Lime Rock Park announced that Historic Festival 41 just broke an all-time entry record for the event with more than 400 rare and vintage cars entered to participate in the 41st-annual celebration- meaning there will be plenty of on-track racing to watch over Labor Day weekend.

 

But, what if you want to completely immerse yourself in everything that is Historic Festival? The event itself has grown and so has the number of things to do around the track that will keep fans busy for the entire five-days of the Festival. The Lime Rock Park staff has chosen 10 (Non-Racing) Things to Do while you’re here- most of which are included with a General Admission ticket.

 

1. Watch the Historic Festival Parade presented by NBT Bank

When: Thursday

Where: 17 miles around the Lakeville area, starting at Lime Rock Park and ending at Falls Village Inn

Fast Fact: Free event for the community, featuring a 125 rare and vintage car parade.

About: The five-day festival kicks off on Thursday with the Historic Festival Parade presented by NBT Bank. The parade will take a different route this year due to the construction on Salmon Kill Bridge. The new route will still include a 17-mile tour through local towns on some of the most scenic and entertaining roads in northwest Connecticut. Historic Festival Chair Skip Barber hand-selected 125 of the rarest and most interesting entries for the parade, promising an exciting collection of cars touring through Northwest Connecticut. The parade will start with a send-off lap around Lime Rock Park at 5:00 p.m. and concludes at the town of Falls Village with a street fair featuring a free concert from Wanda Houston.

Insider Tips: NEW Parade Route Map

 

2. Take a Guided Paddock Tour

When: Saturday (11am-noon, 2-3pm) and Monday (11am-noon, 2-3pm)

Where: Tours start at the Info Booth located in the Midway at the entrance of Spectator Hill

Fast Fact: Free and open to anyone with General Admission ticket

About: The Vintage Sports Car Club of America will be offering Guided

Paddock Tours again this year. The tour guide will take fans around the paddock, telling historical stories and interesting facts about select cars, allowing participants to get an up-close look at rare race cars.

Insider Tip: If you can’t make the guided tour, pick up an entry list and paddock map at the Info Booth and host your own tour.

 

3. Listen to the Sounds of Lime Rock Park

When: Saturday at 1:24 p.m.

Where: Around the Classic Circuit

Fast Fact: Best place to watch will be from the Sam Posey Straight

About: Saturday, during lunch, a symphony of engines will fill the air as select vintage cars, including the legendary Maserati Tipo 151, take an at-speed 1 7/8 lap around the classic Lime Rock Park circuit for a special Sounds of Lime Rock presentation.

Insider Tip: Cars slated to participate in the Sounds of Lime Rock Presentation are the Maserati Type 151, Ferrari F1 V12 1.5L, Chrysler Turbine A-831 gas turbine, Sacrilege Porsche 911 EV, Corvair race car H6 2.6L, Plymouth XNR I6 3.6L (225 cu in), Ford Escort RS2000 I4 2.1L Cosworth, Watson Indy 500 I4 (255 cu in), Porsche 917 H12 4.5L, Porsche 910 H8 2.0L, Jaguar XKE OTS I6 4.2L, Ralt C Sports Racer 13B wankel 1.1L, Studebaker Lark V8 (289 cu in), AC Cobra (Shelby) V8 Ford (289 cu in) and Lorraine-Dietrick Grand Prix 16.4L 4-cylinder.

 

4. Add Sunday in The Park; Lime Rock Park Concours to your HF41 experience 

When: Sunday 10am-2pm

Where: Lime Rock Park

Fast Fact: This experience requires an additional ticket from GA race days ($40)

About: Sunday is two events in one. Sunday in the Park: The Lime Rock Concours offers a special line up of beautiful and historic cars across several groups to vie for the Best-in-Show Award. The Gathering of the Marques hosts enthusiasts and clubs representing nearly every make and model, all arranged around the 1.5-mile Lime Rock course. With more than 1,000 cars expected, the event will showcase an incredibly diverse display of cars grouped by make, model or country of origin.

Insider Tips: Food vendors will be spread out around the track for you to stop and enjoy some food and cold drinks as you tour the car show. The rare Lime Rock Concours cars are lined on the Sam Posey Straight, the Gathering of the Marques are arranged all around the track

 

5. View Chrysler Concept Cars

When: Friday-Monday 

Where: Paddock A under the tent, Along the front straight Sunday only

Fast Fact: Chrysler is the celebrated marque of Historic Festival 41

About: A celebration that spans the decades, the Historic Festival will host a unique selection of Chrysler concept cars that have never previously assembled. Confirmed examples will include the 1960 Plymouth XNR that is equipped with the “Slant-6” engine, just one of 12 built to “NASCAR” specifications capable of 250HP, the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car, one of just nine left in the world and the 1995 Chrysler Atlantic that was designed by Bob Hubbach and inspired by the Bugatti Atlantique. Other confirmed concept cars attending are the 1941 Chrysler Newport, 1953 Chrysler D’Elegance, 1954 Chrysler DeSoto Adventurer II,1957 Chrysler Diablo, 2005 Chrysler Firepower and the 2023 Chrysler 300 Special Edition

Insider Tip: If you want photos without a crowd of people around, make this your first stop in the morning. The tent will get more crowded as the day goes on, especially during lunch.

 

6. Tour Lawrence Auriana’s Rare Car and Motorcycle Collection 

When: Friday-Monday

Where: Paddock A under the white tent, Along the front straight Sunday only

Fast Facts: The display will include five rare Alfas, four vintage Maseratis, four rare Ferraris, two special Ducatis, an OSCA MT4 and even a vintage 1953 Fiat Maserati transporter.

About: Honored Collector Lawrence Auriana will add another layer of elegance to Historic Festival 41, as he brings 17 of the world’s most elusive and coveted race cars hand-selected from his private collection to Lime Rock Park.

Insider Tip: Get a full history of each car on display in the Daily Rev. DOWNLOAD HERE

 

7. Pose for an LRP Letter Photo

When: Friday-Monday

Where: On top of Spectator Hill

Fast Facts: These letters were created by LRP Maintenance crew member Derek Byxbee

About: Giant oversized red letters (LRP) that stand for Lime Rock Park.

Insider Tip: If you want a photo with just the track in the background, make this your first stop otherwise there will most likely be other people sitting on Spectator Hill in your family photo.

 

8. Find Food

When: Friday-Monday

Where: Paddock A, Outfield, Spectator Hill and the Midway

Fast Facts: Lime Rock Park has its own beer by Great Falls Brewing Company. Cold, velvety and easy to drink, Lime Rock Park Lager is a Pilsner Style Lager. This “cruising beer” was designed to be enjoyed in the infield, outfield and winners circle.

About: Park Provisions has great choices all over LRP. All the concessions will still have your favorite the Lime Rock Burger, our famous Chicken Tenders and several fresher options. Since Autumn weather is forecasted for this weekend it is the perfect time to try the New England Clam Chowder special in the Beer Pavilion Tent on top of Spectator Hill. It’s served in a bread bowl and you can also grab a LRP Hard Lemonade made with Titos and fresh Lemonade served in a Lime Rock Park souvenir cup. The Midway will also be filled with several food trucks serving good eats from ice cream, to turkey legs to gourmet grilled cheese, there’s something for everyone. See full list of vendors under the Midway section.

Insider Tip: If you want a more elevated dining experience at the track, reserve a spot for the Saturday dinner. The night includes an all you can eat catered dinner with an open bar surrounded by rare Italian cars, overlooking the Sam Posey Straight. This year the speakers are honored collector Lawrence Auriana, veteran historic racer Joe Colasacco and Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles. There are a limited amount of tickets available left for purchase here.

 

9. Wear the Kids out in the Kids Zone

When: Friday, Saturday, Monday

Where: Behind the Info Booth on the Midway

Fast Facts: Everything is Free in the Kids Zone

About: The Kids Zone is for children or for the kids at heart. Families can spend hours in the Kids Zone with lots of things to do like face painting, a photobooth, a real race car that they can actually touch, yard games and an activity booth.

Insider Tip: Put sunscreen on before you get your face painted.

 

10. Explore the Historic Festival Midway

When: Friday, Saturday, Monday

Where: Behind Spectator Hill

Fast Facts: The Swap Meet is now part of the Midway.

About: The Historic Festival Midway is packed this year. You’ll find collectibles, antique cars on display, racing gear, good eats, free swag, hard-to-find car parts, an artists’ tent and so much more. There are so many vendors we couldn’t list them all, but see the map below so you can strategically plan your route

Insider Tip: If you want first-look at all the free swag, explore the Midway on Friday (before lunch) so you have dibs on the good stuff and don’t have to wait in line!