Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Elkhart Lake Road Race Circuits

Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010

1. Elkhart Lake Road Race Circuits Marker

Inscription.

Elkhart Lake Road Race Circuits. . , The Village of Elkhart Lake and the roads surrounding Elkhart Lake hosted open-road sports car racing in 1950, 1951 and 1952. The races were sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America, organized by SCCA members Jim Kimberly, C. Bayard Sheldon, Karl Brocken and Fred Wacker. Bank president James Johnson, fire chief Ray Kramer, resort owner Ollie Siebken Moeller and dozens of volunteers provided local support. The inaugural races were held with great success on Sunday, July 23, 1950, around a 3.35 mile circuit on what are now CTHs P, J and JP. Thirty-three cars were entered in four races and as many as 15,000 spectators arrived for the event. The race circuit was expanded in 1951 to a 6.5 mile circuit running thru the Village on Gottfried and Lake Streets and around the lake on CTHs AJ, A, P and J. Two races were held on Sunday, August 26. The events drew 98 entries with attendance estimated at 75,000. The 1952 races, run over the same circuit, were held on September 6 and 7 and featured three races. A total of 238 cars were entered and attendance was estimated at 130,000. No admission fee was ever charged and revenue to offset expenses came entirely from program sales and parking fees. European sports cars gave the races a decidely international flavor. Allards, Ferraris, Jaguars, and MGs dueled with American-made Cunninghams for racing supremacy with each taking home its share of glory. Sports car racing legends Briggs Cunningham, Jim Kimberly, John Fitch, Phil Walters, Fred Wacker and Formula One world champion Phil Hill all raced here and left their mark. Although open-road racing ended after 1952, momentum from the open road events lead to the establishment of Road America in 1955. Road America and the Elkhart Lake area continue to draw sports car enthusiasts from around the world. , Donated by the Milwaukee Region , Sports Car Club of America , Listed on the National Register of Historic Places , February 17, 2006. , Wisconsin Historical Society.

The Village of Elkhart Lake and the roads surrounding Elkhart Lake hosted open-road sports car racing in 1950, 1951 and 1952. The races were sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America, organized by SCCA members Jim Kimberly, C. Bayard Sheldon, Karl Brocken and Fred Wacker. Bank president James Johnson, fire chief Ray Kramer, resort owner Ollie Siebken Moeller and dozens of volunteers provided local support. The inaugural races were held with great success on Sunday, July 23, 1950, around a 3.35 mile circuit on what are now CTHs P, J and JP. Thirty-three cars were entered in four races and as many as 15,000 spectators arrived for the event. The race circuit was expanded in 1951 to a 6.5 mile circuit running thru the Village on Gottfried and Lake Streets and around the lake on CTHs AJ, A, P and J. Two races were held on Sunday, August 26. The events drew 98 entries with attendance estimated at 75,000. The 1952 races, run over the same circuit, were held on September 6 and 7 and featured three races. A total of 238 cars were entered and attendance was estimated at 130,000. No admission fee was ever charged and revenue to offset expenses came entirely from program sales and parking fees. European sports cars gave the races a decidely international flavor. Allards, Ferraris, Jaguars,

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and MGs dueled with American-made Cunninghams for racing supremacy with each taking home its share of glory. Sports car racing legends Briggs Cunningham, Jim Kimberly, John Fitch, Phil Walters, Fred Wacker and Formula One world champion Phil Hill all raced here and left their mark. Although open-road racing ended after 1952, momentum from the open road events lead to the establishment of Road America in 1955. Road America and the Elkhart Lake area continue to draw sports car enthusiasts from around the world.

Donated by the Milwaukee Region
Sports Car Club of America
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
February 17, 2006.
Wisconsin Historical Society

Erected 2006 by the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Milwaukee Region Sports Car Club of America. (Marker Number 506.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 17, 2006.

Location. 43° 49.972′ N, 88° 1.095′ W. Marker is in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, in Sheboygan County. Marker is at the intersection of South Lake Street and Square Street, on the right when traveling

Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010

2. Elkhart Lake Road Race Circuits Marker

south on South Lake Street. Marker is at Lake Street Café Beer Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 Lake Street, Elkhart Lake WI 53020, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of the Bank of Elkhart Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); 1951–52 Start/Finish (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Hard Left (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ted's Turn (approx. ¼ mile away); The Lake Street Walkway (approx. ¼ mile away); Peck's Alley (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Briggs' Bend (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkhart Lake.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Elkhart Lake Road Races

Also see . . .
1. Elkhart Lake Road Racing – 1950-1952. Elkhart Lake website entry (Submitted on June 30, 2010.)

2. Road America Road Racing. Road America Website homepage (Submitted on June 30, 2010.)

Historical Marker Along Circuit image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, June 19, 2010

3. Historical Marker Along Circuit

Schoolhouse Straight – County Road A County roads J, P, JP, A, and Lake Street are listed in the State and National Register of Historic Places #06000053.

Road America Main Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, August 17, 2011

4. Road America Main Gate

After a car left the road at Watkins Glen in 1952, killing one spectator and injuring several others, the U.S. ruled to discontinue motorized contests of speed on public highways. Road America, a private track, meant a transition from racing through the streets of Elkhart Lake to racing on a dedicated race track.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,382 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on April 16, 2022, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 30, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on August 21, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.