Lakeville, CT – Cars finished racing on Labor Day Monday at The Rolex Vintage Festival presented by BMW, as the weekend’s activities were brought to a close. Thousands of spectators lined the hills around Lime Rock Park to witness the eight entry groups compete on track in a series of 15-lap races.
The day also provided race fans the chance to hear from some of Lime Rock’s racing legends. Names such as track owner Skip Barber, former driver Bruce Kessler, former driver and track architect Sam Posey, former Lime Rock track manager Jim Haynes and this year’s guest of honor, John Bishop, gathered in the 50th anniversary tent to discuss their fond memories of Lime Rock Park and express appreciation of the 50-year-old venue.
“I’m proud of what Skip (Barber) has done here, the setting is just outstanding,” said Haynes. “I’ve never been at a track as nice as Lime Rock Park.”
“It’s a little out-of-the way place, but something about it captures the imagination,” said Posey.
Earlier in the afternoon, Friday’s honorees Bruce Kessler, John Fitch and John Bishop signed autographs at the Rolex “Moments in Time” display tent.
In race action, warm-up laps began the day’s activity, followed by honorary parade laps of Porsches, Mini Coopers, Italian cars and BMWs. The 15-lap races then began in the afternoon with group one, the pre-1941 Sports & Racing Cars, which was once again won by Peter Greenfield of Freeport, NY in a 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35.
Group two featured the 1946-1955 Sports Racing & Production Cars under 2000cc, again won by James Donick from Pleasant Valley, NY, with his 1951 Allard J-2. In group three, 1955-1963 Formula Cars, Murray Smith of Washington, CT won the checkered flag in a 1959 Cooper T51.
Vincent Irwin of Rye, NY won the group four race, 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars, in a 1957 Lotus 11, edging out Saturday’s winner Richard Fryberger of Watertown, MA, also in a Lotus 11. Group five, the 1955-1962 GT/Production Cars under 2200cc, was another repeat from Saturday, won by Sandy Sadtler from Berwyn, PA, in a 1956 Porsche 356. Group six, a combined race between the 1956-1962 GT/Production over 2200cc & 1962-1964 under 2000cc, was won by James Freeman of New York, NY, in his 1959 Aston Martin DB4/G.
In group seven racing, Bob Herbert of Lenox, MA, won the 1962-1966 GT/Production car class in a 1965 Jaguar XKE. The afternoon’s racing concluded with 1965-1972 FIA Sports Racing & Can-Am; IMSA GT Cars to 1980, won by Joel Finn of Roxbury, CT, in a 1971 Chevron B19.
Following the races, an award presentation took place in the BMW tent. Hosted by Steve Earle, president of General Racing, the awards recognized some of the best vehicles in show, along with race winners.
Eight Rolex trophies were awarded to group race winners for the performance and presentation of their vehicles, which included:
Group 1: Peter Greenfield; Freeport, NY; 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35
Group 2: Robert Millstein; Briarcliff Manor, NY; 1953 Hansgen Jaguar Spl.
Group 3: Terry Hefty; Lafayette, CO; 1961 Cooper T-53 FL
Group 4: Eno De Pasquale; Allworth, NH; 1959 EDP Chevy Spl.
Group 5: Michael Oritt; Solomons, MD; 1958 Elva Courier Mk1
Group 6: Jack Boxstrom; Picton, Ont; 1958 Ferrari 250 GT
Group 7: Jim Glass; Kinston, NY; 1965 Corvette
Group 8: Joel Finn; Roxbury, CT; 1971 Chevron B19
The Charlie Gibson Award, given to Brian MacEachern of Grantville, PA with his 1956 Lotus 11, honors an entry who has maintained great spirit and perseverance in restoring their vehicle. The award is named in memoriam to Charles Gibson, a well-loved former participant at Lime Rock who possessed these qualities in his many years at the track.
The Lime Rock Vintage Festival Trophy, the event’s main award given for overall excellence, was won by Syd Silverman of Rye, NY, with a 1959 Lister-Chevy and a 1948 MG-TC.
“I spent some time on the hillside with the spectators during the weekend, and what they really love is watching these participants and their outstanding vehicles, and wishing it was them out there,” said Earle. “This group’s camaraderie is what really makes this event special.”
Additional information is available at www.generalracing.com.
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