Day 2 for the Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park, was race day for the TA2 class of the Trans AM series. Other on track action was from the TA class, SVRA, IGT and the FRP. Was also able to see a special exhibit on Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman. Hope you like the photos.

Arrived at the track around 8.00 am, so had time to visit The World of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman in the Infield Chalet at 8.30 am. Felt very fortunate to see this special exhibit. For this series of photos, thought developing in black and white would be appropriate.

After you enter the building there was an old black and white photo and wooden model of Lime Rock Park, and some information on the history of the track.

To your right was a great photo of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, and the Oscar that she won in 1958 for her role in the movie, “The Three Faces of Eve.” The photo was being used to publicize The World of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman auctions that will be held in New York City next month by Sothebys, which will consist of individual items from these legendary actors.

As you enter the main room, on display was some of Paul Newman’s motorsport racing memorabilia, including driving suits, helmets, championship rings and watches. The Daytona Rolex watch above was a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward, which she had engraved on the case back “Drive Very Slowly Joanne”. A very special watch, which is estimated to sell at auction for $500,000 to $1 million.

After leaving the exhibit, checked out the hill top seating next to the Lime Rock Chalet. Really nice view of the paddock and track, with the Berkshire Hills in the background.

Had some time before I needed to be at the track, so walked around the Midway area to check out the vendor area. Saw a very unique horse-drawn carriage, as well as a lot of cars on display.

Then walked over to the car park and camping areas to give you an idea of what they looked like. Its was great to see so many people here.

Walked back to the top of the Infield Spectator Area, past the prototype and LRP signage, that fans like to get their photos taken with.

At the top of the hill their are plenty of food and drink vendor stands to get refreshments during the day, with great views of the track and paddock.

For the morning sessions was thinking about which track location to go to. Decided to go to the outside of the track at the top of the Uphill. This was because the cars were using the outside part of this track, which allowed some of the cars to reach speeds that enabled them to “jump” as they reached the top of the Uphill. Since this track location is a far distance from the Media Center, walked down to the A Paddock to see if I could get a golf cart ride part of the way. Many thanks to the Lime Rock Park golf cart driver who took me up to the spectator area near the Main Gate, from where I walked through the Main gate to outside the track, then past the Will Call and Registration hut, and along the dirt road that runs parallel to the straight between West Bend and the Uphill. As I got closer to the Uphill, their is a path which gets you up to the outside of the track, and got into position for the “jump shots” using a 500 mm lens. By the time I got here, the practice sessions for the SVRA had started, and did some test shots, since it was unlikely that cars from this class would reach sufficient speed for a “jump”, but even so, the backlighting was beautiful.

Also took a couple of quick shots of the cars coming into West Bend.

The qualifying session for the FRP 1600 started at 10.05 am, so walked down to the top of the Uphill just past the flaggers stand for a different perspective. At this time of the day, their was a lot of backlighting and glare on the track, so decided to photograph at a slow shutter speed for panning, to see if I could get some “artsy” shots.

Towards the end of the session, walked back to the other location, since at 10.40 am, the Trans AM TA class would hit the track, and cars from this class would reach the speed needed to “jump”. After a few laps you would realize which cars could “jump” or not. Here’s some of the cars that “jumped”. The #99 Trackhouse Chevrolet Camaro (top), #16 Gym Weed Ford Mustang (middle) and the #13 KMC/RabidWraps/RapidPerfMgmt Porsche GT3 Cup 997.1.

Then turned around to get some photographs of the cars entering West Bend. The #16 Gym Weed Ford Mustang with flames coming from its exhaust pipe. When the session ended, walked back to inside the track.

By the time I got inside the track, the 11.20 am feature race for the IGT cars had started, so decided to go to the flaggers stand under the road bridge that spans the track at the top of the Down Hill. After a few laps, left this location and walked down the hill to the Media Center to get some lunch and download photos.

At 12.20 pm the fan walk for the Trans AM TA2 class started, and on my way, took a couple of photos of the A Paddock and garages.

Was great to see a lot of people at pit lane to see the cars and drivers during the fan walk.

Driver interview.

For a different vantage point, went to the top of the flaggers stand that overlooks the start/finish line. From here, you could really see the large crowd on hand to see this race.

Next, got some shots of the drivers.

Shortly after, the drivers and teams were getting ready for pre-race activities and the race.

For the start of the TA race at 1.00 pm, went to the bottom of the Infield Spectator area that is directly in front of the straight between between Big Bend and the Left-Hander, since this is a great location to get front shots of the cars all bunched up. The #26 Bennett / HPTuners / MikeCopeRaceCars Ford Mustang (top) and #70 FranklinRoad / Mobil1 / Gearwrench Ford Mustang (bottom).

After they exited Left-Hander, turned to my right to get rear shots of the cars going through the Right-Hander.

Changed to a lower shutter speed to get panning shots of the cars as they exited the Right-Hander. Left to right with the #25 Amsoil Chevrolet Camaro, #11 BergRacing / RedLineOil / REDCOMLab Chevrolet Camaro and #05 The Autosport Group Chevrolet Camaro (top) and  #78 DQ / GPXLiveCamera / BCRaceCars Chevrolet Camaro (bottom).

As the race continued, walked to the straight between Big Bend and the Left-Hander for side panning shots of the cars. The #22 Ty J Young Wealth Management Ford Mustang (top) and #98 Bring Back The Trades / D&M Elec Ford Mustang.

Turned to my right for rear shots of the cars with the Infield Spectator Area in the background, which is a great place to watch the race. The #27 SLR-M1 Race Cars Chevrolet Camaro.

Continued walking along the track for shots of the cars going around Big Bend.

Kept walking around the inside of the track to the entry of Big Bend, with the Outfield Spectator Area in the background.

 The #78 DQ / GPXLiveCamera / BCRaceCars Chevrolet Camaro.

Under the Pedestrian Bridge with the #16 Waypoint / Mike Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang.

Walked across the Pedestrian Bridge for shots of the front straight from the Outfield Spectator Area.

Since the the race was soon ending, started to look around for some different shots. Noticed how you could see the cars going behind the stairs of the Pedestrian Bridge. Hence, tried some really slow panning shots, and was lucky that one of these shots worked out. The #29 CUBE 3 / Berryman Ford Mustang.

Towards the end of the race, went to the winners podium for the trophy presentations and the champagne. The race standings were

First – Thomas Merrill (#26 Bennett / HP Tuners /Mike Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang)
Second – Mike Skeen (#87 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang)
Third – Thomas Annunziata (#90 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang)

After capturing the celebrations, went to the media center to drop off my gear, then went to a food vendor to grab some lunch. Ate lunch in the media center while I downloaded and edited photos.

Went back to the Esses for the FRP2000 qualifying at 4.10 pm. The side profile of these cars looked really cool.

Stayed in the Esses for the 4.45 pm TA practice. The low soft light at this time in the afternoon was beautiful. The #13 KMC / RabidWraps/ RapidPerfMgmt Porsche GT3 Cup 997.1 speeding into the Left-Hander.

Some shots of the #91 Bennett/Bridgehaul/Pitboxes.com Audi R8 (top), #23 McNichols Co Chevrolet Corvette (middle) and the #99 Trackhouse Chevrolet Camaro (bottom).

The #8 Lucas Oil Ford Mustang looked great in metallic blue.

Another shot of the #8 Lucas Oil Ford Mustang, this time, exiting the Left-Hander.

Was cool seeing the flame coming from the back-firing exhaust of the#20 Gym Weed Ford Mustang.

Speeding between the Left-Hander to Right-Hander straight with the #42 Bennett / Bridgehaul / PitBoxes.Com Mercedes AMG GT3.

The livery on the #13 KMC / RabidWraps/ RapidPerfMgmt Porsche GT3 Cup 997.1 looked really nice.

The #91 Bennett/Bridgehaul/Pitboxes.com Audi R8 exiting the Right-Hander.

After the TA session finished went back to the Media Center, to download and edit photos, then packed up. Unfortunately, wasn’t able to stay for the Sunday (car show, cars and coffee and craft beer) and Monday (TA qualifying and race, and other series races) activities since needed to get back to Boston. Many thanks to all the Lime Rock Park track photographers, media relations, marshalls, staff and volunteers for all your help, really appreciated it. Looking forward to coming back to Lime Rock Park later in the year. Thanks for spending your time reading this blog.