Lime Rock Historic Festival 39: Parade Kicks off a Dense-Packed Labor Day Weekend Schedule

It all started yesterday with the annual Vintage Race Car & Sports Car Parade, a 17-mile tour through the villages and lush tree-lined Western Connecticut streets neighboring the raceway. But the real vintage racing action at Lime Rock Historic Festival 39 started at 10:00 a.m. EDT with a nearly three-hour-long practice session for race groups 1-7.

Photo: Bill Stoler

From there, it’s four-full days of memorable racing men and machines on one of the word’s most iconic tracks. Vintage Motorsport will be there throughout all four days, courtesy of author and columnist Burt “BS” Levy whose booth in the Lime Rock infield has become a traditional gathering place. (While you’re perusing the latest issue of VM with an eye to subscribing or renewing, make sure you pick up a copy of Levy’s “The Last Open Road” audiobook. Guaranteed enjoyment when you get back on the road …)

Photo: Bill Stoler

Friday, Sept. 3, is a full day of practice and qualifying. Saturday is special because it’s the first day of racing. The highlight of Sunday, meanwhile, is the Park Concours d’Elegance and Gathering of the Marques which will bring nearly 1,000 motorcars and motorcycles to the track.

Photo: Bill Stoler

Finally Monday, Sept. 6 - Labor Day - it’s the final day of authentic vintage car racing, with non-stop on-track action guaranteed.

Note that admission is free to veterans, active military, and youth age 16 and under. General parking in the outfield, courtesy golf cart shuttle rides, and paddock access are free throughout the weekend, too.

Race Groups

Group 1: Classic Competition Cars

Group 2: Fast and Frenetic Formula Ford

Group 3: Tin Tops and IMSA RS Reunion

Group 4: Wings & Slicks

Group 5: Mid Century Sports Cars & Formula Juniors

Group 6: Air-Cooled Porsche 911 & GTU 50th Anniversary

Group 8: Big Bore Production Cars

Group 9: Lime Rock Drivers Club Mazda Miatas

LIME ROCK HISTORIC FESTIVAL 39: FULL SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 3

7:00am - Gates Open

10:00am-12:50pm - Practice Groups 1-7

12:55pm-1:30pm - Lunch Break

1:30pm-1:50pm - Practice Group 8

1:55pm-2:15pm - Practice & Qualifying Group 9

2:20pm-6:00pm - Practice & Qualifying Groups 1-9

6:30pm-9:00pm - Participant Welcome Reception - Hospitality Tent

Saturday, Sept. 4

7:00am - Gates open

9:00am-9:20am - Group 1, Race 1

9:25am-9:45am - Group 2, Race 1

9:50am-10:10am - Group 3, Race 1

10:15am-10:35am - Group 4, Race 1

10:40am-11:00am - Group 5, Race 1

11:05am-11:25am - Group 6, Race 1

11:30am-11:50am - Group 7, Race 1

11:55am-12:15pm - Group 8, Race 1

12:20pm-12:40pm - Group 9, Race 1

12:40pm-:1:45pm - Lunch Break

1:30pm-1:45pm - Pre-Race, Invocation, National Anthem

1:45pm-2:05pm - Group 1, Race 2

2:10pm-2:30pm - Group 2, Race 2

2:35pm-2:55pm - Group 3, Race 2

3:00pm-3:20pm - Group 4, Race 2

3;25pm-3:45pm - Group 5, Race 2

3:50pm-4:10pm - Group 6, Race 2

4:15pm-4:35pm - Group 7, Race 2

4:40pm-5:00pm - Group 8, Race 2

5:05pm-5:25pm - Group 9, Race 2

5:30pm-6:00pm - Hardship Laps

6:00pm-9:00pm - Porsche Dinner - Hospitality Tent

Sunday, Sept. 5

7:00am - Gates Open

8:30am - 11:00am - Will Call - Registration Only

9:00am - 11:00am - Gathering of the Marques Arrival - West Bend Gate

9:00am - 3:00pm - Swap Meet Sunday Hours

9:30am-11:00am - Concours Judging

10:00am-3:00pm - Sunday in the Park Concours

10:00am-2:00pm - Gathering of the Marques

1:00pm - Award Winners Notified

2:00pm - National anthem

2:00pm-3:00pm - Awards Ceremony

Labor Day Monday, Sept. 6

7:00am - Gates open

9:00am-9:20am - Group 1, Race 3

9:25am-9:45am - Group 2, Race 3

9:50am-10:10am - Group 3, Race 3

10:15am-10:35am - Group 4, Race 3

10:40am-11:00am - Group 5, Race 3

11:05am-11:25am - Group 6, Race 3

11:30am-11:50am - Group 7, Race 3

11:55am-12:15pm - Group 8, Race 3

12:20pm-12:40pm - Group 9, Race 3

12:40pm-:1:45pm - Lunch Break

1:30pm-1:35pm - Invocation & National Anthem

1:40pm-2:00pm - Group 1, Race 4

2:05pm-2:25pm - Group 2, Race 4

2:35pm-2:50pm - Group 3, Race 4

2:55pm-3:15pm - Group 4, Race 4

3:20pm-3:40pm - Group 5, Race 4

3:45pm-4:05pm - Group 6, Race 4

4:10pm-4:30pm - Group 7, Race 4

4:35pm-4:55pm - Group 8, Race 4

5:00pm-5:20pm - Group 9, Race 4