Ken
Gone but not forgotten
From ctnow.com:
Lime Rock Park
Lakeville
July 7, 2005
By JIM WELCH, ctnow.com
Forget the Hollywood foolishness of "The Fast and the Furious," kiddies. Lime Rock Park in Lakeville is where you'll find the best real-life street-style racing in Connecticut.
Lime Rock features some of the world's fastest cars on what promoters call "America's Most Beautiful Race Track."
And you don't have to be a gear-head to appreciate the variety of cars that race at Lime Rock.
On July 8-9, Ferraris and Maseratis will thunder through the 1.53-mile road course. Friday and Saturday, Italian sports car enthusiasts can get a close-up look of classics that pre-date World War II. Then watch them race on the track.
The two-day event includes the fifth round of the National Ferrari 360 Challenge Series. Drivers compete for points put toward a season-long championship that could make one of them North America's best Ferrari racer.
Classic car fans will want to make their way to Lime Rock on Sept. 2-5 for the vintage festival, featuring race cars from the 1920s to the '70s. Bentleys, Jaguars, Porsches and Shelbys will be among the automobiles on display. It's cool to see these beauties parked at a car show, but Lime Rock is one of the few spots where you'll see them put to their limits in a race.
For all the beauty and history of high-end sports cars, most racing fans love to see the drivers trade paint a bit. NASCAR drivers are sure to drive within an eyelash of each other at The Busch North Series Burnham Hydronics 200, scheduled for Sept. 30 - Oct. 1.
No matter which racing event you prefer, Lime Rock allows spectators to get intimate with the cars and drivers. Every ticket comes with paddock access. The paddock is the garage area where the crews work on the cars. At the paddock, drivers and their teams talk shop with fans, sign autographs and provide photo opportunities.
Access doesn't stop when the races start, either. The paddock remains one of the best spots to get close to the race action. Fans who like the deafening roar of engines and squeal of tires can stand and watch within 30 yards of the track along the infield fence.
Most fans sit and watch the action from the sloped lawns of the infield or outfield spectator areas. With the exception of a couple picnic tables at the concession areas, there is no seating at Lime Rock. This makes bringing chairs or a blanket essential.
The hills of the spectator viewing areas are great to watch the races, but can make it difficult to walk. True to Litchfield County there are several steep hills to negotiate.
The infield and outfield are connected by a pedestrian bridge that runs right over the track. Stairs are steep and can get crowded.
To escape the sun, fans crowd around a few dozen trees scattered in the spectator viewing areas. Others set up canopies or beach umbrellas. The track attracts a variety of race fans. Bud-drinking, tattooed NASCAR fans brush elbows with Corvette club members in button-down shirts and khaki pants.
The races are also very kid-friendly. Children under 12 are always free. Fans under 18 must be accompanied by an adult in the paddock area, but once there, drivers and crew often take the time to greet their youngest fans.
Spectators are allowed to bring in any size coolers. Leave the glass bottles and portable grills at home. Fans can purchase food at three concession areas: one in the infield, one in the outfield and another in the Paddock area. Lines can run a half hour or more at lunchtime during major races. A beer and a hot dog cost about $10. A 16 oz. water is a little less than $2.
The best way to save money is to buy tickets in advance. Depending on the race, tickets are $5 to $15 more if purchased at the gate. Advance tickets are available through Lime Rock's website www.limerock.com or by calling 1-800-RACE-LRP. AAA members also get a discount.
Buying tickets in advance also comes with free parking inside the track. Otherwise inside parking costs $10. Parking in lots outside the track is $5 and you'll have to walk a bit to the gate.
True race fans may want to buy a weekend pass for major races, which comes with camping access. The camping area is in the infield.
Plan to have a good deal of cash on you if you plan to buy parking, tickets and food at the gate. Credit cards are not accepted and your pockets will empty quickly.
Whether you drive your Corvette, Harley, or your mom's Accord to Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, remember to leave the racing to the pros on the closed track. Wannabe speedsters should sign up for lessons at the adjacent Skip Barber Racing School for the chance to drop the hammer in a real race car.
Lime Rock Park
Lakeville
July 7, 2005
By JIM WELCH, ctnow.com
Forget the Hollywood foolishness of "The Fast and the Furious," kiddies. Lime Rock Park in Lakeville is where you'll find the best real-life street-style racing in Connecticut.
Lime Rock features some of the world's fastest cars on what promoters call "America's Most Beautiful Race Track."
And you don't have to be a gear-head to appreciate the variety of cars that race at Lime Rock.
On July 8-9, Ferraris and Maseratis will thunder through the 1.53-mile road course. Friday and Saturday, Italian sports car enthusiasts can get a close-up look of classics that pre-date World War II. Then watch them race on the track.
The two-day event includes the fifth round of the National Ferrari 360 Challenge Series. Drivers compete for points put toward a season-long championship that could make one of them North America's best Ferrari racer.
Classic car fans will want to make their way to Lime Rock on Sept. 2-5 for the vintage festival, featuring race cars from the 1920s to the '70s. Bentleys, Jaguars, Porsches and Shelbys will be among the automobiles on display. It's cool to see these beauties parked at a car show, but Lime Rock is one of the few spots where you'll see them put to their limits in a race.
For all the beauty and history of high-end sports cars, most racing fans love to see the drivers trade paint a bit. NASCAR drivers are sure to drive within an eyelash of each other at The Busch North Series Burnham Hydronics 200, scheduled for Sept. 30 - Oct. 1.
No matter which racing event you prefer, Lime Rock allows spectators to get intimate with the cars and drivers. Every ticket comes with paddock access. The paddock is the garage area where the crews work on the cars. At the paddock, drivers and their teams talk shop with fans, sign autographs and provide photo opportunities.
Access doesn't stop when the races start, either. The paddock remains one of the best spots to get close to the race action. Fans who like the deafening roar of engines and squeal of tires can stand and watch within 30 yards of the track along the infield fence.
Most fans sit and watch the action from the sloped lawns of the infield or outfield spectator areas. With the exception of a couple picnic tables at the concession areas, there is no seating at Lime Rock. This makes bringing chairs or a blanket essential.
The hills of the spectator viewing areas are great to watch the races, but can make it difficult to walk. True to Litchfield County there are several steep hills to negotiate.
The infield and outfield are connected by a pedestrian bridge that runs right over the track. Stairs are steep and can get crowded.
To escape the sun, fans crowd around a few dozen trees scattered in the spectator viewing areas. Others set up canopies or beach umbrellas. The track attracts a variety of race fans. Bud-drinking, tattooed NASCAR fans brush elbows with Corvette club members in button-down shirts and khaki pants.
The races are also very kid-friendly. Children under 12 are always free. Fans under 18 must be accompanied by an adult in the paddock area, but once there, drivers and crew often take the time to greet their youngest fans.
Spectators are allowed to bring in any size coolers. Leave the glass bottles and portable grills at home. Fans can purchase food at three concession areas: one in the infield, one in the outfield and another in the Paddock area. Lines can run a half hour or more at lunchtime during major races. A beer and a hot dog cost about $10. A 16 oz. water is a little less than $2.
The best way to save money is to buy tickets in advance. Depending on the race, tickets are $5 to $15 more if purchased at the gate. Advance tickets are available through Lime Rock's website www.limerock.com or by calling 1-800-RACE-LRP. AAA members also get a discount.
Buying tickets in advance also comes with free parking inside the track. Otherwise inside parking costs $10. Parking in lots outside the track is $5 and you'll have to walk a bit to the gate.
True race fans may want to buy a weekend pass for major races, which comes with camping access. The camping area is in the infield.
Plan to have a good deal of cash on you if you plan to buy parking, tickets and food at the gate. Credit cards are not accepted and your pockets will empty quickly.
Whether you drive your Corvette, Harley, or your mom's Accord to Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, remember to leave the racing to the pros on the closed track. Wannabe speedsters should sign up for lessons at the adjacent Skip Barber Racing School for the chance to drop the hammer in a real race car.
