2006 Sebring Sports Car Racing Hall of Fame - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

gaijin · 01-05-2006

SERIES FOUNDER DR. DON PANOZ AMONG 2006 INDUCTEES FOR SEBRING SPORTS CAR RACING HALL OF FAME

Braselton, Ga. - Dr. Don Panoz, founder of the American Le Mans Series, is one of six inductees into the Sebring Sports Car Racing Hall of Fame. The group will be inducted at a ceremony March 17, the day before the 54th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the first race of the 2006 American Le Mans Series.

Other 2006 honorees, along with Dr. Panoz, are three-time Sebring winner Phil Hill, two-time winners Brian Redman and Bob Akin, three-time winning car owner Briggs Cunningham and veteran race official Charlie Earwood.

Dr. Panoz revived international road racing in North America, founding the American Le Mans Series in 1999. As owner of Sebring International Raceway for the past nine years, (the second longest tenure as promoter in Sebring history) he initiated a multi-million dollar enhancement program, making Sebring among the finest and most versatile road racing facilities in North America.

Hill is a road racing legend, having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Formula One World Championship in addition to numerous sports car racing victories around the world. His Sebring record includes three overall wins (1958, 59, 61) and three class victories.

Road racing pioneer Cunningham competed 14 times at Sebring. As a car owner, he fielded the Sebring-winning car three consecutive years from 1953-55. During the early 1950s, he led America's first serious effort at Le Mans with his namesake Cunningham cars. He passed away in 2003.

Redman won Sebring in 1975 and 1979, and has two other podium finishes in his stellar career at America's oldest sports car race. Redman is a three-time Formula 5000 champion and the winner of the 1981 IMSA Camel GT Championship. His illustrious career includes wins at virtually every major road course in the world.

The late Akin won Sebring in 1979 and 1986, and finished second in 1983, each time in cars entered by his own team. His 1986 victory in a Porsche 962 still holds the record as the fastest average winning speed ever at Sebring. Akin also competed six times at Le Mans.

Earwood has served as an official at Sebring for 39 consecutive years, including numerous times as Chief Steward. From 1987-89, Earwood was promoter of Sebring's 12-hour classic. During this period, he supervised major changes to the raceway, including the establishment of Sebring's successful winter testing program.

Previous inductees into the Hall of Fame include Dan Gurney, Jim Hall, Bob and Al Holbert, Mario Andretti, Juan Manuel Fangio, Carroll Shelby, John Fitch, Sir Stirling Moss, Bobby Rahal, IMSA Founder John Bishop, race official Ford Heacock, and previous Sebring promoters Alec and Mary Ulmann, Charles Mendez and John Greenwood. Legendary manufacturers Porsche and Ferrari have also been inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony will be held at the Four Points Sheraton Chateau Elan Hotel and Spa, overlooking Sebring's famous Hairpin turn. Tickets to the induction ceremony are available on a very limited basis. Proceeds go to the Sebring Sports Car Racing Museum Fund.

The 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is scheduled for March 18, with television coverage available on SPEED Channel. Flag-to-flag coverage from American Le Mans Series Radio, and Live Timing and Scoring will be available at www.americanlemans.com.

01-05-2006	#1
gaijin Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Road Atlanta Posts: 371	2006 Sebring Sports Car Racing Hall of Fame SERIES FOUNDER DR. DON PANOZ AMONG 2006 INDUCTEES FOR SEBRING SPORTS CAR RACING HALL OF FAME Braselton, Ga. - Dr. Don Panoz, founder of the American Le Mans Series, is one of six inductees into the Sebring Sports Car Racing Hall of Fame. The group will be inducted at a ceremony March 17, the day before the 54th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the first race of the 2006 American Le Mans Series. Other 2006 honorees, along with Dr. Panoz, are three-time Sebring winner Phil Hill, two-time winners Brian Redman and Bob Akin, three-time winning car owner Briggs Cunningham and veteran race official Charlie Earwood. Dr. Panoz revived international road racing in North America, founding the American Le Mans Series in 1999. As owner of Sebring International Raceway for the past nine years, (the second longest tenure as promoter in Sebring history) he initiated a multi-million dollar enhancement program, making Sebring among the finest and most versatile road racing facilities in North America. Hill is a road racing legend, having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Formula One World Championship in addition to numerous sports car racing victories around the world. His Sebring record includes three overall wins (1958, 59, 61) and three class victories. Road racing pioneer Cunningham competed 14 times at Sebring. As a car owner, he fielded the Sebring-winning car three consecutive years from 1953-55. During the early 1950s, he led America's first serious effort at Le Mans with his namesake Cunningham cars. He passed away in 2003. Redman won Sebring in 1975 and 1979, and has two other podium finishes in his stellar career at America's oldest sports car race. Redman is a three-time Formula 5000 champion and the winner of the 1981 IMSA Camel GT Championship. His illustrious career includes wins at virtually every major road course in the world. The late Akin won Sebring in 1979 and 1986, and finished second in 1983, each time in cars entered by his own team. His 1986 victory in a Porsche 962 still holds the record as the fastest average winning speed ever at Sebring. Akin also competed six times at Le Mans. Earwood has served as an official at Sebring for 39 consecutive years, including numerous times as Chief Steward. From 1987-89, Earwood was promoter of Sebring's 12-hour classic. During this period, he supervised major changes to the raceway, including the establishment of Sebring's successful winter testing program. Previous inductees into the Hall of Fame include Dan Gurney, Jim Hall, Bob and Al Holbert, Mario Andretti, Juan Manuel Fangio, Carroll Shelby, John Fitch, Sir Stirling Moss, Bobby Rahal, IMSA Founder John Bishop, race official Ford Heacock, and previous Sebring promoters Alec and Mary Ulmann, Charles Mendez and John Greenwood. Legendary manufacturers Porsche and Ferrari have also been inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held at the Four Points Sheraton Chateau Elan Hotel and Spa, overlooking Sebring's famous Hairpin turn. Tickets to the induction ceremony are available on a very limited basis. Proceeds go to the Sebring Sports Car Racing Museum Fund. The 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is scheduled for March 18, with television coverage available on SPEED Channel. Flag-to-flag coverage from American Le Mans Series Radio, and Live Timing and Scoring will be available at www.americanlemans.com.