HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour “Pistons and Props” Takes Flight Dec. 1-5

By VM Staff | 11.6.21 7:28 AM

The Historic Sportscar Racing Classic Sebring 12 Hour, Pistons and Props, is back to its full high-flying glory as an array of rare and vintage military airplanes will rejoin an iconic line-up of historic race cars for the sixth running of the event at Sebring International Raceway, December 1-5.

Officially titled the HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour, Pistons and Props, presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network, the season-ending HSR race weekend is a dual celebration of Sebring’s illustrious auto racing history and patriotic aviation heritage. The aviation part of 2020’s event was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the historic planes and their pilots are back this year to reunite with their four-wheeled racing peers in celebration of Sebring’s legendary 12-hour sports car race and the facility’s rich aviation history. Hendricks Field is a World War II era civil and military air field on which the famous 12-hour sports car race has been run for nearly 70 years.

The Classic Sebring 12 Hour features five full days of historic and vintage sports car racing as well as a “fly-in” and display of some equally awe-inspiring military and civilian aircraft from the last half century and World War II era.

Photo: HSR

The major on-track part of the HSR Classic Sebring is the 12 Hours of Sebring tribute race that takes place Saturday and Sunday. It begins with a symbolic 12 hours of non-stop competition Saturday before all four competing Run Groups contest a final round of races Sunday morning.

The race weekend also features the HSR Sebring Historics — season-ending rounds of the WeatherTech Sprint, Stoner Car Care Global GT, Sasco Sports International/American Challenge and B.R.M. Endurance Challenge series.

A Classic 12 Hour entry headed to Sebring straight from victory lane at Daytona International Speedway this past weekend is the1972 No. 18 Porsche 911 S/T (pictured above) owned and driven by Alan Benjamin. Co-driving with Barry Waddell, Benjamin scored the Group A GT victory in the HSR Classic Daytona 24 hour race Sunday, and he will be seeking a second “HSR Classics” win in a row at Sebring.

Photo: HSR

Returning airplanes include the blue B004 numbered 1942 Vultee BT-15 Valiant (pictured above and in flight below) piloted by Tom Smith and the similar 1943 Vultee BT-13 Valiant of Bryce Bock. The Vultees are two variants of the “Basic Trainer” aircraft that played a major role in helping WWII military pilots learn their craft.

Photo: HSR

Others returning include Tony Green’s 1973 Bulldog 120 (pictured above and in flight below) and a North American T6-G “Texan” (pictured at top) that will be piloted by Jon Rising.

Additional airplanes, including some set for their initial appearance at the Classic Sebring 12 Hour, and the HSR entry lists will be announced in the near future.