Motorcycle Racing at “America’s National Park of Speed”
Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is one of the most historic and legendary racetracks in America. The track has hosted nearly every kind of road racing imaginable since 1955. At 4.048 miles in length, is also one of the longest tracks in North America, if not the world. Road America has hosted the MotoAmerica motorcycle road racing series for many years, and to take in a race weekend at the famous track is a treat in speed, indeed.
Steve and Karen Groth, Road Dirt contributing photographers, made the trek to “America’s National Park of Speed” for the weekend of motorcycle racing, and captured some outstanding shots across a thrilling two days. Superbike and King of the Baggers saw some outstanding on-track battles and long-overdue podium finishers, so we thought we’d share a few of their favorite shots from Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy!
Tytler’s Cycle Racing Cameron Beaubier and PJ Jacobsen bookend reigning champ Jake Gagne during Saturday’s race 1 at Road America. Jake would bow out of the battle with mechanical issues, and Beaubier would take the win and temporarily, the Superbike points lead.
Sunday’s Superbike race 2 saw Warhorse Racing Ducati Josh Herrin take a long-fought for win, with PJ Jacobsen and Jake Gagne rounding out the podium.
In the Mission King of the Baggers races, Kyle Wyman battled back/forth with defending champ Tyler O’Hara, but ultimately took the lead and the win in race 1. The following day, these guys and others would battle for the secondary and tertiary podiums, as Bobby Fong would light the wick and leave the field behind, winning race 2 by almost 6 seconds.
King of the Baggers machines are no joke. These are incredibly powered and tuned high-performance V-twins, as evidenced by Jeremy McWilliams’ Indian Challenger mill. Would you ride one?
Stock 1000 rider Jeremy Simmons lofts the front for the fans, which numbered over 41,000 in attendance over the weekend.
We love classic restored motorcycles, and Steve’s shot of this gorgeous Suzuki GS750 was too good not to share.
The legendary Toni Elias took to the track on a Suzuki M4 ECSTAR superbike for a fantastic battle for 5th over Mathew Scholtz, then promptly re-retired at the end of race 2.
*All photos by Steve & Karen Groth.
Steve’s shot of the Suzuki GS750 reminded me that was Steve’s first street bike. We were motocrossers back then and Steve asked if I thought a 750 was big enough for street riding and I said I thought so since I had looped out on his KX 450 the first time I rode it barely cracking the throttle for a wheelie!
Anyways, he bought it and then I happened to come across a GS 1000 which smoked him on a ride we did through West Virginia. I don’t think he was happy about that. 😂
He’s told us about you, Fred, you old hooligan.
California’s King of the Baggers Winner SDI Racing/Sacramento Mile/RSD #50 Bobby Fong put 5.8 seconds on the field and left behind both Factory HD, Indian Riders. Fong’s Team are the #1 Privateer Team in the series. With Wins & Poles @ Road America and other tracks this season.
Bobby is an incredible rider, a fierce competitor, with a huge, unstoppable heart. He epitomizes the spirit of American motorcycle racing.