Shoop crowned Miss 12 Hours of Sebring

By BARRY FOSTER

Special to the News-Sun

SEBRING - Since she was a little girl, Hannah Shoop has been going to the 12 Hours of Sebring grand prix of endurance. For years she had watched the selection process of the annual race queen as other young ladies were awarded the crown and scepter, wishing that one day they could be hers.

That day has come, and not only has she been selected as Miss 12 Hours, but Shoop will reign over the year that marks the 60th anniversary of America 's premier endurance sports car race.

The 21-year-old Florida State University senior has faced her disappointments over the years. She was 15 years old when the track moved the minimum age from 18 up to to 21 years of age.

"I thought 'man, I'm never going to get it'," she said.

However, dreams do come true as Shoop will reign over the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida.

"I think that it is such an honor and I really have looked up to all the girls that have been selected before," she said.

In all fairness, Shoop hasn't been sitting around waiting for the day of the crown. In addition to her studies in Special Science Education at Florida State University, Shoop also is a coach for basketball and softball for Trinity Catholic School in Tallahassee .

During her high school career at Sebring, Shoop played a number of different sports and said the transition to race queen has been ... interesting.

"Instead of seeing myself in a basketball uniform or volleyball uniform, it's now going to be a sash and crown," she said with a laugh.

Although she has been attending the 12 Hours since before she can remember, Shoop has never met anybody famous. That may change this year as Hollywood star Patrick Dempsy plans to field an LMP2 at the once-around-the-clock classic.

Shoop does have a team of choice - Audi. "I just love the Audi cars and the team," she said. "They're my favorite."

Audi will debut its R-18 at the Mobil 1 12 Hours this year.

Shoop's parents, John and Jan Shoop, are both well known in the Sebring community and are delighted at their daughter's success in achieving this long-sought goal.

"We are so proud of Hannah," said mom Jan Shoop. "This will be an exciting time for her."

It has already started to get more exciting, as the first fan has set up in the rodeo area in front of the raceway headquarters. Gates officially open for the fans on March 14, with the green flag set to drop on the 60th anniversary race on St. Patrick's Day morning.