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Elkheart Lake Vintage Festival 2012

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dougie

dougie

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I just returned from a 4000+ mile round trip roadie to compete in the annual fall classic vintage races at Road America in Elkheart Lake, WI.....what a great trip.
The remarkable track, wonderful people and the beautiful surroundings made this race adventure one to remember. I met up with some regulars who always attend this event. Healey Club members from Minnesota Dan Powell, Jeff Johnk, and company made me feel right at home in the rolling hills of the mid-west.
My big Healey # 414 ran great on the 4-mile monster track and I was happy with my final lap time achieving my goal of sub 3-minutes with 2.55. For my first time out on this high speed track, the car and driver fared well and are planning to return.

https://youtu.be/7ETocVz1tok

[img:center]
cwvDm9asA3Lw9bM2Abl5etGTAg by dougescriva, on Flickr[/img]
 
I've ridden that track on a Honda CBR954RR, it is breathtaking. How fast did you go down those two long straights? Flat out in the carousel?

Talk us through a lap, please!
 
Great video, Dougie. But man, that tow is a killer!

I can't believe the door came open on that MGB at the start!

I'm sure Peter Egan would have been there. But he'd have been running in the Formula Ford sessions (in his Crossle).

And it's always fun to see cars you recognize.
I raced on track with that white Volvo 122S (#122 with the red checkered pattern) last year at Watkins Glen.

wg-vrg-2011-11.jpg
 
I was at 125mph down the straights and still pulling when I would enter the braking zone. I also took it pretty safe in the carousel, maybe 65. What you can't see from the video, is the carousel is really a huge off-camber sweeping down hill drop. I took the "Kink" very safe too, it's the slight right-hand bend after the carousel. This is a very deceiving area which closes up very fast, you'll notice long streaks of paint on both sides of the concrete barriers.....you loose it here you're in big trouble. The track is ideal for the torque of big Healey with the long straights, elevation changes, sweeping turns and thrilling 4-miles.
 
Looks like a great time, I have been to the summer races, Brian Redman Challenge or whatever they call it now, a few times, but never the fall festival. Have a freind who has taken his vintage racing bugeye up there a few times, and enjoys the track. It is a great spectatot venue as well, for those who haven't been, lots of shade, lots of different places to get very good views of the racing.

Thanks for sharing the video.
 
Dougie,
Thanks for the great video!!... loved it.

Living in Colorado I don't get to Road America often... but I've spent many great weekends there when we lived in the midwest.

On another note... sure looked like you were shifting into 5th... did I miss something?

Thanks again for posting!
Steve
https://stevesaustinhealey.com
 
Dougie, I was there, not driving a Sprite and noticed your car. Very nice! RA is a great track that I got to often. Hint, don't even lift in the kink, certainly never ever brake there.

Volvo (n) Swed. trans. road-block

Peter C
 
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