Christmas Arrives Early For Roady Fans!!!
Written by George Katinger · November 29, 2005
Yes road racing fans, the gift of which I refer to is the return to the Champ Car schedule of the Road America course at Elkhart Lake next year. Sweeeet!
speedtv.com: Road America In, Las Vegas Out on Champ Car’s 2006 Schedule
Lasvegassun.com: Champ Car returning to Wisconsin, dropping Las Vegas race
cart-racing.com: Road America replaces Las Vegas
sportbusiness.com: CHAMP CAR ENJOYS EXPOSURE BOOST
montereyherald.com: Champ Car looking strong
Speculation continues to run rampant amongst the factions of open wheel partisans that support the IRL, along the line of “Where’s the money coming from”, and “What’s to be positive about if you’re a Champ fan”? Well folks, this one item for sure!
CC officials announced the return to the ‘06 schedule of one of the greatest road racing venues anywhere on the planet, Road America at Elkhart Lake. And about time, too. Allthough it’s been off the calendar for only a year it feels like longer. How the boys from OWRS are financing this deal, or expect to cover costs is beyond me. Even if Kevin and Jerry have to dig a wee bit more cash from the larder for this one, it’s worth the risk. It marks the return of the series to one of the great circuits that CC should be all about.
Sure, temporary street courses are great for attendance, but with the exception of Long Beach and the new course at Edmonton (actually an airport circuit) they can be tedious to watch, due to the lack of passing opportunities. Not so at Elkhart lake.
The key to this upcoming event is whether the promoters and track owners can find a way to generate attendance, and paying attendance at that. If they can make money, then there will be hope in the future for the return of Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio. Then Champ Car would have claim to three of the four greatest tracks in the U S of A, (Watkins Glen being the 4th).
So next year, all mid-American road racing fans, please plan your vacation around this most important event (Sept. 23rd) for the future of the sport. Who knows, maybe I’ll make my own road trip to that mecca of racing and see you there!
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5 Responses to “Christmas Arrives Early For Roady Fans!!!”
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Can we safely say that Champ Car “craped out in Vegas?”
Whatever money saved by not pumping full the pockets of the Vegas promoters will just be shifted towards Wi.
I agree Elkhart Lake is one the the great venues in the world, not just the States. And if would be nice to see the famous Laguna Seca “corkscrew turn” make a return.
The ONLY news that would have been better would be the return of Laguna Seca.
Elkhart Lake is pretty sweet though!
Champ Car - do your best to keep the classic tracks. Keep reminding people of your history at these historic tracks. Don’t give up the turbos, it’s what separates champ car from tractor racing (IRL)
Always one of my favourites, ditto Laguna Seca!
I wish they would consider a southern venue. Road Atlanta or the new road track in Birmingham would be nice. I hate driving to indy for F1 and only getting endurance racing down here. We need more non oval events open wheel events. Hate living nascar country.
gpmcfall: Both choices excellent.
How about the new road course Don Panoz has built, is it in Georgia? I’ve heard nothing but good things about that circuit also.