Eugene J. Lenzi is a former American racing driver and currently owns a restaurant in Chicago. Lenzi raced in the Atlantic Championship, Formula Super Vee among other series.
Racing career Lenzi grew up with Bignotti-Cotter Racing team owner Dan Cotter as their neighbor. Lenzi first appeared on the national racing scene in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs in 1984 and a year later, 1985. In 1985 and 1986, Lenzi joined Prather Racing. Prather Racing was headed by Edward Sexton and was the Swift dealer for the SCCA Central division.
With Intercar Racing, Lenzi graduated into the SCCA Formula Super Vee. He started the season in a Martini Mk.47. Lenzi scored his best finish in a Ralt in sixth place at Detroit. Later in the season, Lenzi raced the unsuccessful Anson SA6 (designed by Gary Anderson.
Befriended engineer Peter Jacobs and Lenzi founded Baci Racing in 1987 to race in the SCCA Formula Super Vee. At the Night before the 500, Lenzi won his only race in the series, at Indianapolis Raceway Park. In 1988, Lenzi was successful in the series finishing second in the championship. For 1989, Lenzi graduated into the Atlantic Championship, scoring his best finish at Watkins Glen International. Lenzi finished in third place, behind Jocko Cunningham and Colin Trueman.
Restaurant business Up until 1994, Lenzi worked at Gene & Georgetti's, a steakhouse founded in Chicago in the 1940s. The restaurant was founded by Lenzi's grandfather, Gene Michelotti. The company sponsored Lenzi's racing career through most of the years. In 1992, Gene & Georgetti's was sold by Michelotti to Marion and Tony Durpetti. In 1994, Lenzi founded his own steakhouse, Erie Cafe, with his wife Toni Lenzi.
Great steakhouse lawsuit
Lenzi and Gene & Georgetti's came into a legal struggle in 1995. Opening Erie Cafe E.J. and Toni referred to their family ties to E.J.'s grandfather Michelotti. As they actively referred to Gene & Georgetti's, without the latter's consent, Gene & Georgetti's filed a lawsuit. G&G claimed that the opening invitation and other advertisement violated the Lanham Trademark Act.
The case came before United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois judge Elaine E. Bucklo. Judge Bucklo ruled that the Lanham Trademark Act was in place to protect customers against, for example, confusing advertisements. As the plaintiff did not bring forward any evidence proving any confusion caused, the judge ruled in favor of Erie Cafe.
Motorsports results
SCCA National Championship Runoffs
Year Track Car Engine Class Finish Start Status 1984 Road Atlanta Swift DB1 Ford Formula Ford 15 21 Running 1985 Road Atlanta Swift DB1 Ford Formula Ford 14 15 Running
American Open-Wheel racing results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest race lap)
Formula Super Vee Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Rank Points 1988Turtle Wax / Baci RacingPHX4LBHDAL3IRP2MIL2DET2NIA6CLE7MEA2MOH2ROA4NAZ3STP42nd163
Atlantic Championship - East Coast Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Rank Points 1989 Baci RacingLBH12LRP11MOH15MTL16MOSWGI3MOH12TOPTROROATOPSTP 17th 31
American Racing Series Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rank Points 1990 Baci RacingPHXLBH22MILDETPORCLEMEATORDENVANMOHROA11NAZ11LS 28th 4
Atlantic Championship Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rank Points 1992 Baci RacingMIAPIRDNSLBHLRPMTLWGITORTRRVANMOHMOSNAZLS1LS2 - -
References