Road America is a motorsport road course near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Wisconsin Highway 67. It has hosted races since the 1950s and currently hosts races in the IndyCar Series, IMSA SportsCar Championship, Sports Car Club of America GT World Challenge America and Trans-Am Series and the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.

Current track and facilities

Road America is a permanent road course. It is halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay and classified as an FIA Grade Two circuit.

The track is situated on near the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. It has hosted races since 1955 and hosts over 400 events a year. Of its annual events, 9 major weekends are open to the public, including 3 motorcycle events including the MotoAmerica (AMA FIM) series, 3 vintage car events, Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events, the United Sports Car Racing Series, the Pirelli World Challenge, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Road America is one of only a handful of road circuits in the world maintaining its original configuration The course was long with of elevation change. The tunnel is high and 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.

History of racing at Elkhart Lake

Open road course

thumb|right|The site of the 1951 and 1952 start finish line for road races in downtown Elkhart Lake

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 .

For the next two races, in 1951 and 1952, a different course was used. It was long, on County Roads J, A, and P. To date, one may still drive most of the original course.

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.

Private road course

After the tragedy at Watkins Glen in 1952, where a child was killed, the U.S. discontinued motorized contests of speed on public highways. This was a major blow for competition auto racing, ending a long-standing tradition. It did not permanently stop road racing but shifted it to private courses. In 1955, Clif Tufte started what is now known as Road America, in a configuration that has changed little since. 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 raced at Road America. The first was the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) on September 10, 1955. The Road America 500 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 IMSA SportsCar Championship. The Grand Prix of Road America is an open-wheel race held as part of the Champ Car World Series. It is now part of the IndyCar Series.

Other notable series include NASCAR's Grand National (now NASCAR Cup Series) in 1956 and NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2010, CART from 1982 to 2007, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Racing Series, CanAm, Trans-Am, AMA, and the SCCA National Championship Runoffs from 2009 to 2013. The Stadium Super Trucks began racing at the track in 2018; the trucks run a shortened course that bypasses turns 6 to 12, though the full layout is used on the final lap.

Road America also holds a variety of vintage racing events, including the Brian Redman International Challenge, now the HAWK with Brian Redman.

ALMS race history

At the 2008 Road America 500 an Audi R10 TDI set an LMP1 pole time of 1:46.935. At the 2009 Road Race Showcase, Dyson Racing Team set an LMP2 pole time of 1:51.010. At the 2011 Road Race Showcase, BMW Team RLL set a GT pole time of 2:05.447, while at the same event a Porsche 997 GT3 set a GTC pole time of 2:14.126.

Indy Car / Champ Car race results

The CART Champ Car series held races at the track from 1982 to 2007, with the exception of 2005. The Verizon Indy Car Series revived the event beginning in 2016.

Major incidents and events at the track

2005 BRIC wreck

At the beginning of the Group 6 race in the 2005 Brian Redman International Challenge, there was a large incident consisting of most of the field: The driver starting fifth (Ray Mulacek, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro) 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. Nobody was seriously injured, with the worst injury being a broken arm.

Cristiano da Matta deer incident

On August 3, 2006, Cristiano da Matta, driver of Champ Car's RuSPORT team and 2002 series champion, 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. Da Matta was unconscious when the safety crew extricated him from the car, and was airlifted via ThedaSTAR to Theda Clark Medical Center south of Appleton, where he underwent surgery to remove a subdural hematoma.

Death of Adam Schatz

Adam Schatz, 26, from Chicago, Illinois, died in a karting accident during the Road America Super Nationals, Championship Enduro Series on July 12, 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.

2015 CCR Tifosi Challenge red flag wreck

During the Pirelli World Challenge weekend, drivers Steve Hill and Jim Booth were involved in an intense battle for first. The drivers contacted each other heading towards turn 5, causing Jim Booth to go airborne into the catch fence at 150 mph. This caused significant damage to the fence throwing debris into the spectator area. Booth's car was completely destroyed while Hill was able to continue the race with minor damage. Neither of the drivers, personnel, or spectators were injured during the incident.

Lap records

The official lap record for Road America is 1:39.866, set by Dario Franchitti during the qualifying of the 2000 Motorola 220 while the race lap record is 1:41.874, set by Alex Zanardi in the 1998 Texaco/Havoline 200. As of August 2025, the fastest official race lap records at Road America for different classes are listed as:

{| class="wikitable"

!Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event

|-

! colspan=5 | Grand Prix Course (1955–present):

|-

| CART || 1:41.874 || Alex Zanardi || Reynard 98I || 1998 Texaco/Havoline 200

|-

| IndyCar || 1:42.8921 || Will Power || Dallara DW12 || 2023 Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America

|-

| CCWS || 1:44.133 || Sébastien Bourdais || Lola B02/00 || 2006 Grand Prix of Road America

|-

| LMP1 || 1:48.723 || Marco Werner || Audi R10 TDI || 2008 Road America 500

|-

| IMSA GTP || 1:48.944 || Juan Manuel Fangio II || Eagle MkIII || 1992 Road America 2 Hours

|-

| LMP2 || 1:49.439 || Filipe Albuquerque || Acura ARX-06 || 2023 IMSA SportsCar Weekend

|-

| DPi || 1:51.034 || Dane Cameron || Acura ARX-05 || 2020 IMSA SportsCar Weekend

|-

| Indy NXT || 1:51.4038 || Nolan Siegel || Dallara IL-15 || 2023 Road America Indy NXT round

|-

| LMH || 1:52.387 || Roman De Angelis || Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH || 2025 SportsCar Grand Prix

|-

| LMP900 || 1:53.403 || Frank Biela || Audi R8 || 2002 Road America 500

|-

| Group C || 1:55.330 || Manuel Reuter || Porsche 962C || 1993 Road America 500 km

|-

| DP || 1:55.458 || Tristan Nunez || Mazda Prototype || 2016 Continental Tire Road Race Showcase

|-

| LMP675 || 1:56.944 || Didier Theys || Ferrari 333 SP || 2001 Road America 500

|-

| LMP3 || 1:58.566 || Nico Pino || Ligier JS P320 || 2023 IMSA SportsCar Weekend

|-

| Formula Atlantic || 1:58.652 || Tõnis Kasemets || Swift 016.a || 2023 Road America Atlantic Championship round

|-

| LMPC || 1:59.245 || Patricio O'Ward || Oreca FLM09 || 2017 Continental Tire Road Race Showcase

|-

| Can-Am || 2:00.268 || Geoff Brabham || Lola T530 || 1981 Can-Am/CRC Trans-Am Road America

|-

| Prototype Lites || 2:00.418 || Matt Romer || Élan DP02 || 2024 Road America SCCA National Championship Runoffs Prototype 1 round

|-

| Pro Mazda || 2:01.3306 || Toby Sowery || Tatuus PM-18 || 2018 Road America Pro Mazda round

|-

| GT1 (GTS) || 2:01.446 || Olivier Beretta || Chevrolet Corvette C6.R || 2005 Road America 500

|-

| F5000 || 2:02.220 || Danny Ongais || Lola T332 || 1976 Road America F5000 round

|-

| LM GTE || 2:02.281 || Nick Tandy || Chevrolet Corvette C8.R || 2021 IMSA SportsCar Weekend

|-

| Formula Regional || 2:03.140 || Jett Bowling || Ligier JS F3 || 2025 Road America FR Americas round

|-

| TA1 || 2:03.272 || Justin Marks || Chevrolet Camaro Trans-Am || 2023 Road America Trans-Am round

|-

| GT3 || 2:04.089 || Mark Donohue || Porsche 917/30 TC || 1973 Road America Can-Am

|-

| Lamborghini Super Trofeo || 2:05.270 || Danny Formal || Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 || 2025 Road America Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America round

|-

| GT || 2:05.882 || Antonio García || Chevrolet Corvette C6.R || 2012 Road Race Showcase

|-

| IMSA GTP Lights || 2:06.115 || Onofrio Triarsi || Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo || 2023 Road America Ferrari Challenge North America round

|-

| USF2000 || 2:08.8197 || Danny Dyszelki || Tatuus USF-22 || 2023 Discount Tire Grand Prix of Road America

|-

| Porsche Carrera Cup || 2:09.049 || Riley Dickinson || Porsche 911 (992 I) GT3 Cup || 2023 Road America Porsche Carrera Cup North America round

|-

| IMSA GTO || 2:09.182 || Pete Halsmer || Mazda RX-7 || 1991 IMSA GTO Road America 200 km

|-

| McLaren Trophy || 2:10.086 || Jesse Lazare || McLaren Artura Trophy || 2025 Road America McLaren Trophy America round

|-

| Group 5 || 2:10.250 || John Paul, Jr. || Porsche 935 JLP-3 || 1981 Road America 500 Miles

|-

| Sports 2000 || 2:10.648 || Gary Gove || Ralt RT2 || 1980 Road America Can-Am round

|-

| TA2 || 2:11.113 || Brent Crews || Ford Mustang Trans-Am || 2023 Road America Trans-Am round

|-

| GTO || 2:11.399 || Paul Gentilozzi || Jaguar XKR || 2000 Road America 500 Miles

|-

| Barber Pro || 2:12.240 || Jamie Menninga || Reynard 98E || 2000 Road America Barber Pro round

|-

| NASCAR Xfinity || 2:12.408 || Justin Allgaier || Chevrolet Camaro SS || 2023 Road America 180

|-

| AGT || 2:12.453 || Alex Popow Jr. || Ligier JS F422 || 2025 Road America F4 United States round

|-

| NASCAR Cup || 2:14.089 || William Byron || Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE NASCAR || 2021 Jockey Made in America 250

|-

| USF Juniors || 2:14.5710 || Max Taylor || Tatuus JR-23 || 2024 PFC Grand Prix of Road America

|-

| GT4 || 2:14.987 || Robin Liddell || Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R || 2023 Road America 120

|-

| SRO GT2 || 2.15.474 || C.J. Moses || Audi R8 LMS GT2 || 2022 Road America GT America round

|-

| GTU || 2:16.719 || Adrien Tambay || Mygale FB02 || 2008 Road America Formula BMW Americas round

|-

| Group 6 || 2:17.799 || Mike Hall || Lola T294 || 1977 Citicop Can-Am Challenge

|-

| Mustang Challenge || 2:17.832 || Robert Noaker || Ford Mustang Dark Horse R || 2025 Road America Mustang Challenge round

|-

| TCR Touring Car || 2:17.984 || Jaden Conwright || Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2021) || 2025 Road America 120

|-

| IMSA AAC || 2:19.146 || Michael Dingman || Ford Mustang || 1992 Nissan Grand Prix of Road America

|-

| IMSA GTU || 2:20.208 || Christian Weir || Toyota GR86 || 2024 Road America Toyota GR Cup North America round

|-

| Mazda MX-5 Cup || 2:32.432 || Maximilian Opalski || Mazda MX-5 (ND) || 2023 Road America Mazda MX-5 Cup round

|-

| TU || 2:43.700 || John Morton || Datsun 510 || 1972 Road America Trans-Am round

|-

| IMSA Supercar || 2:57.261 || Hurley Haywood || Porsche 911 Turbo || 1991 Nissan Grand Prix of Road America

|-

! colspan=5 | Motorcycle Course (2003–present):

|-

| Superbike || 2:09.025 || Josh Herrin || Ducati Panigale V4 R || 2023 Road America MotoAmerica Superbike round

|-

| Supersport || 2:16.408 || Tyler Scott || Suzuki GSX-R600 || 2025 Road America MotoAmerica Supersport round

|-

| Twins Cup || 2:24.298 || Rocco Landers || Suzuki GSX-8R || 2024 Road America MotoAmerica Twins Cup round

|-

| Supersport 300 || 2:38.493 || Avery Dreher || Kawasaki Ninja 400R || 2023 Road America MotoAmerica Junior Cup round

|}

Events

;Current

  • May: Sportscar Vintage Racing Association Spring Vintage Weekend, MotoAmerica Superbikes at Road America, Formula Regional Americas Championship, F4 United States Championship, 24 Hours of Lemons
  • June: IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Road America, Trans-Am Series Road America SpeedTour, SCCA Super Tour WeatherTech Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints, Indy NXT, USF Pro 2000 Championship, USF2000 Championship, Atlantic Championship Series, F2000 Championship Series, F1600 Championship Series
  • July: Sports Car Club of America, WeatherTech Vintage Weekend with Brian Redman,
  • August: IMSA SportsCar Championship SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix, Michelin Pilot Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, Mustang Challenge North America, GT World Challenge America, GT America Series, GT4 America Series, TC America Series, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, McLaren Trophy America, Toyota Gazoo Racing Cup North America
  • September: Ferrari Challenge North America, USF Pro 2000 Championship, USF2000 Championship, USF Juniors
  • October: SCCA Runoffs, ChampCar Endurance Series

; Former

  • American Le Mans Series
  • Road America 500 (2002–2013)
  • ARCA Racing Series
  • Road America 100 (2013, 2017)
  • Barber Pro Series (1986–2002)
  • Can-Am (1967–1974, 1977–1983)
  • CART/Champ Car World Series
  • Road America 200 (1982–2004, 2006–2007)
  • Formula BMW Americas (2004, 2007–2009)
  • IMSA GT Championship (1979–1993)
  • IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge (2005–2006, 2009–2020)
  • Mazda MX-5 Cup (2003, 2006, 2008–2012, 2014–2023)
  • NASCAR Cup Series
  • Kwik Trip 250 (1956, 2021–2022)
  • NASCAR Midwest Series (2001)
  • NASCAR Xfinity Series
  • Road America 180 (2010–2023)
  • Rolex Sports Car Series (2000–2001, 2011–2013)
  • SCCA National Sports Car Championship (1955–1962)
  • Stadium Super Trucks (2018–2020)
  • United States Road Racing Championship (1963–1968)

Other events outside racing

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 Livestrong Foundation, 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 $230,000 as of 2012. It raised over $37,000 in 2012. The 10th Tour de Road America is scheduled for August 9, 2013 during the American Le Mans / Grand Am weekend (August 9–11, 2013).
  • 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.
  • The Annual Road America Walk/Run for the American Cancer Society has raised $2.5 million plus in its 33-year existence. The Walk/Run takes place in late October. The 2007 and 2008 events included a Mid-American Stock Car Series exhibition.

In pop culture

Video games

The Road America track has been included in multiple racing video games, including Automobilista 2, the Forza Motorsport series, CART Precision Racing, iRacing, Raceroom Racing Experience, NASCAR Heat 2, NASCAR Heat 3, NASCAR Heat 4,NASCAR Heat 5, Need for Speed: Shift, Shift 2: Unleashed, Project CARS, Flag to Flag ,Project CARS 2, TOCA Race Driver 2, and Ride 3.

Wisconsin license plate

thumb|right|300px|An example of Wisconsin's Road America license plate with a [[vanity plate|vanity slogan; if no message is so chosen by the driver, a five-digit number, followed by "RA" within the rightmost letter space is produced instead.]]

On October 4, 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation introduced a special license plate honoring Road America, colored black and featuring an outline map of the Road America track (with a northward orientation; this article's infobox map features the track orientated westward) on its left side. The plate itself is fully black with all-white lettering, and has proven to be popular among state drivers for its 'blackout' design, especially among car clubs, and making vanity plate messages stand out, becoming the most requested specialty design in 2023, above specialty plates for the state's sports teams and a Harley-Davidson-specific design.

<gallery>

Image:RoadAmericaSign070707.jpg|Welcome sign

Image:RoadAmericaOriginalStartFinishLine.jpg|The sign marking the start/finish line on the original road course

Image:Indy cars at Turn Eight at Road America.JPG|A group of Group 9 BOSS cars going around turn eight at the Kohler International Challenge

Image:Road America Fans.jpg|Fans looking east at Turn Five during the 1995 June Sprints

File:RoadAmericaFrontStretchBucyros2010.jpg|Looking up the frontstretch hill

File:Bucyrus200RoadAmerica2010FieldStarting.jpg|2010 NASCAR Xfinity Series race

File:Road America June 2023 01 (victory lane).jpg|Victory lane

File:Road America June 2023 03 (turn 5).jpg|Turn 5

</gallery>

Notes

References

  • Road America Official Site
  • Map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info
  • Karting Club at the Road America Motorplex

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