by Chris Mulvihill - 07/22/2024
It was a sunny, humid Wisconsin day at Road America that greeted the annual vintage racing event. Over 400 entries from 37 states and 4 countries were divided into 14 racing groups, ranging from Prewar through 2018. All gave their best effort to clock notable qualifying times on the 4.048-mile road course.
The former Ralf Schumacher F1 car, a 1997 Jordan Peugeot-powered V10, accelerates out of Turn 3 with a defining engine tone.
In addition to celebrating the many accomplishments of retired racer Brian Redman, the event recognized the 55th anniversary of the Formula Ford era. These purpose-built, single-seat, open-wheel race cars first appeared in the mid-1960s, becoming a national SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) class in 1969. It was a racing series that has long been recognized as the stage for aspiring racers to hone and launch their racing careers. Notable alumni are Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser, Jr., Nigel Mansell, and Bobby Rahal.
These Crossle-designed Formula Fords emerge from Turn 14. Powered by a 1.6L inline 4-cylinder engine, these cars provided close racing as aerodynamics such as ‘wings’ to produce downforce were not allowed.
Born in Lancashire, England, Brian Redman began his racing career in 1959. He was the Formula 5000 champion in ’74, ’75, and ’76, won the 12 hours of Sebring in ’78, IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) Camel GTP Championship in ’81, and in 1989 at the age of 52, retired while driving for the Aston Martin Works Team. I had lunch with Brian several years ago at an Aston Martin Owners Club event. He is engaging, and his stories made for an extremely interesting afternoon. Brian currently resides in Florida and remains active in vintage racing events.
This 2005 Chevy Monte Carlo stock car powers hard out of Turn 8, lifting his left front wheel.
The first timed car race in the Elkhart Lake area was in 1950 using blocked off county roads with the start/finish line in downtown Elkhart Lake. These races continued in 1951, and due to a national law banning timed racing events on public roads, they stopped in 1952. This led to a group of racing and business-focused men pulling together to build the current Road America track, which opened in September 1955. In recognition of the first race, a concourse is held in downtown Elkhart Lake on this weekend's Friday and Saturday nights. Friday’s concourse featured race cars while Saturday featured high-end performance cars.
There was a very good turnout for Friday night’s concourse, as folks looked over a 1967 Lola T70. The owner was very friendly, letting fans (those limber enough) sit in the right-hand drive cockpit.
Road America is a beautiful road course with 14 turns and elevation variations that challenge seasoned professionals to this day. The 4.048-mile course's layout is spread over 640 acres and remains virtually unchanged from 1955. Walking along the track perimeter to different picture locations, I spoke with many spectators. All were friendly; most had been coming to Road America for several years.
This 1976 March 761 F1 racer, powered by a V8 Ford-Cosworth, heads toward the elevation to Turn 6. Note how exposed the drivers were and the cigarette sponsorship. Neither is allowed in F1 racing today.
During the lunch break it is a culinary delight to grab a (locally sourced) grilled brat, a cold soft drink and relax in the shade of the many trees that surround the concession stand(s). While enjoying lunch, I looked out at Turn 14, and it is easy to envision all the racing greats who have accelerated that straightaway to the finish line. As mentioned in past articles, I highly recommend attending a race at Road America. The track history, friendly fans, and beautiful Midwest scenery are experiences only found in Elkhart Lake, WI.
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