Officials Park
By Steve Laske
On October 4, 2024 the Chicago Region SCCA and Road America dedicated Officials Park located at the center of the main paddock just to the southwest of the traffic circle. This site was chosen because of its proximity to the locations race officials would gather and park their cars. When Road America first opened in 1955 the center of all activities took place at the south end of the paddock at the Pagoda. Race officials would meet and park their vehicles in the grassy area between the Pagoda and St. Johns concession stand (now Parker Johns). As race operations grew over the years the area just south of the then souvenir stand (now the Paddock Shop) became the new parking area known as Official Park. This area was used for parking into the 1990’s. In 1991, following the removal of the Pagoda, and expansion of the paddock changes were necessary.
A new washroom building was constructed in the area known as Official Park and soon followed by the current medical building. Official Park was no more. With this change many of the race officials parked behind the media / race control building, others in areas in and around the paddock that met their needs for the race weekend. As part of the recognition of this area, therein lies the play in words / twist of tongue (if you will) with the name, “Officials Park” paying homage to the many race event officials over the many years that gathered in this area.
Thank you, to all that were able to join us at Road America on the first day of race competition for the 2024 Sports Car Club of America Runoffs Championship. This day seemed appropriate to celebrate this dedication event as we remember the people and part of our history here at Road America.
Three stone benches mark the location of Officials Park, the first bench identifies the location. The second bench with the following inscription reads “Chicago Region SCCA and Road America wish to thank and recognize founding Chicago Region members Fred Wacker Jr., Jim Kimberly, Dave Garroway and C. Bayard Sheldon for their desire and motivation to bring sports car road racing to Elkhart Lake in 1950.”
Fred Wacker, The Chicago Region’s founder and first Regional Executive, and later served as president of the Sports Car Club of America in 1952. Jim Kimberly, Chicago Region Member and also served as president of SCCA in 1956. Dave Garroway, radio and television personality and sports car enthusiast. These three individuals were among the group that found this area of the Kettle Moraine and Elkhart Lake as a site for road racing. Last but certainly not least, C. Bayard Sheldon, the Chicago Region’s first Activities Chairman whom Fred Wacker tasked to negotiate an agreement with the business leaders of Elkhart Lake to conduct a road race in their town. Without their drive and desire to bring sports car racing to Elkhart Lake in 1950 none of this would have happened. The Chicago Region SCCA and Road America thought it proper to recognize these gentlemen for what they accomplished.
The third bench with the following inscription reads, “Thank you to the Sports Car Club of America race officials and volunteers who have supported road races at Road America from the first SCCA National Road Race in September 1955 to present. Thank you for your time and commitment. Road racing at Road America could not have happened without you.”
Chicago Region and Road America thought it imperative to recognize all the race officials and volunteers, not just those that helped and supported the beginnings of Road America with Clif Tufte, but all of those that followed from Chicago Region and all of the surrounding SCCA Regions. Without their commitment, drive and desire none of this would have happened and lasted all of these years.
On behalf of Road America and the Chicago Region Sports Car Club of America, our Regional Executive Roger Vilmur, and our Board of Directors, I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved with this recognition project from Road America and the Chicago Region. This would not have happened without your support.
R. Steven Laske
Chicago Region SCCA
Past Regional Executive 1987 and 1991
