The Memorial Day Classic was the first major event at Lime Rock Park this year, with the Trans Am series returning, together with the International GT (IGT) and the Ginetta Challenge North America. I always look forward to this event, since it’s the start of my motorsport photography season. Hope you like the photos.

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Left Boston in the early morning, and arrived at Lime Rock Park around 8.45 am, and was greeted by beautiful light covering the track. This year, the schedule changed a little bit, with the Memorial Day Classic on-track race schedule starting on Thursday, and continuing through Friday to Saturday. Despite this reduced schedule, on-track race activities were preserved, with the Royals Garage Car Show scheduled for Sunday. Hence, Friday, was a packed schedule with practice, qualifying and race sessions, which was great.

After walking down the hill, took a look around Paddock A, which was a great time of the day to do this, with the low soft light.

It’s also a great opportunity to get up close to the cars being readied for on track activities.

This car, under its cover, reminded me of the “Batmobile”, so edited this photo in black and white.

Also like to get some detail photos of the cars.

On the walk back up the paddock, noticed a poster being signed by the drivers, wishing Sam Posey a Happy Birthday. Really liked how the bottom of the poster captured his achievements from racing driver, author, commentator and architect.

At the entrance to Paddock A, Shelby Cobra’s built from the ground up by students, as part of the Winners Circle program were on display.

After my paddock walk, headed back to the car, to grab the rest of my camera gear for the on-track action. Since it was a sunny day, decided to go over to the end of Paul Newman Straight and the Uphill, since you can get some very nice light illuminating the track at this time of the day. Reached this location in time for the IGT Sprint Race 2.

For the TA/GT Practice session, walked up to the top of the Uphill, for photos of the cars speeding up this hill, with the backlit trees in the background.

Then noticed how some of the cars, especially the Porsche #91, was lifting the front part of the car, as it sped over the Uphill.

I think this is one of the best locations at this track for side panning photos of the cars.

(iPhone)

(iPhone)

For the TA2 Practice session, walked along the straight to West Bend.

One of the reasons I come to this location, is for rear three-quarter panning shots of the cars as they descend the Downhill.

(iPhone)

With the session finishing at 11.45 am, it was time for lunch. So headed through the Inner Field Spectator area, down the road, past Paddock B, to the Mid-way, and along the way, saw some cool looking cars.

Once at the Mid-way, had a quick look around, then grabbed some lunch from one of the food trucks.

Then walked past the Infield Spectator area overlooking The Esses, and down the hill, to find a shady place to have lunch and rest.

After lunch, walked down to the front straight to watch the McLaren “hot laps”. The sound of this car was amazing.

For the start of the IGT Sprint race, went to the inside of the straight that leads out of Big Bend into The Esses.

After the start of the race, walked around for different views of the cars speeding through this part of the track.

For the Group 10 / Ginetta Sprint race, walked further along the inside of The Esses, for photos of the cars exiting the Left-Hander, and along the short straight to the Right-Hander.

Next up was TA/GT qualifying, and covered this session from the outside of the exit of the Right-Hander. When I’m at this part of the race track, one of my goals is to capture the cars as they speed past the Timing and Scoring Tower in the background.

Then continued tracking the cars, as they sped past the Infield Spectator Hill.

Moved to other vantage points, for photos of the cars as they exited the Left-Hander into the Right-Hander, then into Paul Newman Straight.

Stayed at this location for the first part of the TA2 qualifying session.

During the break between the first and second parts of this session, went back to the inside of The Esses. Wow, what a great day. Many thanks for spending your time reading this photo blog.