Photo: Dave Friedman
Sebring International Raceway’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced its 2004 inductees, which include Sir Stirling Moss; Mario Andretti; Carroll Shelby; Bobby Rahal; Bob and Al Holbert; race official Ford Heacock, Sr.; and the legendary manufacturer Ferrari.
Induction ceremonies will take place on March 19, the day before the 52nd annual 12-Hours of Sebring, at the Chateau Elan Hotel and Spa overlooking the raceway’s famous Hairpin Turn.
Moss recorded a stunning upset win at Sebring in 1954, driving an OSCA with Bill Lloyd. He finished 2nd in 1957 and set the fastest race lap three times. Andretti is one of only four three-time winners at Sebring. His dramatic 1970 win driving a Ferrari 512S is considered one of the greatest moments in Sebring history. Shelby and his namesake Cobras are road racing legends. As a driver, Shelby won Le Mans in 1959 and finished 2nd at Sebring in 1955. His cars won the GT class at Sebring in 1964 and ’65, and his Shelby American team engineered an overall win for Ford in 1966. Rahal won the 1987 Sebring endurance classic driving a Porsche 962 with Jochen Mass. In 1982 he won the pole and finished 2nd. A long-time supporter of sports car racing, Rahal had a win at the 1986 Indy 500. Bob Holbert and his son, Al, each had remarkable careers at Sebring. Al Holbert won twice at Sebring (1976 and ’81), and also recorded two 2nd place finishes. He was a three-time Le Mans winner, but Holbert’s brilliant career was cut short in a 1988 plane crash.
Bob Holbert drove to a record six class victories, including 2nd overall in 1960 and a historic GT class win driving a Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe in 1964.
Ferrari becomes only the second manufacturer inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame. The legendary “Prancing Horse” has won Sebring 12 times, with 16 major class wins, 9 pole positions and fastest race lap 11 times. Ford Heacock, Sr., a key official during the infancy of Sebring’s classic endurance race, will also be inducted.
“The 2004 inductees represent some of the greatest names in road racing history,” stated Sebring Raceway President Tres Stephenson. “The selection committee had the difficult task of narrowing the list to this exclusive group. We are truly honored to have such a prestigious class of inductees.”
