The track opened in 1950 on an airfield and is a road racing course styled after those used in European Grand Prix motor racing. The first race was a six-hour race on New Year's Eve 1950. The winning car is currently on display at the Edge Motor Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. The next race held 14 months later as the first 12 Hours of Sebring. The race is famous for its "once around the clock" action, starting during the day and finishing at night. From 1953 to 1972 the 12 Hour was a round of the FIA's premier sports car series which was contested under various names including the World Sportscar Championship and the International Championship for Makes. In the 1950's, in addition to Le Mans, Sebring was on the calendar at the same time races such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Carrera Panamericana and the Tourist Trophy were on the World Sportscar Championship calendar, such was the prestige of the race. It was also the most important American race for the European teams and drivers, as the United States Formula One Grand Prix was not run until 1959.