This website is dedicated to the memory of Wilmot Hills Road Racing Course, a sports car racing track set on the grounds of what is now the Wilmot Mountain ski area, just north of the Illinois-Wisconsin border in Wilmot, Wisconsin.
The track was active from 1953 to 1967. It was very short- 7/10ths to 1 mile long, according to different accounts. But as one of the first purpose-built road courses in the midwest, it was very heavily used, the scene of many driver schools, club races and other track events during its lifetime.
Wilmot Hills Race Course was first constructed in 1953. It was rebuilt in 1957 by Chicago Region SCCA members on land leased from the ski hill owners. This summer use coordinated neatly with the land's winter use as a ski area.
By modern standards the track and its safety features were very primitive, though this was not unique to Wilmot at the time. What was unique to Wilmot was the ski lodge within the perimeter of the track. It offered food, drinks, lounging areas and restrooms better than those offered by most other tracks in the midwest, even now!
It was the ski lodge, however, that was the undoing of the Wilmot Hills Race Course. The ski area operators decided to expand the lodge over the track and ended the lease in 1967. I sort of recall that there were other factors involved, as well. Perhaps some long-time Chicago Region members can fill us in on them.
This site started with a series of Wilmot pictures from old Midwestern Council photo annuals. More pictures and stories are being added as they are made available by viewers. We thank the contributors who have already added many excellent photographs and would welcome your vintage pictoral and written memories. E-mail.
Note: This road race course is sometimes confused with Wilmot Speedway, a clay oval on the grounds of the Kenosha County Fairgrounds, also in Wilmot, Wisconsin. They are not the same. For one thing, the oval is still operating successfully!
If you have some photos, articles or memories that would add to this non-commercial and just-for-fun website, they would be very welcome. E-mail.
Aerial View of Wilmot Look at the course outline above and you'll spot the track instantly on this current satellite photo.
Your comments, old articles and photos would be welcomed.
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