Alexander Rossi and Tony Kanaan exit their pit boxes during the Kohler Grand Prix at Road America. [John Wiedemann]
ELKHART LAKE, Wis., February 15, 2018 – The 2018 race season is a little over four short months away, and there is certainly a lot to look forward to at America’s National Park of Speed! In the offseason, quite a bit has changed, Road America repaved the access road going uphill from Turn 5 towards the Paddock Shop and Visitors Center while adding a new gate and smooth curbing at Gate 6. Construction is currently underway on a new bathroom and shower facility directly across from the famous Gearbox concession stand.
All of the projects, were designed to improve the overall fan experience while staying true to form with the traditional Road America architecture around the facility.
Immediately following the 2017 season the CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex was repaved. For those unaware, the CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex is a popular multi-use, multi-configuration, one-mile track, used by the Road America Karting Club and for additional Road America programs including numerous auto manufacturers’ new car introductions, ride-and-drive events, driving schools, media and group event based programs. The CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex also hosts open karting for fans during many event weekends.
This is the first complete repave of the Motorplex since its creation. The facility has undergone several minor resurfaces in high-use areas while adding full-course lighting to support the various events it has hosted over the years. The facility also utilizes a special wireless track safety light system for select events.
To learn more about Road America, watch this recap from the 2017 season.
Fans are encouraged to get their tickets early for the 2018 season and print them at home as Road America’s first race weekend next year will be May 18-20, when it hosts the SVRA Spring Vintage Festival Weekend.
Two-wheeled action takes to the track when the MotoAmerica Series presents the Dunlop Championship at Road America June 1-3. One week later, June 8-10, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts will be on track during the Road America Vintage MotoFest and AHRMA Vintage Motorcycle Classic as fans and enthusiasts alike take in the on-track action and Rockerbox® vintage motorcycle show. The WeatherTech® Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints® returns to the 4-mile circuit from June 14-17 – Road America’s longest running annual sports car event.
The Verizon INDYCAR Series KOHLER Grand Prix takes center stage June 21-24, as an international lineup of drivers will have their chance to battle it out for glory on one of the world’s most revered road courses. They will be joined by the Pirelli World Challenge featuring many of the world’s top sports cars and drivers in an all out wheel-to-wheel battle consisting of six classes headlined by separate GT and GTS races.
A mid-summer classic, The WeatherTech® International Challenge with Brian Redman presented by HAWK, takes place July 19-22, and has quickly grown to become one of the largest vintage racing events in the country. A historic CAN-AM race with an impressive field of cars is also expected to gather at Road America along with a special historic Trans Am race featuring original racecars from the Trans Am era, which were painstakingly restored to their original condition. The annual concours d’elegance on Friday and Saturday night in downtown Elkhart Lake rounds out the festivities to make The WeatherTech® International Challenge with Brian Redman presented by HAWK a can’t miss spectacle for any racing enthusiast.
August 2-5, the IMSA Continental Sports Car Challenge and WeatherTech® SportsCar Championship takes over Road America’s four mile circuit for what will be one of the most incredible weekends of sports car racing in the world during The Continental Road Race Showcase. Fans will get to see the IMSA Continental Sports Car Challenge Series race on Saturday, Aug. 4, with the WeatherTech® SportsCar Championship race on Sunday, Aug. 5.
The NASCAR XFINITY Series Johnsonville 180 rolls into Road America August 23-25, bringing intense door-to-door racing action to the nation’s most intimidating road course. The NASCAR XFINITY Series schedule and the event could prove to be a pivotal race for drivers looking to improve their standing in the championship points.
The weekend action continues with the widely popular Stadium SUPER Truck Series featuring identically prepared 650-horsepower trucks that are built to take flight. Being able to race on virtually any surface thrown at them, the Stadium SUPER Trucks will race the front half of Road America, crossing between turns 5 and 13 as compared to the entire 4-mile circuit utilized by NASCAR XFINITY Series and the SCCA Pro Trans Am Series. The SCCA Pro Trans Am Series will round out the on track action for the three-day event. September 14-16, the Ariens Art on Wheels Weekend featuring VSCDA Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival returns, showcasing several impressive machines including many pre-war racers and Can-Am enthusiasts reliving history at America’s National Park of Speed.
Event tickets are now available. Everyone 16-years-old and under gets in FREE with a paying adult at the gate. All racing runs rain or shine. To purchase season passes, tickets or learn more about upcoming events at Road America, please visit Road America online at www.roadamerica.com or call 800-365-RACE (7223).
