For lovers of the most elegant and fastest historic cars in the world, there’s no other place to be over Labor Day weekend than Lime Rock Park in Salisbury-Lakeville.
If the sight of, say a rare 1928 Bentley or a 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa gets your motor running, or watching gleaming vintage Maseratis, Lotuses, and Porsches take the track makes your heart race, there’s only one place to be on Labor Day weekend: the Lime Rock Park Historic Festival. In the 32nd annual concours and vintage racing event, Lime Rock gives everyone from the “I don’t know anything about cars or racing” types to the kids to the most avid collector and connoisseur of great design and engineering something to talk about, gush over, and thrill to.
If you live in the Northwest Corner and you don’t know Lime Rock, it’s time to get acquainted with this 55-year-old gem of a place and magnet for the likes of late racing greats John Fitch and celebrity racers like Paul Newman. The weekend kicks off on Thursday with a Vintage and Historic Race Car Parade and street party in Falls Village from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Monday feature racing ranging from pre World War I cars to the leanest, meanest driving machines built from the 1920s to the 1970s. Even one of racing’s most debonair and winningest drivers of all time, Sir Stirling Moss, will be on hand as an honored guest. If you don’t know Sir Stirling, just know that he only stopped racing at the age of 80-something. Enough said.
For those who like to worship at the altar of sleek automobiles, there’s the Sunday in the Park Concours d’Elegance of up to 250 of the most rare and gorgeous cars you’re likely to lock eyes on. In 2013, for example, there were categories that included “Gatsby’s Delights” (“simply great cars from 1920 to 1942—such as the 1937 Packard Super 8 1502 Limo); “Only the Best for Bond” (post-war Aston Martins); and “Poised and Potent” (sports cars from 1956 to 1961, such as the 1957 AC Ace Bristol and a 1956 Porsche Carrera Speedster Prototype).
Along with the Sunday Concours is the Gathering of the Marques, more than 700 cars that proud owners display in groups based on make, model, and origin. So be your pleasure Lamborghini or Mini, there’s a collection of cars to admire, including honored collector Ralph Lauren, who will be exhibiting five members of his stunning car collection.
If the place and the sport intrigue you, a must-see is documentarian Chris Szwedo’s Emmy-nominated film, Lime Rock Park: Secret Valley of Racing that measures the track’s heartbeat through the words of the men and women who make it race to life or pulse quietly through the seasons. Said Autoweek magazine: “The greatest achievement is that it demystifies racing for anyone who has wondered what drives a person to risk life and limb. The images, narration, interviews, and music weave together as a tapestry that is both entertaining and thought provoking.” And it’s just good storytelling, whether you’re a racing fan or a newbie. Originally shown on PBS, the documentary is now available on DVD here.
This must-see, Emmy- nominated documentary film by Chris Szwedo is now available on DVD.
Historic Festival 32 at Lime Rock Park runs from Thursday, August 28 through Monday, September 1, 2014, rain or shine.
Friday: Advance Ticket: $20.00, Gate Price: $25
Race Day (use Sat. or Mon., but not both): Advance Ticket: $45, Gate Price: $50
Sunday in the Park: Advance Ticket: $25, Gate Price: $30
4-Day Pass: Advance Ticket: $100, Gate Price: $150
SCHEDULE:
Thursday: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Vintage & Historic Race Car Parade and Falls Village “Welcome” Street Party (Free to the public)
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Practice and Qualifying
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Races, Parade Laps and Demonstrations
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Sunday in the Park Concours & Gathering of the Marques car show
Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Races, Parade Laps and Demonstrations
Lime Rock Park
60 White Hollow Road
Salisbury/Lakeville
[email protected]
860.435.5000
http://limerockhistorics.com/
www.limerock.com
