Today was race day at the Historic Festival 44, at Lime Rock Park. Was really looking forward to capturing the on track action. Hope you like the photos.

Race day was broken into two sets of races, with the first series of races starting around 9.00 and going to the middle of the day. This was followed by the second series of races, from about 2.00 pm to the late afternoon. Each series of races consisted of eight groups ,with each group representing a different class of historic cars including

• Group 1 – B-Sedans (U2.5 Trans-Am, IMSA RS cars)
• Group 2 – Big-Bore and Porsche (GT and Sporting cars)
• Group 3 – Formula Junior (Jim Haynes Memorial for Formula Juniors)
• Group 4 – 20th Century Classic Competition (VSCCA, slower production cars)
• Group 5 – HTA (Historic Trans-Am)
• Group 6 – Alfas (all Alfas)
• Group 7 – Mid-Century Production (GT, Sports cars, Sports racing cars)
• Group 8 – World Challenge (Historic World Challenge cars)
• Group 9 – Wings and Slicks, FF (Wings, Slicks and Formula Fords)

Hence, my goal today, was to cover as much of this racing as possible.

(iPhone)

After parking the car, headed up to the inside of West Bend, and along the way saw some cool cars parked in the FCP Proving Grounds.

Arrived in time for the first Group 1 race, which consisted of B-Sedans. A 1972 Datsun PL510.

Through the shadows with a 1973 BMW 2002.

Really liked how the yellow livery on this 1974 Porsche 914 1.8, was lit by the morning light.

At this time of the morning, shadows and light were cast under the bridge, at the top of the Downhill.

Walked along the inside of the track unit I reached the entry to West Bend. For the photo I had in mind, required the use of a wide angle lens, since wanted to do a sweeping pan of the Formula Juniors cars, as they sped down The Back Straight into West Bend.

Continued walking along the inside of the track, until reached a location where could capture photos of the Group 4, 20th Century Classic Competition cars, speeding over the Uphill, then along The Back Straight.  A 1948 Lester MG (top) and a 1931 Bugatti Type 37 Special (middle and bottom).

Continued along the inside of The Back Straight, until I reached the top of the Uphill, for side panning photos of the Group 5 Historic Trans Am cars. A 1968 Chevrolet Camaro with its red, white and blue livery (top) and a 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO (bottom).

As the session continued, moved a little to my right for shots of the cars speeding into the bottom of the Uphill.

For the Group 6, An Alfa Celebration / All Alfas, walked down the inside of the Uphill, and positioned myself at the end of the end of Paul Newman Straight, for shots of the cars speeding along this part of the track.

Continued on my quest to capture as much on track action as possible, so went over to the outside of the Right Hander, at the end of The Esses. A 1986 Porsche 911 speeding past The Skip Barber Tower, during the the Group 8, Historic World Challenge car race.

A 2005 Porsche 997 GS.

Stayed at the location for the Group 9, Wings / Slicks and Formula Fords race. By now it was around the middle of the day, so after this session, walked over to the A Paddock for some lunch, and you guessed it, chicken pieces and chips (my favorite meal, when at the track).

The feature race of the day, was the second Group 5, Historic Trans-Am car race, which started at 2.00 pm. For the start, went to the inside of The Esses, for head-on photos of the cars. A 1967 Chevrolet Camaro (top) and a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro (bottom).

Into the Left Hander with 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO.

A 1972 AMC Javelin going though a “flash of orange light”, created by other cars passing along it, when using a slow shutter speed.

Smoke trailing from a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro.

Next up was the second Group 2, GT and Sporting cars, race. Was great to see a large crowd of fans watching the race from the Infield Spectator area.

Into The Esses with a beautiful metallic blue 1965 Chevrolet Corvette.

A 1969 Chevrolet Corvette.

For some my last shots of the day, used a very slow shutter speed, to pan the cars, as they sped through The Esses, with the Berkshire Mountains in the background.

Wow, what a great couple of days at Lime Rock Park, covering, the Historic Festival 44. Many thanks to everyone who helped me. Another great event.

Thanks for spending your time reading this photo blog.