1960 12 Hours of Sebring

Sebring International Raceway in 1952-1966 Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder

The Tenth Annual Sebring International Grand Prix of Endurance for the Amoco Trophy took place on 26 March 1960, on the Sebring International Raceway, (Florida, United States). It was the second round of the F.I.A. World Sports Car Championship. This was also the second round of the F.I.A. GT Cup.

## Report

[edit]

### Entry

[edit]

A massive total of 89 racing cars were registered for this event, of which 72 arrived for practice. Only these, 65 qualified for, and started the race. There was controversy surrounding the entry. The event promoter, Alec Ulmann had signed a deal with Amoco whereby they would be the fuel suppliers for the race. This prohibited any entrant from using any other brand of fuel.[1][2]

This resulted in the works Ferrari and Porsche teams boycotting the event, as they had their own exclusive fuel arrangements with Shell Oil and British Petroleum (BP) respectively.[1][2] However, these teams would still be represented in Florida. For Ferrari, their sent cars to Luigi Chinetti, who entered the cars under the North American Racing Team (NART) banner and thereby as a private entry and not bound by any agreement between Scuderia Ferrari and Shell.[2] As for Porsche, they ‘leased’ two of their new RS 60 Spyders to the works driver, Jo Bonnier. Together with a number of Porsche drivers and mechanics who just happened to be holidaying in Florida at that time, volunteered they services to Bonnier for the event.[2]

There was also controversy when the F.I.A. made last minute rules changes concerning the luggage compartments and windscreens on the Grand Touring (GT) cars. The FIA ruled that these cars should be racing closer the factory specifications than some actually where. This caused some problems for the smaller cars like the Oscas.[2]

### Qualifying

[edit]

As was the normal for Sebring and because there was no qualifying sessions to set the grid, the starting positions were decided according to engine size with the 5.0 litre Chevrolet Corvette C1 of Briggs Cunningham and John Fitch being given first place.[3]

### Race

[edit]

Most of the 50,000 spectators expected Stirling Moss to win the race in his ”Birdcage” Maserati Tipo 61, provided the car lasted the distance.[2] Of the 65 cars that qualified, many looked strange due to the hasty modifications placed on them with the new F.I.A. regulations.[2]

Moss had a bad start due to his Maserati having problems starting and pulled away in 23rd place, but by the second lap, the Englishman was up the second behind the early leader, the Ferrari of Pete Lovely.[2] He would pass Lovely on the next lap.[2]

On lap five, a tragic accident occurred at the hairpin. The Lotus Elite being driven by Jim Hughes suffered a brake failure and headed for the escape road, only to found a photographer standing here, complete with tripod. Hughes tried to avoid him, but rolled his little Lotus, striking the photographer and killing them both.[2]

At the end of the first hour, Moss, partnered by Dan Gurney were leading from another Birdcage T61 of Walt Hansgen and Ed Crawford. The first of the NART Ferraris was in third, driven by Richie Ginther and Chuck Daigh.[2] By the start of the ‘lunch’ hour, the Ferrari had moved into second.[2]

On lap 84, the Porsche of Graham Hill parked up with a rod through the engine block,[4] while around the same time, the Ginther/Daigh Ferrari pitted with steam pouring from under the bonnet. Shortly after, the T61 of Crawford ran wide at the hairpin and got struck in the sandbank. Crawford proceeded to dig his car free using his hands, taking almost two hours to do so.[2] Despite their problems, the Ginther/Daigh Ferarri was still in second at the halfway point, albeit lapping 3 mph slower than Moss/Gurney. Now in third was the little Porsche of Hans Herrmann and Olivier Gendebien.[2]

After completing 123 laps, the Ginther/Daigh Ferrari was withdrawn as it was leaking water and oil.[4] Just 13 laps later, and the leaders were also out, retiring with transmission failure.[4] With 3½ hours to run, the Herrmann/Gendebien Porsche found itself firmly in the lead with another Porsche in second, being piloted by Bob Holbert and Roy Schechter.[2]

Trophy presentation with Jack Nethercutt II, Pete Lovely, and J.B. Nethercutt

After 12 hours of racing, the Bonnier entered Porsche of Herrmann and Gendebien, won ahead of the similar Brumos Porsche of Holbert and Schechter. Car number 42, took an impressive victory, completing 196 laps, covering 1,019.2 miles after 12 hours of racing, averaging a speed of 84.927 mph. Second place went to the second Porsche, albeit nine lap adrift. The podium was complete by the Ferrari of Lovely and Jack Nethercutt who were a further lap behind.[5][4]

## Official Classification

[edit]

Class Winners are in Bold text.

Pos  | No  | Class  | Driver  | Entrant  | Chassis  | Laps  | Reason Out

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1st | 42 | S1.6 |  Hans Herrmann |  Olivier Gendebien | Joakim Bonnier | Porsche 718 RS60 | 12hr 00:03.030, 196 |
2nd  | 44  | S1.6  |  Bob Holbert |  Roy Schechter | Brumos Porsche Car Corp. | Porsche 718 RS60 | 187  |
3rd | 8 | S3.0 |  Pete Lovely |  Jack Nethercutt | Jack Nethercutt | Ferrari 250 TR 59/60 | 186 |
4th  | 10  | S3.0  |  Ed Hugus |  Augie Pabst | North American Racing Team | Ferrari 250 GT SWB | 185  |
5th  | 17  | S3.0  |  George Reed |  Alan Connell, Jnr. | RRR Motors  | Ferrari 250 GT California | 185  |
6th  | 12  | S3.0  |  Bill Sturgis |  Fritz D'Orey | William Sturgis  | Ferrari 250 GT SWB | 183  |
7th  | 11  | S3.0  |  George Arents |  William Kimberly | North American Racing Team | Ferrari 250 GT SWB | 183  |
8th | 16 | GT3.0 |  Carlo Maria Abate
Fabrizio Serena |  Giorgio Scarlatti | Scuderia Serenissima | Ferrari 250 GT California LWB | 179 |
9th | 72 | GT1.6 |  Dick Dungan |  Joe Sheppard | Camoradi USA | Porsche 356A Carrera | 177 |
10th  | 14  | S3.0  |  Robert Publicker
Dean McCarthy |  George Constantine | Robert Publicker  | Ferrari 250 GT California LWB | 174  |
11th  | 80  | GT1.6  |  Jan Bootz |  Carel Godin de Beaufort | Count Karel de Beaufort | Porsche 356A Carrera | 172  |
12th | 63 | S850 |  John Bentley |  John Gordon | Automobili Osca USA | Osca S750 | 170 |
DNF  | 24  | S3.0  |  Luke Stear |  Dave Causey | Dave Casuey  | Maserati Tipo 61 | 169  | Gearbox
13th  | 47  | S1.6  |  George Koehne |  Rees Makins | Automobili Osca USA | Osca MT4 1500 | 169  |
14th | 31 | GT2.0 |  Max Goldman |  Ralph Burbin | S.H. Arnolt Inc. | Arnolt Bolide | 169 |
15th  | 20  | GT3.0  |  Gilbert Geitner |  Lew Spencer | British Motor Corp.  | Austin-Healey 3000 | 167  |
16th | 6 | GT5.0 |  Bill Fritts |  Chuck Hall | RRR Motors | Chevrolet Corvette C1 | 167 |
17th | 58 | S1.15 |  Charles Vögele |  Peter Ashdown | Charles Vögele | Lola-Climax Mk.1 | 167 |
18th | 54 | GT1.3 |  Fred van Beuren
Adolfo Velásquez |  Javier Velásquez | Frederico van Beuren | Alfa Romeo Giuletta Veloce | 166 |
19th  | 50  | GT1.3  |  Tom O'Brien |  Don Horn | Louis Comito  | Alfa Romeo Giuletta Veloce | 166  |
20th  | 36  | GT2.0  |  Bud Hulsey |  Harry Washburn | A.C. Cars Ltd. | AC Ace | 166  |
21st  | 34  | GT2.0  |  Mike Rothschild |  Bob Grossman | A.C. Cars Ltd. | AC Ace | 166  |
22nd  | 33  | GT2.0  |  James Johnston
William Bradley |  Bud Seaverns | S. H. Arnolt Inc | Arnolt Boldie | 165  |
23rd  | 65  | S850  |  David Cunnigham |  John Fulp | Luigi Chinetti Motors | Osca S750 | 152  |
24th  | 39  | GT1.6  |  Fred Hayes |  Ed Leavens | British Motor Corp.  | MG A Twin Cam | 160  |
25th  | 55  | GT1.3  |  Charles Evans
Jay Chamberlain |  Sam Weiss | Lotus Cars USA  | Lotus Elite | 158  |
26th  | 3  | GT5.0  |  Fred Gamble
Bill Wuestfhoff |  Jim Jeffords | Camoradi USA | Chevrolet Corvette C1 | 157  |
27th  | 48  | GT1.3  |  William Milliken, Jr. |  Cameron Argetsinger | Cameron Argetsinger | Alfa Romeo Giuletta Veloce | 156  |
28th  | 77  | GT2.0  |  Tony O'Sullivan
Jef Stevens |  Peter Procter | Tony O'Sullivan  | AC Ace | 151  |
DNF  | 25  | S3.0  |  Walt Hansgen |  Ed Crawford | Jaguar Distributors of New York  | Maserati Tipo 61 | 149  | Differential
29th  | 40  | GT1.6  |  Jack Flaherty |  Jim Parkinson | British Motor Corp.  | MG A Twin Cam | 148  |
30th  | 51  | GT1.3  |  Louis Comito
Bob Richardson |  Ross Durant, Jr. | Ross Durant, Jr.  | Alfa Romeo Giuletta Veloce | 143  |
31st  | 52  | GT1.3  |  Chuck Kessinger
Ken Gardner |  Stephen A. McClellan, Jr. | Dr. Ray Martinez  | Alfa Romeo Giuletta Veloce | 143  |
32nd  | 4  | GT5.0  |  Jim Jeffords |  Fred Gamble | Camoradi USA | Chevrolet Corvette C1 | 143  |
33rd  | 18  | GT3.0  |  Peter Riley |  Jack Sears | British Motor Corp.  | Austin-Healey 3000 | 141  |
34th  | 26  | S3.0  |  Duncan Black |  Charlemagne Tower | Charlemagne Tower  | Daimler SP250 | 137  |
DNF  | 23  | S3.0  |  Stirling Moss |  Dan Gurney | Camoradi USA | Maserati Tipo 61 | 136  | Transmission failure
NC  | 5  | GT5.0  |  Delmo Johnson |  Dave Morgan | Johnson Chevrolet Co.  | Chevrolet Corvette C1 | 134  |
DNF  | 46  | S1.6  |  Pedro von Döry
Anton von Döry |  Roberto Miéres | Anton von Döry  | Porsche 718 RSK | 133  | Broken cam follower
NC  | 37  | S1.6  |  John Masterson
Norman Babcock |  Dean Patterson | Elva Distributors USA  | Elva-Climax Courier | 131  |
NC  | 60  | S1.15  |  Ed Costley |  Pete Harrison | Edgar M. Costley  | Elva-Climax Mk IV | 131  |
DNF  | 28  | S2.0  |  Ricardo Rodríguez |  Pedro Rodríguez | North American Racing Team | Dino 196 S | 126  | Clutch failure
DNF  | 7  | S3.0  |  Chuck Daigh |  Richie Ginther | North American Racing Team | Ferrari 250 TR 59/60 | 123  | Water & oil leak
NC  | 66  | S850  |  Ray Cuomo |  Paul Richards | Roosevelt Automobiles  | Fiat-Abarth 750S | 115  |
NC  | 32  | GT2.0  |  Tom Payne |  Robert Gary | S. H. Arnolt Inc | Arnolt Boldie | 99  |
NC  | 68  | S1.6  |  Charles Wallace
Charlie Kolb |  William Horton | Elva Distributors USA  | Elva-Climax Courier | 92  |
DNF  | 43  | S1.6  |  Graham Hill |  Jo Bonnier | Joakim Bonnier | Porsche 718 RS 60 | 87  | Engine
DNF  | 53  | GT1.3  |  Ralph Troiano
George Waltman |  Art Swanson | Racing Associates of New England  | Alfa Romeo Giuletta Veloce | 70  | Axle
NC  | 61  | S1.0  |  John Sprinzel |  John Lumkin | Donald Healey, Ltd. | Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite | 62  |
DNF  | 35  | GT2.0  |  Bob Mazzi
Frank Schroeder |  Fred Moore | A. C. Car Ltd | AC Ace | 61  | Left rear wheel
DNF  | 30  | GT2.0  |  Ike Williamson |  James Forno | Morgan Motors Ltd. | Morgan Plus 4 | 60  | Broken front hub
DNF  | 57  | GT1.3  |  Frank Bott |  Phil Forno | Lotus Cars USA  | Lotus Elite | 57  | Accident
DNF  | 19  | GT3.0  |  John Colgate |  Fred Spross | British Motor Corp.  | Austin-Healey 300 | 54  | Accident
DNF  | 2  | GT5.0  |  Dick Thompson |  Fred Windridge | Jaguar Distributors of New York  | Chevrolet Corvette C1 | 41  | Engine
DNF  | 64  | S850  |  Denise McCluggage |  Pinkie Windridge | Camoradi USA | Osca S187 | 34  | Oil loss => bearing jammed
DNF  | 41  | GT1.6  |  John Cuevas |  Ulf Norinder | Quiver Enterprises  | Porsche 356A Carrera GT GS Speedster | 33  | Broken crankshaft
DNF  | 15  | GT3.0  |  Gianni Balzarini |  Carlo Maria Abate | Scuderia Serenissima | Ferrari 250 GT | 28  |
DNF  | 1  | GT5.0  |  Briggs Cunningham |  John Fitch | Jaguar Distributors of New York  | Chevrolet Corvette C1 | 27  | Rear hub => accident
DNF  | 67  | S850  |  Victor Lukens |  Fred Haynes | Racemasters  | Bandini GT | 27  | Radiator damaged
DNF  | 27  | S2.0  |  Hap Sharp |  Jim Hall | Hap Sharp | Cooper-Maserati Monaco T49 | 26  | Broken piston
DNF  | 49  | GT1.3  |  Charlie Rainville |  Jake Kaplan | Jake Kaplan  | Alfa Romeo Giuletta Veloce | 16  | Broken connection rod
DNF  | 56  | GT1.3  |  Jim Hughes |  Sam Weiss | Lotus Cars USA  | Lotus Elite | 5  | Fatal accident
(Hughes)
DNF  | 38  | GT1.6  |  Colin Escott |  Ted Lund | British Motor Corp.  | MG A Twin Cam | 3  | Broken valve
DNF  | 22  | S3.0  |  Carroll Shelby |  Masten Gregory | Camoradi USA | Maserati Tipo 61 | 3  | Engine
DNF  | 46  | S1.6  |  Ernie Erickson |  Don Sesslar | Carl Erickson Co.  | Porsche 718 RSK | 1  | Timing gear jammed
DNS  | 21  | S3.0  |  Stirling Moss |  Dan Gurney | Camoradi USA | Maserati Tipo 61 |  | Engine
DNQ  | 73  | S1.15  |  Bob Grimes |  Paul Hill | Elva Distributors USA  | Elva-Climax Mk. IV |  | Reserve
DNQ  | 75  | S850  |  Otto Linton |  Francis Ginther | John Miles  | Osca S750 |  | Reserve
DNQ  | 79  | GT3.0  |  Mel Siegel |  Harry Fry | London Motors Inc.  | Austin-Healey 3000 |  | Reserve
DNS  | 81  | GT3.0  |  Laurence Gandolfi
Paul O'Shea |  Nim York | Lewis Engineering Co.  | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL |  | No spare brakes
DNS  | T2  | GT3.0  |  Peter RIley
John Colgate |  Jack Sears
Fred Spross | British Motor Corp.  | Austin-Healey 3000 |  | practised only
DNS  | T  | GT1.6  |  |  | British Motor Corp.  | MG A Twin Cam |  | practised only

[5][4]

* Fastest Lap: Chuck Daigh, 3:18.14secs (94.479 mph)[5][1]

### Class Winners

[edit]

Class  | Winners  |  |

|
|
|

Sports 3000 – Class 12S  | 8  | Ferrari 250 TR 59/60  | Lovely / Nethercutt
Sports 2500 – Class 11S  |  | No starters
Sports 2000 – Class 10S  |  | No classified finishers
Sports 1600 – Class 9S  | 42  | Porsche 718 RS 60  | Herrmann / Gendebien
Sports 1150 – Class 7S  | 58  | Lola-Climax Mk.1  | Vögele / Ashdown
Sports 1100 – Class 6S  |  | No classified finishers
Sports 850 – Class 5S  | 63  | Osca S750  | Bentley / Gordon
Grand Touring 5000 – Class 14G  | 6  | Chevrolet Corvette C1  | Fritts / Hall
Grand Touring 3000 – Class 12G  | 16  | Ferrari 250 GT California  | Abate / Scarlatti / Serena
Grand Touring 2000 – Class 10G  | 31  | Arnolt Bolide  | Goldman / Durbin
Grand Touring 1600 – Class 9G  | 72  | Porsche 356A Carrera  | Dungan / Sheppard
Grand Touring 1300 – Class 8G  | 54  | Alfa Romeo Giuletta Spider Veloce  | van Beuren / Velásquez / Velásquez

[1]

## Standings after the race

[edit]

### FIA World Sportscar Championship

[edit]

Pos  | Championship  | Points

|
|

1=  |  Ferrari | 12
1=  |  Porsche | 12
3  |  Maserati | 3

* Note: Only the top five positions are included in this set of standings.

Championship points were awarded for the first six places in each race in the order of 8-6-4-3-2-1. Manufacturers were only awarded points for their highest finishing car with no points awarded for positions filled by additional cars. Only the best 3 results out of the 5 races could be retained by each manufacturer. Points earned but not counted towards the championship totals are listed within brackets in the above table.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Sebring 12 Hours 1960 - Racing Sports Cars".
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "1960 Sebring 12 Hours - Race Photos, History, Profile". April 23, 2014.
3. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1960 - Entry List - Racing Sports Cars".
4. ^ a b c d e "Sebring 12 Hours 1960 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars".
5. ^ a b c "Reference at www.teamdan.com". Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2016.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Alec Ulmann. The Sebring Story. Chilton Book Company. ASIN B0006CUAP2.

World Sportscar Championship

Previous race:
1000 km Buenos Aires | 1960 season | Next race:
Targa Florio
FIA GT Cup

Previous race:
4 Hours of Sebring | 1960 season | Next race:
1000 km Nürburgring

* v
* t
* e

12 Hours of Sebring

20th century|

* 1950
* ~~1951~~
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* ~~1974~~
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000

21st century|

* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template