A 65 Year Tradition Continues as the WeatherTech® Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints® Return to Road America June 12-14
ELKHART LAKE, Wis., June 3, 2020 – Winning the WeatherTech® Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints® at Road America has been every sports car driver’s dream since the thrilling first event many years ago. This year new thrills and memories have yet to be made as generations of racers and their families will return to the June 12-14 for their chance at glory as Road America, and the June Sprints celebrate 65 years of racing.
This year, over 400 sports car drivers are scheduled to compete at the June Sprints, which is the first trophy stop to win amateur racing’s most prestigious title, the Triple Crown® of Racing. To earn this title, competitors must win in their class at the June Sprints, win their respective divisional title and win at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs.
Over the course of the four day event the fan-friendly paddock will be loaded with racers fielding a huge variety of cars from Corvettes and Mustangs, to open-wheel formula cars, historic Triumphs and Austin Healeys; even Toyotas, Mazdas and BMWs. A lap around Road America’s 4.048-mile circuit offers the ultimate thrill for any sports car racer due to its 14 turns, three high-speed straights and 170′ of elevation changes. For many of the competitors, it’s an opportunity to follow in the racing lines of legends.
With so many types of cars, groups and categories the WeatherTech® Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints® schedule can be somewhat intimidating to the average race fan. Here’s a guide that will help make sense of what to expect on track.
The Touring category consists of late model, production vehicles a step beyond Showroom Stock in preparation level. They are listed as Touring 1 (T1), Touring 2 (T2), Touring 3 (T3) and last Touring 4 (T4), where you’ll find fast and exotic sports cars pushed to the limit.
The Spec Miata (SM) class is intended to provide the opportunity to compete in low cost, production-based cars with limited modifications, suitable for racing competition. The rules are intentionally designed to be more open than the Touring class but more restricted than the Super Touring class. Mazda Miatas from 1990-2005 are eligible.
The Sedan category or American Sedan® (AS), is comprised of Chevrolet Camaros, Pontiac Firebirds and GTOs, and Ford Mustangs, on production-based chassis with modified suspensions and brakes.
Super Touring® was designed to allow late-model production-based cars, like those found in Touring, more extensive modifications, including wings, and in some instances, engine swaps. This includes Super Touring Under (STU) and Super Touring Lite (STL) – with smaller cars like the Mazda Miata in STL.
The Production category allows a range of performance modifications while retaining their original design, structure and drive layout. There is no age limit, so Production includes cars as old as 50 years and as new as current body styles. The three performance potential based classes include: E Production (EP), F Production (FP) and H Production (HP).
Grand Touring Category or (GT) cars are purpose-built, highly modified “silhouette” replicas of series-produced sports sedans. GT cars are permitted tube-frame chassis with performance being equalized by allowing cars with smaller engines to compete at a lighter weight. GT-1 cars are the fastest of the category, and many cars have run in the Trans-Am® series. GT-2, GT-3 and GT-Lite cars get progressively lighter and less powerful.
The eight Formula classes all feature single-seat, open-wheel racecars. They are built to detailed specifications for weight, size and engine displacement. There are incredible power to weight ratios in each class and the eight classes in order of fastest to slowest are: Formula Atlantic® (FA), Formula 1000 (FB), Formula Continental® (FC), Formula Enterprises (FE), Formula Mazda (FM), Formula F (FF), Formula 500 (F500) and Formula Vee® (FV).
So there you have it, everything from showroom stock to highly modified purpose-built race cars are schedule to fill four days of practice, qualifying and racing at this year’s June Sprints. With Road America’s park-like setting, trackside viewing, up-close access to drivers and teams, and legendary cuisine appealing to drivers and fans alike, it’s no wonder the WeatherTech® Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints® remains one of the nation’s premier amateur sports car racing events.
As part of its commitment to honoring America’s heroes, Road America will also provide free admission to all active, reserve-duty military and veterans with ID all weekend during the WeatherTech® Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints®.
The event will also be open to fans and daily admission to the June Sprints is $25 Friday, and $35 each for Saturday and Sunday.
Fans have three quick, convenient methods to buy tickets:
Online: Visit www.roadamerica.com Tickets are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Print your tickets to save time and enjoy a contactless experience at the gates.
Phone: Call 800-365-RACE or 920-892-4576 between 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday.
In-Person: Visit the Road America Ticket Office at the Road America Administration Building off of State Highway 67 (Gate 6) between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday.
Gates open at 7 a.m. and races run rain or shine. For more information, call 800-365-RACE (7223) or visit www.roadamerica.com
Anyone 16-years-old and under are always FREE with a paying adult at the gate.
Everyone is encouraged to follow safe practices at Road America during the event, such as social distancing (maintaining six feet from others), frequent hand washing, or using one of the many new sanitizer stations located throughout the facility. Cloth face coverings are encouraged in areas where social distancing is difficult.
For additional details on Road America’s Active Measures Against COVID-19, fans are encouraged to check out its website at www.roadamerica.com/safety
