Tour de Road America Returns to Elkhart Lake’s Road America on August 20.
7th Annual “Bike Ride to Fight Cancer” is a 
Favorite Among Race Fans and Local Cyclists

Elkhart Lake, WI – Auto racing fans and cyclists from around the Midwest are anxiously awaiting the return of the Tour de Road America “Bike Ride to Fight Cancer” on August 20, when American Le Mans Series drivers and their teams, fans and families, local cyclists, and cancer survivors take to the famous 14 turns and hills of the scenic 4.0 mile Road America auto racing circuit to do their part in the fight against cancer.

The family-friendly fundraising ride begins at approximately 6:15 P.M., following the day’s auto racing activities. The ride is open to cyclists of all abilities, and all kinds of bikes. It’s the highlight of many cyclists’ summer – the chance to pedal a smooth track, with no traffic, as the sun sets over the scenic Kettle Moraine countryside of Elkhart Lake.

Professional race car drivers rank Road America circuit as their track, whether they’re competing in their cars, or pedaling for a great cause.

The “Bike Ride to Fight Cancer” benefits the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, the official charity of the American Le Mans Series, as well as the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

The track challenges drivers and cyclists with its turns and hills, but is still kid and beginner-friendly enough for the entire family to participate.

“Some of our fundraisers are just starting out, and they might do just half a lap, or maybe just one four-mile lap,” remarked George Siegle, co-founder of the Tour de Road America Foundation. “But the experienced cyclists like it too because it’s a good physical challenge, and they try to see if they can make it to ten laps (40 miles) before sunset.”

“Last year a dozen members of Robertson Racing participated in Tour de Road America in support of the Austin Hatcher Foundation,” recalled American Le Mans Series driver David Robertson. “I physically turned some laps and began to see was how many of the areas around the track are uphill, more uphill than I could feel in the car. We all are looking forward to riding again.”

A silent auction of one-of-a-kind motorsports memorabilia, cycling gear, and local items will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, culminating just before the start of the American Le Mans Series feature race on Sunday afternoon.

Although there are no advanced fundraising requirements, participants are strongly encouraged to do so, and can earn exciting incentives for reaching various fundraising levels.

For more information, to register for the ride, or to make a contribution, visit www.pelotonride.org.


The Tour de Road America – Bike Ride to Fight Cancer is organized by the Tour de Road America Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with an all-volunteer staff, and with assistance from the Austin Hatcher Foundation. Since 2004, the Tour de Road America has raised over $150,000 for event beneficiaries the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and the Austin Hatcher Foundation. The Tour de Road America is made possible by the generous support of Road America, the American Le Mans Series and other racing series, Delta Dental, Giordana Cycling Apparel, Gear Grinder, Bella’s Custom Design, Tria Design and Marketing, Marketing Acuity, and many other businesses and individuals. For more information on the Tour de Road America, including photos from previous events, visit www.pelotonride.org.

May 3rd NNS Media karting Day Open to Fans
Fans are invited to watch, free of charge, as NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers Trevor Bayne, #99 Diamond-Waltrip Racing, and Brian Scott, # 11 AccuDoc Solutions participate in a friendly karting competition with members of the local media at Road America on Monday, May 3, 2010.

The event will run from 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Road America's Briggs & Stratton Motorplex. The Gearbox II concession stand will be open for lunch. Gate 6 on Hwy 67 will be open for fan access.

On-site fans who purchase advance tickets to any 2010 RA event will not be charged a $6 processing fee. This offer is available at ticket office (Gate 6), Noon-4 p.m., May 3, 2010 only.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series will hold its inaugural race at Road America, the Bucyrus 200 Presented by Menards on Saturday, June 19, 2010.

OPTIMA® Batteries Street Car Faceoff Announced
(MILWAUKEE) March 22, 2010 – OPTIMA® Batteries will kick off its nationwide search for the 2010 Ultimate Street Car on May 1-2 with the first-ever OPTIMA Street Car Faceoff, to be held at the historic Road America race track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The OPTIMA Street Car Faceoff, presented by Baer Brakes and Detroit Speed & Engineering, is an exciting new race event to showcase automotive performance, styling and aftermarket products as select vehicles compete in a series of events including the BF Goodrich Hot Lap Challenge, the Detroit Speed & Engineering Speed Attack Autocross, the Baer Brakes Speed Stop Challenge, and a style and design competition. The Spectre Top Speed Award will be given to the competitor with the highest speed, as measured on a specific location on the Road America race track.

OPTIMA and its partners will celebrate the entire Street Car Faceoff weekend with activities that unite the performance automotive aftermarket industry. The famed Roadster Shop in Mundelein, Illinois, home to the 2009 Good Guys Street Machine of the Year, Barry Blomquist’s “C1RS” ‘62 Corvette, will host an open house on Friday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m. CST. On Saturday, May 1 starting at 8:00 a.m. CST, the group of vehicle owners, drivers, designers, manufacturers and media will gather for breakfast, sponsored by Pennzoil, at Andrew Chevrolet dealership in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, not too far from the OPTIMA Batteries and Johnson Controls corporate headquarters. The group will then begin the OPTIMA Street Car Faceoff Road Rally to Road America. Upon everyone’s arrival, D&Z Customs and West Bend Dyno will sponsor a lunch to kick-off the action-packed weekend.

“True to our goal with the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, the Street Car Faceoff is about bringing the ‘street’ back to street machines by taking competition off the trailer and onto the track,” says Cam Douglass, director of product development and marketing for OPTIMA. “The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational is about taking the world’s finest street cars and putting them to the test. Our mission with this event, and others throughout the year, is to find them.”

The OPTIMA Street Car Faceoff is the first event in an ongoing series of qualifiers for the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, held each year immediately following the SEMA Show. These additional qualifying events will occur in different regions around the country, widening the playing field to allow more people the opportunity to be involved. The winner of the OPTIMA Street Car Faceoff will receive an invitation to the Ultimate Street Car Invitational to compete for the coveted Ultimate Street Car title among up to 50 of the highest quality street cars in the world. For more information on the OPTIMA Faceoff at Road America competition and activities, visit http://www.optimainvitational.com/

Harley-Davidson Returns to AMA Pro Racing
(March 4) AMA Pro Racing and Vance & Hines are pleased to announce the launch of the new AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series, a spec-bike five race championship featuring specially modified Harley-Davidson XR1200 motorcycles.

"We have racing in our DNA, Harley-Davidson has racing in their DNA and we are truly thrilled to bring Vance & Hines and Harley-Davidson back into AMA Pro Racing," Terry Vance, a prolific champion as both rider and team owner, said of the new series.  "The XR1200 has proven to be an exciting platform for spec racing in Europe and this class will be a perfect cost-effective platform to showcase new talent on a national stage.  Many of the finest motorcycle racers all over the world got their start in the AMA Supertwins class of the 1990s."

For the 2010 season, the AMA Pro Racing Vance & Hines XR1200 Series will race at five rounds of the AMA Pro Road Racing Championship.  The first race will be just north of Harley-Davidson's Milwaukee headquarters at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI.

(FEB 15, 2010) TTXGP eGrandPrix to Join Superbike Doubleheader Weekend, June 3-6
TTXGP and Road America today announced an alliance that will see the Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin road course serve as a host site for an additional round of the TTXGP zero carbon motorcycle race series in the United States.

The TTXGP eGrandPrix at Road America will be held June 3-6, as part of the Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader weekend. “Road America is one of the most historic race circuits in the USA, and I am delighted that we will be adding to our history by bringing a round of the inaugural 2010 TTXGP North American Championship to this world famous racing venue” said Jeremy Burne, Director of TTXGP in North America. “TTXGP is all about pushing technology forward, and this race will be an important and historic step in making racing sustainable and relevant for today’s fans and for those of the future. The progress and development of electric race technology is moving so fast, fans will know that they will be witnessing the very latest innovations that motorsports can deliver.”

George Bruggenthies, president of Road America, is excited to bring zero carbon motorcycle racing to the Midwest USA’s premier road course:” With the explosion of alternative fuel and energy efficiency research within the auto industry, Road America has hosted a variety of progressive, advanced technology-based racing series. We look forward to sharing competitive carbon-free electric cycle racing with our superbike fans. It’s going be a great weekend of two-wheel racing.”

The TTXGP North American Championship will provide an international platform for the development of electric motorcycles, enabling the futuristic technology behind them to be tested in an exciting and challenging way. TTXGP aims to drive low carbon technological innovation forward, to demonstrate that clean-emission transport technologies have matured and can be fun, fast and exciting. Team registration for the TTXGP North American Championship will open on February 12th, 2010.

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES TO RACE ROAD AMERICA IN 2010
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2009) – NASCAR announced today that it will continue its 17-year streak of racing on a national-series level in Wisconsin with the addition of the historic Road America course to its 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.

The Road America 200 at the 4.048-mile, 14-turn track located in Elkhart Lake, Wis., replaces the event previously scheduled at the Milwaukee Mile and will be run on Saturday, June 19. “We’re excited to be staying in Wisconsin and racing in front of the passionate fans there at a historic venue that’s new to our NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s vice president of racing operations.

While Road America is new to the NASCAR Nationwide Series, it’s not the first time NASCAR has raced there. On Aug. 12, 1956, Tim Flock won the only other NASCAR national series race, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, at the then one-year-old track. In 2001, current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver – and Eau Claire, Wis. native – Paul Menard won there in the former NASCAR Re/Max Challenge Series.

“It’s a really great race track,” Menard said. “It’s in a very picturesque setting in the Wisconsin countryside. It has every kind of corner you can imagine. When I was a kid, my dad would take me to Road America. The fans love it there.

“By the second practice, I’m sure everyone will be up to speed because the drivers are so good in the Nationwide Series. Braking will be the hardest aspect. Strategy will play a big part in this race. I’m really excited about (the series) running there.”

Road America will be the third road course on the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. The series also will race at Watkins Glen International and at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. As recently as the 2007-08 seasons, the NASCAR Nationwide Series also had three road courses on its schedule, racing at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City in addition to The Glen and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

“Road America is a very unique track that will provide great racing and will test driver skill and ability on what is a very large course,” said Joe Balash, director of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “And yes, we’ll be prepared to race in the rain if necessary,” he said, in reference to the series’ last two races in wet weather in Montreal. The 2008 event was the first NASCAR national series points race contested in the rain.

Teams will be permitted to participate in a full day of additional event practice on Thursday, June 17, prior to the start of official on-track activity on Friday, June 18.

 

12/09/2009
RA Expands Vintage Cycle Weekend
The Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic, June 11-13, 2010, will mark the return of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) with the addition of motocross and cross country and trials on courses built specifically for vintage racing. Other race-weekend features are being added through a partnership with longtime motorcycle events producer Will Stoner. Stoner is coordinating a swap meet, club corrals and a moving bike show. The swap meet is open to all brands of motorcycles, but is limited to bikes, parts, memorabilia and tools. The on-site bike show will include judging with awards presented in 13 classes and a leisurely 40-mile ride through the scenic Wisconsin countryside. Club Corrals will be open to all vintage motorcycle clubs and organizations wishing to have a corral spot on Club Row. The spaces will be free to any club that registers by June 2, 2010. Clubs will be able to park their bikes, sell memberships and club regalia, as well as have a picnic for club members. Participants only need to purchase an advance event ticket to use the Club Corrals.


Participant information for the swap meet, bike show and club corral is available by contacting Will Stoner: 440-591-5099, willstoner@classicswapmeets.com. Other event details will be posted as they become available, at www.roadamerica.com.

12/4/09
NOW HANGING IN ROAD AMERICA OFFICE LOBBY
Michael Andretti raced this Indy Car to win the Texaco/Havoline 200 at Road America, August 18, 1996, in the 14th round of the 1996 PPG Indy Car World Series. This #9600/11 Lola chassis, is on loan from 
Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing LLC, 
Carl Haas, managing member. Mr. Haas has served on the  
Road America Board of 
Directors since 1987.

11/23/09
Road America Karting Club Banquet — saturday, december 5
more than $5000 in awards set to be given
The Road America Karting Club will honor all 2009 champions and competitors, Saturday, December 5th, at Millhome Supper Club in Kiel.  The banquet will be held in the big hall, with doors opening at 5pm, dinner at 6pm and awards to follow.

Tickets are still available and may be purchased by phone or on-line: Road America, 1-800-365-7223 or  www.roadamerica.com.  The deadline to purchase tickets is November 27th, and, unfortunately, no tickets will be available at the door. 

This year‘s banquet is shaping up to be the biggest and best to date.  We’d like to thank all the businesses and individuals that have already donated prizes to the annual member drawing.  Prizes continue to come in and we expect the following list to grow.  To date drawing items include multiple Open Wheel Driving Schools valued at over $1600, 22 Douglas wheels, a Lighten Light SR Body, tires, an array of safety products, oils, lubricants, gift cards, and some great apparel.  Remember in order to win these products not only do you have to be a member of the club, but you also have to be present at the banquet.  
 

11/16/09
SUZUKI RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH ROAD AMERICA
Suzuki will return to Road America in 2010 as title sponsor of the Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader Weekend, June 3-6, 2010. The event is the midwest's biggest kick-off to summer for motorcycle racing enthusiasts. Thousands of fans return each year fort great race action, entertainment, food and camping.  More event details will be made available soon.

The manufacturer also returns as Official Motorcycle and ATV of Road America. Suzuki motorcycles and ATVs are used in the Road America Motorcycle School and Group Adventure Programs.

10/29/09
MARQUE ANNOUNCED FOR 2010 KOHLER INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE WITH BRIAN REDMAN
Road America is pleased to announce that the Ford Mustang will be the marque of the 2010 Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman. Marque activities include feature races, special guests and displays. All Mustang owners and racers are encouraged to participate in what should be the largest Mustang enthusiast gathering of the year. More event details and entry information will be posted as they become available.

10/19//09
Augie Pabst to Serve As Grand Marshal of 2010 June Sprints
Racing legend Augie Pabst will serve as Grand Marshall for the 55th running of the Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints, June 17-20, 2010. Pabst won his first June Sprints race in 1960, making 2010 the 50th anniversary of that win. That winning Scarab is still raced today in vintage racing, and will be his parade car during the event. The Scarab will also be on display in the Chicago Regions SCCA's booth at the Chicago Auto Show in February.

9/28/09
TOYOTA-POWERED COMPETITORS SWEEP ONE PODIUM
AND EARN ONE 2009 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
Toyota-powered competitor Mirl Swan earned the coveted title of National Champion at the 2009 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Runoffs®, September 25-27.  Additionally, Toyota also earned a podium sweep during the three-day event.

Battling in seven different classes, 29 Toyota-powered competitors racing earned a spot to compete in the prestigious event also known as the pinnacle of American motorsports. After a full course caution at the start of the race, back-to-back Triple Crown winner Mirl Swan quickly made his way to front of the field on the restart and went on to earn his second Formula Atlantic (FA) National Championship in the No. 88 Swift 014 (Toyota).  Swan was the first competitor of the weekend to earn the newly established SCCA ‘Super Sweep’ title and recorded the fasted lap 2:04.125, with an average speed of 116.012 mph.

“I had a pretty fair start,” commented Swan regarding the beginning of the race.  It wasn’t spectacular, but I had a really good run into (turn) one.  The incident happened in front of me -- I followed for a few laps -- we had a close run of our own.  The overall first lap was very exciting.  It was good to get out front.  Once I did, I just concentrated on my laps and got away.”

Jason Byers of Livonia, MI and Sedat Yelkin of Canfield, OH completed the top-three in the FA class, giving Toyota its only podium sweep of the weekend.  Byers qualified fifth and finished second in his Toyota-powered No. 28 Ralt RT-41.  He recorded a fastest lap of 2:04.483.  Yelkin qualified second, finished third and registered his fastest lap at 2:06.272.  Toyota-powered cars claimed the top 10 positions in the FA class.

Toyota-powered competitor Jacek Mucha of Laval, QC (second) and 17-year old Sheboygan, WI-native James French (third), both earned podium finishes in the C Sports Racing (CSR) class.

9/20/09
Tony Ave Sets New Lap Record During Trans-Am Series Qualifying
Driving the No. 10 McMahon Group/Pro-Motor Chevrolet Corvette, Tony Ave turned a record-breaking 2:05.981 (115.675 mph) on his third lap before a pair of red flags truncated the session and slowed the reminder of the field’s efforts. The previous qualifying mark was a 2:08.143 (113.823 mph) by Johnny Miller IV in 2003.

9/02/09
2010 SCCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RUNOFFS DATES SET
Sports Car Club of America has announced that the 2010 SCCA National Championship Runoffs will take place Sept. 20 – 26 at Road America.

In its second year at Road America, the Runoffs will again take place in late September, with qualifying leading up to Friday, Saturday and Sunday race days. Official track sessions will follow a week of Road America hosted test days, Sept. 13 – 19.

More details will be posted at www.scca.com/club as they become available.

7/1/09

Local Shelter for Woman and Children to Receive New Green Space and Play Area

In conjunction with their August 13-16, 2009 sports car race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) will bring its Green Park Program into the back yard of a very worthy organization, the Bridgeway and Beyond Transitional Living Program, a shelter for homeless women and children in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Bridgeway House is a shelter for homeless women and children. The objectives of the shelter are to monitor and assist residents in learning successful and nurturing parenting skills; to provide a safe, secure environment with quiet places to think, study and reflect; to provide emotional, physical, nutritional, spiritual, and educational programming for children that will encourage healthy development; and to provide a variety of supports for the residents to build self-esteem, self-reliance personal responsibility, interpersonal skills and independent living skills. 

With the support of its partners Lowes Home Improvement, Michelin, and Road America, the American Le Mans Series will arrive at the shelter on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 for a day of play set installation and back yard landscape enhancements.  In addition, ALMS drivers Dirk Mueller (Rahal-Letterman/BMW) and Klaus Graf (Cytosport/Porsche RS Spyder) will participate and sign autographs.

Michelin supports Green Park through its Michelin^® Green X^® Challenge award program depicted via a commemorative “Green Park” plaque at each event. In addition, Michelin continues its year-long on-track commitment with its race-within-a-race award, which scores teams based on overall performance, fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
 
Sponsor of Lowe’s Fernandez Racing, Lowe’s Home Improvement donates trees and a playground set in select race markets in an effort to support Series’ green initiatives which parallel its environmental position. The playground set is made with sustainable materials. The trees are local and indigenous to the area.
 
The American Le Mans Series is known as the Global Leader in Green Racing and demonstrates its commitment to environmental sustainability throughout its on and off track green efforts. The Series also contributes to The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt an Acre program in Las Californias, California, USA and supports its efforts via the sale of 100% American organic “Growing a Greener Tomorrow… Faster.” t-shirts. Fans can also contribute (with a monetary donation and/or the purchase of a t-shirt) on americanlemans.com. 

Johnsonville Foods to Enhance RA Presence
as Landmark Sponsor of Carousel Bridge
Johnsonvlle Foods, Road America's Official Premium Sausage is adding sizzle to their sponsorship by becoming a landmark sponsor of the famous Carousel Bridge. The newly named Johnsonville Bridge is the largest bridge at Road America and will feature impressive Johnsonville imagery. The new look should be completed in time for the Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader, June 4-7, 2009, which draws the attention of a  large on-site and television audience.

5/1/09
STUDENTS PUSH FOR ENERGY EFFCIENCY OVER SPEED
Nathan Phelps, business reporter for the Green Bay Press Gazette, stopped at Road America on April 27 to see how area students tackled the Road America track in their team-created, energy-efficient vehicles.  Read more here:  http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/business