Wrapping up the emotional Eagle gathering, Road America WIC with Brian Redman

Heralded far and wide as one of the most significant vintage racing summer events in the country, the July 15-17 WeatherTech International Challenge with Brian Redman was an activities-packed three full days: Vintage racing action on the spectacular 4.0-mile Road America circuit, exhibitions, Concours awards, and a wide-variety of off-track food and fun.

The 2022 event, though, will be best-remembered for its featured marque: Dan Gurney’s All American Racers Eagles.

Photo: Scott Paceley

“The Big Eagle—the late Dan Gurney—was surely smiling down on the gathering of 28 AAR Eagles,” said Vintage Indy president/founder Michael Lashmett, “which included his 1967 Belgian Grand Prix-winning Gurney-Weslake Eagle. There were owner/drivers from throughout the United States, along with attendees from around the world, gathered here at Road America to pay homage to driver and constructor Dan Gurney—the only American to build, drive and win a F1 race in a car he conceived and constructed.

"Over 200 cars were constructed in the Santa Ana, Calif., AAR shop over past decades and AAR Eagles are credited with three Indianapolis 500 wins in 1968, ‘73 and finally in 1975 with driver Bobby Unser for Dan’s All American Racers team. Dan also co-drove with AJ Foyt to victory at LeMans in 1967 in a Ford Mk IV.

"This was believed to be the largest gathering of Eagles ever assembled and included the 1975 500 winning car, 1967 Spa winner, the ’72 Indy 500 pole winning Olsonite Eagle, an IMSA race-winning Toyota GTP car and several IndyCar race winners."

Photo: Scott Paceley

The Eagles, piloted by drivers who are undeniably passionate about their sport and its history, were the main attraction. Unlike other events where spectators might be separated from stars who take the stage, car lovers milled through the paddock area, swapping stories and insight with the many owners and drivers.

Brian Redman served as the Grand Marshal for the event and had nothing but praise for this mid-summer tradition. The transplanted Englishman has come to Road America almost every year since 1972 says he cannot get enough. “This is a fantastic event [at] one of the finest road racing facilities in North America,” he said. “What a thrill to see so many Eagles in one place.”

Results for the Sunday races are as follows:

Group 11 – Pre War & Early Post War

Rex Barrett, Roselle Ill., 1933 Ford Indy Special

Brad Tank, Winetka Ill., 1950 MGTD

Marvin Primack, Wilmete Ill., 1949 Lester

Group 10 – Modern GT Challenge / Cup / IMSA

Elias De La Torre, Key Largo, Fla., 2015 Porsche Cayman

Jimmy McGlynn, Naples, Fla., 2005 Porsche

Anthony Stevens, Waukesha, Wis., 2006 Porsche

Group 5 – Can-Am / GTP / Historic Sports Racer

Nick Griot, Puyallup, Wash., 1968 McClaren

Richard Griot, Milton, Wash., 1968 McClaren

Joel Weinberger, Hinsdale, Ill., 1972 Chevron

Group 7 – Historic / Modern Formula

Douglas Mockett, St. Croix, 1976 Penske PC4

Chris Locke, San Anselmo, Calif., 1976 Lotus

Kyle Buxton, Trabuco, Calif., 1977 March

Group 9 – Modern GT / Prototype

Colin Comer, River Hills, Wis., 1995 Ford Mustang

Adam Rupp, Fond du Lac, Wis., 1995 Ford Mustang

Lance Wiskirchen, Scandinavia, Wis., 2001 Ford Mustang

Group 7 – Historic / Modern Formula

Brian French, Sheboygan, Wis., 1997 Benetton

Tony Ave, Brownsburg, Ind., 2006 Swift

Mark Brannon, Paradise Valley, Ariz., 1997 Lola

Group 3 – Vintage GT / Sports / Prototype / USRRC

Brian Garcia, St. Charles, Ill., 1965 Cheetah

James Cullen, N. Miami Beach, Fla., 1968 Lola

Craig Bennett, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., 1956 Devin

Group 13 – TA 2.5L / B Sedan

Erik Wood, Eureka, Mo., 1966 Alfa Romeo

Isaac Keeler, Macatawa, Mich., 1969 Datsun

Jeff Werth, Campbellsport, Wis., 1972 Datsun

Group 1 – Modern Prototype / Sports Racers

Joel Quadracci, Sussex, Wis., 2011 Oreca

James French, Sheboygan, Wis., 2001 Swift

Travis Engen, Weston, Conn., 2005 Audi

Group 6 – Classic Big Bore Production

Brian Garcia, St. Charles, Ill., 1965 Cheetah

Chris Hines, Lake Havasu, Ariz., 1965 Shelby

Todd Treffert, Sarasota, Fla., 1974 Porsche

Group 7a – Historic / Modern Formula

Kirt Bennett, Clarkston, Mich., 1974 Lola

Kyle Tilley, Commerce Twsp., Mich., 1976 Shadow

Rick Parsons, Inverness, Ill., 1976 Lola

Group 4 – Classic Monoposto / Classic Formula

Joel Quadracci, Sussex, Wis., 1967 Brabham

Pearce Raeder, River Forest, Ill., 1971 Lotus

Bill Wallschlaeger, Litchfield Park, Ariz., 1997 Van Diemen

Group 2 – Vintage Production

Brian Davis, Mequon, Wis., 1962 Elva

George Balbach, Lake Bluff, Ill., 1960 Porsche

Justin Johnson, Plano, Texas, 1970 Porsche

Group 8 – Post Historic Production

Peter Cunningham, Saukville, Wis., 2004 Acura

George Balbach, Lake Bluff, Ill., 1966 Porsche

Steve Grundahl, Blue Mounds, Wis., 1972 Porsche