Road America News - Ferrari Club of America Returns to Road America for 50th Anniversary
 |
ELKHART LAKE, Wis., June 11, 2013 - This summer the Ferrari Club of America is returning to Elkhart Lake, Wis., and Road America to celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a special International Meet. From July 30 to August 4 the club will honor its heritage as the oldest recognized and, by magnitudes, the largest Ferrari club in the world with over 5,200 members from across all of Canada and the US.
 |
Elkhart Lake has a revered place in the annals of Ferrari history in North America. It was at Road America in 1961 that the first gathering of the people that would go on to create the Ferrari Club of America took place. 2013 will be the fifth time that the club has come to town for its annual club wide International Meet. Beyond this, Elkhart Lake and Road America have made major contributions to the entire history of Ferrari. Notably the story starts with Jim Kimberly, heir of Kimberly-Clark. He was one of the very first Americans to purchase a Ferrari, which he then proceeded to race and win in the inaugural Elkhart Lake road race around the lake in 1951. Kimberly would continue to race a long string of faster Ferraris at Elkhart Lake ('51 and '52) and then when Road America opened in 1955.
Kimberly was but one of many the amateur sportsmen that raced Ferraris at Road America during the 1950s and into the early 1960s. Others of note with a connection to the area were Augie Pabst, William Schelble of Milwaukee and Jim Kimberly. Road America was host to some of the most famous names of sports car racing with the likes of Phil Hill, who would go on to be the first American Formula 1 world champion; Carroll Shelby, Bob Bondurant and Hal Sharp.
The 2013 Ferrari Club of America International Meet welcomes the public on Thursday August 1 through Sunday August 4 at Road America. Thursday is the Concours, which will have 300+ Ferraris from all eras with the oldest and rarest racers to the very latest models in production. The judging standards as so rigorous that the team of judges will be coming in from across North America and internationally just to perform their duties. From Friday through Sunday Road America will be the site for the club's track days. These same cars can be watched as they are exercised at speed for all to see and enjoy. General admission is $20 per day or $60 for a 4-day pass.
2013 Ferrari Club of America International Meet Highlights Organization: Ferrari Club of America (FCA) Event: 2013 Ferrari Club of America International Meet (held annually since 1964) Dates: Tuesday July 30 to Sunday August 4, 2013 - 6 days Location: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Hotel: Osthoff Resort www.osthoff.com Track: Road America www.roadamerica.com Attendees: up to 750 expected Cars: up to 350 expected Representing all eras, from Formula, prototypes, GTs, special editions, to production models Activities: Three days of track time Challenge Club Racing www.ChallengeClubRacing.com Concours presented by Zymöl (same standards and judges as at Pebble Beach) Local drives Social events Awards banquet Spouse activities Special Theme: 50th anniversary of the FCA, 50th annual International Meet Charity Beneficiary:Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin Event website: www.fca2013.org About Ferrari Club of America: Founded in 1962, the Ferrari Club of America has grown from a small organization of about a dozen diehard enthusiasts to over 5,200 members who participate in hundreds of diverse and interesting activities every year. Our members can participate in activities in their Home Region and any of the other 16 Regions and 39 Chapters across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. With over 5,200 members the Ferrari Club of America is by far the largest owner based club in the world. With its 1962 founding it is also the oldest factory recognized owners club too. All of the club's members enjoy exciting track events, an internationally recognized Concours d'Elegance, organized drives and a wide variety of year-round social activities. There are sixteen Regions and 39 local based Chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada that maintaina full Calendar of Events including social gatherings, parties, track events, rallies, drives and charitable events. FCA members receive the monthly News Bulletin with its calendar of events, free classified ads for members and more. Our quarterlyfull-color magazine, Prancing Horse contains in-depth features on particular Ferrari types, interviews with "Ferrari people", visits to Ferrari-related production facilities and museums, information on Ferrari literature and models and coverage of Ferrari gatherings both here and abroad, all thoroughly illustrated with colorful photos and drawings. Visit www.ferrariclubofamerica.org About Road America: Established in 1955, Road America is located midway between Milwaukee and Green Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Its legendary four-mile, 14-turn road circuit has challenged the world's best racers for over 55 years. The 640-acre, park-like grounds offer amazing viewing opportunities, fantastic concessions and high-speed excitement to thousands of spectators each year. In addition to public race weekends, Road America offers group event programs, the Blain's Farm & Fleet Motorplex for karting and supermoto, and the Road America Motorcycle and Advanced Driving Schools. For more information, visit www.roadamerica.com Follow Road America on www.facebook.com/RoadAmerica and on Twitter: @roadamerica or call 800-365-7223. Chevrolet - The Official Vehicle of Road America Elkhart Lake's Road America, Inc. | N7390 Hwy 67 | Plymouth | WI | 53073