Photo by Holly Beretto
The historic marker outside Siebkens Resort indicates the spot of the hard left turn on the original road race course .
The Hard Left Lounge at Siebkens Resort pays tribute to Elkhart Lake ’ s racing heritage . The resort is typically sold out on racing weekends .
Courtesy of Siebkens Resort
America , estimated the track brings in $ 254 million a year in economic impact for Sheboygan County . Of this , $ 181 million ( 71 %) is due to direct economic effects , with $ 73 million attributable to indirect and induced economic effects . In addition , this economic activity supports 2,975 jobs , generates $ 83 million in household income , $ 131 million in Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) and $ 34 million in federal , state and local fiscal revenues throughout the county . The estimated economic impact on the state of Wisconsin is $ 403 million .
“ I would say that probably at least 60 % of our business , both lodging and food and beverage , is somehow tied to Road America ,” said Wendy Orth , who owns Siebkens Resort along with her husband .
Originally from Appleton , Wisconsin , about 45 minutes northwest of Elkhart Lake , Orth grew up going to races at Road America , where her father was an amateur racer . Several of her friends and her sister worked in the racing industry while in their 20s . She loves being part of the village ’ s ongoing tradition of road racing .
“ You hear the stories of how college students grew up waiting tables here and basically paid for their education at the University of Wisconsin by waiting tables for one summer ,” elaborated Ewert . “ That ’ s kind of cool .” Given the economic impact to the village , it might not be surprising that the
residents and business owners are fully supportive of the road races in the area . Ewert , though , sees something different , something more personal .
“ It ’ s neat to see how the village has really embraced us ,” he said . “ They ’ re not angered by us . They don ’ t complain about the noise . They love the amount of visitors . Residents volunteer at the track , and we employ many of them every season . I ’ ve had people tell me , ‘ I just love working the gates ’ cause I love meeting everybody . And once we get done , I can go watch some racing or hang out with my friends .’ They understand the importance of this place .”
That importance isn ’ t only for Road America , which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025 . It ’ s also for Elkhart Lake , and the dream it represents — a dream that came true . It was a wild idea to bring a road race to this tiny lakeside resort . More than 70 years later , those races live on , a tribute to Elkhart Lake ’ s past and a road to its future . The original race route is on the National Register of Historic Places , and signs dot the roads around the village , with drivers of all stripes still cruising them today . The Siebkens Resort sits at the route ’ s “ Hard Left ” marker and is on the Register as well .
“[ Through the years ] you have all these famous racers who ’ ve come through ,” she said . “ Patrick Dempsey has been seen here and there in Elkhart Lake . Back in the day , [ racing ] would bring Paul Newman to Elkhart Lake . People just want to come and visit a place where these other people have been .”
Holly Beretto is a freelance writer based in Houston , where she covers the arts , education , history and interesting personalities . A marketing and communications professional with 30 years of experience , her work has appeared in 365ThingsinHouston . com , CultureMap . com , Houston Family magazine , Houstonia magazine , Santa Clara Magazine , the Texas Catholic Herald , the Where Guest Book and others . She previously co-wrote a story on the centennial of the Houston Ship Channel for Financial History with Gregory DL Morris .
Note
1 . Many of those original stock issues are still owned by the original families , so Road America is privately owned and publicly traded , with employees reporting to the board of directors and the board reporting to the shareholders . If and when shares do become available , they ’ re snapped up by other shareholders fairly quickly . Road America wouldn ’ t give a share value , but did note that an original share purchased for $ 100 in 1954 would be worth many thousands of dollars today .
www . MoAF . org | Fall 2024 | FINANCIAL HISTORY 37