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Kohler Company Builds on Racing History
Elkhart Lake, Wis., May 10, 2006 – Road America has announced a new
partnership with Kohler Company for the promotion of the Kohler International
Challenge with Brian Redman, July 12-16, 2006. Held annually at Road America,
the International Challenge is one of the largest vintage gatherings in the
United States with over 30 classes of cars in ten race groups.
Road America’s partnership with Kohler will align and overlap International
Challenge participants and fans with the Kohler customer. Vintage car events
are one of the fastest growing segments in motorsports today. Typical vintage
enthusiasts appreciate the finer things life has to offer and are very
involved in the celebration of the performance automobile and its colorful
history. They participate in vintage events around the country from
racing, rallies, and concours shows, to auctions and collecting. In
conjunction with vintage pursuits, the vintage enthusiast appreciates history,
the arts, luxury resorts and vacation destinations along with golfing, boating
and flying.
Kohler’s interest in racing started in the 1970s when they became a sponsor
of Wynnfurst Racing, owned by Jeff Miller of Elkhart Lake. Miller raced his
first June Sprints in 1969, became a Kohler pilot in 1970 and gained Kohler
sponsorship in 1974. Since that time, Wynnfurst has run its cars with Kohler
engines. Since 1997 Kohler has also sponsored the Kohler / SCCA Chicago
Region June Sprints®. Jeff Miller, his son Jason who also races, and
the Wynnfurst team do most of the engine design and planning and use Kohler
engineers for high-end assistance when needed. According to Jeff Miller,
Kohler has been a great supporter. “Kohler Company, as a whole, believes in
achievement through hard work. Their engines show some of the best in
engineering achievement and we work with them to try new things to keep
abreast of the competition.” Miller also said the support of Kohler Plumbing
and the people in the plants has been tremendous. Many employees follow the
Wynnfurst team and show their support by attending race events.
Jason Miller will enter the Kohler / SCCA Chicago Region June Sprints® with
the Wynnfurst Kohler C Sports Racer. Jeff Miller will run the Wynnfurst Kohler
West Car. Jeff Miller will enter his Can-Am car, an under 2 liter Kohler Lola
in May’s Sportscar Vintage Racing Association spring event, the Kohler
International Challenge with Brian Redman in July, and the VSCDA Elkhart Lake
Vintage Festival® in September.
This year the Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman will pay homage
to the golden age of racing with the 40th anniversary of Can-Am. The
Canadian-America Challenge started in 1966 and ended with its last race in
1974 at Elkhart Lake’s Road America. The Can-Am Series was unique in that it
had very few limits. The cars could use engines of unlimited displacement,
weight and design, tires of any size and, along with other unrestricted
technologies, were the era’s fastest road course vehicles. Although
increased regulations, restrictions and the price of fuel contributed to the
end of the Can-Am Series in 1974, their glamour lives on through vintage
racing enthusiasts. As sponsor of the International Challenge, Kohler will
participate in Can- Am anniversary activities.
In conjunction with the Kohler International Challenge, the John Michael
Kohler Arts Center will benefit from a charity golf outing at Blackwolf Run.
Scheduled for Wednesday, July 12, 2006, the Drivers with Drivers Charity Golf
Challenge, will help raise funds for the world-acclaimed facility. People
interested in participating in the golf outing should contact Road America for
details. The registration deadline is May 31st.
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of
America’s oldest and largest privately held companies. Kohler is a
global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and
power generation systems, cabinetry, tile and home interiors, and
international host to award-winning hospitality and world-class golf
destinations. The corporation and each associate share in the mission to
contribute to a higher level of gracious living for those who are touched by
the company's products and services.
Road America is a 628-acre, year-round motorsports facility which celebrated
its 50th year in 2005. In addition to major race events, Road America offers
the Suzuki SuperMoto School, corporate ATV and karting programs, and
top-of-the-line hospitality. Special promotions are held throughout the year
and can be found on-line. For more information visit www.roadamerica.com
or call 800/365-7223
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