1954 12 Hours of Sebring

The three work's Lancia D24's in particular were entered for – Juan Manuel Fangio and Eugenio Castellotti, Piero Taruffi and Robert Manzon and Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi, were in a class of their own.

[2] Some of the race participants who also were noted in other fields of endeavor included ex-US congressman Jim Simpson, "international playboy" Porfirio Rubirosa, and, fresh from finishing second in the Buenos Aires 1000km, Marquis de Portago – well known equestrian at the time and also a high ranking Spanish nobility.

However, before the end of lap one, the three Lancias, of Fangio, Ascari and Taruffi had sorted themselves out and headed the field, running one, two and three with Spear's Ferrari close behind.

Last year's winner's, John Fitch and Walters, in their Ferrari had been marking up time, and with Spear's retirement, the only threat to the flying Lancias.

[2][4] As darkness fell on the former Hendricks Army Airfield, the Lancias of Ascari and Villoresi, and Fangio and Castellotti had retired due to brakes and gearbox issues respectively, leaving the burden on the shoulders of Taruffi and Manzon.

The team's race director, Attilio Pasquarelli put out a red flag, and leaned far out onto the course to block the car's path.

[3] The three Aston Martins had retired quite early [5] and the leading Lancia D24 being driven by Manzon, stopped on the circuit with engine trouble an hour from the end of the race.

[2][3][4][7] Although there were no fatalities during the race, James Brundage, died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on his way home when the Allard he was driving hit a tree.