Road America
Encyclopedia
Road America is a road course
located near Elkhart Lake
, Wisconsin
on Wisconsin Highway 67. It has hosted races since the 1950s and currently hosts races in the NASCAR
Nationwide Series (Bucyrus 200
), American Le Mans (Road America 500
), SCCA
Speed World Challenge Series, ASRA, and AMA Superbike
series.
.
The track is situated on 640 acres (2.6 km²) in Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine and it is located near the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive
. It has hosted races since September 1955 and currently hosts over 400 events a year. Of its annual events, 9 major weekends are open to the public which include 3 motorcycle events including the AMA Superbike series, 3 vintage car events, Sports Car Club of America
(SCCA) events, the American Le Mans Series
, the SPEED World Challenge
, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Road America is one of only a hand-full of road circuits in the world maintaining its original configuration being 4.048 miles (6.5 km) in length and 14 turns. The track features many elevation changes, along with a long front stretch where speeds approaching 200 mph (320 km/h) may be reached. One of the best known features of this course is a turn on the backside known as "the kink."
Road America offers open seating which allows spectators to venture throughout the grounds. Grandstands are available in several locations as well as permanent hillside seating where crowds of more than 150,000 may be accommodated. The facility includes thirteen concession stands and allows both tent and RV camping onsite for an additional fee. Complimentary perimeter parking is offered to spectators and children age 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Motorplex inside the Carousel. The Briggs & Stratton Motorplex hosts two series of karting events. It hosts weekly events on Tuesdays in the summer. It also hosts approximately six Saturday events during the summer.
events in the 1990s.
In the late 1940s, road racing
was gaining popularity, owing to the post World War II
economy, and the influx of sporting automobiles. The Sports Car Club of America
was the main organizer of these races, and in 1950, the Chicago Region SCCA and the Village of Elkhart Lake organized the first road race at Elkhart Lake.
The 1950 circuit start-finish line was on County Road P. Competitors went north to County Road J, then South into the Village of Elkhart Lake, and West on what is now County JP (then called County Highway X), and reconnected with County Road P for a total distance of 3.3 miles (5.3 km).
For the next two races, in 1951 and 1952, a different course was used. It was 6.5 miles (10.5 km) long, on County Roads J, A, and P. To date, one may still drive most of the original courses.
The original course was registered on the National Register of Historic Places
on February 17, 2006. Signs have been installed marking key locations on the course.
in 1952, where a child was killed, the U.S. ruled to discontinue motorized contests of speed on public highways. This was a major blow for competition auto racing and brought the end of a long-standing tradition. This did not permanently stop road racing, however, it did shift it to private courses. In 1955, Cliff Tufte started what is now known as Road America, in a configuration that has changed little over the past 50 years. The addition of Road America as a private track meant a transition from racing through the streets of tiny Elkhart Lake to racing on a big, wide, dedicated race track.
is a sports car race that was part of different championships, among them the SCCA National Sports Car Championship
, the United States Road Racing Championship
and the IMSA GT Championship
. Currently it is a points-paying race of the Americana Le Mans Series. The Champ Car Grand Prix of Road America
was an open-wheel race held as part of the Champ Car World Series.
Other notable series have included NASCAR
in 1956 and 2010, CART
from 1982 until 2007, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Racing Series, CanAm
, Trans-Am
, AMA
, and the SCCA National Championship Runoffs
since 2009. Road America also holds a variety of vintage racing events, including the Brian Redman
International Challenge (now the Kohler International Challenge
with Brian Redman).
being unclear, and losing races at the Milwaukee Mile
, NASCAR moved the Nationwide Series race to Road America. The 50-lap, 200-mile race was held June 19, 2010.
Bump drafting was a determining factor of the crash.
During the end of the race, Schatz was in second place. On the main straight, shortly after the last turn, Schatz saw the kart in third position on his left and tried to pull ahead to be bumped. As he did so, the kart in fourth position bumped the third speeding the third kart up. At this point Schatz was not clear as to what was happening, and as he moved to his left, the two karts made contact.
Schatz's kart veered hard left and hit the wall. The impact sent the kart flying ten feet into the air ejecting the driver onto the track. The rest of the drivers avoided Schatz, some drivers stopped and after seeing Schatz's condition, waved to get medical help.
The race was immediately stopped as medical assistance arrived on the place of the accident. Schatz had suffered brain stem and spinal cord injuries and his heart had stopped. He was revived by the doctors and taken to the Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah, Wisconsin, but his injuries proved to be too severe to survive and one week later he died.
, driver of Champ Car
's RuSPORT
team, was involved in a collision with a deer during Champ Car open testing at Road America. The deer ran in front of his car as he was heading towards turn 6. He hit the deer with his right front tire, the deer then flew back and hit da Matta in the cockpit. He was unconscious when the safety crew extricated da Matta from the car and was airlifted via Flight for Life
to Theda Clark Medical Center
south of Appleton
, where he underwent surgery to remove a subdural hematoma
.
), there was a large incident consisting of most of the field: The driver starting fifth accelerated well before the green flag and tried to force his way between the wall and the car in front of him, resulting in contact with the wall. A following car checked up and was rear-ended, causing a spin that led to further contact as following cars were unable to avoid the growing incident. After just a few seconds of green flag racing, the red flag was waved. Following the initial incident, the failure of trailing drivers to heed red flags being shown at 14 and 15 (under the bridge at the crest of the hill) may have compounded the issue. Luckily, nobody was seriously injured, with the worst injury being a broken arm.
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
located near Elkhart Lake
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Elkhart Lake is a village in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, United States, located within the northwestern part of the county within the Town of Rhine. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
on Wisconsin Highway 67. It has hosted races since the 1950s and currently hosts races in the NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Nationwide Series (Bucyrus 200
Bucyrus 200
The Bucyrus 200 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place at Road America.-History:The track held its first Nationwide event in 2010 after the Milwaukee Mile's race was moved to the track. It had held a Sprint Cup Series race in the 1950s....
), American Le Mans (Road America 500
Road America 500
The Road America 500 is a sports car race held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The event began in 1950, and in 1951 was added to the SCCA National Sports Car Championship. Following a spectator death at the 1952 Watkins Glen Grand Prix, racing on open roads was discouraged, and the...
), SCCA
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
Speed World Challenge Series, ASRA, and AMA Superbike
AMA Superbike
AMA Pro Superbike is the premiere superbike racing series in the United States. It is part of the AMA Pro Racing series which was sold to and is managed by the Daytona Motorsports Group...
series.
Current track and facilities
Road America is a permanent road course. It is located midway between the cities of Milwaukee and Green BayGreen Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
.
The track is situated on 640 acres (2.6 km²) in Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine and it is located near the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive
Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive
The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive is a designated scenic route in southeastern Wisconsin that links the two units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest...
. It has hosted races since September 1955 and currently hosts over 400 events a year. Of its annual events, 9 major weekends are open to the public which include 3 motorcycle events including the AMA Superbike series, 3 vintage car events, Sports Car Club of America
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
(SCCA) events, the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
, the SPEED World Challenge
SPEED World Challenge
The Pirelli World Challenge is a North American auto racing series that is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America . Founded in 1985, it consists of four classes: grand touring, touring car, a "GTS" class since 2010, and a "touring car B-spec" since 2012...
, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Road America is one of only a hand-full of road circuits in the world maintaining its original configuration being 4.048 miles (6.5 km) in length and 14 turns. The track features many elevation changes, along with a long front stretch where speeds approaching 200 mph (320 km/h) may be reached. One of the best known features of this course is a turn on the backside known as "the kink."
Road America offers open seating which allows spectators to venture throughout the grounds. Grandstands are available in several locations as well as permanent hillside seating where crowds of more than 150,000 may be accommodated. The facility includes thirteen concession stands and allows both tent and RV camping onsite for an additional fee. Complimentary perimeter parking is offered to spectators and children age 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Briggs & Stratton Motorplex
In addition to the main course, the facility includes a 0.8 miles (1.3 km) karting track called the Briggs & StrattonBriggs & Stratton
Briggs & Stratton is the world's largest manufacturer of air-cooled gasoline engines primarily for outdoor power equipment. Current production averages 11 million engines per year.-History:...
Motorplex inside the Carousel. The Briggs & Stratton Motorplex hosts two series of karting events. It hosts weekly events on Tuesdays in the summer. It also hosts approximately six Saturday events during the summer.
Off road racing circuit
The Briggs & Stratton Motorplex was built at the site of an earlier off road racing circuit used for several SODASODA (series)
The Short-course Off-road Drivers Association was an off-road racing sanctioning body in the United States.-History:...
events in the 1990s.
Tunnel
In late 2006, Road America began a project to remove the old Billy Mitchell bridge and use a tunnel as the main entrance to the paddock. The tunnel project was completed in May 2007 with the grand opening celebration on May 31 for the AMA Suzuki Superbike Championship weekend. The tunnel is 16.5' high and 36' wide and has two lanes of traffic and two pedestrian walkways on either side. With the removal of the bridge, a new spectator viewing area was created.Open Road Course
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
was gaining popularity, owing to the post World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
economy, and the influx of sporting automobiles. The Sports Car Club of America
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
was the main organizer of these races, and in 1950, the Chicago Region SCCA and the Village of Elkhart Lake organized the first road race at Elkhart Lake.
The 1950 circuit start-finish line was on County Road P. Competitors went north to County Road J, then South into the Village of Elkhart Lake, and West on what is now County JP (then called County Highway X), and reconnected with County Road P for a total distance of 3.3 miles (5.3 km).
For the next two races, in 1951 and 1952, a different course was used. It was 6.5 miles (10.5 km) long, on County Roads J, A, and P. To date, one may still drive most of the original courses.
The original course was registered on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on February 17, 2006. Signs have been installed marking key locations on the course.
Private Road Course
After the tragedy at Watkins GlenWatkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
in 1952, where a child was killed, the U.S. ruled to discontinue motorized contests of speed on public highways. This was a major blow for competition auto racing and brought the end of a long-standing tradition. This did not permanently stop road racing, however, it did shift it to private courses. In 1955, Cliff Tufte started what is now known as Road America, in a configuration that has changed little over the past 50 years. The addition of Road America as a private track meant a transition from racing through the streets of tiny Elkhart Lake to racing on a big, wide, dedicated race track.
Racing at Road America
Many different racing series have had the occasion to race at Road America. The first was the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) on September 10, 1955. The Road America 500Road America 500
The Road America 500 is a sports car race held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The event began in 1950, and in 1951 was added to the SCCA National Sports Car Championship. Following a spectator death at the 1952 Watkins Glen Grand Prix, racing on open roads was discouraged, and the...
is a sports car race that was part of different championships, among them the SCCA National Sports Car Championship
SCCA National Sports Car Championship
The SCCA National Sports Car Championship was a sports car racing series organized by the Sports Car Club of America from 1951 until 1964. It was the first post-World War II sports car series organized in the United States...
, the United States Road Racing Championship
United States Road Racing Championship
The United States Road Racing Championship was created by the Sports Car Club of America in 1962. It was the first SCCA series for professional racing drivers. SCCA Executive Director John Bishop helped to create the series to recover races that had been taken by rival USAC Road Racing...
and the IMSA GT Championship
IMSA GT Championship
IMSA GT was a sports car racing series organized by International Motor Sports Association. Races took place primarily in the United States and occasionally in Canada.-History:...
. Currently it is a points-paying race of the Americana Le Mans Series. The Champ Car Grand Prix of Road America
Champ Car Grand Prix of Road America
The Champ Car Grand Prix of Road America was an open wheel car race held on the Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. It was a round of the Champ Car World Series for most of Champ Car's existence, the first race being held in 1982...
was an open-wheel race held as part of the Champ Car World Series.
Other notable series have included NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
in 1956 and 2010, CART
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
from 1982 until 2007, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Racing Series, CanAm
CanAm
The Canadian-American Challenge Cup or Can-Am, was an SCCA/CASC sports car racing series from 1966 to 1986.-History:Can-Am started out as a race series for Group 7 sports racers with two races in Canada and four races in the United States of America . The series was initially sponsored by Johnson...
, Trans-Am
Trans-Am Series
The Trans-Am Series is an automobile racing series which was created in 1966 by Sports Car Club of America President John Bishop. Originally known as the Trans-American Sedan Championship it has evolved over time from its original format as a manufacturers championship for modified racing sedans...
, AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
, and the SCCA National Championship Runoffs
SCCA National Championship Runoffs
The SCCA National Championship Runoffs is the end-of-year championship race meeting for Sports Car Club of America Club Racing competitors. Regional champions and other top drivers from the SCCA's 112 regions are invited to participate at the Runoffs...
since 2009. Road America also holds a variety of vintage racing events, including the Brian Redman
Brian Redman
Brian Herman Thomas Redman is a British racing driver from England....
International Challenge (now the Kohler International Challenge
Kohler International Challenge
The Kohler Internation Challenge with Brian Redman or the KIC is one of the largest vintage road races in the United States. It is held at Road America during the third weekend in July and has been sanctioned by the SVRA since 2006...
with Brian Redman).
- June 6–8, AMA SuperbikeAMA SuperbikeAMA Pro Superbike is the premiere superbike racing series in the United States. It is part of the AMA Pro Racing series which was sold to and is managed by the Daytona Motorsports Group...
- August 21–23 American Le Mans SeriesAmerican Le Mans SeriesThe American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
- June 23–26 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car SeriesRolex Sports Car SeriesThe Rolex Sports Car Series is the premier series run by the Grand American Road Racing Association. It is a North American-based sports car series that was founded in 2000 under the name Grand American Road Racing Championship to replace the failed United States Road Racing Championship...
Cup Series
One NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) race was held in 1956.| Year | Date | Driver | Car Make | Winner's Prize (USD United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) |
Distance (miles) |
Average Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | August 12, 1956 |  Tim FlockTim Flock Julius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :... |
1956 Mercury Mercury (automobile) Mercury was an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company launched in 1938 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles, similar to General Motors' Buick brand, and Chrysler's namesake brand... |
$2,950 | 258 | 73.858 |
Nationwide Series
On December 21, 2009, NASCAR announced with the situation at the Wisconsin State Fair ParkWisconsin State Fair Park
The Wisconsin State Fair Park is a fairgrounds and exhibition center in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wisconsin, USA. It has been the location of the Wisconsin State Fair since 1892. It also hosts other venues such as the Milwaukee Mile, the oldest continuously operating motor speedway in...
being unclear, and losing races at the Milwaukee Mile
Milwaukee Mile
The Milwaukee Mile is a -long oval race track in West Allis, Wisconsin that seats about 40,000 spectators. It operated as a dirt track until 1953. The track was paved in 1954....
, NASCAR moved the Nationwide Series race to Road America. The 50-lap, 200-mile race was held June 19, 2010.
| Year | Date | Driver | Car Make | Winner's Prize (USD United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) |
Distance (miles) |
Average Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series The 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season was the twenty-ninth season of semi-professional stock car racing in the United States. Beginning at Daytona International Speedway, the season included thirty-five races, which ended with the Ford 300 at Homestead Miami Speedway... |
June 19, 2010 | Carl Edwards Carl Edwards Carl Michael Edwards, II is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #99 Fastenal/Aflac Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series and the #60 Ford in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing... |
Ford Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK... |
$48,675 | 200 | 68.501 |
| 2011 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series The 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season was the thirtieth season of semi-professional stock car racing in the United States. The season included thirty-four races, beginning with the DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway and ending with the Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway... |
June 20, 2011 | Reed Sorenson Reed Sorenson Bradley Reed Sorenson is an American NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #82 MacDonald Motorsports Dodge Charger in the Nationwide Series... |
Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918... |
$51,876 | 200 | 78.929 |
Champ Car Race Results
Champ Car events were held at the track from 1982–2007, with the exception of 2005.Adam Schatz Death
Adam Schatz, 26, from Chicago, Illinois, died in a karting accident during the Road America Super Nationals, Championship Enduro Series on 12 July 2008.Bump drafting was a determining factor of the crash.
During the end of the race, Schatz was in second place. On the main straight, shortly after the last turn, Schatz saw the kart in third position on his left and tried to pull ahead to be bumped. As he did so, the kart in fourth position bumped the third speeding the third kart up. At this point Schatz was not clear as to what was happening, and as he moved to his left, the two karts made contact.
Schatz's kart veered hard left and hit the wall. The impact sent the kart flying ten feet into the air ejecting the driver onto the track. The rest of the drivers avoided Schatz, some drivers stopped and after seeing Schatz's condition, waved to get medical help.
The race was immediately stopped as medical assistance arrived on the place of the accident. Schatz had suffered brain stem and spinal cord injuries and his heart had stopped. He was revived by the doctors and taken to the Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah, Wisconsin, but his injuries proved to be too severe to survive and one week later he died.
The Cristiano da Matta Deer Incident
On August 3, 2006, Cristiano da MattaCristiano da Matta
Cristiano Monteiro da Matta is an auto racing driver, winner of the American CART Championship in 2002, and former Formula One driver with the Toyota team.-Origins and early career:...
, driver of Champ Car
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
's RuSPORT
RuSPORT
RuSPORT was an auto racing team that competed in the Champ Car World Series. It was founded in September 2002 by Carl Russo.Russo drove for the team then known as Performance Development and Racing based in Fort Collins, Colorado which was owned by Steve Wulff...
team, was involved in a collision with a deer during Champ Car open testing at Road America. The deer ran in front of his car as he was heading towards turn 6. He hit the deer with his right front tire, the deer then flew back and hit da Matta in the cockpit. He was unconscious when the safety crew extricated da Matta from the car and was airlifted via Flight for Life
Flight For Life
Flight for Life is a prehospital care service with many bases of operation across the United States. Flight for Life is primarily known for its emergency medical helicopter transport, but also operates a fleet of land vehicles and fixed wing aircraft for the transport of critically ill patients to...
to Theda Clark Medical Center
Theda Clark Medical Center
Theda Clark Medical Center is located in Neenah, Wisconsin. It was established in the early 1900s, when Theda Clark Peters, a renowned community activist, died in her home while giving birth to a child...
south of Appleton
Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton is a city in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is situated on the Fox River, 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and 100 miles north of Milwaukee. Appleton is the county seat of Outagamie County. The population was 78,086 at the 2010 census...
, where he underwent surgery to remove a subdural hematoma
Subdural hematoma
A subdural hematoma or subdural haematoma , also known as a subdural haemorrhage , is a type of haematoma, a form of traumatic brain injury. Blood gathers within the outermost meningeal layer, between the dura mater, which adheres to the skull, and the arachnoid mater, which envelops the brain...
.
2005 BRIC Wreck
At the beginning of the Group 6 race in the 2005 Brian Redman International Challenge (now the Kohler International ChallengeKohler International Challenge
The Kohler Internation Challenge with Brian Redman or the KIC is one of the largest vintage road races in the United States. It is held at Road America during the third weekend in July and has been sanctioned by the SVRA since 2006...
), there was a large incident consisting of most of the field: The driver starting fifth accelerated well before the green flag and tried to force his way between the wall and the car in front of him, resulting in contact with the wall. A following car checked up and was rear-ended, causing a spin that led to further contact as following cars were unable to avoid the growing incident. After just a few seconds of green flag racing, the red flag was waved. Following the initial incident, the failure of trailing drivers to heed red flags being shown at 14 and 15 (under the bridge at the crest of the hill) may have compounded the issue. Luckily, nobody was seriously injured, with the worst injury being a broken arm.
Other Events at the Track
Road America is host to several non-automotive events.- The Tour de Road America - Bike Ride to Fight Cancer is a bike ride on the track to raise funds for the Lance Armstrong FoundationLance Armstrong FoundationThe Lance Armstrong Foundation is a United States 501 nonprofit organization that provides support for people affected by cancer, founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. The LAF states that its mission is 'to inspire and empower' cancer sufferers and their families...
, the Austin Hatcher Foundation, and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic. The annual event has taken place every August since 2004 during the Champ Car and/or American Le Mans Series weekends, and has raised over $160,000 as of 2010. It raised nearly $24,000 in 2009, and over $16,000 in 2010. The 8th Tour de Road America event was held on Friday, August 19, 2011 during the American Le Mans weekend (August 18-20, 2011). The event had over 350 participants and raised over $23,000. - The Road America Inline Challenge is an inline skating race on the track in June. A fun lap is also part of the event, which has taken place since 2006.
- An Annual Road America Walk/Run for the American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer SocietyThe American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
has raised $2.5 million in its 29-year existence. The Walk/Run takes place in late October. The 2007 event included a Mid-American Stock Car SeriesMid-American Stock Car SeriesThe Mid American Stock Car Series is a traveling Sportsman Series in the Midwestern United States. The series races exclusively on paved racetracks. The cars are based on a 108" metric stock frame, less costly suspension parts and a maximum of 358 cubic inch engine...
exhibition, which has become an annual exhibition with its addition to the 2008 series schedule.
External links
- Road America Official Site
- Driving Line Tutorial Video
- NASCAR Track History at racing-reference.info
- Trackpedia guide to driving Road America
- Champ Car driver Charles Zwolsman narrates a lap at Road America
- Karting Club at the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex
- Event information for the Tour de Road America - Bike Ride to Fight Cancer