June Sprints
One of the Largest Amateur Racing Events
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Front cover of program for first June Sprints, June 1956. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Despite being called “sprints,” the races were often longer than full races at other tracks. This attracted numerous amateur drivers keen on maximizing their track time, contributing to the event’s success. Enthusiastically sponsored by the Chicago Region of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) from the start, the June Sprints attracts some of the top cars and drivers from across the country.
The June Sprints, like racing, has evolved over the years, the number of classes and races have changed and evolved through the decades. The first event in 1956 featured twelve classes of production and modified sports cars running in 6 race groups. By 2023 there was 27 classes of production sports cars and sedans, sports racers, and open-wheel formula cars running in nine race groups. Even for a diehard race fan, the sheer variety of cars and classes can be somewhat mindboggling. It is however, a welcome, exciting experience.
The June Sprints remained a strictly amateur event even as the SCCA moved to include professional series in the mid-1960s. Entries and spectators turned out in droves. In 1975, almost 500 cars competed, watched by an estimated 55,000 spectators and the June Sprints has remained the nation's premier amateur racing event and one of Road America’s most popular race weekends.
Highlights
Road America President Clif Tufte and General Motors VP Harvey Earl talk to the driver of the Firebird II concept car at Road America in 1956. Photo by Stark Photos. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
The June Sprints was a venue where General Motors Vice President Harvey Earl often displayed new concept cars coming out of Detroit. One car displayed by Earl was the Firebird II concept car. It was the first gas turbine vehicle in America designed as a family passenger car. Featuring a titanium body, television screen, and wing doors, it was the first car to have disc brakes on all four wheels and an independent suspension. The car also included a mock-up of a wireless guidance system that was intended to be part of "the highway of the future."
“The first to go big time.” Jim Kimberly and his race team set up in the paddock during 1956 June Sprints. Photo courtesy of Road America Archives.
To some, Kimberly straddled the line between amateur and professional racing. He raced as a gentleman sportsman, driving strictly for personal enjoyment, and strongly advocated amateur racing for the SCCA and the June Sprints. In his personal racing career, Kimberly adopted many professional approaches in race preparation and conduct. Kimberly was thus very influential in the SCCA, becoming a national chamption in 1954, and going on later to become SCAA President
A judge scores a show car during Concourse d'Elegance on Lake Street in Elkhart Lake during 1956 June Sprints. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Held on Lake Street in Elkhart Lake during the June Sprints, the Concourse d'Elegance judged cars for their style, elegance, and craftsmanship.
Volunteers from the SCCA staff one of Road America’s 14 corners circa 1956. Photo by Stark Photos. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Support from members of the SCCA is instrumental in making Road America events such as the June Sprints possible. Volunteers at each corner report on race progress, respond to accidents, and flag warnings to vehicles.
Wisconsin’s own Augie Pabst won a thrilling battle at the 1960 June Sprints in his Scarab sports racer. Photo courtesy of Road America Archives.
Pabst’s Scarab broke a shock mounting during warmups. With repairs unable to be completed in time, he traded cars with teammate Harry Heuer, who sat out the race. Pabst dueled with Dick Thompson’s Corvette SS Sting Ray. Throughout the race, the cars seldom more than a car length or two apart, setting new lap records almost every lap. Finally, on lap 28 Thompson’s ignition started to act up and Pabst took the win.
Don Yenko’s Chevrolet Corvette gets super service in the pits during the Road America 300 Mile production car race during the 1961 June Sprints. Photo by Pierre Perrin. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Like any race, drivers rely on the speed and skill of their pit crew. As June Sprints is an amatuer event, it is not unusual to see family members helping out. Thanks in part to speedy service during the race, Yenko and co-driver Ed Lowther won the race.
Melvyn "Mak" Kronn in a production Porsche zips by turn 13 and under the bridge at 1963 June Sprints. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Like any Road America race, the June Sprints offers great scenic views all along the track.
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A well-dressed starter gets the field going at the 1972 June Sprints. Photo courtesy of Road America.
June Sprints races include numerous race starts each weekend for the various race groups.
Jerry Hansen dominated the 1979 June Sprints in his Lola T-333S sports racer. Photo by John Gacioch. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Hansen qualified 8.3 seconds faster than any other competitor in 1979. So comfortable with his lead during the race, that he pitted to change goggles, dropping to sixth place and a half a lap behind. Unconcerned, he quickly advanced back through the field and took the lead three laps before the finish. Hansen holds twelve June Sprints wins in feature races and was one of SCCA’s winningest drivers.
Jeff Miller, driving a Lola powered by a Kohler engine, takes the victory lap after winning the D Sports Racing Class at the 1989 June Sprints. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Miller has logged thousands of miles and dozens of wins at Road America during his 55+ years of racing. He was also instrumental in developing the Kohler race engine in his cars.
Walter Payton drives to his first victory at Road America, winning the GT-1 race at the 1990 June Sprints in an Oldsmobile Cutlass. Photo by Dan Schlosser. Courtesy of Road America Archives.
Payton, an All-Pro running back for the Chicago Bears, was one of the greatest football players of all time. After his retirement from the NFL, Payton took up auto racing, becoming co-owner of Dale Coyne Racing and driving in several events.
The June Sprints continues to be one of America’s top amateur racing events. It remains the most long-lived event at Road America. Generations of drivers, both amateur and amateur turned professional, have competed over the years. Top names include Briggs Cunningham, Carl Haas, Jim Jeffords, Augie Pabst, and Carrol Shelby. With the sheer variety of classes and competitions at the June Sprints, there is something for every racing fan.
[Sources: Interview with Road America staff Tim Kemmis, John Ewert, Summer 2023. Schultz, Tom. Road America: Five Decades of Racing at Elkhart Lake. Indianapolis, IN: Beeman Jorgensen Inc., 1999; Schultz, Tom. Celebrating 50 Years of Road Racing. Elkhart Lake, WI: Road America, 2004; General Motors. "1956 Firebird II." gm.com/heritage]