June SprintsĀ®, “It’s not just another race”
The Chicago Region SCCA, June SprintsĀ® is the longest consecutively run SCCA National Road Race.
The Chicago Region SCCA, June SprintsĀ® is the longest consecutively run SCCA National Road Race.
The 1951-52 Elkhart Lake Races were the first and last events with true wheel to wheel completion through downtown Elkhart Lake.
After exiting Briggsā Bend the track ran up-hill to a soft rolling peak and then headed back down hill to the āHard Rightā the last turn of the original race circuit.
As the cars of the 1950 Elkhart Lake race negotiated āTedās Turnā a tight 110 degree right hander, the field then headed west on a gentle uphill run. The first marker Peckās Alley, is 0.1 tenth of a mile west of County J on Birchwood Drive (County JP, back in 1950 County X). The second marker on this part of the circuit is for Briggsā Bend at the intersection of North Turtle Bay Road. This right hand bend in the road is followed with a sudden 15 to 20 foot drop in elevation.
At the end of the long straight drivers made another right hand turn on to County X is where the third historical marker āTeds Turnā is found on the original 3.35 mile 1950 race circuit.
As organized road racing began with the 1950 Elkhart Lake Road Races, the drivers of that year were the first and only ones to have the opportunity to charge this first turn.
Weāve all heard or know of the story of how it all began. How Chicago Region member and Wisconsin native Jim Kimberly brought a group up to the Elkhart Lake area searching for a suitable site for a race circuit.
In the coming months, as part of our celebration of āSeven Decades of Motorsportsā we will be showcasing the Historic Markers placed around the original race circuit on the public roads in Elkhart Lake.
The following is the seventh in a series of articles recalling highlights from the Region’s beginnings through the first 50 years. This was written by Bernie & Norm Koglin with input from Fred Wacker, Bud Seaverns, and Burdie Martin to name a few.
The following is the sixth in a series of articles recalling highlights from the Region’s beginnings through the first 50 years. This was written by Bernie & Norm Koglin with input from Fred Wacker, Bud Seaverns, and Burdie Martin to name a few.