Tag: Historic Festival 41

Lime Rock Park played host to a spectacle of automotive excellence on Sunday, with more than 1000 cars descending upon its grounds. While Friday, Saturday and Monday of Historic Festival 41 celebrate the power and performance of vintage racing, Sunday honors its artistry, beauty and history for The Lime Rock Concours and Gathering of the Marques.

With cars ranging from the eclectic and fun to the distinguished and rare, visitors had the chance to take a stroll around the 1.5-mile circuit to get an up-close look of cars that were parked all around the Connecticut track.

The Lime Rock Concours was once again headed by an esteemed panel of judges that evaluated more than 200 cars, selecting 17 for drive-up awards. The Best in Show d’Elegance was awarded to Paul Gould’s 1954 Desoto Adventurer II while Santo Spadaro’s 1953 PBX H modified took Best in Show Sport.

Representatives from Hagerty, Autodromo and Marsh McLennan were all part of the prestigious award ceremony.

The presence of MGs in the Concours was also diversely represented as examples spanning some 100 years were brought to life during the new Concours in Motion. As the procession of MGs cruised down the Sam Posey Straight through Turn 1, Barn Find Hunter host Tom Cotter shared the captivating history of each car over the PA.

A special moment happened on the Concours as Sam Posey was reunited with his 1971 Ferrari 512 M that he drove with Peter Revson and Swede Savage in two of America’s biggest races: the Daytona 24 Hour and Sebring 12 Hour. The car was part of Lawrence Auriana’s collection of 17 rare cars and motorcycles featured on the Concours.

At the heart of the Concours were the 11 Chrysler Concept cars that included the 1960 Plymouth XNR & the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car.

The five-day event will conclude on Monday with the final competition outings as all nine race groups will stage a total of 18 races to close out the 41st edition of the event.

Gates open at 7:00am with racing starting at 9:00am. Tickets are available at the gate. Children under 12, active military and vets are free.

Glimpse of Historic Festival live stream begins at 9:00am at www.limerock.com/live and VintageMotorsport.com.

Grand Marshal and Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles waved the green flag to kick off a perfect day of racing at Lime Rock Park on Saturday during the Historic Festival 41. The longstanding Lime Rock Park Labor Day weekend tradition continued with a busy day of activity both on and off the track.

An overwhelmingly diverse field of cars from a 1931 Bugatti Type 37 Special, to a 1959 Elva Courier and 1963 Hillman Imp highlighted the record-breaking event entry with more than 300 cars taking to the Classic Course for 18 total races between nine different race groups. The spirited competition during the 20-minute races entertained a large crowd.

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Nathan Thompson, driving in Group 7 Sports Cars (Over 2L), had a standout day, setting the fastest lap of the race of 57.843s in his 1963 Lotus 23c. For reference, in 1963, the all-time track record was 102.9-seconds set by Jim Haynes in a Formula Libra.

Haynes’ legacy was honored this weekend as the Jim Haynes Memorial opened the day with the largest running of Formula Juniors on the East Coast. Haynes, sometimes better recognized for his ownership and promotion of Lime Rock Park, was an outstanding driver before he moved to the business side of racing. In 1959 he won his first SCCA National Championship in a temperamental Formula 3, but he could see where the future was headed and soon thereafter jumped into Formula Junior.

Criss-crossing up and down the East Coast and into the Midwest, Jim pursued SCCA National races in earnest. His efforts paid off with the SCCA’s 1963 Formula Junior National Championship. This was Jim’s crowning achievement as a driver. He would continue to drive in various categories for several more years, but taking over the ownership and promotion of Lime Rock Park became his primary focus. Haynes passed away earlier this year but the mark he made on Lime Rock Park will live forever in history.

MG’s centennial celebration continued through Saturday with two very spirited races that saw more than 50 MGs spanning all decades take the green. Alan Tosler crossed the line first piloting a 1964 MG B.

Featured race group Sports 2000 also put on an amazing show featuring 25 cars in both the morning and afternoon races. Two different winners emerged with Colin Thompson (No. 11 1988 Lola T88/90) claiming the checkered in Race 1 followed by Ben Sinnott (No. 5 1991 Lola T90/91) in Race 2.

At lunch, multiple car corral and hot laps were held along with an on-track event that offered fans a unique Historic Festival experience. The Sounds of Lime Rock presentation featured a symphony of engines from rare vintage cars, including the 1963 Chrysler Turbine, taking a lap around the track.

The day concluded with a dinner overlooking the Sam Posey Straight as VIP festival-goers enjoyed great food from Park Provisions while listening to special guests speakers: HF41’s Honored Collector Lawrence Auriana, veteran historic racer Joe Colasacco and Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles.

On Sunday, the track will host The Lime Rock Concours as well as the Gathering of the Marques car show. Monday will feature the final day of race activity. Tickets for both days are available at the gate.

You can get a glimpse of the action with a live stream direct from Historic Festival 41 including Greg Ricks, the voice of Lime Rock Park, hosting each day’s track action. Catch a glimpse of the activity Monday, September 4, with a view from the Sam Posey Bridge overlooking the front straight at limerock.com/live or at VintageMotorsport.com.