Driver dies at Road America

A race-car driver killed Friday in a crash at Road America has been identified as Surjit Hermon, a 61-year-old radiologist from Sterling, Ill.

Hermon crashed shortly after 2 p.m. during a practice session for this weekend's Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival Races, said Road America spokeswoman Julie Sebranek. His 1957 Eastlake 11 was pulling out of turn 13 when he lost control and struck a disabled car that had pulled off the track, Sebranek said.

Hermon was taken by ambulance to St. Nicholas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, said Coroner David Leffin. Cause of death was blunt force trauma to the neck and chest.

The driver of the second car was treated at the track and released.

Hermon was a member of the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association and participated in the group's races throughout the Midwest, Sebranek said. He is the second member of the association killed in a raceway crash in just over a month, following the death of a 71-year-old Illinois man in an Aug. 16 race in Michigan.

About 300 vintage and historic race cars are on hand for the Vintage Festival Races, which includes races Saturday and today. The 23rd annual event is staged by the vintage association, and this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Austin-Healey Sprite. Sheboygan Press