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Area Residents Still Attend Race After Decades

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By LAURA NESBITT

Highlands Today

Published: March 21, 2009

SEBRING - Local resident Steve Noel spent $400 on his reserved spot at the hairpin turn of the Sebring International Raceway.

And then he invited his friends to come over and enjoy the 12 Hours of Sebring with him.

Noel has had the reserved spot for his trailer with scaffolding for 22 years. He's been coming to the race since he was a teenager.

"He's been here 40 years," laughed Sebring resident Barbara Buckland. She's been coming to the race for 31 years.

They are die-hard race fans.

Above the constant noise of the cars on the track, Buckland, Noel and Eric Seiter, who lives in Zolfo Springs, all agreed that they like the spot because some drivers lose control of their cars at the turn.

"There's lots of spin-outs," Buckland said. "There's lots of crashes. Their brakes get hot and the miss the curve. It's exciting!"

Noel said the drivers have to slow down very quickly for the turn and then speed up fast for the upcoming track.

The friends also come back for the camaraderie.

"You get to see these people once a year" from all over this state and from other states, Buckland said.

"It's kind of like a family reunion," Seiter said.

"We get together year, after year, after year," Noel said.

Noel's father used to bring his six kids out to the racetrack decades ago. Tonight most of his family will be back.

"My dad is 78 now I think," Noel said.

"We all get together on Thursday night. It's a family thing. We'll hang out just like we used to do when we were younger."

Highlands Today reporter Laura Nesbitt can be reached at 863-386-5857 or lnesbitt@highlandstoday.com.

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