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Nate checks in from WISPORT:
Quick update on what is posted:
On the TT Joan Carlson (Brones) was actually the event winner for women with a time of 36:17. Julie was second. And she does have a USAC license, she just doesn't use it. LOL. I'm trying to get her out for Greenbush (4 days after a marathon)
NEW STORY
Sunday's Panther Dash RR in Montfort, Wisc. featured about 2,600 feet of climbing over 39 miles with the win being contested by a largish pack of lead group riders -- maybe 25 -- that stayed together most of the race until some of the late climbs stared pairing down the field.
Upstart racer Alec Schielke (u/a) held on for the victory, following up a strong showing in the Cat. 5 division of the Tour of Elkhart Lake last week.
On the women's side, Joan Carlson (Brones) hung with the lead group of riders most of the race and took the women's overall victory, following up on her TT win on Saturday.
ThePanther Dash also featured a two-day team competition.
The Big Ring Flyers team took the team time trial victory and managed to hold off Team Wheel & Sprocket -- who took the RR win -- for the overall win for the weekend team competition.
Craig Curtis (Wheel & Sprocket) took the overall individual male win for the two combined stages while Joan Carlson took the women's overall title.
Results are posted at www.wisport.org
Everyone - Go to the Road America website. There is a toolbar near the top of the info that will get you to maps. Recommend you print one as a guide. Recommend someone talk to ToAD about having several track employees available for sign-in. You are going through the OLD Main Gate at the north end of the track. I've been through the sign-in procedure John mentioned will happen. It probably takes 2 minutes per person to sign in. You may also have to get a wrist band. Quick as it is things can get backed up with 6 plus cars.
I assume racers will park in the Paddock. Large toilet facility is located next to the medical building. Once you're racing the the only place to "hide" is probably Kettle Bottoms between turn 11 and 12. The track is surrounded by low fencing, concrete barriers and cyclone fencing. Suggest ToAD do a sketch showing where to park, stage, etc. Also will you have any concessions available or is it totally BYO.
Editor's note:
Racers - I see from the ToAD posting this will be a new location. To get a feel what they mean by hilly, check Google for some videos and simulations for car racing. Also find friends who road the track in past years for the Cancer ride. I tried access gradient/slope/grades information through google maps but my connection didn't work. Google Earth may have potential. I'm a photographer nut with a love for sports cars and motorcycle racing. I have limited track access but here is a thumbnail (I'm guessing on % slope from looking at it from the side) - Start - Finish to 1 is flat to slightly downhill. Turn 1 to 2 same. Turn 2 to 3 is a nice downhill, maybe 5%. From 3 to 4 it appears flat and then from 4 to 5 (I haven't gotten back because access limited) another downhill but steeper - 4% to 6%. Oh, watch out for rubber build-up from race cars at the corners, Also, remember the gravel run-offs are designed to stop race cars very quickly. Corner 5 to 6, a compound sloped hill probably averaging 10%+(this is the steepest). Turn 6 to 7 and then down to 8 is a steady downhill, again 4% - 6%. This, the Carousel and the climb to the finish are probably the most open for wind. Now from Corner 8 it's relatively level into and through the Carousel which is partially banked (I can't tell from the sidelines but I am guessing you will have several cambers and reverse cambers throughout the course.) The carousel ends at turn 10 then stays relatively level to 11. From there you are in the Kettle Bottoms which I have never been able to access but appears to be downhill when viewed from Canada Corner (12). Looks like 5%. You now start the climb back up to the start finish climbing from 12 through 13, a slight level area from 13 to 14, and the the turn and long climb to the finish (I guy I know has said this last climb seems very long starting about 100 yards past 14 and then climbing at about 6%. Enjoy.
Spectators/Photographers - Watch the sun and cyclone fencing. It would be great if Road America and ToAD agree that spectators can get to the edge of the track or at least to behind the concrete barricades where the race photographers can go. If so, the easiest way to get past the fencing is to look for access gates which are small sections of brown wood snow fencing. These are used by emergency vehicles in some locations. For car access around the track, check the map. Except for the west side, there are a lot of roads with the roads closest to the track starting at corner 3 through the carousel. My shooting favorites (keep in mind I don't have press credentials and I use a 80-400 zoom or 24-200 zoom) are inside corner 1 for panning, shooting from the sides of Sargento Bridge between 3 and 4, Corner 5, the hill to Corner 6 (both sides have benches but some locations on the north side allow you to see the hill to corner 6 and track from 13 to 14 and most of the climb to the finish (binoculars recommended and a very long lens), Corner 6, both north and south hill bleaches at 7 where you may also see go karts or motocross practicing, Corner 8 and the carousel (great for car and motorcycle pans.) Oh, from the begining of the climb at the home stretch down to corner 1 you have mostly cyclone fencing on the east and the pits on the west. Again, depends on what Road America will allow.
Editor's note:
ToAD Pre-registration ends this Sunday, June 13th @ 0100 EST!
Superweek: Superweek Pro Tour 2009: Race Audio Highlights, with Official Race Announcer, Eddy Van Guyse. The 2009 International Cycling Classic Celebrates its 41st Anniversary! Listen to WUWM's Lake Effect program on the History of
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