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Savouring the spectacle of Sebring

AUTOSPORT sportscar guru Gary Watkins will witness the final appearance in Florida of the fearsome LMP1 prototypes in this weekend's 12 hours – and he intends to make the most of it

Sometimes you don't appreciate what you've got until it's gone. I've been guilty of that in the past, both in the real world and when it comes to motor racing. Which is why I'll be savouring my trip to Sebring this weekend.

Nothing is changing at the venue after this year, except the cars that will be racing over its concrete slabs - LMP1 prototypes will disappear from the US sportscar scene with the merger of Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series to form United SportsCar Racing.

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Author Gary Watkins

Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 33rd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 80 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.

Gary, who also writes for Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton close to the former workshops of the Cooper Formula 1 team but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.