ALMS and Champ Car combo at Road America
The Generac 500, featuring the American Le Mans Series, will mark another track first with its four-hour format and twilight finale on Saturday. The series features prototype and production-based sports cars from the world's most elite auto manufacturers. At Road America these cars reach average qualifying speeds in excess of 133 mph for prototypes and 120 mph for production-based GT cars. Historically, finishing times within classes have margins less than 0.4 seconds and three of the 10 closest overall finishes in the series' history have occurred at Road America.
The turbo-charged cars of the Champ Car World Series race on Sunday in the Generac Grand Prix. Three drivers are embroiled in the title hunt: three-time champion Sebastien Bourdais leads the way followed by young upstarts Robert Doornbos and Will Power. Road America's natural road course with 14 turns and changing elevations offers many unique challenges for these drivers who race on several tight street courses. Fans will get to see the season's new DP01 cars crest the hill on the front straight at speeds faster than 190 mph.
The track is hot Thursday through Sunday with practices, qualifying sessions and support series races. On Saturday, the Generac 500-American Le Mans race starts a 4 p.m. Pre-race festivities include music by the UW-Madison marching band and a flyover by the Trojan Horsemen, a six-ship T-28 Warbird Formation Team. Fireworks will conclude the winner's circle activities at the end of the four-hour race. Sunday's Generac Champ Car Grand Prix starts at 2 p.m. Pre-race activities include music by the Groove Hogs, a Corvette Parade and a double-A10 flyover. Concession karting will also be available throughout the weekend on the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex.
On Friday at 6:30 p.m. local cyclists, racecar drivers, race fans, families, and cancer survivors will tune up their bicycles for the annual Tour de Road America benefiting Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). The ride is open to cyclists of all abilities and all kinds of bikes. For auto racing fans, it's a chance to ride along side their racing heroes from the American Le Mans, Champ Car, and Atlantics series. For avid cyclists, it's a rare opportunity to challenge the hills and turns of the circuit. Registration details for the Tour de Road America are available at www.pelotonride.org. Pre-registered participants will receive a T-shirt, water bottle and Cytomax Sport Drink. On-site registration is scheduled for August 10 at the LAF booth near the 4-Mile Merchant.
In support of the Salvation Army Food program, the track is offering $10 off one daily admission ticket with a $5 donation of non-perishable food items. Parking, paddock access, grandstand seating, fan forums and autographs sessions are free. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Gates open at 7 a.m. For more information, go to www.roadamerica.com or call 800/365-7223. Road America PR