Massive Makeover: Lime Rock readies for TUDOR Championship debut

Lime Rock Park is planning a huge reconstruction project called the “Road to 60” to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2017.

IMSA fans will not have to wait that long to see many of the improvements, though, with much of the work expected to be ready for the Lime Rock debut of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship on July 24-25.“From the paddocks and the bathrooms to the hillside viewing areas, we’re changing Lime Rock’s infrastructure from prehistoric to be perhaps the most fan friendly road course in North America,” track President Skip Barber said.The work will benefit both spectators and competitors.Fans will find completely re-engineered viewing areas on the hillsides, including all-new areas with spectacular views; robust, all-new Wi-Fi in both the viewing areas and paddock; defined walkways; easy access to the team compounds; and gorgeous ponds inside both Big Bend and the Downhill Turn. There will be a new PA system, with improved cellular service. There will also be permanent showers in the camping restroom.

For competitors, the A Paddock is a whopping 30-percent larger, covering 4.98 acres, with engineered drainage (no more standing water) and great landscaping. There are also all-new restrooms in the A Paddock. B Paddock is now completely paved and drained and effectively larger.Pit lane is dramatically improved, especially pit out, with the hot pit area larger. Emergency vehicle staging will be moved to increase the length of usable pit road while allowing for even quicker clean-ups.Team hospitality locations have been improved with the area for the popular Outfield location sodded and drained. In addition, a new hospitality area has been added overlooking the Righthander.“We had hoped to have everything completed by our traditional Memorial Day Weekend [featuring Trans-Am and Royals Car Show],” Barber said. “But an extreme winter kicked our butts and thus slowed us down. While we will be fully operational for Memorial Day, we’re confident that everything will be done by our TUDOR Championship race.“’Road to 60’ accomplishes many things for Lime Rock’s future, both short term and long,” Barber continued. “For each project, I asked myself, ‘What’s the best way to do this to make the Lime Rock experience better for the fan?’ While not forgetting the competitors, sanctioning bodies, the car makers, hospitality clients, the Lime Rock Drivers Club and all the driving and racing organizations, I’m pretty sure we’ve made good decisions.”

Originally on IMSA.com