Plenty of action will be happening on the track during the FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix (July 15-16) this weekend, but there are also plenty of off-the-track activities for the whole family to enjoy while visiting Lime Rock Park.

 

You won’t want to miss out on these 10 family-fun activities.

 

1. IMSA FAN FEST

Race weekend will kick off in Millerton, New York on Thursday. Meet us at the Millerton Inn IMSA Fan Fest! Get up close and personal with IMSA GTD race cars, meet world-class drivers and mingle with fellow race fans.

Location: Millerton Inn (53 Main Street, Millerton, New York)

When to Visit: Thursday, July 14 from 6-8pm

Activities: FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix IMSA Fan Fest will feature a fan forum and autograph session with IMSA drivers.

Who’s Coming: A variety of IMSA teams, drivers and cars. Confirmed so far are:

• Vasser Sullivan
• Nate Vincent, FCP Euro Motorsports
• Mathieu Jaminet, Pfaff Motorsports
• Matt Campbell
• John Edwards, BMW M Team RLL
• Connor De Phillippi
• Preston Brown, Belgard & Techniseal Racing

 

2. THE MIDWAY

From display cars and motorsport art to local food vendors, the Midway offers a little bit of everything for Lime Rock Park fans. 

Location: The top of Spectator Hill, in front of the Beer Tent and near Park Provissions Concession Stand.

When to Visit: Breakfast and Lunchtime. The Mid-Way is open on Friday from 9am-5pm and on Saturday from 9am-5pm.

Must Do: Visit booths for free items, LRP Letter Photo, The Kid Zone, Food Trucks and the Titos RV (for guests 21+)

Vendor List: A variety of vendors will line The Midway. Confirmed so far are:

• FCP Euro
• GRIDLIFE
• Skip Barber Racing School
• Just Hands Racing
• Miller Motorcars
• Rockstar Energy Drink
• Titos RV
• Titos Tent/LRP Bar
• LiquiMoly
• Artist Tent
• JG Wentworth
• Salisbury Bank
• Solider Solutions
• Gears Heaven
• Artisim
• Fork in the Road Food Truck
• Batchy Brew Coffee Truck
• Vera’s Racing Steak
• Gunthers
• Avid
• LRP Taco
• Lemongrass
• MS Solutions
• Styled Aesthetic
• Craton
• Raceart
• People Kars
• NYS
• Drive LRP
• CandyO’s
• Emergency Services
• EMS
• Info Tent
• Kids Zone

 

3. THE KIDS ZONE

The Kids Zone is a great stop along The Midway filled with activities for kids of all ages. 

Location: Midway

When to Visit: Go early to beat the lines, the midway gets very busy during lunch break. Can’t make it in the morning? The Kid Zone is open on Friday from 9am-5pm and on Saturday from 9am-5pm.

Activities: Get your face painted, be silly in the Photo Booth, hop in the Panoz Kids Car for a photo, build a race car with building kits provided by Lowes, compete against the whole family by racing RC Cars, make your own IMSA hard card souvenir and play yard games like Jenga, Connect 4 and Corn Hole.

Must Do: Before leaving the Kid Zone pick up a Kids Activity Book and a pack of crayons. The activity book is a scavenger hunt book that will take you to key points around Lime Rock Park.

 

4. FAN WALKS

The Fan Walks at Lime Rock Park give attendees the chance to get an up-close look at their favorite IMSA cars, drivers and teams. This is open to all ticket holders.

Location: Pit Lane

When to Visit: Hagerty will present both Fan Walks ahead of each race on Saturday only.

• Fan Walk presented Hagerty, Michelin Challenge: 10:05-10:50 am
• Fan Walk presented by Hagerty, WeatherTech Championship: 2:05-2:50 pm in Pit Lane

Activities: The full field of IMSA drivers and cars will be available for photos and autographs.

Items to Bring: Sharpie and Camera. Pick up an event-exclusive poster from the Lime Rock Gear souviner shop or the Daily Rev Program at the Front Gate for drivers to autograph, creating the ultimate FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix event souvenir.

Insider Tip: This activity is the most popular non-racing event of the weekend so visit the driver and car you want to see first. The cars will be staged by qualifying order, making it easy to locate your favorite teams and drivers. IMSA will be shooting free merch from its T-Shirt Cannon near the flagger stand at the start finish line.

 

5. WEATHERTECH CHAMPIONSHIP AUTOGRAPH SESSION

Lime Rock Park is one of the most accessible track to meet drivers, this weekend is no different. The headlining IMSA class, the Weathertech Championship, will hold an autograph session at their team transporters on Saturday.

Location:  A Paddock (behind the scoring tower)

When to Visit: Saturday from 11:30am-noon

Activities: The full field of WeatherTech Championship will be available autographs.

Items to Bring: Sharpie. Each driver should have a Sharpie, but they sign so many autographs sometimes the ink dries up. Bring your own so you are gaurenteed a mint signature.

 

6. LRP LETTERS

8 foot tall LRP letters welcome guests as they enter The Park. 

Location: Outfield Parking Lot, just past the front entrance, in front of The Midway

When to Visit: Anytime There is no bad time to visit the LRP Letters. Special note for campers: Get up early and capture the letters at sunrise for a natural filter that can only be created by Mother Nature at Lime Rock Park.

Activities: Strike a pose. Bring all your friends and family for a keepsake photo. Post it on Instagram with the hashtag #LRP for your chance to be featured on Lime Rock Park’s Instagram Story.

Editor’s Note: If you attended the Memorial Day Classic and got a photo in front of the LRP Letters, make sure to stop by again for another one. The LRP Letters are now painted Lime Rock Park red for the ultimate pop of color against the lush green park-like setting.

 

7. CAR CORRALS

While it does require an additional ticket to park and participate in the Car Corrals, fans do not need an extra pass to visit these built-in car shows during the event. More than 200 cars in five different corrals are registered between Friday and Saturday.

Location: Locations vary depending on the Corral. Three of the Corrals are located in the infield (BMW CCA, Corvette and American Muscle), the Porsche Car Corral is on the Skid Pad and the Miller Motorcars Car Corral (SATURDAY ONLY) is located by the Tesla Electric Charging Stations.

When to Visit: Mid-Afternoon (before or after lunch, but NOT during lunch)

Insider Tip: If you found the perfect spot on Spectator Hill and don’t want to move but still want to see all the cars from the Corrals, each car will be taking a parade lap during lunch on both Friday and Saturday.

 

8. PADDOCK VISIT

Lime Rock Park is unique in the fact that any ticket purchased, including General Admission, includes Paddock Passes. See crews working on the cars, drivers walking around and hear the roars of IMSA sports cars. 

Location: There are two paddocks at Lime Rock Park. A Paddock is behind the Lime Rock Tower, B Paddock is by the Downhill. Both will be filled with IMSA trailers.

When to Visit: Anytime, but the mornings are always bustling with teams prepping the cars ahead of track sessions.

 

9. SHUTTLE RIDES

OK, this might not be a traditional destination activity but deserves to be mentioned. If you’re not worried about your step count for the day, the free shuttles around the track helps fans expedite their Lime Rock experiences. It is also nice to use if it’s hot outside or if you have little ones. 

Location: The shuttles have several pick-up and drop-off locations around the track. You can catch a shuttle at the following stops:

• Midway Information Booth 
• Paddock A (in front of Concession Stand)
• Guest Services
• Ticket Booth

When to Visit: Shuttles run from 8:30am-6pm and on Saturday from 8am-6pm.

Insider Tip: Save your feet and calves- take the shuttle to and from the Paddocks. You will avoid having to walk up and down the huge incline leading into the Paddocks. When it’s hot, the breeze going down the hill, hitting your face, is also very refreshing.

 

10. AFTER-HOURS TRACK WALK

The after-hours track walk is perfect for the fans who don’t want to rush out the gates to beat the traffic. Once the track goes cold, and the racecars are cleared, Lime Rock Park opens the gates for spectators to walk (no bikes, golf carts or motor vehicles are allowed) the 1.53-mile circuit. 

Location: Enter and exit through Pit Lane

When to Visit: After the track goes cold for the day to dusk

Insider Tip: Take a selfie at the top of the downhill for the best view of the track in the background.

 

 

HONORABLE MENTION: TAKE IN NATURE 

Lime Rock Park is nestled on 350 acres in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains which creates a park-like setting for the race track. Two bodies of water border the track: Salmon Creek and Buckley Pond. Fans are encouraged to bring their picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the grassy hillside viewing. The windy roads through the New England countryside add to the adventure of attending a race at Lime Rock Park.

Location: Everywhere around the track

Insider Tip: Use the Pedestrian Bridge (entrance in Paddock A, southside of the Lime Rock Park Tower) to access the Outfield spectator viewing area. This area of the track tends to be cooler since there are several mature shade trees and the proximity to Salmon Creek. Salmon Creek is also accessible in this area.

 

*All the above events are included with any General Admission ticket. The IMSA Fan Fest at Millerton Inn does not require a ticket. Remember that all kids 12 and younger receive free admission to Lime Rock Park. Active military and veterans also receive free admission to all events at Lime Rock with a valid military ID.

 

For more information, the full race schedule. entry list and tickets visit: Northeast Grand Prix – Lime Rock Park