Kohler International Challenge – Road America, 2011


This past weekend saw the renowned Road America KIC (Kohler International Challenge) take place, with Brian Redman as Grand Marshall.

Although I’ve only raced there once, around ten years ago courtesy of Jim Oppenheimer, Road America remains one of my favorite circuits. Indeed, the only place in Europe that I can compare it to is Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, both of them being fast, demanding tracks that do not forgive slips of the driver’s wrists.

This particular meeting heavily favors Can Am cars from the 1960s and ’70s and there was a very good turnout of them, including around six Lola T70s, to which readers of this website will know I am partial. There was also an excellent turnout of F1 and F5000 (FA in USA) cars.

Su and I arrived on Friday lunchtime and left (very!) early Sunday. We had the chance to wander around and also to take in some of the racing on Saturday. For me, the highlight of this was Peter Kitchak winning his race in his Lola T70 Mk. IIIB coupe, even beating a McLaren M8F in the process! Well done Peter.

The other race to be noted was a special one on Sunday for E Type Jaguars, this being their 50th anniversary. That was ably won by Farrell Preston, with Larry Ligas second, both from Predator Performance in Largo, FL. Well done, both of you.

Back home for a few days but by the time you get to read this, I’ll be in England, going to view the Classic Silverstone race. I am lucky!