SCCA Milwaukee Region: Save Elkhart Lake Street Course

 
       Elkhart Lake, Wisc., April 14, 2004-The Board of Directors of the Sports Car Club of

America - Milwaukee Region (SCCA) unanimously voted to ask the Sheboygan County Board of

Supervisors to stop construction on the roads used for the street races around Elkhart Lake in 1950,

1951 and 1952.  County Roads A and P are under threat from the Sheboygan County Highway

Department, which wants to flatten, straighten and realign that segment, destroying the character of

the original street courses. Supporters are encouraged to contact the Sheboygan County Board

Executive Committee by e-mail at http://www.co.sheboygan.wi.us/html/cntybrd_exec_comm.htm or

by writing the Sheboygan County Board of Supervisors at 508 New York Ave., Sheboygan, WI,

53081.   Members of the Milwaukee Region of SCCA have been involved in racing at Elkhart Lake

since the first event in 1950.


Consultants hired by the Sheboygan County Highway Commission failed to find adverse historical
or economic impact by altering the roads, according to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Further a dated Transportation Committee plan calls the road a major feeder, but in fact traffic has
declined between Glenbeulah (Pop. 375) and the Village of Elkhart Lake (Pop. 1100).

"We do not want any changes made to those historic roads," said Angelo Gazzola, regional executive
of the Milwaukee Region.  "We wouldn't have Road America today if it wasn't for the original street
races, and we need to protect our motorsports history.

"There weren't many street races in the U.S. to begin with," Gazzola continued.  "It was a very
special time in racing and Elkhart Lake holds a very special place in racing.  Sheboygan County
needs to do all it can to protect its history and place these roads on the National Register of Historic
Places."


The SCCA's Milwaukee Region's more than 1,300 members are involved with staffing, organizing
and competing in road races, solo events and road rallies throughout Wisconsin.  The first event is a
driver's school April 24-25 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, south of Beloit, Wisc.

Road America's 2004 spectator race dates are:
   May 14-16, Sports Car Vintage Racing Assoc.; Road America Tailgate Party May 15
   June 3-6, American Motorcyclist Assoc. Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader
   June 17-20, Kohler/SCCA June SprintsŪ  One of SCCA's biggest races.
   July 15-18, Brian Redman International Challenge featuring Historic Grand Prix F-1 cars,
Formula Junior and the Nickey Chevrolet Reunion.
   Aug. 5-8, Grand Prix at Road America featuring Champ Cars, the Motorock Trans-Am Tour for
the BF Goodrich Cup, Toyota Atlantics and Formula BMW
  Aug.  19-22, the Road America 500 featuring the American Le Mans Series, plus STRANA, the
Super Truck Racing Assoc. of North America, racing 18-wheeler cabs
   Sept. 17-19, the Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival, featuring Morgan cars and a tour of one of the
original Elkhart Lake race circuits held on public roads.

The schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Road America hosted its first official race in 1955 and will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2005.
The Milwaukee Region of SCCA was formed in 1947.