Category: History

Racing History Visits the 2023 Checked Flag Party

This year for the Chicago Region’s 75th Anniversary Celebration the party was back at Ferrari Lake Forest and again like in the past Rick opened the showroom to allow us to walk among the Ferrari’s and other special cars.  This year just as in the past we also had a car on display.  In keeping with the historical theme of display vehicles Tom Simpson shared his 1966 McKee MK VI CanAm car with us. 

Dickens’ Ditch

This historic marker located on County Highway “P” just south of the intersection of Cty P and Lake Side Park Road for Dickins’ Ditch reads “Named for Robert “Sid” Dickens who raced in an MG-TC. Ted Boynton lost concentration here in 1952 resulting in an excursion into a blueberry patch.”

Kimberly’s Korner

Following the Schoolhouse Straight the first high speed straight of the 1951 / 52 race circuit the competitors approached at tight ninety degree right hand turn on to County P. This turn was named Kimberly’s Korner, yes Korner with a “K”.

Wacker’s Wend

As the cars left town and drove south on South Lake Street headed towards Quit Qui Oc Golf Course they made a right turn at County J A. Just past this turn is Wacker’s Wend, named after Frederick G. Wacker Jr. the founder of the Chicago Region SCCA in 1948 and our first Regional Executive.

The Lake Street Walkway

Just as the race cars passed Seibkens the course took a downhill hard left followed by a right sweeper that passed along the eastern shore of Elkhart Lake.