From a press release issued by Road America:
Road America to Become Motorcycle Camp Site during Harley 100th Anniversary Celebration Aug. 25-Sept. 1
Elkhart Lake, Wisc.-—Road America will host to up to 20,000 motorcyclists during Harley-Davidson’s 100th Anniversary celebration, according to George Bruggenthies, president and general manager. The motorcycle riders are expected to start arriving Aug. 25 and stay through Labor Day, which concludes Harley’s 100th Anniversary Milwaukee celebration. Road America was selected as a campsite because of its long history with motorcycle racing, the area’s reputation for service and hospitality and the track’s ability to host a large number of guests. Visitors will be able to register online using Road America’s secure website, www.roadamerica.com in a new website section, under construction, called Cruisin’ Cycle Central ®.
All camping reservations must be made in advance. The event is being produced by Destination Wisconsin, of Milwaukee, Wisc., and Homecoming Tours of Melbourne, Australia in partnership with Road America.
Campers may stay on the grounds for a weekly fee of $115 per person. Daily activity passes will be available for $35. Motorcycle clubs may stay together in a group if they make a group reservation; all camping reservations must be made in advance. Daily activities will include traditional motorcycle rally and meet activities, including burn-out contests and a ride-in motorcycle show. (A burn-out contest is when a rider spins the back tire until it literally burns out; a ride-in motorcycle show allows riders with customized motorcycles to compete in a bike show.) Judges will award prizes to contestants each day. All activities will be held at Road America. Because the race track is booked, motorcyclists will be able to watch on-track sports car activities.
Road America’s existing vendors will be asked to participate in food and beverage service, and additional vendors will be brought in to complement the non-profits who serve food at the track’s races. The track will develop a vendor midway in the paddock area.
“It’s going to be a big week for Road America, for the community and the state,” said Bruggenthies. “We’re looking forward to having motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world staying here.”
The race track will be working closely with community leaders and will encourage motorcyclists to ride the scenic Kettle Moraine roads and visit area communities, Bruggenthies said.
Additional information, as it is finalized, will be included on the Road America website, currently under construction, in a special Cruisin’ Cycle Central® site.
“We’ll add to the existing infrastructure,” said Bruggenthies, “so we can accommodate long-term campers. For instance, we’ll establish a shipping and receiving station for our guests so they can send and receive their tents, clothing and purchases. We’ll add additional restrooms and showers to make their stay here comfortable.
“This is both a big and a small event for Road America,” said Bruggenthies. “Big because of all of the details to be worked out, but small in terms of the number of guests. We think our visitors will be pleased to be in historic Elkhart Lake and staying in an area known for accommodating race fans. We think they will enjoy the 600 acres of a beautiful park-like setting.”
The Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Party will be held in Milwaukee’s Veteran’s Park in downtown Milwaukee on Sunday, Aug. 31. The venerable motorcycle company has planned four routes, “The Ride Home,” to culminate in or near Wisconsin. The official Wisconsin celebrations will run Aug. 28-30, 2003, with the final party Aug. 31 in Milwaukee. Information on the Harley events is at www.harley-davidson.com
Cruisin’ Cycle Central was the creation of Destination Wisconsin and Home Coming Tours of Melbourne, Australia. Rick D’Aloia, president of Destination Wisconsin, said, “From the very beginning we knew the success of this event depended on finding the very best campground and event site within the state.
“We found the perfect site when we decided to partner with Road America,” D’Aloia continued. “This will not only be the premier camping site for bikers attending Harley’s 100th Anniversary, but it will be the ultimate week-long party that will parallel and rival Sturgis and Daytona.”
“It will be ‘the party’ at the party,” said Beattie, of Home Coming Tours.
In response to race fan requests, Road America built the Carousel Campground in 2000. Each season the number of race fans, competitors and workers who camp at the track has grown. Road America is considering creating an annual motorcycle camping week in conjunction with its August motorcycle race.
Destination Wisconsin is a full-service destination management company (DMC) facilitating corporate events, meetings and customer entertainment outings throughout the state of Wisconsin. As the Performance Alliance partner in Wisconsin for USA Hosts, Destination Wisconsin is part of the world’s largest DMC organization.
Road America hosted its first sports car race in 1955, and its first American Motorcyclist Assoc. (AMA) races in 1980, with Freddie Spencer winning the Superbike race on a Honda.