Sebring Circle to get taste of vintage cars

The Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce will present its annual mix of vintage cars and local food from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in the Circle in downtown Sebring.

The Taste of the Race will bring together car enthusiasts to enjoy lunch and see vintage and historic race cars from the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, which will drive over from the Sebring International Raceway during the 58th Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring race.

"I think it's going to be an outstanding time," said Greg Harris, chamber president and CEO. "That whole week is going to be awesome. From the chamber beat, the race is going to be fun, fun, fun."

Food vendors will be situated around the Circle. The Palms of Sebring will sell $1 tacos; Woody's Bar-B-Q will serve half-slabs of ribs; Florida Land Partners will have hamburgers; and the Sebring Noon Rotary Club will have pulled pork and brisket.

Also, Country Club of Sebring will sell pizza; This Party's For You will sell hot dogs; XOCAI the Healthy Chocolate will have chocolate. Positive Medical Transport will sell water.

The 30 to 40 vintage and historic cars should leave the raceway at about 11:30 a.m. and arrive at the Circle shortly, said Sebring attorney Mike Swaine, who is a retired grid chief for the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, and has been coordinating with the SVRA.

"People can wander around them and talk to the drivers," he added. "These are cars that raced in Sebring during their heyday."

Cars may include the Alfa Romeo GTV, Porsche 911, Lotus Seven series 3, Chevrolet Corvette ope, Argo JM 19C, BMW 2002, Datsun 240Z, AH Sprite prototype ope and rdstr, Lotus 23b, Triumph GTB, Ford Boss, Nissan 280Z, MGB GT-V8, Sebring Sprite, and many others.