By: Bruce D. Durst
SEBRING SOUNDS
As I walk the infield of the racing circuit of Sebring International Raceway, amid the deafening sounds of race cars performing their battle, I think of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture. My adrenaline flows with the excitement in the air. My mind wanders from thoughts of Tchaikovsky’s overture to his Nutcracker Suite, and I compare the dance of a high-speed racecar to the performance of the male ballet dancer the “Grand Danseuse”, flying high in the air as he performs the “Grand Jete”. I envision the racecar driver as he flies down the straight-at-way at speeds approaching 200 miles an hour, then braking hard to enter a sharp turn, the tires screaming reluctantly against the centrifugal force trying to push the car out of the turn and into disaster. The driver fights the car through the turn downshifting and, as the engine roars in defiance, G forces change from the side forcing the driver back in his racing seat. The racecar exits the turn and with high acceleration flies down the pit straight the fantastic roar of the engine echoing off the walls of the straight-a-way’s crash barriers. Every action, every step is carefully thought out and performed precisely. Each performer, whether Grand Danseuse or racecar driver, devotes his entire effort toward presenting the best performance his skill and training can offer.
The beautiful sounds of a Corvette racecar downshifting three times before it enters the hairpin turn brings me back to the present. Two Camaros and a Jaguar XKR, each with their own distinct sound, follow the Corvette.
As the sounds of these racers diminish, I hear a loud stereo speaker blaring the sounds of Jimi Hendrix recording “All Along The Watch Tower”, another audible delight to the pallet of the senses. I walk the infield between tents, camping trailers, cars, trucks, and million dollar motor homes. Over a hundred thousand race fans have come to this “party”. The sights, sounds, steaks cooking on grills, and even the smells of racing fuels, all add to the experience.
Since 1952, on the week leading up to the third Saturday in March, the air is filled with the sounds of race cars and more. Day or night, rain or shine the cars perform. Ferrari’s, Porsche’s, Audi’s, BMW’s, Ford’s, Chevrolet’s, Cadillac’s, Aston Martin’s, Bentley’s, Alfa Romeo, and Peugeot have all performed at Sebring.
The race comes to the finish line, the week is over, and the last racecar turns into the pit area and shuts off its engine. Champagne is toasted, the victors are congratulated, and the camera’s flash. The noise dies to almost silence and the silence is almost deafening. How strange after having racecar sounds in your ears all week.
That night we celebrate the race week with our friends around a campfire promising to return next year. For myself, a diehard race fan, after over forty years of attendance here, you know I’ll be back next year. See you then.
Saleen Audi Porsche