Vintage racers showcase history this weekend at Road America

Photo credits: Les Tension (ABOVE) and Pierre Munson

Vintage racers from across the U.S. will take to the track Sept. 18-20 as Road America hosts the 30th running of the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association (VSCDA) Ariens Art on Wheels Weekend featuring the Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival. The annual celebration of vintage and historic sports cars attracts nearly 250 cars to the famed 4-mile, 14-turn road course and the fan-friendly paddock is open to spectators for close-up views of amazing racing machines prepared to era-specifications all weekend.

For 2015, the event will have two features. Allard will be one of the special featured marques along with Jaguar and the Jaguar Clubs of North America will be hosting their Challenge Championship including a rally and a Concours d' Elegance. The last time the Challenge Championship was held in Wisconsin was in 1995. An additional Allard/Jaguar race is also schedule for Saturday.

For the sixth year in a row VSCDA will hold its popular Cup races. The Kimberly, Sheldon, and Elkhart Lake Cup races will take place on Sunday. These Cup races are based on the original races that were held on the roads in and around Elkhart Lake from 1950-'52. The Cup races are sure to be close as grid positions are based solely on times and not classes. There will also be a special 2.5-liter Trans Am race as the interest and growth of this series continues nationwide.

On Saturday the popular Street Course re-enactment leaves the track around mid-afternoon. The Street Course re-enactment is a police-escorted tour of the original racecourse that was ran before Road America was established. Along with Watkins Glen, these roads are the only sets of roads to be listed as a National Historic Monument. For 24 years the re-enactment has attracted as many as 100 cars and when the cars are finished with the tour, they park on part of the original street course in the middle of downtown Elkhart Lake for spectators to view until the early evening.

Once the Street Course re-enactment ends, the Gather on the Green event begins on the Osthoff resort's back lawn. The Gather on the Green event is a car show featuring a wide variety of spectacular vehicles and motorcycles.

As part of its commitment to honoring America's heroes, Road America will also provide free admission to all active, reserve-duty military and veterans with ID all weekend.

Tickets are available and additional event details; ticket pricing and camping information can be found at www.roadamerica.com or by calling 800-365-7223. Kids 12 and under are free with an adult. Racing runs rain or shine.

Source: Road America