Lime Rock Press Release:8/31 to 9/3

[Don]

For Immediate Release
From Lime Rock Park
Contact: Renea Topp
Tel: 860.435.5000 x 301
Email: renea@limerock.com

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR HIGHLIGHT
25th ROLEX VINTAGE FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY BMW AT LIME ROCK PARK
Legendary track celebrates 50 years; Silver anniversary of festival racing pioneer and IMSA Commissioner John Bishop to be honored

LAKEVILLE, CT (29 August 2007) – This year’s Rolex Vintage Festival presented by BMW will witness an array of stunning vehicles as they take the track at Lime Rock Park, a renowned venue which was established in 1957. The festival celebrates the rich legacy of automotive history, and brings that history to life with a series of races during Labor Day weekend.

The Rolex Vintage Festival is the largest arrangement of historic and vintage automobiles the East Coast has to offer. More than 200 rare and exceptionally maintained vehicles will be arriving from around the U.S. and Canada, including 1930-era models to muscle cars of the 1960s, among others. Now in its 25th year, the Rolex Vintage Festival entertains automotive fans and enthusiasts in the scenic setting of Lakeville, CT.

“It’s great to come to Lime Rock Park and celebrate these automobiles with such enthusiastic entrants and race fans,” said Steve Earle, president of Lime Rock Vintage Events, the official race organizer. “This year is special for all involved, with the silver anniversary of our event and golden celebration of one of the country’s greatest racetracks.”

The event also celebrates the 50th year of racing at Lime Rock Park, a track touted as the "Road Racing Center of the East." Since 1957, Lime Rock Park has hosted almost every form of motorsport, including Trans-Am, formula racing, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series events, SCCA regional races, NASCAR Busch East Series and the American Le Mans Series. The track, owned by famed driver Skip Barber, also hosts the Skip Barber Driving School.

“The truth is, this is my favorite event of the year and what a great way to end our 50th Anniversary season,” said Skip Barber, president of Lime Rock Park. “I’ve come to particularly like Sunday in the Park - this year especially with Peter Sach’s impeccable Ferraris and Alfa Romeo on display.”

The weekend’s activities commence with practice on Friday for all groups, beginning with pre-1941 sports and racing cars, and concluding with 1965-1972 FIA sports racing and Can-Am/IMSA GT cars to 1980. Practice continues on Saturday morning, and the races begin in earnest that afternoon with 10 laps from each of the eight groups. Because of a 50-year community injunction stating no racing on Sundays, the track will be still. However the action doesn’t stop as Road & Track hosts the Sunday in the Park Automotive Extravaganza, including the Concours d'Elegance, an awards presentation ceremony and the Lime Rock Vintage Swap Meet. Racing resumes on Labor Day with warm-up laps in the morning and 15-lap races in the afternoon to conclude the weekend.

On Friday night, racing legends Bruce Kessler and John Fitch will be recognized, who placed second and third, respectively, in the first race at Lime Rock Park. In addition, racing pioneer John Bishop will be honored for his lifelong work in motorsports, including his creation of three of the most exciting and successful series in motorsports history. Bishop is credited with founding the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), Camel GT and the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC), along with his leadership with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Bishop had an influence on both top sports-car series currently running, and more importantly, he represents the entire history of post-war road racing. From his spectator weekend at Watkins Glen in 1950 to his present day position of Commissioner of the Rolex Grand Am Sports Car Series, his interest in and influence on sports-car road racing has been immeasurable.

Rolex Moments in Time – In accordance with the raceway’s 50th anniversary, Rolex will present the Motor Sports History “Moments in Time” display with a selection of six significant cars with a focus on the year 1957. The racetrack at Lime Rock Park opened that year, and the winning car will be represented along with the winners from the Indy 500 and the Sebring 12 Hour Endurance Race. In addition, the winner of last year’s Monterey Cup will be displayed.

Along with recognizing those who contributed to racing history, the automobiles, and unique stories behind them, will highlight the weekend. The Rolex Vintage Festival weekend brings many historically significant cars together, giving the opportunity to tell their story. Some highlights include:

Masterpiece Collection – Four extraordinary cars from the Northeast collection, including two Le Mans Winners, a 1933 Alfa Romeo driven by Nuvolari and a Ferrari TR61 driven by Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien

Genius of Dr. Porsche – A group of cars, all designed by Dr. Porsche, including one of the finest Volkswagens in the land and the prototype Porsche Turbo that ran in 1973, but never in the United States

Plastic Fantastics – A celebration of the 50th anniversary of Lotus Elite

Outstanding Cars - A group of IMSA cars, including 935 Porsches driven by an enthusiast group from the west coast, including Bruce Canepa, who bought a Porsche new and has raced it ever since.

Among the above will be a great selection of Rolls Royce and Bentleys, along with the iconic American woody station wagons of the 30s and 40s. Also in attendance will be the former Vintage SCC regular, Bill Binnie, a modern pro racer who has won his class at 24 Hours of Le Mans twice including this year. Binnie will be driving a Ford GT40.