Man O man, I started coming to Sebring five years ago. They always say your first year experiance is the best, Here is mine.
This story may take a bit of reading, but please bare with me. I think you will find it funny as hell. Back in the mid 80s I was stationed in southern Germany, and had the opportunity to attend the 24 hrs of LeMans (I jumped all over it). We were camped just on the infield side of the Dunlop bridge, back when it was just woods. I had settled down in my little pup tent to enjoy my alcohol coma, when all of a sudden a tree fell on top of my tent (thats what I had thought at the time). Then me and my tent were being dragged down hill. By then I was semi conscious and heard a bunch of commotion and laughing. Then it dawned on me, I'm being dragged away by a bear. My tent finally stopped moving and I got up the gumption to stick my head out. My buddies were laughing their arses off and pointing down the hill. I couldn't see one inch in front of me, so I thought they were playing a sick practical joke on me. It turns out it was a French cop chasing some guy and they landed directly on top of me and my little pup tent. after a few punches and billy club swings later the cop got up to continue the chase, but one of the lines on my tent had wrapped itself around his leg while he continued the chase, thus dragging me down the hill. After chewing my buddies out I crawled back into what was left of my tent and finished my coma. The next morning other campers confirmed this story. I apologized to my friends gracefully and we continued to party. I thought that was the best time I have ever had in my life. Oh how wrong I was.
That brings me to Sebring.
This past March I talked my Sister into attending the 55th annual with me. She is a race fan but has never experienced ALMS. So I, in my infinite wisdom, decided to purchase a tent that that I thought was virtually bullet proof and could not be dragged away by bears. What I didn't check for is the little tag on it to see if it was tornado proof. We set up camp at turn 12 and befriended a boat load of people. I had found out a long time ago, toilet paper is more valuable than gold. So after the first downpour, our neighbors tent was saturated and they offered me 50 bucks for some toilet paper. I would have none of that!! I told them "You will take two rolls free of charge and I don't want to hear any fuss about it". They were so grateful, the leader Knighted me on the spot and built shrines in my general direction. We ate, we laughed, we cried, we wiped things with thy aforementioned TP. The Cleavers would be envious if they witnessed this.
Then the big one hit...At that precise moment all the grog and live farm animals I had been consuming, decided to egress from the south exit. Thank God for my physical fortitude. I excused myself and made a beeline for the portolet. On the way I made a quick stop to close the front flap on my bear proof tent to keep the innards from getting wet (as I was getting pelted by bullet like hail). I got half way to the potty and my plumming said "too late brother". Talk about a F-in mess. This was not by choice. I made it to the portolet. Ill spare you the details, but I will put it this way. Combine the Wizard of OZ and spelunking. The winds at the airport were clocked at 69mph. (good round number). 45 min later and discarding most of my clothes and pride, Two F15s cleared me for landing. I have never been so glad to see rain, earth, sky, wind, and my own well being. But above all ...was to be with all who walks through the gates of SEBRING!
