ELKHART LAKE, Wis., May 25, 2021 – Julie Dahmer treks many miles in her gig, driving big brown trucks for UPS.
Dahmer, a Sheboygan resident, has worked for the company for 23 years.
While driving is a full-time job, racing has become a part-time hobby for Dahmer, who begins her fourth season racing a Mazda Miata in the Spec Miata division at Road America. She’ll run in the WeatherTech Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints the weekend of June 4-6.
The transition from spectator to a competitor has been a satisfying and challenging experience for Dahmer, whose husband, Brad Dahmer, has been racing for 30 years. Brad runs in the GT-1 class, and the couple has a hauler and bevy of automobiles at their race shop.
“Everybody can be a grandstand fan, but until you hit that track yourself and go through all the motions, one little mistake can throw you off. Next thing you know, you’re in pea gravel,” said Julie Dahmer, who got her SCCA license at Blackhawk Farms in 2017.
“It’s crazy, all the emotions you go through. I’ve learned so much, I can’t even believe it.”
Julie said the Spec Miata division is a good learning class for beginners, but Brad suggested moving to the TA2 class, which has a smaller field. “I need to spend a lot more time behind the wheel yet before I’m comfortable moving up,” Julie said.
“I’m learning how the car is working, all the things that you do, and how it feels on the track. When the tires are going bad. It’s like all these things I never would’ve guessed I would appreciate, knowing what that all felt like. It’s changed everything for me.”
Dahmer, a 1991 Sheboygan North High School grad, is no stranger to cars. She got her first car, a 1979 Dodge Omni hatchback, as a teenager. When Dahmer graduated from high school, she got a job in the parts department at a car dealership.
“My dad bought me a car at 16, and I had to pay him back for it,” she said. “I learned how to change my oil and check my tire pressures. I’ve always had this fascination with cars.”
Dahmer estimated that they’ll run five or six events this summer at Road America. The 14-turn, 4.048-mile permanent road course is convenient since it is close to the couple’s home. They’ve also got a solid, dedicated race crew.
“Good help is hard to find,” Dahmer said. “The crew that you do have, if you can live close to home, that makes it ideal for them, too.”
Dahmer sets attainable expectations for improvement and hopes to be a bit faster this year. Bump drafting plays a factor in the Spec Miata class at Road America, and Dahmer guessed that the top lap time in that division is 2 minutes, 43 seconds.
“I’m just trying to hit 2:50 or better. We’ll see. I’m getting really close to that,” Dahmer said.
Julie admitted that one-quarter century driving the big, brown trucks probably hinders her race mode sometimes, but it’s tough to change the way she’s wired.
“It probably hurts me more than anything and holds me back a little bit because I’m always anticipating something,” she said. It’s ingrained in me, and I’ve been doing it for so long.
“I do get mad, and I do get competitive if something happens on the track. I switch hats. It’s still there in the back of my mind: ‘Hold up, calm down; it’s just a race; you’re not winning any money.'”
Julie mentioned the best advice that Brad has shared is to stay smooth and run her line. She doesn’t have a favorite turn or section at Road America, but the challenges it provides are thrilling — every single time.
“The kink is amazing,” she said. “You can’t go up into Turn 6 and not hold your breath because you don’t know exactly where you’re going to let off to make the turn because you can’t see it. You’re going uphill, and you can’t see it.
“I just love Road America. I love the speed, and I love all the small things that are happening. There are just so many things there that the track offers; it blows my mind.”
Along with the many lifetime memories Dahmer intends to gather, new thrills and memories have yet to be made, as generations of racers and their families will flock to the June Sprints for their chance at glory. This year, over 350 sports car drivers running everything from showroom stock to highly modified purpose-built race cars are scheduled to fill four days of practice, qualifying, and racing as the June Sprints are the first trophy stop to win amateur racing’s most prestigious title, the Triple Crown® of Racing. To earn this title, competitors must win in their class at the June Sprints, win their respective divisional title, and win at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs.
Daily admission to the June Sprints is $20 Friday, and $25 each for Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are available, and fans are welcome. Additional event details, ticket pricing, and camping information can be found at www.roadamerica.com or by calling 800-365-7223. Anyone 16-years-old and under is FREE with a paying adult at the gate. Racing runs rain or shine.
To plan your visit, check out Road America’s Frequently Asked Questions webpage at www.roadamerica.com/faq
About Road America: Established in 1955, Road America is conveniently located between Milwaukee and Green Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The world’s best racers have competed at this legendary four-mile, 14-turn road circuit for over 65 years. Along with over 500 events held seasonally at the 640-acre facility, several major weekends are open to the public, which include the IndyCar Series, the MotoAmerica Series, three vintage racing events, numerous Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and NASCAR. Road America’s park-like grounds offer amazing viewing opportunities, numerous camping options, fantastic concessions, and high-speed excitement to hundreds of thousands of spectators each year. Fans can also stay and play in cabins conveniently on the grounds and find all sorts of souvenirs, collectibles, and apparel at the 7,500 sq. ft Paddock Shop. Affectionately known by many as America’s National Park of Speed, Road America can accommodate groups of all sizes, including weddings and corporate events in the Tufte Conference Center. In addition to public race weekends, Road America offers various group event programs, including geocaching, disc golf, and off-road adventure tours, karting, and the Road America Motorcycle and Driving Schools. For more information, visit www.roadamerica.com Follow Road America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube or call 800-365-7223
