The 2023 12 Hours of Sebring (formally known as the 71st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts) is an upcoming endurance sports car race held at Sebring International Raceway near Sebring, Florida from 15 to 18 March 2023.

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zogoafwzn6oglk7ejzha.jpg2023 saw the introduction of LMDh machinery into the IMSA SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship, allowing teams in the top classes to compete in both marquee series on the same weekend. The Acura ARX-06 of Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian claimed victory in the first race in class history, the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona, and the car continued its early success by topping IMSA’s sanctioned test that took place at Sebring approximately a month before the 12-hour event, albeit this time in the hands of Wayne Taylor Racing.[1] Former racing driver and Sebring Hall of Fame inductee Lyn St. James served as the race’s grand marshal.[2]

The “Super Sebring” weekend also presented the opportunity for a number of drivers in other classes to compete in both endurance events in the same weekend. The Iron Dames trio of Michelle Gatting, Rahel Frey, and Sarah Bovy, for instance, competed in both the GTE Am category of the 1000 Miles of Sebring as well as the GTD class in the 12-hour.[3] A total of 27 drivers pulled double duty across the two races, with only Dane Cameron and Michael Christensen running in the top class for both.[4]

On March 8, 2023, IMSA released the latest technical bulletin outlining Balance of Performance for the GTP and LMP2 classes.[5] Wholesale changes were introduced to the top class following the 24 Hours of Daytona, where all cars ran on equal metrics. All cars ran on a 1030 kilogram base weight at Daytona, whereas at Sebring the Cadillac ran at the lowest weight (1038 kg), with the BMW at 1040 kg, the Porsche at 1048 kg, and the Acura at 1054 kg. As a result, the Cadillac and BMW both ran at 513 kilowatts of power, while the Porsche ran with 517 kW and the Acura with 520 kW – up from 500 kW across the board at Daytona. Maximum stint energy figures were also adjusted. No performance changes were announced for the LMP2 class.[6] On March 9, IMSA released the balance of performance metrics for the GTD class.[7] The Porsche received a five millimeter increase to its air restrictor after suffering from a lack of straight-line speed at Daytona. This change marked a four millimeter increase from the Sebring test, after which several Porsche teams threatened to withdraw their entries from the series if BoP concerns were not addressed.[8] The new-for-2023 Lamborghini also received an air restrictor size increase from 47 to 49 millimeters after suffering from a similar lack of pace in the opening round. The Ferrari received an increase in turbo boost pressure as well as a 15 kg weight increase, while the Acura also received similar changes in boost pressure but instead lost 15 kg. Other cars that received a weight break included the Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, and Lexus, while the Mercedes received an equivalent increase.[9]

Aside from the WEC support race, the Michelin Pilot Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup North America made up the support bill. The former race was won by Robby Foley and Vin Barletta of Turner Motorsport,[10] while Riley Dickinson swept the pair of Carrera Cup events.[11]

Entries Further information: 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship § Entries A total of 53 cars took part in the event, split across five classes. 8 were entered in GTP, 8 in LMP2, 9 in LMP3, 8 in GTD Pro, and 20 in GTD.[12]