50th FF Celebration at Lime Rock
As a long time participant at the Lime Rock Historic races on Labor Day, I recently got an email from Murray Smith indicating that they would like to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Formula Ford at the 2019 historic weekend. I know that this is just one of many planned celebrations. Yet, many of us can't make Road Atlanta or Road America for any number of reasons. Perhaps this could be a more viable alternative. For more details contact: historics@limerock.com
Great year for Formula Fords.......
I've been going to Lime Rock since I was 9. Now I'm 62. Somewhere I have pics of my first day there, it shows people standing on grass berms at turn 2 watching the race. no tire barriers, no fence, nothing. Ah, the good'ol days before "Litigation"....
I continued to attend races there and elsewhere all through high school and collage, eventually getting my competition license with Skip Barber at Lime Rock in 1986. I had a Crossle 16F, raced it there and all else for over ten years with a short hiatus at the 30 FF Anniversary. loved it.
Myself and Holgar Ahl at LRP in late 80's...
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I left racing to go fly gliders. Just as scientifically challenging and rewarding as racing cars but much quieter. Now I'm back racing with a Lola T202...
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Sadly, so many organizations are getting their own 50th races organized, it may tend to thin out the fields a bit. As much as I would love to do all the races scheduled for the Anniversary, I will not be able to. Some of them line up with 3-4 weekends in a row.
However....
Lime Rock has a special place in me. It's my "home-track". I will be attending because it is so special and forfeit some of the other races. I hope to Hell someone has lined up a Caldwell D9 for Skip to drive that weekend.......You all do remember, he is our first Formula Ford champion in the USA.
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Glass half empty or half full?
We currently have a wonderful resurgence in the formula ford ranks. We should be celebrating that after 50 years the class is growing again, not bemoaning there are too many 50th celebrations.
I can think of at least 5 events on the East Coast alone that are doing something special for the anniversery this year. Would you rather have it that we couldn't even fill one grid all season?
Why can't we all go to Mid-Ohio or Atlanta or Road America or PittRace or LimeRock and enjoy great racing, great events, great parties and great commraderie all race season? Best of all, your car (contrary to Greg's dismay) will certainly fit somewhere or maybe everywhere. Also why not have more than one event. I don't remember there being a poll to see if everyone thought Road America should be the Official Event. Heck it's a long ass haul of over 12 hours for me, I can go to LimeRock, Pitt and Mid-Ohio for the same amount of time and gas.
I don't see the multiple events hurting the RA event. Sure 200 cars is cool but I have concerns about running in a group of 100+ with cars and drivers who have not been on track since the 40th. Maybe they can shake the rust off at an earlier and smaller 50th event?
Besides, there are races all season every year. To me each one is a celebration that I have the personal and financial ability to attend them. Does that detract from any of the events, not one bit. (Well besides my piss ass driving, right Greg?...lol)
Let's start looking at the opportunity this year from a glass half full perspective and enjoy what many have worked hard at creating. I know I will be at as many of the 50th celebrations as time and money allow, lifting a glass to toast everyone else there...make that a full glass for me!
Rob Bork