Lime Rock Park...sigh.

[pfcs]

Ahhhh,....Bridgehampton.
There will never be another so great again. Times change, things become more "civilized" and "safe".
And something is forever lost, a considerable thing that many will never know.

[Wreckerboy]

Bridgehampton.... I remember watching you run either Matilda or her predecessor there with EMRA. Wish I could have run the place now instead of as the hack I was as a newbie. VIR is the closest thing I've found to it.

[team-gpracing]

My dad raced at Bridgehampton and said it was his favorite track. I attended, but was too young to remember. I wish it was still there so I could experience it.

[NATW]

If the pictures on Bing maps are up to date it appears that the main straight, infield bridge and downhill, are still in place and are acually used for the entrance to the golf club.

I only drove it a few times but was never able to go under the bridge without lifting. I had a 67 Rambler American with about 400 hp that was doing about 144 mph at the bridge. That was the fastest I have gone in a vehicle.

Great track

Nat Wentworth
Volvo 142 ITB

[pfcs]

I've visited the site on Google Earth several times.
It's ominous how so much of the layout etched in my mind is still visible.
Bridgehampton was where it all started for me. It was a Camelot in asphalt.
A very special place, in fact and in memory, almost like a ritual space to me.
I never had the same experience of being fully present at any of the other great tracks I've driven like I had at the Bridge. Driving Bridgehamton fast was like reaching some higher level of consciousness, at least for me it was.
God, I'm getting old!

[StephenB]

This was just posted recently... Yesterday at 4:17pm

Skip Barber... Mythbuster!

Skip Barber is at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Yesterday, he ran into a colleague who is close to but not in the racing business. He asked Skip, “Hey, so what’s Lime Rock doing since it doesn’t have any races this year?”

All Skip could do was muster a bemused smile... perplexed how even knowledgeable people can harbor misconceptions of that sort.

So Skip thought now would be a good time for Lime Rock Park to bust a few myths.

Herewith...

Myth: “Lime Rock Park doesn’t have any races this year.”
Actual: The net result for Lime Rock of the merger of Grand-Am and ALMS is that we went from hosting five major events to three, and those three – IMSA Continental Tire Sports Cars/Porsche GT3 Cup, Historic Festival 32 , and the Trans-Am Season Finale – are big-field, exciting, solid race weekends, all with excellent support races. As usual, there are also the two SCCA races, including the NARRCS, a Lime Rock staple for more than 50 years.

Myth: “If a racing or driving club doesn’t schedule dates with Lime Rock in 2014, it has no hope of getting a date in the future.”
Actual: Absolutely not true. Every winter, Lime Rock fields hundreds of calls and emails from parties interested in renting the track, skid pad, autocross and the chalets, and we’ve been pretty successful at accommodating most everyone, whether they are first-timers or long-time regulars. If an organization isn’t able to find workable dates or simply doesn’t have an interest in a 2014 event, we’ll figure out dates for them for 2015 and beyond. (Note to club organizers: If you have specific questions regarding traditional dates, corner workers, etc., please email Lime Rock’s Georgia Blades at [email protected].)

Myth: “Lime Rock closes in November and re-opens in April.”
Actual: Nope. Lime Rock rents the autocross and hospitality chalets all year round, and even the 1.5-mile track is rentable under certain conditions. Not to mention that the Scheduling, Marketing, Accounting, Operations and Catering Departments are extremely busy preparing for the next season.

Myth: “Skip Barber wants to sell the track.”
Actual: He’s not sure if he’s undecided (lol), but Skip’s current plan is not to live forever. And one day in the future, yes, he would like to sell the track. And yes, to someone who can ensure Lime Rock’s future. Please, no more golf course inquiries, ok? Skip is the ultimate caretaker of Lime Rock and will one day leave it to someone to do the same. Until then, the track remains in his hands.*

Myth: “Lime Rock has no cell- or smart-phone coverage.”
Actual: Not true. There is a 3G AT&T cell tower (4G by April) between the two infield chalets, and last month Verizon activated a brand new 4G tower two miles up Route 7. We hear there is a good chance other carriers will rent space on the Verizon tower, too.

The bottom line is that Lime Rock Park is well-staged for a successful 2014 and beyond. Skip Barber has not lessened his ongoing commitment to continually improve both the fan and driver/competitor/team experience at Lime Rock Park. Go to limerock.com for the latest information, and we encourage your feedback by writing to us via [email protected].

[lateapex911]

Yea, I read that. And it made me wonder if: I'm not alone in my comments, or B, somebody sent him this link.

But it doesn't alter my thoughts about the Professional relevance of the track. Sure a club can rent it. Heck, I bet more dates will open in 2015 as more tacks come on line. Skips just ignoring supply and demand there. Heck, he might have to LOWER the fee if he's not filling the place up....

And sorry, but calling those pro dates they have for 14 "big field exciting solid race weekends" is debatable. Conti is that. The others? To the average race fan, they lack relevance. Sorry, but LRP has ONE weekend this year (and it's shortened at that!) that is a desirable show.

But glad to see he's hyping the NARRCOFFS! Maybe NYR can get a break on the rental fee??