Just Back From Lime Rock!

[RacerX]

I took my wife and 2 teenage daughters to the ALMS race at Lime Rock this weekend, and I have to say, we were all impressed by the experience!

Neither of my daughters, 14 & 15, had ever been to a race before, but they wanted to see one, so I decided to see the ALMS at Lime Rock. I have never seen this series in person either. I've been rather tough on this series over the years and it never really grabbed me, but up close and personal it's hard to say anything bad about this series.

I don't know if it was Lime Rock Park, but everyone was very fan friendly. From the mechanics to the crew to the drivers, they all went out of there way to make you a part of the weekend. They had a great autograph session which really impressed my daughter's, and we scored 11 of them! They decided they were Patron fans, probably because I talked to Scott Sharp like we were old buddies. Great guy and one of my hero's. Not only that, but I got to pee next to none other than Gil DeFerran. No, I didn't look down, and neither did he, but we chatted abit till we finished. Another very nice guy. I wished him luck!

The grid was a little thin without the Vettes, or Astons, the Audis or the Peugots, but the cars that were there are seriously impressive machines. Very fast down the straights, they get deep into the braking zone, somewhat F1 like, and there acceleration is impressive. They look very serious to. The purpose built cars like the Acura and Mazda are very good looking in person. The Mazda looks abit like the old Porsche 917. But the best sounding car was the Ferrari F430. Wow, just magical! The Ferrari had a great battle with the Flying Lizard Porsches all weekend. The loudest was the Panoz, which kept everyone awake! Nice to be in the paddock area when the cars were started up and they rolled right past us for practice.

Lime Rock itself is a wonderful track. No grandstands anywhere, just bring a blanket, a cooler and some chairs and find a place on the hill overlooking the track. Really a nice way to see a race. The scenery in the NW part of Conneticut is beautiful to and worth a trip all by itself. Great driving roads up there with nobody on them, so me and my Cadi CTS were in full sport mode for much of the trip!

So I think the ALMS made a fan of me and my family. Any event that can make my 2 teenage daughters say, "Dad, that was great, when can we do it again?!" is a great event in my book! It was a wonderful weekend!

[diamonddave]

sounds like a great time.
it's to bad you couldn't have witnessed the Corvette's and how (well the GT1) shook the ground when they rumbled by. If you would have seen the Audi's and Peugot's you'd be gawking even more!

Road Atlanta anyone?

[Insighter]

Very cool. This was a very thin field for ALMS but as you said, there is still nice diversity and a lot of fun to go around.

[cptkablamo]

Nice!!! I remember hearing the Panoz and wondering how such a big sound can come from a GT2 car...And you did get to see the Radical - I love that car!

Glad you had fun!

[RacerX]

Originally Posted by diamonddave

sounds like a great time.
it's to bad you couldn't have witnessed the Corvette's and how (well the GT1) shook the ground when they rumbled by. If you would have seen the Audi's and Peugot's you'd be gawking even more!

It was kind of unfortunate that none of these cars made the trip to Lime Rock, because I understand that the Vettes will be back for the next race at Mid-Ohio. Do the Audi's and Peugots even race in the series anymore? (Sorry for the dumb question!)

[cptkablamo]

Originally Posted by RacerX

It was kind of unfortunate that none of these cars made the trip to Lime Rock, because I understand that the Vettes will be back for the next race at Mid-Ohio. Do the Audi's and Peugots even race in the series anymore? (Sorry for the dumb question!)

just selected (read big) events...

[Maelochs]

In my experience ALMS people are always nicer than they have to be.

And the cars are the coolest on the planet, bar none.

Really glad your whole family liked it.

[diamonddave]

Originally Posted by cptkablamo

just selected (read big) events...

correct.

peugeot is coming to Road Atlanta and possible Laguna Seca this year. Haven't heard anything about Audi though

[cptkablamo]

Cards are being played close to chests over at Audi and Porsche. Probably will find out more when the future of a proposed 11 billion dollar bid from VW to Porsche is known...I would be surprised, however is Audi didn't turn up

[RacerX]

So what's the problem with the big boys going to the smaller venues like Lime Rock?

Are the purses to small?

[cptkablamo]

Comes down to internal politics - Factory teams do not get prize money as such in the ALMS

Peugeot are not going to turn up to smaller events as they don't sell cars in the States and seem to becoming a big event only team as they are not competing in the Le Mans Series in Europe either at the moment. Not sure if this will change come the new rules or an ecomonic turnaround. They seem to focusing a lot of effort on the IRC at the moment.
Audi is definately politics. They would be there if it weren't for some backroom disagreements with Porsche...

[Insighter]

Originally Posted by RacerX

So what's the problem with the big boys going to the smaller venues like Lime Rock?

Are the purses to small?

Audi gets ZERO for running in the ALMS. Once major problem with the series.

The purses for privateers are awful too, something like $20k to the Sebring winners . Doesn't even touch the tire budget.

[RacerX]

Originally Posted by Insighter

Audi gets ZERO for running in the ALMS. Once major problem with the series.

The purses for privateers are awful too, something like $20k to the Sebring winners . Doesn't even touch the tire budget.

Wow, I never knew that!

How can one of the premier series in this country not pay out - and still survive?

I guess Audi uses it as a marketing tool, but geez, no payouts? How long can they or any other team last like that?

[armin]

Peeing next to De Ferran would be a top moment for me.
I've always wanted to go to Lime Rock.It always looks good on TV.
I think ALMS will be better next year, but still planning on 4 days at Road America next month.

[RacerX]

Originally Posted by armin

Peeing next to De Ferran would be a top moment for me.

!!!

It's one of those things that make racing a great sport. I mean, do you think I'd ever get to pee next to Derek Jeter or A Rod?

Originally Posted by armin

I've always wanted to go to Lime Rock.It always looks good on TV.

It's easily the prettiest place I've ever seen a race. And the fact that there are no grandstands is great. Just find a spot on a hill, bring some chairs and a cooler and your all set. As for the racing, well it's all action all the time on the very small and tight track. Great stuff!

[diamonddave]

Originally Posted by armin

but still planning on 4 days at Road America next month.

are you doing the Tour De Road America on Friday night?

[Bumpsteer]

I peed next to Boris Said at Daytona once. He kinda gave a look as if to say "what the heck are you doing walking all the way from the west horeshoe to the paddock at 3am??" (wondering why the Thetford boys had garaged yet again). Rememberances of '98. Sadness and jubilation, that was a heck of a race.

Lime Rock is a fantastic venue for the public. I'm shamed to say I have not been there in a decade but access to the paddock for such events is a great time. My last visit there was for a vintage weekend. Lots of pictures for that on film somewhere here.

I had attended there several times during the seventies as crewing a Formula V. Later helping out another eager young guy with his bug eye Sprite. the improvements they had made to the grounds (I hope) have been supported and advanced even more. A truly great track to wander and watch except for Big Bend. There had once been envisioned a long term and supported rally course that would rise up the side of the small mountain there.

Speaking of Thetford and the Dyson team, atta boy! Was it really a color change that has made all the difference?

Cheers

GC

[RacerX]

^ Sounds like you have some great memories of the place.

And pictures to! You have to post em someday...

[cptkablamo]

Ahhh funny

Must admit one of my favourite motorsport memories is peeing next to Stephane Ortelli

Lime Rock Looked from the pictures as a real fans track - sit down and watch the cars, a different kind of place for top level motorsport...

[Xzibit]

sounds like a great time...i love lime rock...you take any pics?

[RacerX]

Originally Posted by Xzibit

sounds like a great time...i love lime rock...you take any pics?

As a matter-of-fact, I did.

But I havn't downloaded them yet!

I'll get them up soon.

And welcome to PaddockTalk Xzibit!