LAKEVILLE, Conn. (25 May 2022) – A Dyson family holiday tradition continues this weekend (May 27-30) when the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli headlines the Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park.

Over the years, the family visited the circuit to watch Rob Dyson tackle the 1.53-mile layout in Camel GTP, IMSA World Sports Cars and Grand-Am SRP competition. With Connecticut’s Blue Laws prohibiting competition on Sundays, the Dysons hosted a picnic and Indianapolis 500 watch party at their home in nearby Pleasant Valley, N.Y. Young Chris Dyson would mingle with the team’s racing stars, including James Weaver, Butch Leitzinger, Andy Wallace and Elliott Forbes-Robinson.

This weekend, that tradition comes full cycle as the younger Dyson, reigning Trans Am TA champion, pilots his No. 20 ALTWELL Ford Mustang in Monday’s feature race at 11:20 a.m. Eastern.

“It’s hard for me to express adequately how meaningful it is for me to carry on the family’s legacy of success at Lime Rock,” Chris Dyson said. “From the earliest days of my childhood, Lime Rock and especially Lime Rock on Memorial Day, was the greatest place to go. Dad and our team always did really well there and the whole environment at the track has always been so welcoming. Plus, it’s really one of the most exciting layouts in the world– super fast, demanding and every single corner demands your full attention as a driver.  As soon as I roll out on to that track, it’s a good day as far as I’m concerned.  We’ve been coming out here for decades but I still get a buzz every time I come across the bridge by West Bend.”

Dyson Racing had a breakout Memorial Day weekend in 1985, when Drake Olson scored an upset victory driving Rob Dyson’s brand-new Porsche 962 in the team’s Camel GTP debut. Leitzinger and Weaver won the 1998 event in Dyson’s Riley & Scott Ford Mk III. Weaver and Leitzinger returned in that car to win Grand-Am’s debut race in 2000, and repeated with a pair of triumphs in the twin-sprint format in 2001.

Chris continued the winning tradition at Lime Rock Park, capturing commanding victories in both the 2019 and 2021 TA rounds. His win last season during the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic paved the way to securing the 2021 TA championship.

Chris also added an ALMS victory to his credit at Lime Rock, winning a July race in 2011 with Guy Smith driving a Mazda Lola B09/86.

“Lime Rock Park is only a mile and a half long, but it’s actually one of the fastest tracks I’ve ever raced on, and that includes the old Le Mans course before they added chicanes to slow it down,” explained Rob Dyson. “Lime Rock is a track that demands a driver’s respect. Chris shows that respect every lap. It’s hard to describe the pride I have in his success there and elsewhere. He’s a racer in every respect. Competition is where Chris thrives.”

The Tran Am Memorial Day classic starts on Friday with on-track activity starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern from Trans Am, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), International GT (IGT) and Skip Barber Racing School Formula Series.(SBRS) Saturday highlights include a 100-mile feature from the largest Trans Am TA2 field in Lime Rock History along with races from SVRA and IGT. Monday will include an intense 100-mile competition from the Trans Am TA/XGT/SGT/GT classes, racing from SVRA, and two SBRS rounds to celebrate the first SBRS reunion.

New to the weekend schedule this year is the Connecticut Craft Beer Grand Prix. Accompanied by the area’s best food trucks, more than two dozen local breweries will showcase the outstanding quality and variety of Connecticut craft beer on the Lime Rock grounds on Sunday, May 29.

Also on Sunday, fans can mingle amongst hundreds of cars that will be on display from the Royals Garage Car Show and Hagerty Cars and Caffeine as part of the Sundays at The Park event. Come for the beer, the car shows, the racing, or all three! With flexible ticket packages, fans can customize their Memorial Day experience at Lime Rock Park.

Fans are encouraged to reserve tickets and camping spots ahead of the weekend. Advanced general admission tickets start at $55, with full weekend passes, VIP Fan Hospitality Tent (Available for Saturday ONLY) and Semi-Private Cabana upgrades available.

For more information, including the full schedule, driver entry lists and tickets, visit: Memorial Day Classic – Lime Rock Park