Reading all the well-described posts about Labor Day's Lime Rock (nee Fall),
(nee BMW), Dodge Vintage and Historic Festival....makes this long time
participant realize that...what was...was...and what is...is a brand new
direction for the event.
For those subscribers who have never experienced the "original" Vintage Fall
Festival (the mid-1980's w/o any corporate sponsors), it was much like Steve
Earle's early counterpart of the Monterey Historics...but with all the charm
of New England. The Vintage Fall Festival originally was held late in
September, but later moved to the Labor Day weekend as it grew steadily over
these past 16 years to become the East Coast's premier vintage event.
Year 2000 was to be different. The initial rumors started during 1999 and
came in a flurry....that the Vintage Sports Car Club of America (VSCCA) would
no longer be the club sponsor or even invited to participate and..that the
Brian Redman/Merrill Lynch Award Series would no longer be the co-host. That
the Historic Sportscar Racing, Ltd. (HSR) would become the successor club
sponsor...and all of this was occurring as a result of Lime Rock Park's (LRP)
new management's desire to attract more spectators by offering a more
diversified racing schedule and format. There were so many mixed signals.
No one took control or made any formal announcements about driver/car
eligibility or what the event's format would look like until late summer.
I filled out my application, but later chose not to enter. The rainy weather
had been a factor over the past two years (plus a wet and wild spin in the
downhill), and not knowing what the new grids were going to be made up
of...it made my decision easier...and many other fellow drivers I spoke with
concurred.
Changes. LRP now has a higher profile management. The VSCCA was replaced by
the HSR and initially told that they couldn't participate...but because of
Skip Barber's long standing relationship with them... he VSCCA was given a
partial reprieve for the 2000 event. It's fate remains to be seen.
Some previous posts indicated that gone were some of the friendly vendor's
faces from past Festivals...due to increased square footage rentals. Gone
was the annual Festival's event theme...along with the talented motorsports
artist, William Burrows, who over the years had lent his unique artistic
style to the Festival's program covers and more importantly...to sought after
T-shirts. Also gone were some of the VSCCA's event organizers...in
particularly Charlie Gibson, who capably chaired the event for all of its
previous years.
The Race. From what was previously described about the VSCCA Group 2
Production race....perhaps a faux pax took place in some decision making
...by calling for a checker after only three completed laps into the feature
race -- when a shunt occurred and a tractor pull/clean up was needed. I
don't ever recall getting a checker after only 3/12ths of a qualifying race.
Do you? Perhaps those VSCCA participants should get a "good will"
refund...(9/12th) of the entry fee...but prorated over the full race weekend?
Perhaps the VSCCA should have been treated more fairly too?
I feel bad for the VSCCA. They have always supported LRP...since the
beginning of time. LRP became their home track with four events each year.
Now they have, for all practical purposes, lost this Festival event and the
remaining three races could become fragile...depending upon where LRP's
priorities lie. It's a bottom line bu$iness, ya know.
A real driving experience. HSR has now been able to expand from their
traditional "Dixie" venues to an established major event in New England.
They are apt to pick up new members and certainly a larger following just by
being at LRP. That's a pretty good marketing strategy...and perhaps one that
the VSCCA might take a long look at as well...to expand their own shrinking
racing universe and reestablish themselves at Watkins Glen...firm up a more
practical race date at Summit Point...lock into VIR in the warm spring sun.
The Future of the Festival. LRP and HSR's new alliance will benefit each
other going forward...but don't look for increased attendance on the
hillside. Those spectators are primarily New Englanders who still prefer to
watch 'prehistoric' race cars...the kind that showed up when the golden age
of racing ruled supreme in that old quarry. Some things will never, ever
change.
I'm looking forward to racing at the Festival in the future...knowing well
that the character of the event is now different. Hopefully, the VSCCA will
be able to work out something more equitable with LRP and HSR. There's
surely a place for both organizations at the Festival...but only time will
tell.
Best racing.
Lee Raskin
Brooklandville, MD
Arnolt-Bristol and 356ers #36
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