The 35th Lime Rock Park Historic Festival will bring three days of spirited historic racing by upwards of 230 drivers from North America, England, Europe and as far away as Australia to the 1.5-mile circuit in Lakeville, Connecticut, on Labor Day weekend, September 1, 2 and 4.
As in previous years, the race groups at Lime Rock’s 35th Historic Festival will show a somewhat quirky touch emanating from Festival Chairman Murray Smith, who said, “It is apparent that all grids will be full, notably with two grids of perhaps 40 Formula Juniors (above, Rich Martin photo) led by Duncan Rabagliati, chairman of the Formula Junior Historic Racing Association, and a full grid of unusual and spectacular cars in the revolutionary ‘Tin Top’ grid.”
The groupings are as follows:
Group 1 – Herb’s Choice – Road-going sporting cars
Group 2 – Duncan’s Dilemma – Front-engined/drum-braked Formula Juniors
Group 3 – Tin Top Dreams – Splendid sedans
Group 4 – Eric’s Delight – Single-minded sports racing cars
Group 5 – Skip’s Nightmares – Grand Touring miscellany
Group 6 – Colin’s Apotheosis – Rear-engined Formula Juniors
Group 7 – Mostly Real Vintage – A first half-century selection
Group 8 – Formula “Very” Libre – A fast and furious mixture
Group 9 – Kent’s Domain – Not quite street legal
The late Eric Broadley and Colin Chapman, founders of Lola Cars and Lotus Cars, respectively, will be honored by the naming of their eponymous groups. Lime Rock Park President and owner Skip Barber will present “Grand Touring miscellany,” while noted automobile restorer and vintage racer Kent Bain will set a lively pace with a bevy of “Not quite street legal” wheels, and longtime vintage racing force Herb Wetanson’s band of “Road-going sporting cars” will round out the field.
On September 3, the annual Sunday in the Park Concours d’Elegance will showcase approximately 200 rare and unique cars from the Brass Era to modern times, and the Gathering of the Marques will line the track with 1,000 cars grouped by make, country of origin or enthusiast club. For further information, please visit www.limerockhistorics.com.
