Lakeland has the plan

Lakeland University is now in charge of planning the Gus Macker basketball tournament.

Launch – Lakeland Student-Run Businesses – replaces the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County in planning the event scheduled for July 31-Aug. 1.

“We’re so grateful to the community for supporting the Boys & Girls Club through Gus Macker for the past 25 years,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County Chief Executive Officer Christina Singh.

The tournament, held at Harbor Centre Marina, is open to players of all ages and abilities. Registration dates will be announced at a future time.

Statue of Tufte on display

A new bronze statue of Road America founder Clif Tufte was unveiled this week.

It is located next to the center that bears his name in the paddock area of the sprawling facility that was conceptualized 65 years ago.

Tufte, a highway engineer, put together the land and laid out the track in 1955 after racing on the public roads around Elkhart Lake became impractical for many reasons.

When Tufte realized that the economic benefit to the area was such that a permanent road course could be viable, he acted, and Road America was born, with the first races held on September 10-11.

Sculptor Tom Holleran created the tribute to Tufte and a bench nearby is inscribed with a quote from the 1955 edition of the SCCA Chicago Region’s publication Piston Patter: “Let there be no mistake, when the record of Road America is written into the history of sports car racing, one name will stand alone. Although he sought and received help from any qualified source, he and he alone, had the vision, courage, and the ability to carry out the construction of a superb course. While the rest of us talked, he built. The man? Clif Tufte.”

Added Road America President and General Manager, Mike Kertscher: “I think it’s perfect, just absolutely perfect, for our fans, our organization, and for everyone that knew Clif. As everyone who knew Clif has responded, ‘that is him,’ as far as how he was and how his presence should be remembered.

“I also want to extend our gratitude to the SCCA Chicago Region, the Road America Board of Directors, and especially the Tufte family who made this tribute possible. Now Clif’s likeness will endure well beyond the next 65 years and inspire others for generations to come.”