Sebring to be paved?
06-17-2016, 09:40 AM
#16
Rennlist Member
It's concrete, it doesn't need to be covered with that "let's redo it every 5 years" black crap that the unions and special interests have shoved down everyone's throats for the last 50 years. Simply send a laser milling crew in there and use high strength concrete for the little patching that needs to be done and its the SAME Sebring it has always been without the stupid bumps that were created by years of upheavel. Any other track in the world would have been repaired, the thought that Sebring should be left alone to age is beyond belief. The concrete that makes Sebring "Sebring" is most likely 24" thick. Mill the damn track and have at it!
And yes, I am an expert regarding concrete and its properties...
And yes, I am an expert regarding concrete and its properties...
06-17-2016, 10:25 AM
#17
Rennlist Member
It's concrete, it doesn't need to be covered with that "let's redo it every 5 years" black crap that the unions and special interests have shoved down everyone's throats for the last 50 years. Simply send a laser milling crew in there and use high strength concrete for the little patching that needs to be done and its the SAME Sebring it has always been without the stupid bumps that were created by years of upheavel. Any other track in the world would have been repaired, the thought that Sebring should be left alone to age is beyond belief. The concrete that makes Sebring "Sebring" is most likely 24" thick. Mill the damn track and have at it!
And yes, I am an expert regarding concrete and its properties...
And yes, I am an expert regarding concrete and its properties...
06-17-2016, 10:55 AM
#19
Instructor
This is an email from a friend of mine to Wayne Estes, the new president and GM of Sebring in February 2016………………
My friend wrote......
Good Morning Wayne,
I have been driving Sebring since 1987 with, SCCA, HSR, SVRA, NASA & PCA.
Welcome to Sebring.
My concern is that your plans for improvements do not interfere with the character of Sebring as a track on concrete surfaces.
Specifically Front & back straights, including, turns 1, 10, 13 & 17.
History of Sebring includes the challenges of the WWII Hendricks Army Airfield.
Wayne's response....
Feb 19, 2016
Be not afraid!!
I agree wholeheartedly!
What set this track apart for its first six and half decades, and what will set it apart for the NEXT six and half decades is its roots in the soil first turned at Hendricks Field.
There are race teams that make it clear that they will no longer test here if we repave the concrete sections, so as long as we can preserve the surface to conduct proper motorsports events here, the concrete stays!
I have told the staff that maintaining the character of the property is no excuse for neglecting the property. So, please know I have great respect for the history of this very special place. I want to honor it by ensuring we get to share its character with generations to come.
Thank you for your loyal support of Sebring!
Wayne Estes
President and General Manager
Sebring International Raceway
Harvey
National PCA HPDE Instructor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2015 981CS - PDK, GT Silver/Black
2008 997.1 C2 - 6 Speed, Meteor Grey/Sand Beige (gone)
2000 986S - 6 Speed, Arctic Silver (gone, but not forgotten)
My friend wrote......
Good Morning Wayne,
I have been driving Sebring since 1987 with, SCCA, HSR, SVRA, NASA & PCA.
Welcome to Sebring.
My concern is that your plans for improvements do not interfere with the character of Sebring as a track on concrete surfaces.
Specifically Front & back straights, including, turns 1, 10, 13 & 17.
History of Sebring includes the challenges of the WWII Hendricks Army Airfield.
Wayne's response....
Feb 19, 2016
Be not afraid!!
I agree wholeheartedly!
What set this track apart for its first six and half decades, and what will set it apart for the NEXT six and half decades is its roots in the soil first turned at Hendricks Field.
There are race teams that make it clear that they will no longer test here if we repave the concrete sections, so as long as we can preserve the surface to conduct proper motorsports events here, the concrete stays!
I have told the staff that maintaining the character of the property is no excuse for neglecting the property. So, please know I have great respect for the history of this very special place. I want to honor it by ensuring we get to share its character with generations to come.
Thank you for your loyal support of Sebring!
Wayne Estes
President and General Manager
Sebring International Raceway
Harvey
National PCA HPDE Instructor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2015 981CS - PDK, GT Silver/Black
2008 997.1 C2 - 6 Speed, Meteor Grey/Sand Beige (gone)
2000 986S - 6 Speed, Arctic Silver (gone, but not forgotten)
Last edited by Harvey in FL; 06-17-2016 at 11:37 AM.
06-17-2016, 11:15 AM
#20
I'm in....
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06-17-2016, 12:12 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
Dan, those milling machines even eat steel like it's nothing but I bet that old concrete has developed to over 6000 PSI by now. We can produce over 20,000 PSI concrete nowadays, but back then no.
06-17-2016, 01:27 PM
#22
Race Car
in fairness, the improvements I;ve seen (30 yrs) have not changed the character.
I remember the track before the 2story pits, and the tent/house. those changes were good.
bathrooms could use major upgrades, especially the infield/green park
I remember the track before the 2story pits, and the tent/house. those changes were good.
bathrooms could use major upgrades, especially the infield/green park
06-17-2016, 06:13 PM
#23
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Milling sounds like the right approach. Core to confirm thickness and mill it smooth.
The facilities are 3rd world. I think that track has a very good chance to be there 50 years from now. That justifies the $$ to make the place nice.
06-17-2016, 08:08 PM
#24
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Yes Pocono has been replaced. IIRC if you run counterclockwise you will still have the old " IMSA" course. The new infield configure. Is ok for de, but not spectacular. I still agree with those that would like to see Sebring repaved. Character is one thing, but having cars go airborne is just plain dangerous.
06-17-2016, 11:57 PM
#27
WRONGLY ACCUSED!
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Glad for the response from the manager that they intend to protect the character of the track. His words were spot on.
06-18-2016, 01:22 AM
#29
Rennlist Member
There's likely universal agreement about the facilities needing a facelift, but smooth out Sebring or leave as is would make a great poll among racers- pro and amateurs alike.
Guessing it would be split pretty evenly.
Guessing it would be split pretty evenly.
