Three Days of Vintage Racing start Friday at Lime Rock Park
At the heart of Historic Festival 43 are three full days of racing, where history comes alive on track. Friday is a dedicated practice day, with cars of every era turning laps from morning to evening. Saturday and Labor Day Monday feature full race schedules, pitting some of the most celebrated machines against each other in true vintage competition.
From the delicate precision of Formula Juniors and mid-century sports cars to the raw power of big-bore GTs and Porsches, every run group tells the story of motorsport’s evolution. Triumph takes the spotlight in this year’s Kastner Cup, while IMSA icons, World Challenge cars, and even the Ragtime Racers bring their unique chapters of racing history to life.
Saturday also brings the Swap Meet, a tradition in itself—where surprising discoveries, rare parts, and treasured memorabilia are always waiting to be found.
And only at Lime Rock: every ticket is a paddock pass. Fans can walk among the cars, talk with the drivers, and soak in the atmosphere of true vintage racing. No ropes, no barriers, no special credentials—just an open paddock that puts you closer to the sport than anywhere else.
| Sunday in the Park Concours – On Track at Lime Rock On Sunday, Lime Rock Park’s legendary circuit transforms into the most beautiful concours in the country. Gates open at 10 a.m.—and this year’s field is filled with rarities and legends you won’t want to miss. Among the highlights: a 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Barker Tourer, unrestored after spending 70 years hidden in a San Francisco garage; “Barn Find Hunter” Tom Cotter’s well-traveled 1965 Cobra—once attacked by a bear in search of Fig Newtons; and the legendary 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB, famed for its beauty and performance on both road and track. Also featured: an extremely rare Royal Bobcat Pontiac GTO, the “stealthy hunter” beloved for its performance modifications, and one of only 50 Jaguar XJR-15s ever built—a 450 hp, 191 mph supercar crafted by JaguarSport. See them all on the track at Lime Rock Park during Sunday in the Park. |
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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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| Skip Barber Day: Sunday, August 31 |
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| | Last year, Governor Ned Lamont, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Representative Maria Horn joined fans, racers, and the Lime Rock Park ownership group to honor Skip Barber with a proclamation declaring August 31 Skip Barber Day in Connecticut. This year’s celebration coincides with Sunday in the Park, making it even more special. |
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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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| 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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| Grand Marshal Rob Dyson’s 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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| Yeah, he drove it. Le Monstre rolls into Lime Rock |
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| | For the first time, Le Monstre arrives at Lime Rock. Derek Drinkwater and his wife Pat drove their exact replica from England, towing a camper behind it. The original was built in Connecticut by racer and America’s Cup skipper Briggs Cunningham, with engineering help from Grumman on Long Island. |
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| Del Monte Trophy Race Group arrives at Lime Rock |
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| | For the first time, the Del Monte Trophy Race Group comes to Lime Rock Park. These pioneers of West Coast sports car racing once thundered through the tree-lined roads of Pebble Beach in the 1950s. Among their winners were legends Phil Hill and Carroll Shelby. |
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| TOYO Tires Turn of the Century World Challenge |
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| | Production-based race cars from 1995 to 2005 return to Lime Rock, reviving the raw era of showroom stock racing. These SCCA World Challenge and IMSA Bridgestone Supercar Championship machines once thrilled fans with fierce rivalries—and here they run again, outfitted in their original Toyo Tires spec rubber. |
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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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| Ragtime Racers – On Track and in the Parade |
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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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| The Kastner Cup comes to Lime Rock |
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| | The Kastner Cup—one of vintage racing’s most celebrated all-Triumph events—is coming to the Historic Festival for the very first time. Watch a 33-car grid of Spitfires, TRs, and GT6s battle it out in honor of Triumph legend R.W. “Kas” Kastner. It’s a can’t-miss moment for British sports car fans. |
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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. Click here to discover VSCCA and join today. |
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