GRIDLIFE Circuit Legends returned to Lime Rock Park for a three day event which celebrated car culture and motorsports. This is the first of two photo stories that covered both on and off track action. Hope you like the photos.

Arrived at the track around 8.30 am, then headed down to the A Paddock to take a look at the cars parked and being worked on in there garages.  For walking around the paddock used a 35 mm lens, and left the rest of my photography gear in the car, so it was easier to walk around. At the beginning of the A Paddock was the Falken Tires stand which had on display the Ford Mustang (top) and Nismo 350Z (bottom) cars they use for drifting. Both cars looked great in their beautiful livery.

Then went over to the FCP Euro stand to see the Audi and Porsche vehicles that participate in the drifting on-track sessions. Looking forward to seeing these and the Falken Tires cars drifting around Lime Rock Park.

Eibach’s, Toyota AE86, that participates in the GLTC Touring Car race series.

Continued down the A Paddock to see some of the “grassroots” race cars.

Was really cool seeing the large variety of cars that participate in the GRIDLIFE events.

On my walk around the paddock, saw a Tesla Cybertruck, which certainty looked like its from the future.

When I reached the other side of the A Paddock, headed back to the top of the paddock, and saw the Nappy Boy Automotive Nissan 240SX S14. Wow, the livery on this car was really “eye-popping”, especially the livery on the bonnet.

Left the A Paddock and walked up the Inner Spectator Hill, where you have a great view of the cars as they navigate The Esses. After arriving at my car, picked up the rest of my photography gear for capturing the on track action, which included 70-200 and 500mm lenses.

For the morning Track Battle Time Attack session, went to the inside of  Turn 2 at the entrance to The Esses. From here you can get a series of photos with different vantage points, including the Turn 2 to 3 straight (top), exiting the Turn 3 Left Hander (middle); and moving along Turn 3 to 4, with the Inner Spectator Hill in the background (bottom). The #714 Nissan 350Z with its metallic red paint work was one of the most “eye-catching” cars on the track (bottom).

Next up was the Rush SR session, which consisted of purpose-built race cars from Rush SR Auto Works. These cars are powered by a 1L inline four cylinder engine which produces a 145 Hp at 11,800 rpm and weigh just over 1000 lbs; resulting in a lightweight and high performance race car. For this session walked along the inside of the track to the exit of the Right-Hander at Turn 4. Here’s a wide angle view of the Lime Rock Park Tower (left), A Paddock (middle) and the Left Hander (right).

Really thought the side-profile of these cars looked really cool.

For the morning GLTC sessions, went to the the outside of Turn 4, for photographs of the cars going through The Esses. From this location, you get a great view of the Lime Rock Park Tower (top) and of the cars speeding by it (bottom).

Through the Essess, with the #888 Toyota GR86.

The #155 BMW Seems Legit.

Between sessions, looked to my left and saw the GRIDLIFE Arcade tent at the top of the Inner Spectator Hill (top), then captured a photo of the #44 NST S14 speeding by (bottom).

Then turned to my right, for photos of the cars drifting through The Esses with a Corvette C7.

It was amazing how much smoke that was created from the rear tires of these cars as they drifted.

Falken Tires Ford Mustang.

As the session continued, went to my left and up a slight hill, for front-on photos of the cars as they drifted out of Turn 4.

Also developed a photo in black and white, to emphasize the white cloud of smoke created by the rear tires as the cars drifted past you.

By now is was lunch time, so headed back to the car to drop off my camera gear, then grabbed some lunch. After lunch went for a walk around the Midway where a lot of vendor and food concession stands were set-up.

As I was walking along the Midway, noticed on the grassed area next to the Midway, rows of really cool cars lines up, so went over to take a look,

Really liked the classic Volvo station wagon and Mercedes FCP Euro cars.

The Toyo Tires stand was very impressive both in size and the racing cars on display.

 

After getting to the end of the Midway walked through the parking and camping areas and saw a Tesla being charged in its “garage” space for on track racing action (top), and a really cool modified red Chevrolet truck with rotating chrome wheel inserts.

Headed back to the car, picked up my camera gear, then walked up the hill to the outside of West Bend for the afternoon GLTC session.

It wasn’t long until the mid-afternoon drifting session started, and was really excited, since this was the first time I’ve covered the drifting at this part of the track. Was really cool watching the cars drift into West Bend (top), then drift along the short straight into the Down Hill (bottom).

After the drifting session finished, walked over to the inside of the straight that leads into the top of the Down Hill for front on photos of the Rush SR race cars (top and middle) and rear photos as they descended The Down Hill (bottom). For the top photo, noticed the track marshalls yellow flags, so used them to frame the top of the photo.

Was also cool to see a Porsche on top of a small hill in the spectator area outside West Bend.

Walked back down the hill to the outside of The Esses at the bottom of the Inner Spectator Hill for the afternoon GLTC race. Race start, with the #41 Acura TSX leading the field into the Left Hander (top).

After most of the field past by me, turned to my right, for a rear photo of the cars going through the Right Hander.

Through the grass-lined Esses with the #45 Continental Industries.

Speeding out of the Right Hander with the #28 Turnin Concepts.

Next up was the late afternoon drifting session, under some beautiful soft low light. From the location I was at, you could capture several types of photos; including front, side, rear and panning. Wow, what a day, really enjoyed the variety of cars that were on and off the track for this GRIDLIFE Circuit Legends event. But, of course, my favorite, was the drifting, which always put a smile on my face. After the session ended, headed back to the car, packed up my camera gear, the went back to Great Barrington where I was staying for an early dinner. Thanks for spending your time reading this photo story.