Elkhart Lake’s Road America is one of those special, magical racetracks. It’s demanding 4 mile circuit through the southern Wisconsin countryside has been the scene of many classic races, with countless legendary drivers facing the challenge of Road America’s elevation changes, long straights and tight turns.
I have been at Road America many times over the years and seen many a classic battle there. But nothing sticks in my mind more than my first visit to the circuit, which was for the CanAm race in 1972.
1972 was one of the best CanAm season we have ever seen. It marked the debut of the Penske Porsche 917/10, originally driven by Mark Donohue until his accident at Road Atlanta, when it was taken over by the very capable George Follmer, who ended up winning the championship with 5 victories during the season. It also saw the McLaren M20’s driven by Denny Hulme and Peter Revson, and Porsche 917/10’s driven by the likes of Peter Gregg and Milt Minter. We even got to see upcoming Formula One drivers Francois Cevert in a McLaren and Jean Pierre Jarier in a Ferrari 712M. Then there was Jackie Oliver in the all black UOP Shadow, always a crowd favorite.
I remember pulling into the circuit for the first time back in 1972, having driven from Ohio in my SS350 Camaro. What a huge place it seemed! Passing the now departed Road America barn and driving over the Road America bridge, the paddock was buzzing with activity as the CanAm cars were prepared for battle.
There were also massive crowds of spectators, filling every nook and cranny of the circuit, vying for the best vantage points to watch the spectacle unfold. The campground across the street was packed, the local hotels were all sold out and Siebkens bar was filled to capacity with race fans every evening.
I recall that it rained on Saturday (it seems like it always rained at least one day of a race meet at Road America), and that fouled up Follmer’s qualifying run, and he had to settle for a mid-field starting position for the race. Denny Hulme put his McLaren M20 on the pole, with Francois Cevert starting next to him in a McLaren M8F. I made my way back to Canada Corner to photograph the start (on the advice of a couple of veteran spectators who suggested I go there) and took the photo posted here of the cars as they made their way down the back straight toward the corner.
The spectacle and noise was incredible as the massive field made their way toward the corner. The scene, even without the photo to document it, is etched permanently in my mind. What a fantastic field, what a fantastic series, what a fantastic track!
The race started, Follmer charged through the field in the turbo Porsche and eventually won the race, with Cevert finishing second in the McLaren and Peter Gregg finishing third in another Porsche 917/10.
I was hooked. Ever since that day in August 1972, I have made many, many trips to Road America, both as a photographer and race participant, having worked on the Porsche Fabcars during the glory days of IMSA in the 1980’s.
I have worked at virtually every sports car track in the country and Road America has to be on the very top of my list of favorite places to go. The area, the track, the people, the food, the atmosphere are hard to match anywhere else.
I am hopeful that this weekend’s GrandAm/American Le Mans double-header draws a huge crowd and that Road America is going to be a key part of the new United Sports Car Series next season and beyond.
Someone in the crowd this weekend is coming to Road America for the very first time, and I am sure that they will go away with fantastic memories. Hopefully, they will return again and again, year after year, just as I have to one of the most special places for race fans on earth.
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