2024 VSCDA HEALEY WORLD CHALLENGE INFORMATION
The Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association (VSCDA) will be hosting their annual Ariens Art on Wheels vintage racing fall festival weekend at Road America September 13-15, 2024. This is an incredibly popular event that attracts more than 350 vintage racing competitors! This race weekend will be immediately followed by the Austin Healey Club of America‘s annual Conclave (see https://2024conclave.com/) in Sheboygan, WI.
VSCDA has made Austin Healey the feature marque for that race weekend. The “Healey World Challenge” will feature all Austin Healey races open to race-prepared big Healeys, Sprites, square bodies, Jenson-Healeys, Elliots, Tickfords, Silverstones, etc.
This page provides racers with information regarding the VSCDA “Healey World Challenge” event that may not appear on the VSCDA or the Austin Healey Club of America (AHCA) Healey Conclave websites. Essentially, this is a racer’s user guide, particularly for those racers who have not been to Road America at all or recently.
Please do check the VSCDA website for updates. Updates on the Healey Conclave event can be found on the AHCA Conclave website.
I will continue to update this page with additional information as they become available.
Mike
ROAD AMERICA
Road America is 4.04 miles and features relatively long straights and several high speed turns (see RA website map). Most big Healey’s will top out at around 125 mph on the three main straights. Consider your gearing and transmission selection to capitalize on the long and high speed straights.
Getting There
Road America is located about 1 hour north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and about 2.5 hours north of Chicago, IL. The address to enter into your GPS is N7390 WI-67, Plymouth, WI 53073. Ultimately, get on Highway 67 heading north to Elkhart Lake, WI and then when you see RA, go to Gate 6 which is the competitor entrance.
Competitor Parking for Registration
When you first arrive, go to Gate 6 on Highway 67…this is the competitor entrance. You will drive through the gate and go to the right, passing some equipment buildings on your right and the onsite registration building (can’t miss it…the building says “registration” on top) on your left along the way. You are aiming for the staging area/lot…normally there are RA/VSCDA staff to point the way.
There are times when I needed to arrive the day before registration. I called (RA phone number is ((800) 365-7223) and asked permission to park my trailer in the staging area and RA has been kind enough to allow this. My experience has been that the trailer can spend the night, the crew and driver cannot.
Onsite Registration
Check the VSCDA website to see when onsite competitor registration is open. When you arrive park in the staging lot (see above) and walk back to the registration building which you passed on the way to the staging lot. Go through onsite competitor registration when you arrive to get your parking passes, wristbands, add crew to your list, etc.
As part of the onsite competitor registration, VSCDA typically provides 2 vehicle passes for each competitor. You will have to show a vehicle pass and your competitor wrist band (all of these things received at onsite competitor registration) to security to enter the track.
Paddock Parking
There are several paddocks available to racers. The lower paddock (North) is grass with asphalt access roads and can accommodate big rigs but it doesn’t have hook ups. The middle paddock (just South of the Gearbox food area) also has asphalt access roads with parking on the grass, again no hookups. The upper paddock (the furthest south when looking at a map) area is mainly asphalt and well suited to larger rigs, RVs, semi trailers, etc. Some of the spots have electrical hookups, etc.
RV Dump Sites
For those of you who have RVs, it may be helpful to know that RA has 2 RV dump sites for such needs for a small price (around $10) for each use.
Tents
Getting cover from the sun and rain can be important. Big racing teams will of course have the large tents/canopies that extend out from the side of their 18 wheeler rigs. On the other end of the spectrum, I see many racers with pop up canopies over their cars. As far as I know, teams are allowed to bring just about any tent they wish, but it is worth calling RA to verify.
We (the Minnesota Healey racers) have typically rented a tent for our group directly from the track. The tents are about 20′ deep and come in width increments of about 10′, with each end cap being 15′ So, if you rent a 40′ tent it will have two 15′ end bays and a 10′ foot center bay. We generally have 6 Healeys and rent an 80′ tent which gives us an extra bay for a common social area. Just call the track and let them know what size you would like and they will give you a price. Give them a name for the group and then pick an area of the paddock to have it set up. Each competitor should provide the same name on their online participant registration form. When you arrive at the track, VSCDA will get you to your tent. We love this…we arrive, park, enjoy, and then leave it to them to take it down.
Tent Update: April 4, 2024
The below figure shows the competition paddock area (see middle paddock image above) with the right side of the figure being North. Each numbered rectangle is a grass island. The dimensions of each island are provided in the upper left corner. As a reference, island 6 is the gas pump island while island 12 (North and down the hill toward the Gearbox) is just along the fence/pit lane access road. On the other side of pit lane is the Gearbox food building. Generally, islands 1 – 5 are reserved for use by RA. The space between each island 6 – 12 are the access roads.
I found that tents can be either 20′ or 30′ feet deep. A 30′ deep tent provides enough space in front of and behind a Healey to protect it from rain blowing under the tent.
When you call RA to reserve a tent, ask to talk with Andy Anderson. You can request an island and general location on the island. Our group typically also requested the tent be positioned as far north or as far south on an island as possible as this can allow for better car access into and out of the tent and parking on one side of the tent.
Pit Vehicles (e.g., carts, scooters, etc)
RA is an absolutely wonderful track and offers amazing views (RA’s list of great viewing areas) of the racing action from all over the track. To really take advantage of this you need to be prepared to do some walking or have a pit vehicle.
RA allows golf carts and allows most motorized and non-motorized two wheel vehicles that have handlebars and a seat. I don’t know if they allow the two-wheel stand up scooter type things (see figure below), so call RA if you have one. If you have something other than a golf cart or scooter (track usually defines a scooter as something like a Honda Ruckus type vehicle, see figure below), check with RA or VSCDA if it is permissible.
Golf carts can be rented. I believe they can be reserved/paid for by calling RA directly. If you don’t rent a pit vehicle but instead use your own, most likely it will need a pit pass which can most often can be purchased at onsite registration. RA often has someone standing there making announcements about this and selling pit passes.
Test and Tune Day
Typically RA or the sanctioning organization will have a test and tune day on Thursday. If you have never raced RA, I would highly recommend spending the day getting acquainted with the track and facility. Visit the RA or VSCDA website to find out who is hosting test day to get signed up.
Fuel
RA sells both Sunoco 110 octane (leaded) and Sunoco 98 octane (unleaded). The only gas station in Elkhart Lake also has 110 race gas.
The Experience
RA excels at offering a great experience for drivers and spectators alike. Lots of clean bathrooms, showers, two main food service areas (get yourself a brat). They have onsite ice (at the Gearbox and at the gift shop [I buy at the Gearbox]), race gas, an excellent gift shop. There are lots of areas to watch racing so don’t be afraid to put some miles on your pit vehicle or feet.
Visit the RA FAQ page for more information.
RA also has an area visitor information page with great info on restaurants, attractions, lodgings, etc.
LODGING
At Track
RA allows overnight camping on their grounds for the duration of the weekend. Camping passes must be purchased (RA is the organization that sells these), so visit the RA main office when you arrive. Some racers stay in their RVs, some in race trailers, others have tents (all require camping passes). There are many areas around the track for camping.
Elkhart Lake
Elkhart Lake proper offers some hotel options (see Elkhart Lake’s Chamber of Commerce webpage for options) and some Air BnB options. Consider making reservations early as the VSCDA event is well attended and options book quickly.
Beyond Elkhart Lake
There are many hotels in Plymouth, WI (just a few miles south of RA)(see the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce webpage for options), Sheboygan (about 10 miles to the East) (see the Sheboygan Visitor’s page), and Fond du lac (about 15miles to the West)(see the Fond du lac visitor information webpage). Sessions each day typically start at 8 am, so if you are in one of the early start groups, I would recommend looking for reservations close first and then working your way out. There are several Air BnBs in the general area as well.
RESTAURANTS
Road America
RA offers two food service areas. The Gearbox has traditional track food but with a Wisconsin twist. Here you will find brats, cheese curds, Eggers, mozzarella sticks, etc. The other food area offers BBQ and a wide variety of BBQ variants.
See the IMSA page for a list of the 10 must have concessions at Road America.
Elkhart Lake
Elkhart Lake has always had great dinner places but it seems that recently the list has become substantially longer. From casual breakfast places to fine dining…Elkhart Lake seems to have it all. For a full list see Wisconsin’s Elkhart Lake. A few of my favorites include…
- Siebkens Stop Inn Tavern – Known and frequented by many of the notable teams, companies, and drivers. Nothing better than a sandwich and a cocktail after a long day at the track. Take note of all the stickers.
- Lake Street Cafe – Great restaurant.
- Paddock Club – Also a great restaurant…one of my favorites.
- Off the Rail – Great breakfast sandwiches and coffee. A bit of a British vibe so the Healey drivers will feel right at home.
Sheboygan
When I was growing up in south-central Wisconsin, we would travel to Milwaukee, Madison, and other urban areas for good eats. Things have changed. There are many really great restaurants in and around the non-big city areas such as in Plymouth and Sheboygan. My favorite is The Blind Horse but do a search on Visit Sheboygan for a long list.
Supper Clubs…Oh Yeah!!!
Truly unique eating and drinking experiences in Wisconsin can be found in supper clubs. These are taverns, pubs, restaurants…at least they started this way. Now they are a place to go have a drink (order an Old Fashioned…a prototypical WI drink), get some dinner, and have a good conversation with friends you know and friends you haven’t met yet.
Schwarz’s is my favorite and it has been voted as one of the best supper clubs in Wisconsin. It is short 15 – 20 minute drive from RA. However, there are many to choose from.
For a full list in Wisconsin and the Northeast region covering RA, see the Wisconsin Supper Clubs website.
OTHER THINGS THAT MAY BE HELPFUL
Race Car (and Regular Car) Parts
I love race car bits as much as anyone and as much as I plan for the inevitable, sometimes you need parts ASAP.
- Pegasus Auto Racing is located in New Berlin, WI, just a little west of Milwaukee. Pegasus is an easy 1.25 hour drive from RA (click here for directions).
- You may also find what you need at RPM Speed and Custom in Sheboygan, WI.
- There is a NAPA auto parts in Plymouth, WI, about 15 minutes from RA. They won’t have racecar parts but will have auto parts. Click here for directions.
Clothes, Hitch Pins, Lots of Other Stuff.
There is a Fleet & Farm in Plymouth, WI. Click here for directions. Fleet & Farm sells just about anything. Outdoors clothes, boots, gloves, fishing rods, feed, etc. Most important to racers will be the nice selection of sweatshirts if the weather is cold, hitch pins (I’ve lost a few of these), trailer lights, bearings, beef jerky, etc.
Food/Groceries
There is no grocery store in Elkhart Lake so you will need to go south to Plymouth or north to Chilton to visit either Pick n’ Save or Piggly Wiggly. Both cities also have Walmart stores. Do think about visiting the Johnsonville Marketplace for brats, sausages, Wisconsin cheese, etc.
Alcohol
It is not unheard of to have a cocktail at the end of the day at the track. The Minnesota Healey Racers specialize in gin and tonics! The gas station in Elkhart Lake has a small selection of different liquors and beer but to get a larger selection visit the Pick n’ Save or Piggly Wiggly food (yes, grocery stores in WI are allowed to sell beer, wine, and liqueur).
Note, these stores will likely not have unique items…just traditional/common types of beer, wine, and liqueur and well-known brands.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA
- Johnsonville Marketplace – Johnsonville, WI (20 min from Sheboygan, 10 min from track). Eating bratwurst is a quintessential Wisconsin thing and Johnsonville is one of the most notable companies. Anything brat related can be found here. Want a brat tie to complement your race suit…they have it. Cheese hats/heads…they have them.
- Green Bay Packers Football Stadium Tour – Green Bay, WI (1 hr from Sheboygan). Wisconsin lives and breaths Green Bay Packers football. The Packers are a publicly owned, non-profit organization…essentially, a team for Wisconsin.
- The Automobile Museum – Green Bay, WI (1 hour from Sheboygan). This is a really nice smaller-ish car museum with a clean look and feel that feels more like a nice European museum. They have a really nice selection of mainly muscle cars that changes throughout the year.
- National Railroad Museum – Green Bay, WI (1 hour from Sheboygan). Great museum even for people who are not train fanatics. Lots of engines and engine parts, train history, and train cars. Part of the museum is outside and includes old Pullman cars. Very cool.
- Wisconsin Automotive Museum – Hartford, WI (70 min from Sheboygan). This is a really cool museum as it is really two museums in one. The main museum is dedicated to transportation history in general and includes lots of 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s cars but really focuses on the Kissel Car Company. Kissel produced high-end luxury vehicles in Hartford from 1906 to 1931 and lots of celebrities back in the day owned Kissels. The museum has many other items including a collection of old outboard motors (made in Wisconsin). The second and smaller area is the Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame. A small collection of really nice dirt track cars and memorabilia.
- EAA Aviation Museum – Oshkosh, WI (1 hr from Sheboygan). Planes, planes, planes of all types and years. A very nice museum even for non-aviation people. Has several WWII aircraft and has one of the very few airplanes designed by Bugatti.
- Harley-Davidson Museum – Milwaukee, WI (1 hr from Sheboygan). OK, this museum is obviously dedicated to the HD but even if someone is not a motorcycle fan, they will likely enjoy this museum. My wife loved it and she is not into motorcycles in any way. Wonderful display of MCs over the years, a display of beautifully painted gas tanks, and lots of interesting stuff.
- Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, WI (40 min north from Sheboygan). The racers and I have visited here several times and found it to be very interesting and enjoyable. One notable element is that they give tours of the USS Cobia, a WWII era submarine that is moored in Lake Michigan next to the museum. The drive up and back is even better when you take some of the nice back roads right along the western edge of Lake Michigan.
- Milwaukee Domes – Milwaukee, WI (about 70 min from Sheboygan). They call it a Horticultural Conservatory but it is three uniquely designed glass and concrete domes that each have a different plant/environment focus.
- (Updated 4/13/2024) – Milwaukee Art Museum – Milwaukee, WI is also home to an exceptional art museum which is located right on the edge of Lake Michigan. There are four floors and over forty galleries. The outside is just as impressive with the design of the War Memorial Center, Qaudracci Pavilion, and Cudahy Gardens.
- Miller Brewery Tour – Milwaukee, WI (about 1 hr from Sheboygan). I have not been here in a long time but back in the day it was pretty interesting. Looks like they are remodeling/upgrading the experience right now but perhaps they will be open during the race weekend and Austin Healey Conclave.
- Chicago Frank Lloyd Wright Houses – Oak Park, IL (about 2.5 hr from Sheboygan). A little further afield are the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Oak Park, IL.
Update: April 13, 2024, Taliesin Frank Lloyd Wright – In addition to the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Illinois, one of the most notable FLW designs is located just a little West of Madison in Spring Green, WI (about 2.5 hour from RA). Taliesin was FLW’s home, studio, and garden sanctuary. This is well worth the visit if you appreciate his architecture. There are also several notable FLW buildings in the area.
I should also mention there are several FLW buildings in Madison (see FLW Places in Madison) and several scattered throughout Wisconsin (see FLW Places in Wisconsin).
Also see these websites for other stuff to do in Wisconsin: