Skip Barber Day: Sunday, August 31
At last year’s SpeedTour, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Representative Maria Horn joined fans, friends, fellow racers, and the Lime Rock Park ownership group to honor a true racing legend. Together, they presented Skip Barber with a framed proclamation officially declaring August 31 as Skip Barber Day in the State of Connecticut.
This year, the celebration falls on Sunday in the Park, our Concours d’Elegance and Gathering of the Marques—making the day even more special.
We’ll mark the occasion with a Fun-Raiser in honor of Paul Newman, supporting the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, CT. Skip’s own barber, Corey Smith of Smitty’s Barber Shop, will be on hand donating his time and talent for the cause—yes, on Skip Barber Day, Skip’s Barber will be there. And adding a touch of harmony, the Hartford Men in Harmony Barbershop Quartet will stroll the circuit, serenading fans in four-part tribute to Skip. You can’t script it better than that.
Relive last year’s proclamation moment with a moving video written and narrated by Skip’s dear friend, Sam Posey, now playing on our YouTube Channel.
The Sunday Concours. A Stroll Through Automotive Elegance |
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| | The Lime Rock Sunday in the Park Concours is a juried showcase of rare and significant automobiles. Concours entries are still open, and the team is especially seeking vintage Rolls-Royces, Postwar Triumphs, and Prewar European classics. |
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Sunday’s Gathering of the Marques: Bring It, Park It, Love It |
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| | Sunday morning at HF43 begins with one of Lime Rock’s most colorful traditions: the Gathering of the Marques. Cars of all kinds line the track, parked by make in a joyful celebration of automotive passion. No pressure. Just good vibes, great cars, and a whole lot of chrome. Got something good lookin’? Bring it. Want to stroll the track with a coffee and take it all in? You’re in the right place. |
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Haircuts on the Front Stretch? Only at Lime Rock. |
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| | Where else can you celebrate Skip Barber Day with a fresh cut on the front stretch? Skip’s longtime barber, Corey “Smitty” Smith, will be donating his time in honor of Skip and Paul Newman. Proceeds benefit the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp—so come for the Concours, enjoy the Gathering of the Marques, and leave looking sharper than you arrived. |
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Barbershop Harmony Celebrates Skip and the Spirit of the Festival |
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| | The Hartford Men in Harmony Barbershop Quartet brings timeless charm to Historic Festival 43. On Saturday, they’ll perform around the track for your enjoyment. On Sunday, they’ll stroll the circuit during Sunday in the Park—serenading fans and celebrating Skip Barber Day with four-part harmony. A fitting tribute to the man who helped shape the track—and the tradition—we all love. |
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Yes, He Drove It: Le Monstre Rolls Into Lime Rock Having sailed from England, Le Monstre has landed in New York. Derek Drinkwater is driving it to Lime Rock—yes, driving it. Entirely road legal and towing a trailer of supplies, Le Monstre is making the journey the old-fashioned way. Drinkwater even fabricated a trailer hitch for the car, hooked up a teardrop camper, and with his wife Pat riding shotgun, hit the road for Connecticut. For the Drinkwaters, getting here is half the fun: “The racing’s great, but the journey to get here is what rocks our boat.” Drinkwater finished his Monstre tribute in 2018 and has since run it at racetracks across Europe, including Brands Hatch, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the Le Mans Classic. At Goodwood, he even had the rare chance to park his car beside the original Le Monstre—and the two looked like they’d rolled out of the same factory. More recently, he brought it stateside to compete at the Classic 24 Hours at Daytona. Now, the adventure continues at Lime Rock Park. |
The Kastner Cup at Historic Festival 43 The Kastner Cup was established in 2003 to honor R.W. “Kas” Kastner, the engineer and competition director who turned Triumph sports cars into winners on American tracks in the 1960s and ’70s. The award is unique in vintage racing — it’s not just about finishing first. The winner is chosen based on three equally weighted factors: on-track performance, the preparation and presentation of the car, and the driver’s embodiment of sportsmanship and the spirit of Triumph competition. This year’s race will see 40 Triumphs on the Lime Rock Park grid, including TR2, TR3, TR4, TR6, GT6, and Spitfire models. Wheel-to-wheel competition among these classic British machines will decide who takes home the Cup, continuing a tradition that celebrates both the cars and the people who race them. And here’s a fun connection — our Guest of Honor, David Hobbs, drove a Triumph Spitfire in the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans. When you see him during the weekend, be sure to ask about it — he’s got great stories. |
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The Lost Legend Returns: 1953 Sorrell Kurtis GMC Special Known in its day as “Dick Lane’s GMC Under Glass,” the 1953 Sorrell Kurtis GMC Special disappeared from public view after 1958—until John Mote, Sr. recovered and painstakingly restored it for a return to the track in 2023. Commissioned in 1953 by Beverly Hills builder Dick Lane, the car was conceived as the ultimate dual-purpose machine—something he could both drag race and road race. To bring it to life, Lane enlisted some of Southern California’s finest talent. Legendary Indy-winning constructor Frank Kurtis supplied the 500KK chassis (#KK4), a widened version of the design that claimed five Indianapolis 500 victories, complete with torsion bar suspension. Master body designer Bob Sorrell shaped the sleek lines, while Indy driver and engine builder Frank McGurk built the powerplant. Powered by a 302-cubic-inch GMC inline-six with a custom 12-port head and six carburetors, this prototype made its debut at the 1953 Petersen Motorama, dazzling enthusiasts with its advanced engineering. After vanishing for decades, it reappeared in 2023 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, marking its first public showing in 70 years. John Mote, Sr. reflects on the car’s legacy: “Although it took 65 years for Dick Lane’s Kurtis Sorrell GMC Special to finally race on a racetrack, hand-built Specials embodied the spirit and enthusiasm of the 1950s Southern California sports car craze. For me, this is what makes this period and the Del Monte Trophy Race Group the most interesting of sports and sports racing cars at any track.” Few cars have vanished for more than six decades only to return with such presence. The Sorrell Kurtis GMC Special is one of a select group of icons you’ll see only at Lime Rock’s Historic Festival.
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The Ragtime Racers on the road and on the track! |
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| | These pioneers from before 1920 are coming to Lime Rock Park for the first time—on the road and on the track. Catch them rumbling to Falls Village in Thursday’s Parade, then see them on track all weekend. It’s a rare, full-sensory glimpse into the raw, fearless spirit that launched a century of racing. |
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Thursday Tradition Rolls Through Town On Thursday, August 28, engines fire up at Lime Rock Park as the Historic Festival Parade takes to the streets. Nearly 125 vintage race cars will make their way from the track to Falls Village—one of our most beloved Festival traditions. The route begins at Lime Rock Park, turning left on Route 112 to Hotchkiss Corners, then right on Route 41, right on Route 44 through Lakeville, Salisbury, and Noble Horizons, before turning left on Salmon Kill, left on 112, and north on Route 7 to Main Street in Falls Village. Fans are encouraged to line the route or bring a lawn chair to the Green in Falls Village, where the celebration continues with the Middletown PBA Pipes & Drums, lively stiltwalkers, and a free lawn concert by Wanda Houston. Special thanks to our parade sponsors: NBT Bank, the Falls Village Inn, and PCar Market. |
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VIP Hospitality: Saturday Access to the Best Seat in the House |
Make your Saturday at Lime Rock Park unforgettable with VIP Hospitality—an exclusive race-day experience like no other. Enjoy a premium view overlooking the Sam Posey Straight, plus a catered breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are included, along with private restrooms, a swag bag, and a special Q&A with a racing legend. This VIP access is only available on Saturday—don’t miss your chance to watch the action in total comfort. |
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Hospitality, Perks, Parade Laps—Your VIP Pass Awaits Two days of premium access, infield car corral parking, exclusive perks, and up to 40 percent savings from Hemmings.com. This exclusive experience invites you right into the action at HF43, including hospitality at the races, infield parking access, on-track parade lap sessions, raffles, and more. Click the button below to learn more & get your tickets to the Hemmings Experience before they sell out! |
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Vintage Racer Group: Preserving the Spirit of Vintage Racing |
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| Since 2021, the Vintage Racers Group (VRG) has been a trusted partner in co-sanctioning Lime Rock’s Historic Festival, with its members helping execute and preserve the spirit of the event. VRG views vintage racing as an amateur sport where passion and participation matter more than trophies. Their mission is to keep historic cars active in a safe, enjoyable format.Click here to discover VRG and join today. |
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Free Paddock Tours – Guided by the People Who Know Best |
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| | Join the experts from the Vintage Sports Car Club of America (VSCCA) for a one-hour walking tour of the paddock. Hear the history of these machines, learn why they’re significant, and meet the drivers—straight from the people who know them best. Tours start at the Info Tent on Saturday at 11 a.m. and Monday at 11 a.m. |
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Book Signings & Autograph Sessions |
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| | Meet David Hobbs, Gordon Kirby, Judy Stropus, Fred Stevenson, and Rich Taylor. Get a signature, a selfie, and share stories. They’ll have books available, and fans are welcome to bring memorabilia to be signed. Saturday in the Info Tent: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm |
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Rob Dyson’s Indy Car Collection on Display |
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| | Rob Dyson — champion team owner and Grand Marshal of Historic Festival 43 — brings his passion for vintage racing to Lime Rock Park, his home track. His remarkable collection includes several historic Indy cars, both on display and on the track. Don’t miss the chance to see these open-wheel legends up close and in action. |
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The BMW That Conquered Daytona Comes Back to Lime Rock |
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| | The legendary 1975 BMW CSL returns to Lime Rock for Historic Festival 43. This factory-built Group 4 racer claimed overall victory at the 1976 24 Hours of Daytona and was driven by icons like Redman, Gregg, and Stuck. See it up close on display all weekend at HF43. |
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Meet a Legend: David Hobbs Returns to Lime Rock |
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| | Racing legend David Hobbs returns to Lime Rock Park this Labor Day weekend as Guest of Honor at Historic Festival 43. His iconic 1974 Carling Black Label McLaren IndyCar will be on display, and fans will have the rare chance to meet Hobbs in person and get his autograph. |
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Skip Barber Day: Sunday, August 31
