Former Road America President and General Manager Jim Haynes Passes Away

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., – March 3, 2023 – Former Road America President and General Manager Jim Haynes passed away on March 2nd in Tampa, Florida.

“Everyone is deeply saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a member of a vast fraternity of racers and a valued leader until his retirement in 2000,” said Road America President and General Manager Mike Kertscher. “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Road America and our extended family of partners and friends are with the Haynes family in this difficult time.” 

Haynes was appointed President and General Manager of Road America in 1988.

According to a recent obituary in the Sheboygan Press — Jim began competing as a driver in various races in the late 50s, winning the 1959 SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) National Champion Formula III event. He also won the SCCA National Champion Formula Junior race in 1963. Soon after that, racing became one of Jim’s primary passions, so when the opportunity arose, he bought a controlling interest in Lime Rock Park and successfully ran the track until its sale in 1984. A formative event in Jim’s life occurred in March 1978. He was asked to come to Florida to help revive the “Twelve Hours of Sebring” race which had been dormant for several years. Under his leadership, he managed to get the track up to code to qualify as a sanctioned race. After Lime Rock Park’s sale in ‘84, Jim and his wife Toni moved to Denver, where Jim was Vice President of Special Projects with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) until his appointment at Road America. 

He is survived by his wife, Toni Abercrombie Haynes, four children, nine grandchildren, and brother, Alex.

Photo courtesy: Jim Haynes archives