Benvenuti amici!
While we're in recovery, from a day of too much sun and fun with friends, we put together this report on our field trip to Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) at the legendary Road America race track. The 'tone' of this trip was decidedly marked by a chance meeting with a Fiat Tech board member, Thekler, and Bryan/Joe actively recruiting FIAT-ABARTH owners spotted in the parking area. In fact, one of their contacts blessed us with a Facebook 'Like' and posted a photo of the 'CC5Contatto' card to our page.
For those unaware, Wisconsin's Road America track is the stuff of legend. Robin Miller, Senior Writer for RACER Magazine and IndyCar reporter, proclaims it "the best test of road racing in North America". Officially opening in 1955, the track hosts more than 400 events per year. Fortunately, for true stock car racing fans, it is the perfect setting for this massive event.
The main events, this year, were the Trofeo Maserati and the FORZA Ferrari Challenge. The Cream City Cinquecento Club, as fans of Italian machinery, was especially excited about this program change from the NASCAR practice runs of last year. I don't mean to knock the famous 'stock car' event, but I prefer my racers closer to what I could drive off a showroom floor. Although I don't see the bank account growing to Maserati or Ferrari owning proportions any time soon, these are real cars. They may be track ready, but they aren't purpose built race cars disguised as factory models. The fact both marques belong to the FIAT S.p.A. famiglia further sweetens the deal.
Unfortunately, there was one major disappointment in the 2015 TCA/TCB race. That disappointment was the lack of any FIATs. For some reason, FIAT USA was unwilling or unable to find a driver for their car. Likewise, no independent teams made an appearance. This is quite confusing... FIAT, after all, is a PWC partner and has two major marques showing in all their glory. I trust we'll see a change in the lack of attention the parent brand is getting this season. Time will tell the tale. In the meantime, enthusiasts will need to fill the role of herald to FIAT's legendary performance past. One way we're doing that is by planning events like this one.
We announced, in our Mighty Mouse Militia blog entry, a desire to add Motorsport activities to our local club events. One of the motivating factors in doing this is our relationship with the North American revival of Jolly Club. Like participants… and fans… of the original Italian Jolly Club, quite a few of the members of the CC5C Famiglia have a level of interest in street, track and course competition. It seemed unfair and, to be frank, silly to miss an opportunity to CC5Caravan to Road America for the Wisconsin leg of the PWC tour. We call this annual event 'Trofeo CC5C'.
Last year, we scheduled the event for the month of July (the birth month of FIAT S.p.A., the FIAT 500 and CC5C). The turnout was less than stellar. Many of our members have children, and schedule their holidays during the summer months. We decided it would benefit the club and event attendees to mate this event with something as exciting as the PWC. The result was better attendance… six FIATs and eleven FIATisti/ABARTHisti… and a fantastic second Mighty Mouse Militia Approved outing.
Upon arrival, we were made aware a Ferrari 458 Italia literally crashed and burned… taking out a rather large section of fence and combusting into flames. Fortunately, the driver walked away with little more than a few scratches but there would be an extended delay between races. While we waited, we decided to grab a bite to eat. For those of you familiar with past events, we usual end our gatherings with a meal. But "rules are meant to be broken".
One very cool benefit to attending Road America races is free access to the paddock. Attendees can get up close & personal with the participating cars, drivers and tech teams. Many of the cars drive right through the outdoor 'cafeteria' area to get to the False Grid. As Mark Beckmann says, "There are 100 ways to get killed at Road America," so you must keep your head up, your eyes peeled and your ears listening.
As you can guess, from the images above, the first race we watched in its entirety was the Trofeo Maserati (Maserati Cup). The first GT-S race of the day ran just before, and we watched some of it as well. The PWC, at times, groups some of the races; GT & GT-S may run together, TCA &TCB may run together. This is due to race times/schedules, but nonetheless guarantees no shortage of the competitors and excitement on the track. Brilliant!
One of the ongoing 'fun activities' of the day was listening for the different engine/exhaust notes of the various manufacturers. This writer may come across as being heavily biased, but I truly believe the Italians engineer the best sounding machines.
The Road America track has several different observation sites. Many people camp out at their favorite straight or turn. Others make their motorized or people-powered way around the course, to take in as much of the fun as is the variety offers. While this marked my second visit to Road America, this event was the first time I was able to watch the races. I was lucky enough to be in the company of a willing group of adventurers.
We began at the start line and quickly made our way to infamous 'The Carousel' turn.
The Carousel is the point of the track that whips the drivers and their cars back in the direction of the start/finish line. Watching Maseratis blast through 'SPEEDVILLE' was breathtaking. Onlookers are so close to the action it seems one could reach out and touch the cars seen in the paddocks only minutes (or hours) before. This intimate interaction offered at Road America took me back to my childhood years when my father would take my brother & me to 'Great Lakes Dragaway' for Ratrod and Funny Car drag races.
In my opinion, any track that doesn't immediately transport you to your formative years is not a proper course. Racing is primal… the sounds are guttural… the sights should be equally feral in vibe. Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Revell model car kits and Rat Fink cards. Oh my!
After the Trofeo Maserati, we hiked to 'Turns 6 & 7' for the second GT/GT-S run. It was thrilling to watch major super car brands go head-to-head. Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Audi, McLaren, Bentley, Aston Martin, etc. push their machines to the limit, in order to claim builder and team supremacy. Did I mention the sounds of the engines/exhausts? Well, my friends, it is worth mentioning again.
The final race of the day was, in many ways, the most fun. TCA & TCB class represent our daily drivers. Compacts and runabouts take it to the track and test their mettle far beyond what highway and city driving offers. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it in the future… with FIATs in the running.
The races over, and members slowing breaking away to head home, we too walked back to Sombrita. We took in the green field, reserved for free parking, and spotted an Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT… complete with a Quadrifoglio Verde badge. This is probably the most appropriate way to end our report on the Trofeo CC5C/Pirelli World Challenge at Road America. Maybe we'll make our way out for Vintage Racing in the future?
Stay tuned…
Ciao!
@
While we're in recovery, from a day of too much sun and fun with friends, we put together this report on our field trip to Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) at the legendary Road America race track. The 'tone' of this trip was decidedly marked by a chance meeting with a Fiat Tech board member, Thekler, and Bryan/Joe actively recruiting FIAT-ABARTH owners spotted in the parking area. In fact, one of their contacts blessed us with a Facebook 'Like' and posted a photo of the 'CC5Contatto' card to our page.
For those unaware, Wisconsin's Road America track is the stuff of legend. Robin Miller, Senior Writer for RACER Magazine and IndyCar reporter, proclaims it "the best test of road racing in North America". Officially opening in 1955, the track hosts more than 400 events per year. Fortunately, for true stock car racing fans, it is the perfect setting for this massive event.
Map of Road America Track
The main events, this year, were the Trofeo Maserati and the FORZA Ferrari Challenge. The Cream City Cinquecento Club, as fans of Italian machinery, was especially excited about this program change from the NASCAR practice runs of last year. I don't mean to knock the famous 'stock car' event, but I prefer my racers closer to what I could drive off a showroom floor. Although I don't see the bank account growing to Maserati or Ferrari owning proportions any time soon, these are real cars. They may be track ready, but they aren't purpose built race cars disguised as factory models. The fact both marques belong to the FIAT S.p.A. famiglia further sweetens the deal.
Jewelry: Jolly Club & ABARTH badges
We announced, in our Mighty Mouse Militia blog entry, a desire to add Motorsport activities to our local club events. One of the motivating factors in doing this is our relationship with the North American revival of Jolly Club. Like participants… and fans… of the original Italian Jolly Club, quite a few of the members of the CC5C Famiglia have a level of interest in street, track and course competition. It seemed unfair and, to be frank, silly to miss an opportunity to CC5Caravan to Road America for the Wisconsin leg of the PWC tour. We call this annual event 'Trofeo CC5C'.
Last year, we scheduled the event for the month of July (the birth month of FIAT S.p.A., the FIAT 500 and CC5C). The turnout was less than stellar. Many of our members have children, and schedule their holidays during the summer months. We decided it would benefit the club and event attendees to mate this event with something as exciting as the PWC. The result was better attendance… six FIATs and eleven FIATisti/ABARTHisti… and a fantastic second Mighty Mouse Militia Approved outing.
Upon arrival, we were made aware a Ferrari 458 Italia literally crashed and burned… taking out a rather large section of fence and combusting into flames. Fortunately, the driver walked away with little more than a few scratches but there would be an extended delay between races. While we waited, we decided to grab a bite to eat. For those of you familiar with past events, we usual end our gatherings with a meal. But "rules are meant to be broken".
Tifosi United: John & Amado
One of the ongoing 'fun activities' of the day was listening for the different engine/exhaust notes of the various manufacturers. This writer may come across as being heavily biased, but I truly believe the Italians engineer the best sounding machines.
Joe & Amado enter SPEEDVILLE
The Road America track has several different observation sites. Many people camp out at their favorite straight or turn. Others make their motorized or people-powered way around the course, to take in as much of the fun as is the variety offers. While this marked my second visit to Road America, this event was the first time I was able to watch the races. I was lucky enough to be in the company of a willing group of adventurers.
We began at the start line and quickly made our way to infamous 'The Carousel' turn.
In my opinion, any track that doesn't immediately transport you to your formative years is not a proper course. Racing is primal… the sounds are guttural… the sights should be equally feral in vibe. Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Revell model car kits and Rat Fink cards. Oh my!
After the Trofeo Maserati, we hiked to 'Turns 6 & 7' for the second GT/GT-S run. It was thrilling to watch major super car brands go head-to-head. Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Audi, McLaren, Bentley, Aston Martin, etc. push their machines to the limit, in order to claim builder and team supremacy. Did I mention the sounds of the engines/exhausts? Well, my friends, it is worth mentioning again.
The final race of the day was, in many ways, the most fun. TCA & TCB class represent our daily drivers. Compacts and runabouts take it to the track and test their mettle far beyond what highway and city driving offers. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it in the future… with FIATs in the running.
The races over, and members slowing breaking away to head home, we too walked back to Sombrita. We took in the green field, reserved for free parking, and spotted an Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT… complete with a Quadrifoglio Verde badge. This is probably the most appropriate way to end our report on the Trofeo CC5C/Pirelli World Challenge at Road America. Maybe we'll make our way out for Vintage Racing in the future?
Stay tuned…
Vivere.Amare.Guidare.
Ciao!
@
