The United States Auto Club (USAC) returned to Lime Rock Park (LRP) with the Mustang Cup North America and Radical Cup series during mid-October, set against the beautiful fall foliage. Hope you like the photos.

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Decided to make a day trip for the second day of this two day event, so left Boston around 5.30 am, and arrived at LRP about three hours later, under beautiful morning fall light.

The first session of the day was the Ford Mustang Cup practice session 3 at 9.00 am. For this session walked through the Midway and Inner Spectator Area to the end of Paul Newman Straight. The Mustang Cup was launched by Ford earlier this year, and is an entry-level racing series designed to bridge the gap between the Ford Racing Driving Experiences and the Mustang Challenge. The series uses the Mustang Dark Horse R and features three 30-minute practice sessions, two 15-minute qualifying sessions and two 40-minute races. Was really looking forward to photographing the Dark Horse, due to its aggressive angular shape.

Moved to my right for photos of the cars exiting Paul Newman Straight into the Uphill.

Then focussed on shots of the cars ascending the Uphill, using very slow shutter speeds to emphasize the beautiful fall colored leaves on the trees that lined the track.

Then panned the cars as they left the Uphill into The Back Stright.

After panning the cars, walked further along The Back Straight for front photos of the cars as they hit the top of the Uphill, with the beautiful fall leaves above, illuminated by the morning sunlight.

Next up was race 2, for the Radical Cup North America. This is a multi-class sports car racing series, that features light-weight spec cars, all powered by high-performance race-tuned engines. Really thought these open cockpit cars looked really cool. Here’s a photo of a Radical Cup car with the fall colored leaves of the Berkshire Mountains behind, and called this photo, “Postcard of Lime Rock Park in the Fall”.

First captured some “editorial” style photos (top); then some “artsy” photos, using either the glare and top/down light from the morning sun (middle) or a slow shutter speed (bottom).

Then turned around, and tracked the cars as they sped down The Back Straight.

After the on-track session finished, noticed the Aut0-X was ongoing at the FCP Euro Proving Grounds near the Inner Spectator area. Was really cool watching the cars navigate the autocross track, especially the orange Acura, which matched the fall background.

Decided to walk over to the FCP Euro Proving Grounds area for a closer look at the Auto-X. Was cool seeing the wide range of cars that were taking part in the Auto-X.

As I got closer to where the cars started the Auto-X, noticed the track map taped to a post.

Was really cool watching the cars go around the Auto-X track with the fall-colored Berkshire Mountains in the background.

Continued on my way through the Inner Spectator area, and saw some really cool cars, and was great to see this grass-roots level of motorsport.

As I continued down the hill to The Esses, saw this amazing RV bus.

Continued to the outside of the Right Hander for the Ford Mustang Cup practice session 4. Really like this location, since you get a great view of the cars navigating through The Esses, and past the Lime Rock Park Scoring Tower.

Here’s a series of photos of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse #23, #58 and #4 moving through The Esses.

After the session ended, headed over to the A Paddock to grab some lunch from the Park Provisions vendor, then found a seating area in front of the LRP brick emblem, to eat my chicken and chips.

After lunch, took a walk around the A Paddock with my 35mm lens to check out the Ford Mustang and Radical Cup cars in their garages and being worked on.

 

 

 

 

Also saw a beautiful Ferrari, with metallic olive green paintwork.

Headed back to the top of the A Paddock and past the Lime Rock Park pace car, to grab the rest of my camera gear for the next on track session.

For the Ford Mustang Cup qualifying, started at the end of the inside of Sam Posey Straight, for photos of the cars speeding down this straight.

Walked under the Pedestrian Bridge for photo’s of the cars entering Big Bend.

Also noticed as the cars entered Big Bend, how they passed in front of some red colored leaves.

Towards the end of the session, tried some slow panning shots to capture the cars going “though” the reeds lining the pond.

For the start of the Radical Cup race 2, walked over to the inside of The Esses, in front of the Infield Spectator Hill, so could capture front shots of the cars all grouped up, as they entered this part of the track.

After the cars passed by, turned to my right, for rear shots of the cars going into the Right Hander.

Stayed at this location for a few laps, so could capture some panning photos of the Radical Cup cars as the navigated The Esses.

Also used my long lens, for panning photos of the cars entering Paul Newman Straight.

Also took some photos using a wider focal length, to give you an idea of how beautiful this part of the track is, with the fall colors in the background and how the Inner Spectator Hill is a great location to watch the race.

As the race progressed, the track became covered with beautiful afternoon golden light.

For the start of the Ford Mustang Cup race, walked over to near the inside of the Pedestrian Bridge, so could capture the start, as the cars were all bunched up, as they sped down Sam Posey Straight.

Went over to the inside of The Esses, for photos of the cars going down the short straight, towards the Left Hander.

Then tracked the cars as they turned into the Left Hander and along the straight to the Right Hander.

After the race finished, went over to the podium for the trophy awards and celebrations. Really had a great time photographing the Ford Mustang and Radical Cup cars. Thanks for spending your time reading this blog.