Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14
Road America N7390 WI-67 Elkhart Lake, WI 53073
Year Opened: 1955
Capacity: 150,000
Summer Speed in Dairyland
The summer of racing at Road America includes numerous events for the race fans to attend; a popular one for fans to attend is Trans Am weekend. Held over the past few years as a standalone event, this weekend features the likes of International GT, FRP, and PSSA. While not as popular as other track events at Road America, this one is no less worth a visit.
Food & Beverage 5
There are a lot of places to eat at Road America, and the ones that exist are an absolute treat for the pallet. With over 20 concession stands located around the course, Road America is led by The Gearbox, a hillside stand and bar that features some of the best views on the property, as well as the best food around. Being in Wisconsin you can get the best cheese and sausage foods there, as well as a brilliantly tasty breakfast food called eggers.
Atmosphere 5
The atmosphere around Road America during race weekend is very family-friendly and relaxed – the best in the sport are taking part in some of the most exciting racing around, and despite the tension of the competition, everyone – including the teams and drivers – is in a relaxed and fun-loving mood. There is just something about the beauty of the countryside and the forests around the premises that put everyone in a go-racing-and-enjoy-every-minute-of-it state of mind.
In addition, the quality of the on-track action is enough to make any fan excited to see what happens around the next corner. The excitement fills the air every time a car takes to the track, be it for practice, qualifying, or a race. Road America also features some of the cleanest racetrack bathrooms anywhere. Add to that the incredible track store and the free fan shuttle that can take you around the various viewing areas, and you have a solid basis for calling this one of the best tracks around.
In 2024 the track also debuted a new walking and golf cart path around the outside of Canada Corner, which leads to the bottom of the hill where grandstands can be found. New signage is also featured throughout the track, with the track layout carved into metal slats around the bases.
Neighborhood 4
The area around Road America is exactly what you would expect to find in rural Wisconsin – rolling hills, farmland, forests, and small towns. The town of Elkhart Lake is quaint and small but is seething with racing history and lore. Famed racing announcer David Hobbs calls this area home, and the fans here are all die-hards who watch everything that happens on the track.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay near Road America, there are a wide variety of small bed-and-breakfasts to pick from in and around Elkhart Lake, as well as some cabins that can make you feel like you’re roughing it…sort of. In addition, the town of Sheboygan is only 20-30 minutes away by car, providing fans a chance to stay in a hotel chain of their choice – Holiday Inn, La Quinta, etc. are all located in Sheboygan.
If you’re looking for something to eat, Sheboygan has a wide variety of restaurants, from Applebee’s to McDonald’s. But by far the most must-see eatery near Road American is the Stop-Inn Tavern at Siebkens Resort in Elkhart Lake, a local bar that all of racing royalty has passed through at some time or another.
And, for those looking for something else to see and do, the Kettle-Moraine State Forest is not far from the track, providing some great hiking options. In addition, the Kohler factory is in nearby Sheboygan, and Road America’s location is just a 30-minute drive from the Great Lakes.
Fans 3
Fans at Road America are much like those in the rest of the Midwest – die-hard and series-knowledgeable. They’re also absurdly kind and sweet, willing to help in any way possible when you need assistance with something. They also pack the camping areas around the speedway, making for one brilliant fan block party. While not as popular as IMSA or IndyCar weekends, Trans Am’s weekend at Road America is no less filled with its fair share of motorsports faithful.
Access 4
Getting to Road America isn’t as difficult as getting to some sports facilities. That said, it is off the beaten path – at least a 10-minute drive from the nearest highway, Road America requires you to drive down some single-lane roads through the hilly countryside.
Once you’re at Road America, you may discover there are several other entrances to the track that you didn’t even know about, which can be frustrating if you have to wait in line for hours; check the fan map of the venue before you go to identify these alternate gates and entrances.
The biggest plus at Road America is that the main entrance had a complete makeover in 2016, adding more entrance booths for faster processing of fans and campers.
Return on Investment 5
Road America is one of the best tracks at which you can watch a race. The facility is huge, but you are given plenty of options to watch the race without having to move from place to place. Watching from the right location can give you up to six corners of the track to see all at once, and you also get access to the grandstands all around the track, as well as access to the paddock, with your admission ticket to most races.
Extras 3
You can take a trip to Elkhart Lake just a few miles away, and follow the original track layouts through historic markers along the roadside. Before it had its current layout, Road America was once a true street course, running through Elkhart Lake itself, as well as over the hills on the various roadways in the nearby area.
Back at the track, where once a zip line ended now stands a high vantage point for fans to watch the action at the track from, inside the final turn. The former zip line landing platform is now a giant viewing zone, and while you may have to climb a lot of stairs to get there, the view is well worth it. Additionally, if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at racing, you can sign up for racing school at the track.
For those who can’t peel their eyes away from their mobile devices, you can also engage with the race on social media, seeing your photos and tweets on the various big screens around Road America by using specific hashtags and handles on Twitter and Instagram.
And if treetop views and social media aren’t your thing, you can also take a wandering hike through the forest on several pathways that meander through the mountains above Kettle Bottoms and Canada Corner – these trails lead from the top of the peak to the bottom of a newly-cleared pathway along the infamous straightaway.
Final Thoughts
If you want to see racing history and meet modern-day sports stars, take a trip to Road America – you will not be disappointed by what you find here. For those who want to go a step above that, go camping on the property during race weekend; the fans are nice, the action is top quality, and the weather is almost always beautiful.
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