a way to wake up! We went up to the 30 year old bathroom/ sink shower looking for the usual "improvements" as promised. As usual there has been no change- same old place with three sinks for showers and 30 year old facilities. Oh well, maybe next year as they have built new facilities over on the Green Park side with two HOT water showers and new sinks with stainless steel counters, which just doesn't seem like Sebring. We returned to camp for breakfast, cooked by Jerry, which was just what we needed. Soon it was race time, so we walked over to the fence to see the first laps. Several of our campsite friends also were there for the beginning. After a few laps we all broke up and each group walked to different areas of the track as they wanted to. Our group walked along the track to the carousal seeing all kinds of craziness on the way. If you haven't been to Sebring on race day; it's one big crazy party. As you walk around the various sections of the track, people do all kinds of things to their campsites and vehicles. Some look like complete living rooms with couches, lamps, radios, tvs etc. Other folks dress up their old cars and drive around all day for everyone to see and enjoy. There are several pictures below, which are just a small sample of what went on this year. We returned to the campsite for lunch and our first beer of the day. Then we walked to several other areas of the track. The hairpin turn area was nearly inaccessible due to the heavy rains, Green Park had entire areas that were just big mud holes. But many areas were there as usual including the Chicaine area and the backstretch areas, which had the usual cool camp sites offering updated score keeping and displays unique to each campsite/ group that put it up. The weather for the entire day was good and we made it to most of the spots we like to go to. We returned to the camp area for dinner. Then went up to the midway to check it out. The race was ending so we went to the start finish line for the end. We watched the celebrations by the various winning teams, then headed back to the camp area. Most of us were tired so after a little more partying we turned in for the night. The race had gone well; no long NASCAR cautions or bad accidents. For results and much better pictures than I ever could take see the web links area below. |
| Race Results and Images | Professional Sportscar Racing |
| Sebring Int'l Raceway | ChasinRacin Page |
| The Stumble Inn at Dodge City | View of Turn 16 |
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| Green Park Mud Site! | By The Fence, Ready for the Start |
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| On Sunday morning the sound of racecars was heard again! For the first time the race promoters had racing on Sunday. It was anything old, that had ever raced. From Datsuns to GTPs and old NASCARs. Great way to end the weekend and break camp. It was a great Sebring and We'll do it again next year. As we left they were still handing out pass outs, so we took one for the road. After lunch we retraced our trip back including the final beer at the usual place by the lake. For those who didn't make it; we had a beer for you, try for next year! Next year Todd and Shane are 21- Watch out Sebring- we'll all be there for it! Who made rookie of the year? E-mail me and I'll post it here. In 2002 the 50th running takes place and we want anyone who ever has been with our campsite there- no excuses accepted! You have plenty of notice. It was a slice--see ya next year, Larry E-mail here |