SPECIAL EVENT (SEBRING) - NEW OFFICE BUILDING AT SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

Sebring has broken ground a new office building that will house staff offices, track registration center, gift shop and ticket office.

Sebring International Raceway and the Sebring Airport Authority announced construction will begin this month on a new office building at America's oldest and most prestigious road racing facility with a scheduled completion date of early December.

The new 10,000 square-foot, two-story structure will include staff offices, track registration center, gift shop and ticket office.

"This building will be a new landmark for Sebring," stated Raceway President and General Manager Tres Stephenson. "It will better serve race fans, officials and competitors and further enhances Sebring's stature in the motorsports industry."

Racing began at Sebring in 1950, when the former WWII B-17 training base hosted a six-hour endurance race. Since then Sebring has been synonymous with international sports car racing. The 56th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring takes place on Saturday, March 15, kicking off the 2008 American Le Mans Series season.

Since acquiring Sebring International Raceway in 1998, Panoz Motor Sports Group has invested millions of dollars in upgrades to the facility. Despite the raceway's extensive history, it has never had a permanent headquarters. The new facility will replace existing office trailers, which have been relocated to make room for the new building.

"This new construction project represents the continued commitment of Panoz Motor Sports Group in maintaining Sebring's reputation as a world-class motorsports facility," said Panoz Motor Sports Group President and CEO Scott Atherton. "This structure will be an asset to the entire community."

Mike Willingham, Sebring Airport Authority Executive Director added: "Over the past ten years, Panoz Motor Sports Group has made dramatic improvements to Sebring International Raceway. This office building joins a long list of important new projects at the Sebring Regional Airport and Industrial Park and produces a positive impact on the area economy."