Road America Hosts Ribbon Cutting

Road America hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Paddock Shop and Fan Engagement Center today. The new building is centrally located in the paddock to serve as a focal point where visitors may gather, shop and learn about Road America's history. The center also offers areas for variable use and many new entertainment amenities plus it will be open year round.

Built on the site of the previous Paddock Shop, the 7,500 square foot upper level of the new building stretches 100 feet along the midway with easy access to the paddock and Road America's new winner's circle. Once inside, visitors will have the opportunity to experience an exciting mix of fan engagement features, and retail items.

Road America executives collaborated with McMAHON and Associates and Quasius to integrate the look of the improvements with the traditional Road America architecture around the facility.

In addition to its many offerings for fans and visitors, the center will be used to host special events. "The building's versatility is its greatest quality, and it's a perfect addition to our facility," said George Bruggenthies, president and general manager of Road America. "What you will see in the new building is the historical essence of Road America but with an additional 7,500 square feet of space on the lower level that is perfect for hosting special events and so much more."

In addition to the new Paddock Shop and Fan Engagement Center, Road America added a new main gate featuring impressive stonework and information screens while allowing fans easy access to the facility. A new winner's circle complete with a 16 x 10 foot screen and backdrop also graces the paddock and allows fans to get the rare opportunity to experience all the victory festivities near a structure that honors the old Pagoda of earlier years.

All of the exterior design elements of the new retail center, main gate and winner's circle follow suit with Road America's rural branding as it is applied elsewhere on the property.

"Our hope is to attract individuals and families from across the nation and enhance their visit, because as we like to say at Road America, come for the experience and stay for the race," Bruggenthies concluded.