Automotive Nirvana: Sebring 12 Hours
A journey I've been on since age 5 — loving engines and all things that move, especially the quick ones. So at the beginning of this year an opportunity arose for a solo trip to the 12 Hours of Sebring in Central FL, where I happen to already live. A short hour and a half drive from north Tampa in the 2UR beast I call my car. Not bad, not at all — and even better, the 2UR powered Lexus RCF GT3 was on pole. My lack of commitment led me to wait until the night before to purchase a ticket, having been declined by Lexus Hospitality initially. But even still, this would be something I had dreamed of since maybe age 10, or thereabouts 12..
Saturday March 21, 2026 would open to a mist filled dark morning. Firing up my car excited to indulge in Pure American sportscar racing. I got out the door just past 6:30am and proceeded to drive a short two hours — and even the drive didn't disappoint, for Florida. It's relative 😅. The drive filled with plenty of GT500s, M3s, Corvettes, 911s, and so much more. I spotted an IS500 on the way there and gawked so hard I missed my turn. Presumably so did he — so we both did the ole trusty Florida U-turn. We get closer and what do we know, another IS500 pulling out in front of us. Now I'm in the back of an IS500 party and I'm loving it. Almost 83% sure behind us was a 911 S/T. Other 17% a GT3 992.2 Touring in an oddly ST specced look. Besides that, we roll into the gate. They convoy to Lexus Hospitality, where I tried, honestly, to let the car do the talking.
After loads of conversation with the best possible strangers — race fans, auto enthusiasts, and event staff — I went for a late lunch at hospitality. First had to grab my car from the awful spot. Upon driving back the car was almost T-boned by a basic white LT Silverado that stopped within 12 inches of my driver fender. STRESSED. I just pulled into the secondary lot next to my new friend's beautiful yellow Supra — manual, by the way.
The person behind all of it — the hospitality, the community, the IS500 safety cars, someone who helped bring the IS500 into the world at launch and has been the heartbeat of this program since 2019 — was the same person who had initially declined my request. And there I was in his house, talking cars, living the exact experience he built. The irony wasn't lost on me. Neither was the generosity.
As the Florida sun sank on the horizon, I went trackside just to hear it. To feel it. In the cyclic roar and rumble of the track it hit me. Lap after lap — a driver ready, focused, committed, stripping away everything except the act of driving. Some want to drive fast. Some want to be fast. For us it's never been that simple. We're here to connect. To enact. To step in unison with the machine. "The Connection" — that's what ETRNL was made for. Putting in the work, landing the punches, connecting with the machine, and having a drink and a smoke to round the sesh.
Until next time goons.
—Andee
Saturday March 21, 2026 would open to a mist filled dark morning. Firing up my car excited to indulge in Pure American sportscar racing. I got out the door just past 6:30am and proceeded to drive a short two hours — and even the drive didn't disappoint, for Florida. It's relative 😅. The drive filled with plenty of GT500s, M3s, Corvettes, 911s, and so much more. I spotted an IS500 on the way there and gawked so hard I missed my turn. Presumably so did he — so we both did the ole trusty Florida U-turn. We get closer and what do we know, another IS500 pulling out in front of us. Now I'm in the back of an IS500 party and I'm loving it. Almost 83% sure behind us was a 911 S/T. Other 17% a GT3 992.2 Touring in an oddly ST specced look. Besides that, we roll into the gate. They convoy to Lexus Hospitality, where I tried, honestly, to let the car do the talking.
My parking pass kindly said different and that didn't jive. So I drove for 20-30 minutes looking for parking. Meh, all good. I park on the corner and run to get to the parade laps — my jaw so far open you'd think I make money off my mouth or something. I was stunned and my heart sang as the GTP cars zoomed by. The roar of the full field I've been following since the debut of the 963 back in 2022. This race donned a special Mobil 1 livery used 30 years ago on the GT1 — one of my favorites, who doesn't like it? Then better still, the whole GTD Pro and GTD field flew by with none other than a trusty IS500 leading them as the pace car. I lit up just like the tires did the next lap when the green flag waved. Engine notes aplenty and all the sounds of some of the highest levels of mechanical grip and pure racing energy from the fandom as the cars rounded. About 4-5 laps in I figured it was time to get fan gear to wear all day — and this is where things took a turn for the best.
I strut myself over to the Lexus Racing/GR Racing booth to grab likely a hat or shirt. Upon arrival I met an angelic person of sorts — someone with an extra Lexus Hospitality pass. Just like that, I was in. I made my way inside and immediately found the @FloridaFClub on Instagram — a group of enthusiasts that just want to drive. Real people, different backgrounds, united by the same thing. Hopefully future V8 friends. But first, my new friend showed me to the CT5-V BlackWing street drives. What a machine. Too much for me — I immediately uttered "you think I'd let my wife drive this to the grocery store?" Not saying I'm not brutish enough but I'd like for myself and family to live a longer life. It is indeed an incredible machine regardless.
After loads of conversation with the best possible strangers — race fans, auto enthusiasts, and event staff — I went for a late lunch at hospitality. First had to grab my car from the awful spot. Upon driving back the car was almost T-boned by a basic white LT Silverado that stopped within 12 inches of my driver fender. STRESSED. I just pulled into the secondary lot next to my new friend's beautiful yellow Supra — manual, by the way.
After my return to hospitality at pit exit I was floored. An employee in a Lexus shirt opens the door. A fresh burst of AC into the Florida midday heat welcomed me. I felt like I was in a fairy tale for auto enthusiasts — and remember, I showed up with a regular ticket. From then until about sunset the Lexus hospitality building was home. The race on the flat screens or walk out to the well placed patio and boom — you were at the action. Never have I experienced any event at this level. They fed us dinner, snacks, water, and drinks galore. Thankfully I didn't touch my tap to pay the whole race.
The person behind all of it — the hospitality, the community, the IS500 safety cars, someone who helped bring the IS500 into the world at launch and has been the heartbeat of this program since 2019 — was the same person who had initially declined my request. And there I was in his house, talking cars, living the exact experience he built. The irony wasn't lost on me. Neither was the generosity.
As the Florida sun sank on the horizon, I went trackside just to hear it. To feel it. In the cyclic roar and rumble of the track it hit me. Lap after lap — a driver ready, focused, committed, stripping away everything except the act of driving. Some want to drive fast. Some want to be fast. For us it's never been that simple. We're here to connect. To enact. To step in unison with the machine. "The Connection" — that's what ETRNL was made for. Putting in the work, landing the punches, connecting with the machine, and having a drink and a smoke to round the sesh.
Until next time goons.
—Andee
Honey, who shrunk our adult children?!?! And why is there a Hot Wheel takeover in the living room?
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