ATLANTA, GA (Thursday, September 21, 2023) – Sebring International Raceway is one of the favorite circuits for SKI Autosports’ racer Johnny O’Connell – a venue where his name regularly appears in the record books.
O’Connell has one 12 Hours of Sebring race overall win in 1994 aboard a Nissan with Clayton Cunningham Racing, along with a record eight class victories – many of which were aboard the famous yellow Corvette Racing entries.
The Georgia-based racer is set to return to action at the Floridian airfield circuit for the penultimate round of the GT America championship and SKI Autosports’ Audi R8.
Once a World War II air base, Sebring is one of the most iconic circuits in North America and known worldwide for its physically challenging surface – with the slogan “respect the bumps.”
SKI Autosports team owner Kent Hussey also has a storied history at the Central Florida racetrack.
“In 1966, I attended my first Sebring 12H race. As a college student, a friend and I hitchhiked from Daytona to Sebring to watch the Spring race for the first time. It was an incredible experience,” Hussey said.
Hussey was in great company as some of the competitors that year were famed names like Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti, Damon Hill, Bob Bondurant, AJ Foyt, and Mark Donahue. The ‘66 race was won by Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby in a Ford GT40 entered by Selby American Racing. The same rivalry documented in the Academy Award-winning movie Ford vs. Ferrari.
“I’ve attended countless races at Sebring Raceway, but that first one will always hold fond memories,” Hussey said.
Since that time, Hussey has been part of Sebring podium finishes as a sponsor and team owner during their International GT Championship season.
“The entire SKI Autosports team is looking forward to returning to Sebring. This will be our first GT America race at Sebring, and the sprint format will be very different from the longer enduro races we are all used to,” Hussey said.
“Johnny has so much success here, but as always, qualifying will be pivotal to the race strategy. With a 40-minute race, the start will be key.”
SRO GT AMERICA SCHEDULE:
Friday, September 22, 2023
8:30 – 9:00 Practice #1
1:30 – 2:00 Practice #2
Saturday, September 23, 2023
8:00 – 8:15 Qualifying
12:50 – 1:30 Race #1
Sunday, September 24, 2023
8:40 – 9:20 Race #2
10:30 – 11:00 Driver Autograph Session
Live on-track action is available at https://www.gtamerica.us/
Follow SKI Autosports at:
Twitter @AutosportsSki
Instagram @skiautosportsofficial
JOHNNY O’CONNELL
“Sebring is very special to me. For some reason or another I’ve always had great luck here, and I greatly appreciate the history of the circuit.
“The track will beat you up, however being a sprint race will help with the physical toll. It’s going to be typical Sebring hot weather but everyone will have the same hydration challenge.
“It’s been 13 years since I last raced there, but over the years, we did do a fair amount of testing there in the Cadillac. I expect it to be another great challenge for us, but I’m also very confident that my engineer Rossella (Manfrinato) and the entire SKI Autosports team will give me a great car.”
