3 replies to this topic

[paulb]

From Speedvision.com
http://www.speedvisi...ad/010604a.html


Elkhart Lake, Wis., June 4 — For years loyal fans of Road America have dreamed about the joys of seeing a Formula 1 race at the four-mile circuit set in the rolling hills of east-central Wiscosin. Next year they will have their chance.

No, the United States Grand Prix is not moving from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to Road America. Bernie will likely not be found scarfing down a plateful of the track's famous brats. Neither will Michael, Mika, Jacques and Juan, et al, be found sauntering through the pits. Instead, thanks to an agreement between Road America and the newly formed Historic Grand Prix (HGP) organization, fans will be treated to the sights and sounds of more than 30 F1 cars from the three-liter era 1983) racing wheel-to-wheel around the 14-turn track during the 2002 edition of the Merrill Lynch/Brian Redman International Challenge (BRIC) July 18-21.

The Road America Historic Grand Prix will serve as the centerpiece for a vintage weekend that already includes two concours events, a classic car auction and spectator tours of the track. The weekend traditionally draws more than 400 racers and their cars, making it one of the most popular vintage events of the year.

"We're very pleased to host the Historic Grand Prix group and its spectator-friendly show," says George Bruggenthies, president and general manager of the track. "Road America is a classic sports-car course, and it is perfect for F1 cars. We've got long, fast straightaways and a mix of turns that makes it a driver's track for the World Championship cars. We're sure the drivers will enjoy racing here, and we know that vintage racing fans will be excited to see a full grid of F1 cars."

The Historic Grand Prix organization is the brainchild of a group of Formula 1 enthusiasts that include Steve Earle, James King, Rebecca Tweedie and Phil Reilly. "Although we formalized everything last winter, we've been operating informally for about 15 years," says King, a veteran racer whose credits include numerous sports-car events, a factory F3 ride for March Engineering, an excursion into F2, IMSA, the Players Formula Atlantic Series and an SCCA Formula Atlantic championship in 1982. "In 1991 we provided an exhibition race for the U.S. Grand Prix in Phoenix. Last year we did a three-race Formula 1 retrospective at Watkins Glen, Monterey and Indianapolis."

The Road America weekend is one of several the group has scheduled--or is negotiating--for 2002. There will also be a race at St. Joviet in Quebec. "We already have more requests than we can handle," says King.

The Historic Grand Prix group is comprised of more than 50 owner-drivers of three-liter F1 cars. The organization's current goal is to present four or five events a year, King says, with the objective of sharing with fans the heritage and glory of the years from 1966 to 1983 and providing a true up-close and entertaining experience.

"The racing will lean more toward the European style of vintage competition than what we often see here," King says. "We want to encourage good, tight racing, because we recognize the show is the deal. We also realize these are old cars, and there will be a margin of safety."

While the racing will be competitive, it won't be as wide open as some overseas events, King stresses. "In some cases the European attitude is a bit too liberal," he says.

HGP also understands its obligation to the history of the sport, King adds. "As owners, we realize these are not really our cars. We simply happen to be the caretakers of history."

Like other members of the organization, King is delighted with the opportunity to bring vintage F1 cars to Road America. "When the U.S. Grand Prix departed Watkins Glen in 1980 it should have been relocated to Road America, because it is one of the premier road-racing circuits in North America. We are pleased that we can now share the heritage of F1 with our fans there."

This year's Merrill Lynch/Brian Redman International Challenge is July 19-22. Jim Hall is the grand marshal and guest of honor, and his Chaparrals will be on display for the first time in the U.S. — James Heine

[Gary C]

Sounds really good! Is there any way of finding out what cars are going to be there?

[Gil Bouffard]

One would hope that the "Race," would be run like the TGP races in Europe. But the likelyhood is that it will be a "high speed demonstration," similar to the Monterey Historics.

The Gilinator:down:

[David M. Kane]

There are currently about 50 cars in this organization. Steve Earle has a McLaren M23, James King a March 751 and Phil Reilly
a Brabham BT44. At Indy they had Dan Gurney Eagle, a coupla Shadow DN-5s. There were a coupla of Ferraris too. I remember
Derek Bell's 1968 312 and one of Jody Schtecker's. It should
be a pretty full representation.

Hopefully, I will have my March 741 by then. I'm down to the valve springs for the DFV.