3 replies to this topic

[Loren Lundberg]

Is anyone aware of a compilation of Sebring tech inspections, race applications and/or other "paperwork" relating to the 12 Hour races?  If so, who and where?  I've seen some early forms that seem to take an approach of "Does it have wheels?", check here.  Thanks.

[Lotus11Register]

Hardly a compilation, but there are plenty of recollections and stories around of tech inspectors giving entrants fits over car dimensions, configurations and equipment specifications. Sebring historians who have authored books should be able to answer your question with hard facts.

 

In 1987 at the Sebring historic archive I saw where the 1955 application from Lotus had entered its cars as Mark Eights (VIII)  when in fact the cars that ran there were Mark Nines (IX). It was the debut for the Nine but the application was sent when only Eights were being built.  In 1957 Lotus entered four Elevens and scrutineers required all to have their convertable tops erected, little tabs added to upper bodywork to "raise" the heights of the cockpit, and a dozen other minor mods that set those cars apart from standard Elevens. The process at Sebring was probably not as strenuous as at LeMans but at least for Lotus the team came prepared for a lot of extra work to bring cars into compliance.

[JoBo]

Hardly a compilation, but there are plenty of recollections and stories around of tech inspectors giving entrants fits over car dimensions, configurations and equipment specifications. Sebring historians who have authored books should be able to answer your question with hard facts.

 

In 1987 at the Sebring historic archive I saw where the 1955 application from Lotus had entered its cars as Mark Eights (VIII)  when in fact the cars that ran there were Mark Nines (IX). It was the debut for the Nine but the application was sent when only Eights were being built.  In 1957 Lotus entered four Elevens and scrutineers required all to have their convertable tops erected, little tabs added to upper bodywork to "raise" the heights of the cockpit, and a dozen other minor mods that set those cars apart from standard Elevens. The process at Sebring was probably not as strenuous as at LeMans but at least for Lotus the team came prepared for a lot of extra work to bring cars into compliance.

 

Yep, correct. Great info! Thx!

But - the question from Loren remained unanswered! So - are the Sebring records still existing somewhere?

 

JoBo

[J. Scott Morris]

Rick Carey, Auction Editor at Sportscardigest.com, bought three boxes of Sebring race records from the files of Sebring founder

Alec Ulmann that were offered by Bonhams at their “Preserving the Automobile” auction at the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia on October 7, 2013. 

 

You can read about his find here http://www.sportscardigest.com/papers-buying-the-ulmann-sebring-boxes/?awt_l=ChskA&awt_m=JRPWOTn0hes.C0   or  http://tinyurl.com/n44o89c

 

You may wish to contact him.