Latest news on LimeRock "club"

[Lee Shumosic]

What will be very different is the viual ques that we have all come to know and love.....back to school!

[Beartrax]

The historic bridge to the infield is gone!
I remember my dad taking me to LRP as a kid. We were in the car on the bridge as something like an AS Camaro or Corvette went under us at speed. That was thrilling. That is part of what made me the car/speed addicted nut that I am today.

[HazelNut]

Click Here to Buy your very own "The Track Formerly Known as Lime Rock" Shirt!

[Michael Rand]

The bridge is not gone, it has been plucked off it's perch and the abutments on either side of the track raised 4'. When done, the bridge will be placed back in it's place. No wider, no stronger, just more clearance to the track surface.

Hey Brendan, the dates on the shirt should be 1957-2007, shouldn't they ? This being 2008 and this work being undertaken in a few months.......

[Paul LeCain]

Is the bridge long enough to reach across the old track and the new pit entrance? I don't remember its being that long.

[Michael Rand]

Paul, it must be that they are taking away some of the drivers left verge and using all the drivers right verge to do the pit in lane. Basically moving the bridge a few feet to the right with the new abutments maybe. The span is no different , it maybe is located slightly differently due to the newly constructed abutments. The bridge itself is exactly the same WWII surplus Bailey Bridge it has been from the late 50's. Keeps passing a yearly engineering inspection, but then so did I55 in Minneapolis I guess......

[John Merriman]

Mike, you know, I saw that picture of the bridge hiked up four feet and couldn't believe they'd keep that thing what with all the other monies being spent! Strange!

[Andy Bettencourt]

New bridge is part of a second wave of changes. My guess is as more momey comes in, more projects will get completed.

[EACIII]

So now that we have come up with a new name for the place I think we need to come up with names for the new corners. At the track formally known as Lime Rock we had the left hander followed by the right hander, clean and simple. On the new Skipit course the soul has been taken out of the left hander, maybe we should just call it lefty. That is followed by I don't know what where the right hander was on the old course and from looking at the layout I think "WHAT THE F...." best descrips it. As for the climbing turns at the uphill, still working on that.

Ed

[harmug]

I received this in the mail today. They're calling it " two Lime Rock Parks"

MEDIA ADVISORY

Lime Rock Park to Break Ground on Track Upgrades and Re-Paving

Lime Rock Legends John Fitch and Sam Posey Join Skip Barber for Launch of

Major Improvements to Track

We invite you to be a part of history as Lime Rock Park breaks ground on track upgrades and re-paving. Creating what will be "two Lime Rock Parks," we will reveal optional track configurations along with other major improvements

WHAT: Groundbreaking ceremonies at Lime Rock Park, for a series of major
upgrades and improvements to the track

WHEN: Thursday, 10 April 2008 Promptly at 11:00am

WHERE: Lime Rock Park
Infield Chalet (use the Main Entrance)
Lakeville, CT 06039 USA
www.limerock.com
1.800.RACE.LRP
Media opportunities include a detailed press conference, Q&A session, track tours, interviews and lunch.
For more information and to confirm attendance, please contact Renea Topp, Marketing and PR Manager for Lime Rock Park

[rickb99]

It can't be "Two Lime Rock Parks".

They are going from hamburgers and beer to cheese and wine! Therefore, the new name must be Lime Rock Park the Second or LRP II.

[Michael Rand]

How about......LRP Junior , for the not so brave Sir Robins out there.....

[EACIII]

Lime Rock Lite

[rmccown]

Lime Rock Pharked?

[GeoffRain]

Lime Rock Farce

[Dano]

Lame Pepple Parks

[Jim Garry]

So now that we have come up with a new name for the place I think we need to come up with names for the new corners. At the track formally known as Lime Rock we had the left hander followed by the right hander, clean and simple. On the new Skipit course the soul has been taken out of the left hander, maybe we should just call it lefty. That is followed by I don't know what where the right hander was on the old course and from looking at the layout I think "WHAT THE F...." best descrips it. As for the climbing turns at the uphill, still working on that.
Ed

For the uphill, how about "baby steps"?

[rmccown]

For the uphill, how about "baby steps"?

Which one is "Please don't hurt my expensive Ferrari" corner?

[Larry C]

For the "two tracks" they could just name one Lime Rock and the other one(s) Lame Rock. Or they could just refer to them as the "Classic Circuit" and the "Clusterf**k Circuit(s).

I will never do another track day there...ever.

I'm probably going to buy a car (CF/FF) later this year for next season and then they go and do this to my favorite tracke ever! Aaargh!! I don't have a ton of experience or as many memories as some of the other people on ApexSpeed, but I have raced at Bridgehampton,LRP and Bryar. I miss them. More so than any of them, Lime Rock meant road racing for me. It's where I first caught this fever. I look forward to seeing the new track in New Jersey and I hope and pray every night that the new Palmer track will be epic. It can't come soon enough.

Larry C

[Michael Rand]

Hey gang, I'm going, if you are around why not see what they say, might be interesting, or discouraging.




MEDIA ADVISORY

Lime Rock Park to Break Ground on Track Upgrades and Re-Paving

Lime Rock Legends John Fitch and Sam Posey Join Skip Barber for Launch of
Major Improvements to

We invite you to be a part of history as Lime Rock Park breaks ground on track upgrades and re-paving. Creating what will be “two Lime Rock Parks,” we will reveal optional track configurations along with other major improvements.
Groundbreaking ceremonies at Lime Rock Park, for a series of major
upgrades and improvements to the track.

WHEN: Thursday, 10 April 2008
Promptly at 11:00am

WHERE: Lime Rock Park
Infield Chalet (use the Main Entrance)
Lakeville, CT 06039 USA
www.limerock.com
1.800.RACE.LRP

Media opportunities include a detailed press conference, Q&A session, track tours, interviews and lunch.

[stonebridge20]

Hey gang, I'm going, if you are around why not see what they say, might be interesting, or discouraging.




MEDIA ADVISORY

Lime Rock Park to Break Ground on Track Upgrades and Re-Paving

Lime Rock Legends John Fitch and Sam Posey Join Skip Barber for Launch of
Major Improvements to

We invite you to be a part of history as Lime Rock Park breaks ground on track upgrades and re-paving. Creating what will be “two Lime Rock Parks,” we will reveal optional track configurations along with other major improvements.
Groundbreaking ceremonies at Lime Rock Park, for a series of major
upgrades and improvements to the track.

WHEN: Thursday, 10 April 2008
Promptly at 11:00am

WHERE: Lime Rock Park
Infield Chalet (use the Main Entrance)
Lakeville, CT 06039 USA
www.limerock.com
1.800.RACE.LRP

Media opportunities include a detailed press conference, Q&A session, track tours, interviews and lunch.

YEA,...... And get my a$$ beat !

[Michael Rand]

Agnif , why would you get your a$$ beat ? You think there is anyone who works there who would even recognize any SCCA racers ? Come on, we can sit in the back and just watch and listen. First hand iformation without spin or filtering.

[rmccown]

Agnif , why would you get your a$$ beat ? You think there is anyone who works there who would even recognize any SCCA racers ? Come on, we can sit in the back and just watch and listen. First hand iformation without spin or filtering.

He won't ask for the right kind of cheese, and will get a cramp in his hand if he keeps his pinky out all morning.

[Roux]

Mike,

please go and get as you point out, the unfiltered version. Knowledge is power,

Agnif is not afraid of speed, but some press types have him quivering? Not sure I understand that !

[stonebridge20]

Mike,

please go and get as you point out, the unfiltered version. Knowledge is power,

Agnif is not afraid of speed, but some press types have him quivering? Not sure I understand that !

Not really afraid of "press types". Afraid of my big mouth and Rand egging me on. Sounds like a recipe for a brawl! Plus I'm too damn busy at the shop to go to a wankfest with a bunch of cheese eaters in the middle of a work day!

[ric baribeault]

can't decide if i would want to be a fly on the wall, or sell tickets.

[Michael Rand]

Update 4/4
I stopped by yesterday and toured around, they open for the season today, a horrible cold wet day, and of course forgot the digital camera.
The Bridge is all back in place, new abutments, paved re-graded approaches, but the exact same bridge.
It is just 4' higher off the track.
The bridge span itself has been shifted over the track to accomodate the assorted plans they seem to not be able to decide on for new Pit In. Slight realignment of barriers, added armco drivers right under and downhill of the bridge, not much else, the Flag Station, while not in the exact precise location is very close and all but identical.
Certainly alters the sight picture on approach but as none of the cars using LRP was 8'+ tall anyway it really makes no difference.
I was told that IMSA/ALMS, read Tim Mayer and Scott Atherton, demanded the bridge be raised because, well, "A car could get airborne and hit the bridge.". I suppose the extra 4' of clearance could make a difference but it cost a huge amount and ultimately they will need to do it all over when they upgrade the bridge itself to allow tractor trailer rigs to use it and accomodate spectator foot traffic lanes so traffic doesn't come to a halt for a single person sauntering down the middle of a drive lane.
And using the "a car COULD get there" logic, a car COULD get into the walkover bridge at Big Bend, a car COULD do many things, so what's next ?
Everyone needs to understand, in 2006 Charlie Whiting, FIA Track Inspector and F1 Clerk of the Course [what we call the Chief Steward maybe ?] [A good guy even if he is FIA affiliated, he's a non-Nazi, non- S&M aficionado] inspected the track and granted an FIA certificate. Not for F1 obviously, but "appropriate for the scheduled events". I walked the trackwith him that day, he thought it looked like a great drivers track. And the subsequent 2007 "upgrades" of additional debris fencing, cabling, barriers, tire walls etc had not be done, so that sends a message.
Latest on "The Club", the leader Stephan apparently is demanding that on shared days,when a PCA or BMWCCA group splits the track time with 'The Club" that prime A Paddock space be roped off and reserved for "The Club" membes. I guess so they don't have to walk to far to the concession [until their clubhouse is built] or restrooms.
Next Thursday is going to be interesting.

[Ray Dona]

Are they going to re-pave the old sections of the track NOW or are we going to hear that they will do it later - just like we have been hearing for the last 10 + years. I assume you all have seen http://www.timlinerud.com/racing/Lim..._Changes-1.pdf Ray Dona P.S. So they had to raise the bridge so the ALMS cars would not hit it - too funny - or is that what's called "negative downforce".

[Andy Bettencourt]

Are they going to re-pave the old sections of the track NOW or are we going to hear that they will do it later - just like we have been hearing for the last 10 + years. I assume you all have seen http://www.timlinerud.com/racing/Lim..._Changes-1.pdf Ray Dona P.S. So they had to raise the bridge so the ALMS cars would not hit it - too funny - or is that what's called "negative downforce".

They are repaving the whole current track and adding the new stuff. A new bridge will be constructed in a second wave but the new abutments were needed to accomodate the positioning of the new pit-entrance.

They have done EXTENSIVE research on what mix of material to use for the track. This is going to be the best of the best stuff according to the CEO.

[Purple Frog]

Maybe they raised the bridge so big rigs could come in through their usual gate but get to the paddock by driving down the track to pit in, thus relieving infield traffic conjestion? Just a thought.

Kevin from Comprent did figure out a way to get Freejack to hit a bridge...

[Michael Rand]

Yeah, Kevin said it was a one time rocket propelled shot that actually worked, never mind the movie sucked, not that I saw it..
The 4' added only makes the clearance 4 meters, I don't know of any full size rigs that would fit under it, That is less than 13 feet if my metric conversion is close, and anyway once they get on the front straight in race direction there is no access into the infield/paddocks.
Nice try Eakin, no cigar.

[Michael Rand]

Just back from today's media function officially announcing all the changes to be accomplished in June of this year.

I will go out on a limb here and state, for the record, that IF everything explained actually happens as presented the place will be fine in the future.

The "alternative" corners are to be used at the discretion of the track user, the original track layout will be unaltered with the exception of a complete repave.

Tim Mayer of IMSA/ALMS made a statement that he forcasts only 5 additonal seconds in P1 or P2 lap times. That I disagree with vehemently, I can't imagine it being that little. But I have been wrong many times before and may well be now, time will tell as ALMS is to use the new configuation July 11-12, 2008.

The new pitlane is likely to start just past the bridge on a shallow angle towards the corner of B Paddock, runs between the two big trees, which will stay, and the existing earth berm. It is to run through and use the existing false grid which will be expanded to make p the loss of square footage.

The downhill and Big Bend are not to be altered in grade or width. Actually none of the original corners are to be altered, the additional optional corners will not affect the classic Lime Rock configuration.

As I said at the start of this post, IF everything explained today happens as presented, it will be fine.

This in no way changes my essential disagreement with the impetus to do it, but in the event I am satisfied that our home track is not to be destroyed. If my opinion matters at all that is. A group of us dinosauers decided that while the reason is debatable the accomplishment sounds better than expected.

[harmug]

I went to the press conference yesterday for the groundbreaking ceremony ( and free lunch catered by the Interlaken inn) and I agree with Mike, things might not be too bad if Skippy keeps his word. He was hedging his bets. The final plans are dependent on the lab results of core samples taken from around the track which will determine what they can and can't do. Nothing about improvements to the camping area, paddock or drainage issues.

Reading between the lines, ALMS seems to be driving most of these changes and why it's being done in the middle of the racing season instead of in the fall. Track is too fast for LP1 cars, no chance for passing. the new turns will add wide braking zones where passing can occur with wide run off areas if they screw up.

Highlights
The entire track will be repaved, not just the new sections. The concrete pads will be removed. More paved runnoff areas. Downhill section will not be changed.

Track configuration will be chosen by the promoter. ALMS will use the new configuration, Busch (nationwide) will probably use the Classic. Vintage might use one on Saturday and another on Monday.

The new sections will add 5-10 second to lap times, the length will remain about the same.

The chicane will probably still be there but probably not used.

The new west bend configuration will require the current berms and security buildings to be removed. registration will remain for now.

They bought the 19 acres of woods to the left of the infield entrance. They're going to put a new entrance with electronic ticketing machines through there by the ALMS race.

A spectator berm will be put in just before the bridge on the outside of the track new the downhill flag station. Doesn't seem too safe to me.

New Pit in areas by the bridge still under discussion.

The hill overlooking the esses will be cut back to the fence and a retaining wall will be put up. The swamp will be drained and a new section of track (optional) put there.

The hill overlooking noname straight has been cut back to generate fill for the bridge. More cutting will occur to give a view of noname from the main viewing area and to allow for a new straight. The camping area will be regraded to allow better visibility.

picture- Fitch, Ship, Posey

[John Merriman]

Man, was I ever relieved when I read these amazing words in Mike's post:

"I will go out on a limb here and state, for the record, that if everything explained actually happens as presented, the place will be fine in the future."

Whew !! The first 151 posts in this thread were really worrisome. What would happen to our beloved Lime Rock? How could Skip be so callous and disrespectful......stupid, even? Those wimps with all their Ferraris and Porsches were obviously going to cause the worst desecration in the history of road racing since they stopped racing on the orginal Nurburgring. Ever since F1 ceased racing at Pescara after that magnificent event in 1957 - the year Lime Rock was born - real racers, outraged and disgusted - have been trying to find out precisely who was responsible for that reprehensible decision!

So, as the saying now goes - "NO WORRIES! And what's to complain about? The "wine and cheese" crowd are essentially footing the bill to make LRP practically a world class facility. The track will be paved? Oh my god!!!

The ALMS crowd are no dummies either...their racing will be better by far. And, you know something....an SCCA race using the new sections every now and then might just be a hell of a lot of fun. Try it, you might like it. But, I know: no real racers will dare to enter!

( so, now, Skip: how about lowering the track rental fee for Club events? )

[rickb99]

Track is too fast for LMP1 cars?

Anybody know what the difference in lap times are between LMP1 cars and say a Can-AM McLaren M8 or an F5000 car in there glory days? Perhaps lap times are a lot different. But I don't think the terminal velocities were/are a lot different. It's all in the grip you dummy RB99.

[Dennis McCarthy]

John,

You wouldn't expect real racers to drive there now would you?
After all they did raise the bridge a couple of feet and the sky didn't fall......

[Bob Wright]

The track record is something like 43.7 seconds ( 1.53 mi) set years ago and the P1 cars are approaching that on a much deteriorated surface. Unless you've seen/driven on LRP, you have no idea how fast that really is. Atlantics are under 50 seconds and the FC record is 50.2 sec (unofficially 49.8 on a test day by one J Treadway).

The old Can-Am and F5000 cars were nowhere near these speeds, mostly due to tire and shock technology.

[Paul LeCain]

The Atlantic record is 47.129 by Steve Shelton in a Pro Atlantic race in 1988. The most recent time close is 47.443 by Paul W. LeCain (not I) in 2005.

[stonebridge20]

Agnifilo 1994 47:429 Swift DB4 Na,Na,...Na!

[rickb99]

Okay time out here.

ALMS races (where the LMP cars run ) are 2 hours 45 minutes long. Under FIA rules ( Appendix "O" ) the minimum track length for such an event (considering duration) is 3.5 Kilometers (2.17 miles). Lime is only 2.46 KM long (1.54 miles). Therefore, Lime Rock Park already has to have a "waiver" to run an ALMS event.

The dirty bumbs. Portland had to 'fudge' and add width to a couple of corners in order to meet the min. track length by like a 10th of a mile to keep ALMS coming.. And LRP gets away with a HALF MILE too short??? Ha and double Ha

Furthermore, seeing as how perhaps ALMS is pushing for these changes, will the new track length be 3.5 Kilometers? Doesn't look like it.

And further to my further more. Under FIA Appendix "O" I doubt that Lime Rock is even long enough for a full ALMS field based upon cars/mile factor. I think, for ALMS that number would be 36 per FIA.

Oops wrong on that one. Only 28 'official' entry's in ALMS these days.. That's sad The Sebring 12H had 33 cars