Heralded far and wide as one of the most significant vintage racing summer events in the country, the July 15-17 WeatherTech International Challenge with Brian Redman was an activities-packed three full days: Vintage racing action on the spectacular 4.0-mile Road America circuit, exhibitions, Concours awards, and a wide-variety of off-track food and fun.
The 2022 event, though, will be best-remembered for its featured marque: Dan Gurney’s All American Racers Eagles.
Photo: Scott Paceley
“The Big Eagle—the late Dan Gurney—was surely smiling down on the gathering of 28 AAR Eagles,” said Vintage Indy president/founder Michael Lashmett, “which included his 1967 Belgian Grand Prix-winning Gurney-Weslake Eagle. There were owner/drivers from throughout the United States, along with attendees from around the world, gathered here at Road America to pay homage to driver and constructor Dan Gurney—the only American to build, drive and win a F1 race in a car he conceived and constructed.
“Over 200 cars were constructed in the Santa Ana, Calif., AAR shop over past decades and AAR Eagles are credited with three Indianapolis 500 wins in 1968, ‘73 and finally in 1975 with driver Bobby Unser for Dan’s All American Racers team. Dan also co-drove with AJ Foyt to victory at LeMans in 1967 in a Ford Mk IV.
“This was believed to be the largest gathering of Eagles ever assembled and included the 1975 500 winning car, 1967 Spa winner, the ’72 Indy 500 pole winning Olsonite Eagle, an IMSA race-winning Toyota GTP car and several IndyCar race winners.”
Photo: Scott Paceley
The Eagles, piloted by drivers who are undeniably passionate about their sport and its history, were the main attraction. Unlike other events where spectators might be separated from stars who take the stage, car lovers milled through the paddock area, swapping stories and insight with the many owners and drivers.
Brian Redman served as the Grand Marshal for the event and had nothing but praise for this mid-summer tradition. The transplanted Englishman has come to Road America almost every year since 1972 says he cannot get enough. “This is a fantastic event [at] one of the finest road racing facilities in North America,” he said. “What a thrill to see so many Eagles in one place.”
Results for the Sunday races are as follows:
Group 11 – Pre War & Early Post War
Rex Barrett, Roselle Ill., 1933 Ford Indy Special
Brad Tank, Winetka Ill., 1950 MGTD
Marvin Primack, Wilmete Ill., 1949 Lester
Group 10 – Modern GT Challenge / Cup / IMSA
Elias De La Torre, Key Largo, Fla., 2015 Porsche Cayman
Jimmy McGlynn, Naples, Fla., 2005 Porsche
Anthony Stevens, Waukesha, Wis., 2006 Porsche
Group 5 – Can-Am / GTP / Historic Sports Racer
Nick Griot, Puyallup, Wash., 1968 McClaren
Richard Griot, Milton, Wash., 1968 McClaren
Joel Weinberger, Hinsdale, Ill., 1972 Chevron
Group 7 – Historic / Modern Formula
Douglas Mockett, St. Croix, 1976 Penske PC4
Chris Locke, San Anselmo, Calif., 1976 Lotus
Kyle Buxton, Trabuco, Calif., 1977 March
Group 9 – Modern GT / Prototype
Colin Comer, River Hills, Wis., 1995 Ford Mustang
Adam Rupp, Fond du Lac, Wis., 1995 Ford Mustang
Lance Wiskirchen, Scandinavia, Wis., 2001 Ford Mustang
Group 7 – Historic / Modern Formula
Brian French, Sheboygan, Wis., 1997 Benetton
Tony Ave, Brownsburg, Ind., 2006 Swift
Mark Brannon, Paradise Valley, Ariz., 1997 Lola
Group 3 – Vintage GT / Sports / Prototype / USRRC
Brian Garcia, St. Charles, Ill., 1965 Cheetah
James Cullen, N. Miami Beach, Fla., 1968 Lola
Craig Bennett, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., 1956 Devin
Group 13 – TA 2.5L / B Sedan
Erik Wood, Eureka, Mo., 1966 Alfa Romeo
Isaac Keeler, Macatawa, Mich., 1969 Datsun
Jeff Werth, Campbellsport, Wis., 1972 Datsun
Group 1 – Modern Prototype / Sports Racers
Joel Quadracci, Sussex, Wis., 2011 Oreca
James French, Sheboygan, Wis., 2001 Swift
Travis Engen, Weston, Conn., 2005 Audi
Group 6 – Classic Big Bore Production
Brian Garcia, St. Charles, Ill., 1965 Cheetah
Chris Hines, Lake Havasu, Ariz., 1965 Shelby
Todd Treffert, Sarasota, Fla., 1974 Porsche
Group 7a – Historic / Modern Formula
Kirt Bennett, Clarkston, Mich., 1974 Lola
Kyle Tilley, Commerce Twsp., Mich., 1976 Shadow
Rick Parsons, Inverness, Ill., 1976 Lola
Group 4 – Classic Monoposto / Classic Formula
Joel Quadracci, Sussex, Wis., 1967 Brabham
Pearce Raeder, River Forest, Ill., 1971 Lotus
Bill Wallschlaeger, Litchfield Park, Ariz., 1997 Van Diemen
Group 2 – Vintage Production
Brian Davis, Mequon, Wis., 1962 Elva
George Balbach, Lake Bluff, Ill., 1960 Porsche
Justin Johnson, Plano, Texas, 1970 Porsche
Group 8 – Post Historic Production
Peter Cunningham, Saukville, Wis., 2004 Acura
George Balbach, Lake Bluff, Ill., 1966 Porsche
Steve Grundahl, Blue Mounds, Wis., 1972 Porsche
