ALMS @ Road America - PICTURES

If you see a Mondial 3.2 Cab on the track side of the fence that's me. (If the weather isn't terrible and I don't get yelled at for parking there again.) I'll be working that weekend as a volunteer corner worker - hopefully at corners 8 & 9. Not much time to socialize, but you can't get any closer to the action. I hope to see a few F-Chatters out during the track touring sessions, and maybe at Siebkens for a drink in the evenings.

 

BTW - if the wife and kids get bored (mine always seem to) they could swim at Fireman's Park on Elkhart Lake, rent bicycles there and go for a ride, or go to Blue Harbor in Sheboygan for the water park. On Saturdays in Elkhart Lake they also have a nice little Farmer's Market with food and crafts and stuff, and there is a great little trout fishing farm outside of town that is fun if you have little ones.

 

Should be another great ALMS race. They have several new cars including
the Aston's and a Ford GT. I hope the Maserati MC12 comes back.
The Speedvision cars are also very nice. They practice on Friday/Saturday
and race on Sunday. I love the Saturday night ALMS race idea. It was a great race last year.

TT

 

I'll be going and I even got a press pass for photography! Should be fun.

Carol and her husband from the racing section (jknight) are coming as well. Looking forward to meet some true die-hard fans.
Carol sent me the link to the schedule:
http://www.americanlemans.com/Events/Generac500atRoadAmericapresentedbyTimeWarnerCable/2008/Schedule.pdf

I'm a total newbie when it comes to ALMS, but I heard there are a couple Ferraris in it...

 

I'll be there, the photo meetings suck!

 

I figured as much. But to be able to buy a press pass just for money was a chance I couldn't let go by. I love this country! I really mean it.

 

Last year the meetings were bad because of no A/C for a room with 50 people the size of a small classroom. But, there are definite rules given out...

 

As Andreas says in an earlier post, yes, John and I will be there Friday and Saturday. We attend many of the ALMS races and like this track. Per the link to the schedule that Andreas posted, qualifying is Friday from 3-3:20 for GT cars; 3:30-3:50 for P cars. I really prefer this type of qualifying - 20 minutes ... you are either on or you're not. We watched qualifying last year from Canada Corner (great place, lots of action). If you don't make it Friday, be there early Saturday. The BMW race can be entertaining, there's qualifying for SPEED Touring and GT (the touring guys are a heck of a racing bunch!), ALMS warm-up later in the morning. You can browse the vendors, walk through the paddock gawking at all the cars and the autograph session is from 1-2. The lines are normally quite lengthy for Audi, Corvette and Penske - advise you to be standing in line at the respective transporters about 12:30. They will have cards they sign and will sign anything else you drag along. At 3:15 the pre-race festivities commence - after the cars go out on the track and line up in qualifying positions on the grid . . the grid is open to the public for about 20 or so minutes where you can walk among the cars, teams, drivers (in some cases)... just remember when "Hindy" says clear the grid, it's time to go! Andreas can get into the podium area I'm sure with his photo pass, the rest of us can stand up again the chain link fence to cheer for our guys. (Might want to mention to your wife to not wear sandals).

Looks like Bell is back on the list for GT1 after their shunt at Lime Rock. The MC-12 is not running again this year as it did last year. The Falken Ford GT (went out at Mid-Ohio with electrical problems) is colorful but unfortunely neither Ford GT is very competitive against the RSR's and 430's. Aston running in GT1 is Drayson/Barwell - Lord Paul Drayson is a very nice guy who was the former British Defence Minister as I recall.

We're doing the Audi Experience there again - this year we'll be at Area 1 - Enjoying the view of Turn 14, up the main straight, and the entrance to the pits. Area 1 or North Paddock, is located just below Competition Paddock. When I last checked there's still openings - www.audiexp.com

Hope to see everyone there.

Carol

 

I'll be up there on Saturday night pulling for Risi!

 

Not at all. You stay on I-94 (or whatever it becomes after Milwaukee) until the Kohler exit. That takes you to Erie, which leads right into town. No construction anywhere.

 

There is no such thing as traffic in Sheboygan.....

 

Can't wait for this we, wife and I go every year. Question... On race day is there a place where the Ferrari guys will park or is everyone just scattered around the track? Half the fun for us is walking around and looking at all the cool cars.

 

Downtown is rough as they are just finishing up the Marquette Interchange but isn't too bad. Just take I-94 north (becomes I-43 north of Milwaukee). I take 43 north to 57, take that to County J (left turn), right on 67 and go for a bit, you are right there.

 

usually there's an Audi corral area, Corvette area and Porsche area at the events

Carol

 

Thanks Carol. I'm familar with those areas anything for the Ferrari?

 

No.

LOL

So true. Which makes it very peaceful and relaxing.

 

Well the weather look great for this week. Should be mostly sunny and
cooler. Cant wait to get up to Road America. I hope the Aston's put on a good show against the C6R's.

Tom Tanner

 

JMHO, but the Lake Street Cafe has become sort of a must go to place in Elkhart Lake for me. Great food in the bar, and a whole different level in the dining room. Try the Escargot Cassoulet appetizer - it's incredible. Follow that with the Tenderloin Shiraz or the Stuffed Veal Chop and I assure you you will be amazed you're in a small town in Wisconsin. And don't forget the wine list, it's well above par as well. (I must admit that for some reason I've never tried the Paddock Club, so that might be good as well.) If you're more in the mood for a burger and a beer though, eat in the bar and don't skip the Cuban Quesadilla - It's great.

Also, if you're looking for breakfast, there is a joint next to the gas station in town on Rhine St. that has great homestyle eggs, hashbrowns, and pancake type breakfasts. Nothing fancy, just as much coffee as you can drink and reasonably priced and plentiful food. I apologize that I can't remember the name, but it's next to what I remember as the only gas station just outside of town.

Also - the old Grainery grocery store has a great cheese selection. Some really nice stuff - way beyond the typical curds and cheddar. A great place to stock up on some snacks.

Ok, you all probably already knew all of this, but I really look forward to getting up to Elkhart Lake a few times a year and these are just a few of the places that make it special. At least for me.

 

I am really sad, but it's my grandma's 50th wedding anniversary so I can't really miss that. There's always next year though!

 

Hi,

This event was a blast. Not quite as familiar with the Ferrari models, but I think this was entry based on the F430.
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Which btw also won the 24 hours of Le Mans this year...

 

Great race weekend!!! The weather was perfect. The new GT1 and GT2 Aston's were nice, but the Ferrari should have won GT2.


TT