Road America: The Hawk with Brian Redman Vintage Racing Classic returns to Road America

Contact: John Ewert

Communications Director

O: (920) 893-4206

jewert@roadamerica.com

THE HAWK WITH BRIAN REDMAN VINTAGE RACING CLASSIC RETURNS TO ROAD AMERICA

– One of the Largest Vintage Race Events Recalls a Sensational Era –

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., July 9, 2014 – Vintage racing enthusiasts are already beginning their annual trek back to Road America to celebrate the beauty and performance of some of the world’s greatest racecars during The HAWK with Brian Redman vintage racing classic, July 17-20.

For those unaware, The HAWK with Brian Redman is one of the largest vintage race events in the United States. With over 50 different classes of vintage cars racing in 13 groups throughout the weekend, and with over 400 cars expected to participate there will be no shortage of spectacular racing. This year’s featured marque will be the Ford Mustang in celebration of Mustang’s 50th anniversary.

Also celebrating it’s 48th anniversary that weekend will be the famed CAN-AM race which will showcase a Historic CAN-AM group featuring cars from 1965-1974. Other races running during the weekend include an F-5000 race, historic

Formula 1 race, and a historic pre-war race.

Road America also plans to host a reunion to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Cheetah. This gathering will include the largest collection of Cheetahs in one location as several historic and modern Cheetahs are expected to be on display and in competition. Bill Thomas III, son of the original builder of the Cheetah, will serve as the Cheetah celebration host.

For those who are unfamiliar with the legendary racecar, the Cheetah is the creation of California car builder Bill Thomas II and was introduced to the sports car race scene in 1964. The Cro-Sal Special Cheetah, named for mechanic Gene Crowe, and its original owner/driver, Ralph Salyer, won the 1964 June Sprints at Road America. The Cheetah became widely popular due to its unique shape and high power-to-weight ratio, which allowed it to be very competitive during the 1964 and 1965 race seasons. There were less than 25 original Cheetah cars built and only a few of these cars are still in existence. Revered by vintage racers and collectors, the Cheetah name now lives on due to events such as the HAWK with Brian Redman. Drivers Bob Boyce and Brian Garcia have successfully campaigned their modern Cheetahs at Road America in recent years and a handful of others make appearances at tracks across the country.

“We are very excited to have The HAWK with Brian Redman here again because this event has become an annual tradition for hundreds of racers and thousands of fans each year,” said George Bruggenthies, president and general manager of Road America. “Road America is also proud to host a celebration for the Mustang with a racer’s reunion, races for club and pro series-vintage, historic and contemporary racers. Plus the special Cheetah reunion and the Nationwide Insurance Concours d’elegance with expert and people’s choice awards, track touring, parade laps and a vendor marketplace make the 2014 HAWK with Brian Redman an event that everyone of all ages can enjoy.”

The festivities kick off on Thursday, July 17, with gates opening at 7 a.m. Test sessions begin at 8 a.m., and run throughout the entire day. On Friday the on track action resumes with practice sessions in the morning and qualifying sessions in the afternoon. Friday evening, the tiny village of Elkhart Lake will spring to life with a blend of art-on-wheels as over 100 racecars will parade from the track to downtown Elkhart Lake for judging and spectator viewing beginning at 6 p.m., for the Nationwide Insurance Concours d’Elegance. Fans will have the opportunity to register to win a fully restored 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback at the concours as part of the News radio 620 WTMJ / Valenti Classics Free Ride Sweepstakes. The car will be on display at the Osthoff resort on the front lawn near the gazebo from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday qualifying resumes in the morning for all groups. Then in the afternoon racing gets underway with qualifying races for each group. Over 100 sports cars will then gather again on Saturday evening in downtown Elkhart Lake from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the second night of the Nationwide Insurance Concours d’Elegance.

On Sunday, the featured racing begins at 10:30 a.m. with historic production cars. Races are held until 12:15 p.m., when the Nationwide Insurance Concours d’Elegance awards for Best Street and Racecar; Best of Show and the People’s Choice award are announced. The rest of the day is filled with exciting feature races for each group and a special Mustangs only race is on the schedule as part of the 50th anniversary tribute. Other fan attractions include free admission for Mustang owners and their driver on Sunday only, autograph sessions, an automotive art and vendor fair, on-track touring presented by Associated Bank, and public go-karting at the Blain’s Farm & Fleet Motorplex.

Tickets are available online or during the event at the gate. Additional information is available at www.roadamerica.com or by calling 800-365-RACE (7223). All races run rain or shine and kids 12 and under are free with an adult. Parking and paddock access is also free.

About Road America: Established in 1955 as the first permanent road racing course in the United States, Road America is located midway between Milwaukee and Green Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The world’s best racers have competed at this legendary four-mile, 14-turn road circuit for over 55 years. The 640-acre, park-like grounds offer amazing viewing opportunities, fantastic concessions and high-speed excitement to hundreds of thousands of spectators each year. In addition to public race weekends, Road America offers a variety of group event programs, the Blain’s Farm & Fleet Motorplex for karting and supermoto, and the Road America Motorcycle and Advanced Driving Schools. For more information, visit www.roadamerica.com Follow Road America on www.facebook.com/RoadAmerica and on Twitter: @roadamerica or call 800-365-7223.