Lime Rock Turns Sixty - Celebration

On September 2, Lime Rock is celebrating 60 years of tradition, beauty and speed at Lime Rock Park.  It is also a kick-off fundraising event for the "Legends of Lime Rock" commemorative area in A Paddock.

The celebration – cocktails, a sit-down, family style dinner, music, entertainment, auctions – will be highlighted by a special gathering of legends, people who are particularly important to Lime Rock's history and legacy. David Hobbs, PJ Jones, Sam Posey and Jim Haynes – all drivers at heart, of course, but each of whom became influential beyond the cockpit – will engage in a lively discussion: Expect invigorating repartee amongst these racing icons, and tales will surely be told that few have heard before.

About the Guests 

David Hobbs... Aside from his exploits at Le Mans, as well as in F1, IMSA GT, the Indy 500 and even NASCAR, David's biggest successes at Lime Rock were during F5000's halcyon days. In the five F5000 races at Lime Rock between 1969 and 1972, Hobbs never qualified lower than fourth. He won twice (including during his 1971 title-winning year) and finished on the podium in two others. His lone LRP DNF was due to a diff failure in 1972, F5000's last race here.

Sam Posey... Sam's racing career was not only the equal of Hobbs in its diversity, but our hometown hero actually learned his craft at Lime Rock. Sam famously won the 1969 LRP Trans-Am race in a Shelby-run Mustang, subbing for Peter Revson, and won the IMSA GTU race two years in a row, 1978 and 1979. Motorsports' reigning Renaissance Man par excellence is today a painter, writer, designer, broadcaster... Sam in person never fails to charm and enlighten.

PJ Jones... Representing 1990s-era Lime Rock during its IMSA Camel GTP heydays, PJ is not done racing; he's a star in Robby Gordon's spectacular Speed Energy Super Truck series and competes in the SCORE Baja off-road races. PJ, son of the legendary

Parnelli Jones (who raced and won at Lime Rock in Trans-Am Mustangs), on Saturday, May 29, 1993, turned an amazing lap of :43.112 in his #98 All American Racers Toyota Eagle MkIII IMSA Camel GTP prototype during qualifying for the Toyota Trucks Lime Rock Grand Prix. And a quarter century later, this is still the lap record at Lime Rock! PJ is articulate, funny, engaging – and not afraid to go toe-to-toe with Sam and David.

Jim Haynes... Flying up from Tampa, Fla., it was Jim's essential and creative management of Lime Rock in the 60s, 70s and 80s that ensured the success we all enjoy today. As a driver, Jim won multiple SCCA National titles, but he's best known for running Lime Rock with grace and wit. It's not hyperbole to say Jim was a major force in American racing during his stewardship of Lime Rock. He was an important early ally of John Bishop's nascent IMSA series and was a leader in promoting vintage racing, helping it reach the astounding success it enjoys today. His post-LRP career – for nine years he ran Road America, a track similar to Lime Rock in its appeal – gives Jim a unique perspective as he looks back on what Lime Rock means to him.

In addition, Historic Festival 35 Honored Guest Richard Attwood as well as Honored Collector Bruce Meyer will be in attendance.

The Auction

There are many great auction items available to bid on to round out the fun.  A highlight of items include:

► Lucas Oil Race School: Two-day accredited school, for two people

► Lime Rock Drivers Club Track Day, in LRP Spec Miata race car
includes overnight accommodations at Falls Village Inn

► For BMW Fans: Race-worn Bill Auberlen helmet and race-worn David Donohue race suit

► Huge "Car Guy" Package with the best products from: Thule Carriers and Racks; a full set of your choice of Nokian Tyres (including its famous Hakkapeliitta winters or zLINE hi-po summers); Wheels of Time winter car storage; tickets to the Ridgefield Playhouse "F1 Season Wrap with NBC's Matchett, Hobbs and Diffey"; Spectro Performance Oils & Lubricants; premier car-detailing by Explicit Design "Celebrating Lime Rock's past... while building for the future."

Tickets

Tickets are $200 per seat, limited to the first 300 people to order online.