The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
39TH HISTORIC FESTIVAL
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Races, car parade, Gathering of the Marques Sept. 2-6
LAKEVILLE — With three days of racing, an esteemed concours event on the Sam Posey straight, a road rally and a gathering of the marques, there is nothing quite like Lime Rock Park’s Historic Festival on Labor Day weekend, according to its members.
This year marks the 39th annual celebration, which begins Sept. 2 with one of the longest automotive parades in the Northeast, the Vintage Race Car & Sports Car Parade, where more than 100 cars safely tour through 17 miles of roads in the surrounding area, according to a statement.
Sept. 3 will feature the first full day of on-track action with practice and qualifying, with the Swap Meet also opening to those on site. Racing competition continues Saturday and Monday with 16 classes among hundreds of entries, including two very unique classes in 2021. In addition to a robust field of air-cooled Porsches, a very large contingent of rare and rapid pre-war class machines including a Type 59 Bugatti, an ERA and an 8C Alfa will be part of the celebration.
Sept. 5 is the Gathering of the Marques, with more than 1,000 cars lining the track grouped by make, country of origin, or model that will likely cover everything from Volvos and Saabs to Porsches and Peugeots.
Sunday in the Park, The Lime Rock Concours, is the judged portion of the event and will feature six special classes including the Best of Britain, with British postwar touring and sports cars, Grand Prix Greats, showcasing historically important cars from the festival's racing events, Country Style with Classic Woodies through the 1960’s, Alternate Energies with steam and electric cars, Continental Style American Power machines, and Local Heroes featuring cars of the Northeast.
There will be 10 traditional Concours classes including classes for pre- and post -war European and American cars, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Japanese performance cars, Competition cars, Motorcycles and the always popular Barn Find/ Preservation class. Additionally, the Concours will include a special judged category for air-cooled Porsche 911s as well as the iconic Porsche 356.
Porsche enthusiasts can also see the special display from the Steven Harris collection, is slated to feature a range of rare 911-based RS entries from his collection and a separate display of examples of Porsche competition machines.
Monday will see a return to competition for all race groups for a final day of racing to close out the 39th edition of this very special event.
“We were proud to be able to put on a safe and fun event for the 38th Historic Festival last year,” said Skip Barber. “It was great to carry on the tradition, and we expect great things this year for the 39th with a large and exciting slate of racing entries plus a diverse Concours field headlined by some very special Porsches. With people excited to get out and be a part of special events like this, we are eager for this event to kick off.”
Further information is available at limerock.com . Entry forms for all events are available at Motorsports Reg, lrphistorics.motorsportreg.com/ or limerock.com/hf39entrantinfo Schedule of events:
Sept. 2: The Vintage Race Car & Sports Car Parade is a 17-mile tour through the local towns including a stop at the Noble Horizons facility and a Housatonic crossing on the Falls Village Bridge before winding back to Lime Rock Park Sept. 3: The festival kicks off with a full day of practice and qualifying. Concession Stand and Swap Meet are open.
Sept. 4: The first day of racing; concession Stand and Swap Meet are open.
Sept. 5: Sunday in the Park, The Lime Rock Concours and Gathering of the Marques brings nearly 1,000 motorcars and motorcycles to the track. Food trucks and vendors are found throughout. Gates open at 7 a.m. Show cars must be in place by 9:30 a.m.
Sept. 6: Labor Day. The final day of vintage car racing; concession Stand, Midway and Swap Meet are open.