Labor Day weekend at Lime Rock Park has at all times been steeped in custom, however this 12 months’s Historic Pageant 43 is shaping as much as be one for the file books.
With almost 300 race entries, 125 parade individuals, dozens of collector automobiles on show and an estimated 1,000 uncommon classics, classic cars and bikes set to take part within the Lime Rock Concours and Gathering of the Marques, a part of Sunday in The Park, the storied circuit will host the most important assortment of classic automobiles in its trendy historical past.
Over 5 days, the hills of northwest Connecticut will echo with the sounds of open-wheel pioneers, championship-winning IndyCars, thundering Trans Ams, barn-find Cobras and century-old machines introduced again to life. It’s half dwelling museum, half rolling pageant and all celebration of motorsport.
Grand Marshal: Rob Dyson
This 12 months’s Historic Pageant welcomes Rob Dyson, founder and staff principal of Dyson Racing, as Grand Marshal. Identified for many years of victories throughout IMSA and endurance racing and deeply rooted in Lime Rock Park historical past, Dyson can be a passionate collector. His private lineup will anchor the paddock with a unprecedented show:
Ragtime Racers Tent: 1913 Isotta Fraschini Tipo IM, 1904 Napier L48 “Samson” Racer, Hispano SuizaClassic Indy Automobiles (Paddock A Tent 1): 1961 Cooper Climax T-54, 1974 Carling Black Label McLaren M16C/D IndyCar No. 73, 1978 Budweiser McLaren 24B, 1967 “Blue” Eagle, 1927 Miller 91 Particular #1Different Icons (Paddock A Tent 2): Porsche 962-101, Lola/Mazda B09/86, MG Lola EX-257, AC Cobra and extra.
Visitor of Honor: David Hobbs
Legendary driver and longtime broadcaster David Hobbs will function the Historic Pageant 43 Visitor of Honor, signing autographs and copies of his e-book Hobbo on Saturday (11:00 a.m.-noon) on the Halfway Market Data Sales space. Followers may see the very automobile that carried Hobbs to worldwide acclaim, the 1974 Carling Black Label McLaren M16C/D IndyCar No. 73, introduced from Dyson’s assortment (Tent 1).
Featured Teams: From Ragtime to World Problem
This 12 months’s Historic Pageant isn’t honoring only one marque however many, with a slate of celebrated teams that convey new depth to the pageant:
Ragtime Racers – Early Twentieth-century automobiles exhibited at pace, full with a period-correct paddock and equipment that seems like a time machine.Kastner Cup – A tribute to R.W. “Kas” Kastner and the Triumph legacy, that includes devoted run teams break up by engine class.Del Monte Trophy Race Group – Automobiles that after roared via Pebble Seashore highway races now face their East Coast counterparts for the primary time in historical past.Toyo Tires Flip of the Century World Problem – Manufacturing-based race automobiles from 1995 to 2005, reviving the uncooked period of showroom inventory racing, all outfitted within the unique spec tire from Toyo Tires.
Among the many headline entries is Le Monstre, Briggs Cunningham’s wild 1950 Cadillac that shocked at Le Mans, together with a 1975 BMW CSL, Neal Heffron’s Henna Crimson M1 and a barn-find assortment of unique Cobras introduced by Tom Cotter.
Over the three days of competitors, followers will see 18 whole races throughout 9 completely different teams, every working a spirited 20-minute marketing campaign per outing on the Traditional Course configuration.
The Parade
Festivities start Thursday night, Aug. 28, with the Historic Pageant Parade introduced by NBT Financial institution and Falls Village Inn. From almost 300 candidates, 125 distinctive automobiles had been hand chosen by Skip Barber to traverse a 17-mile route via the cities of Lakeville and Salisbury earlier than rolling into Falls Village. The Middletown Police Profit Affiliation Bagpipe Band will lead the procession onto the City Inexperienced, adopted by stilt dancers from Mortal Beasts and Deities. Carry a garden chair and revel in a free live performance from Wanda Houston and her swinging jazz band underneath the summer time sky, together with meals vehicles and refreshments.
Sunday in The Park
On Sunday, Aug. 31, the circuit transforms right into a showcase of automotive heritage. The Lime Rock Concours and Gathering of the Marques will fill the monitor with round 1,000 automobiles spanning each period of motoring from pre-war touring automobiles to trendy classics.
Greater than racing
The pageant extends past the monitor. On Saturday (11:00 a.m.-noon Halfway Market Data Sales space), authors together with Hobbs, Gordon Kirby, Judy Stropus and Wealthy Taylor will signal books and greet followers. The Hartford Males in Concord Barbershop Quartet will present classic aptitude, whereas Skip Barber Day, formally acknowledged in Connecticut, shall be celebrated Sunday with particular actions. Followers may even get a trim from Corey of Smitty’s Barber Store, Skip Barber’s longtime private barber, with proceeds benefiting the Gap within the Wall Gang Camp.
On Saturday and Monday followers can be a part of the free (with common admission ticket) Classic Sports activities Automobile Membership of America (VSCCA) for a one-hour strolling tour of the paddock to listen to the automobile’s historical past, be taught why they’re important and meet the drivers.
For followers who need to see much more automobiles, PCARMARKET will show a group of uncommon automobiles on the Halfway Market whereas the Hemmings Expertise will showcase attendees’ automobiles in a particular corral.
Foolproof Brewing Firm, in partnership with Lime Rock Park, will debut its new collector’s version Marzen Fashion Lager, Analog, through the 2025 season. Packaged in a limited-edition HF43 can with solely 500 produced, the discharge presents followers a real collector’s merchandise. As well as, two new year-round signature brews, Monitor Day IPA and Left Hander Lager, shall be obtainable on draft and in cans all through the rest of the season.
With its record-setting entry record and unmatched selection, Historic Pageant 43 underscores why Lime Rock Park stays one among America’s most iconic highway programs.
