Full Recap: Road America's 2025 Vintage Weekend
Motive Archive recaps one of the country's best annual vintage racing weekends.
By Motive Archive
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Each July, vintage racing enthusiasts make their pilgrimage to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, drawn by the timeless charm of Road America—a track affectionately known as "America’s National Park of Speed."
In 2025, the Vintage Weekend delivered an unforgettable four days, combining pure motorsport passion, historic racing machinery, and the camaraderie of a community bonded by gasoline and nostalgia.
From the first roar of practice engines on Thursday morning, the weekend symphony of speed and style begins. Over 400 historic race cars spanning a century of motorsport thunder around the legendary 4-mile circuit, their collective sounds echoing across the rolling Wisconsin hills.
This year’s featured marque, Historic Formula 1, transported fans back to the golden age of Grand Prix racing. Seeing and hearing iconic machines tackle the corners and attack the straights was a visual and auditory feast. Equally interesting was the USRRC Invitational, honoring America’s rich 1960s sports-car racing heritage. Classic sports cars engaged in spirited battles, reviving memories of racing legends and iconic rivalries.
As the sun sets each Friday evening, the historic downtown streets of Elkhart Lake become a living motorsport museum.
The Race Car Concours and parade transforms the village into a vibrant showcase of automotive history. Spectators get up close with legendary racers, all under the soft glow of the fading summer light. The crowd’s palpable excitement always mtaches the energy of the drivers who proudly present their machines.
On Saturday, Motive Archive was honored to participate in Saturday’s expansive Bring a Trailer Alumni Gathering at Road America's Briggs & Stratton Motorplex. Surrounded by an eclectic collection of vehicles previously featured on the BaT platform, we enjoyed reconnecting with fellow enthusiasts. Conversations flowed easily among attendees, celebrating the passion for exceptional automobiles and the vibrant community we've cultivated online.
Adding to the weekend’s excitement, Motive Archive co-founder Al Thom competed in his beautifully prepared 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TI. Watching Al bring a personal and competitive edge to the historic circult was a highlight for our team (as well as the fist pump in Canada Corner). Keep an eye out on the Motive website for a feature with Al giving the world a tour of his home track.
Saturday evening’s Sports Car Concours always brings a refined yet approachable elegance to downtown Elkhart Lake.
With classic and modern sports cars lining the streets, attendees stroll leisurely through a captivating display of automotive artistry. Throughout the evening, an excited buzz steadily builds around certain standout vehicles—proof that even in our digital age, there’s nothing quite like hearing whispers about a special car, then finally seeing it come alive at the concours.
The weekend’s on-track competition culminates spectacularly each Sunday, with thrilling feature races across multiple classes—from pre-war racers to contemporary prototypes.
Road America’s Vintage Weekend 2025 reaffirmed why we cherish automotive culture—a celebration of speed, history, and community spirit that echoes long after the weekend's end.
At Motive Archive, we’re passionate about preserving moments exactly like these, capturing the energy and elegance of automotive culture to share with enthusiasts everywhere. As we reflect on this memorable weekend, we’re reminded again that every car has a story worth telling, and every gathering is a chance to forge new connections and deepen our appreciation for the machines we love. Until next July, we’ll be reliving these memories and looking forward to creating many more.