Elkhart Lake in the 1950's (n/k/a ROAD AMERICA)
Since I was born and raised in Wisconsin, I have
fond memories of Elkhart Lake and Road America. I attended many events at
Road American in my teens and early 20's and grew to love the track and all that
came with it. I have always dreamed of someday circuiting that course.
I was recently scanning some old family slides
and and came across a number of pictures that my father took in the early
1950's. On each slide was written "Elkhart Lake" together with a brief
identification of the vehicle being pictured. The slides did not indicate
when they were taken, but I was able to narrow the time frame by doing a little
digging.
A quick trip to Wikipedia revealed that the first
road race in Elkhart Lake was organized by the Chicago Region SCCA in 1950.
The start-finish line was on County Road P.
Competitors went north to County Road J, then south into the
Village of Elkhart Lake, and west on what is now County JP (then
called County Highway X), and reconnected with County Road P for
a total distance of 3.3 miles (5.3 km).
For the next two races, in 1951 and 1952, a different course was
used. It was 6.5 miles (10.5 km) long, on County Roads J, A, and
P. To date, one may still drive most of the original courses.
After a tragedy at Watkins Glen in 1952, where
a twelve-year-old was killed, the U.S. ruled to discontinue
contests of speed on public highways. This was a major blow for
competition auto racing and brought the end of a long-standing
tradition. This did not permanently stop road racing, however,
but did shift it to private courses.
In 1955, Cliff Tufte started what is now known
as Road America, in a configuration that has changed little over
the past 50 years. The addition of Road America as a private
track meant a transition from racing through the streets of tiny
Elkhart Lake to racing on a big, wide, dedicated race track.
Many different racing series have had the
occasion to race at Road America. The first was the Sports Car
Club of America on September 10, 1955,
Accordingly the pictures must have been taken between 1950 and
1952. Since one of the photos identifies a 1951 Siata, the pictures must
have been taken in 1951 or 1952.
The description below each picture is the description on the
slide. (The astute observer might question why so many Siatas were
photographed. Curiously, my father purchased a new Siata in 1953, the year
that I was born. I believe it was a Daina Sport. I think my sister might have a photo of that car. I
recall it being a copper-colored coupe.)
10 Little-Known Facts about Siatas (courtesy of
Classic Motorsports Magazine): (1) Siata was to Fiat as Shelby was to
Ford; (2) In June of 1945, Siata Founder, Giorgio Ambrosini financed the
development of the first Ducati motorcycle engine; (3) The best-known
Siata--if there is such a thing--is the 208 series roadster fitted with a
beautiful 2-liter V8 engine. Next is the 750 Spider and then the 1400
Grand Sport; (4) If you want to buy a Ferrari 225 Vignale roadster and
can't find one, you can get essentially the same Michelotti-designed body in a
Siata Gran Sport. It can still be close to a six-figure purchase however;
(5) Siata drivers sit so far back that they can reach over the door and
touch the rear wheel; (6) The Gran Sport's fantastic all-coil-spring setup
was conceived by Fiat designer Dante Giacosa; (7) According to Dick Irish,
who drove a Gran Sport to third overall at the 1952 Sebring 12-hour race against
four Ferraris and three Jaguars, the Siata Gran Sport handles better than any
Ferrari of the era. At Vero Beach, he would go into a corner just barely
leading Bill Spear's 4.1-liter Ferrari and come out 100 yards ahead; (8) The
Gran Sport also won at Palm Springs in 1952, with the great Jack McAfee at the
wheel; (9) Siatas were eclipsed in the smaller displacement classes by the
lighter and more powerful 1.3-liter Alfa Giuliettas and 1.5-liter Porsches.
Even so, nothing could corner like a Siata; and (10) Siata had fallen on
hard times as the '60s came to a close and threw a Hail Mary in 1968 with the
retro-styled, Fiat 850-based Spring. It sold so well that production
couldn't keep up and the company folded in 1970. ORSA acquired the rights
to the Spring and produced it from 1973 through 1976.
"$15,000 Ferrari at Elkhart"
"Alfa Romeo at Elkhart"
"Cad-Allard at Elkhart"
"Rolls Royce at Elkhart"
"Siata 49 at Elkhart" Actually,
this looks like a Siata Rallye, the older brother of the Spring, Based on the
Fiat 1400 and inspired by the MG TD, it was produced from 1951-1958.
"Siata 50 at Elkhart"
"Siata 51 at Elkhart"
This is the puzzler. The slide says "Issatio-Franceni at
Elkhart." I Googled that name and several variations thereof, but was
unable to come up with anything. If you have any insights, please e-mail
the webmaster here.
(Webmaster's Note: The closest guess we have to date is: "Isota Franchini."
Unfortunately, since the person submitting that entry is a member of the
Yellowstone Region, he is not eligible to win the grand prize of an all-expense
paid trip to Road America for the Champ Car race in August. However, that race
has been cancelled anyway.)
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