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LIME ROCK PARK • THE EARLY YEARS 1955-1975
gradual sloping hill on the outside of the track lost sight of the cars. The hill turned out to be a favorite spot for spectators where they could bring their chairs and blankets, have a picnic and watch the races at leisure.
In accordance with one of the many clauses in the Connecticut Blue Law, racing could not commence until 2:00 pm. An eight-race program was originally planned for the afternoon, although it would appear from the results issued that ten events took place. It was also evident that the SCCA were taking action in differentiating between owner drivers and non-owner drivers, as there were prizes on offer for both categories of drivers in the eighth race of the day for Class C Sports Cars. However, the fact that the Cunningham Team was “Jaguar USA” was conveniently overlooked. Prior to the first race Selectman William B. Barnett officially opened the proceedings at Lime Rock when he cut the ribbon across the track.
Fifteen entrants lined up on the grid for the inaugural ten-lap race for Class GP cars. It was won by Edwin Sprigg in his Alfa Romeo Giulietta ahead of Bengt Soderstrom’s Porsche 356 1300S, with Crenshaw’s Alfa in third place. The next race brought out the Class HS cars, a selection of Crosley specials and Renaults, and was won by Fred Turschmann in his TH-1 Special. Class FP cars took to the grid for the start of race three, Lake Underwood’s Porsche 356 1500 Carrera seeing of a selection of other Porsche models and MGs.
The contest for Class EP cars saw the closest finish of the day, Jordan King and Evelyn Mull, each driving an AC Bristol, crossing the finish line along side each other. Both were given the same time but King was inches ahead of Mull to take first place. Bill Schade claimed third spot in his Morgan Plus 4, ahead of George Fogg’s Alfa Romeo 1900 SS.
Race Five was nearly as close, Len Bastrup beating Charles Cunningham to the line by two car lengths in the Class GS race, with Charles Rutan bringing his Volkswagen-Porsche Special home in third place.
The race for the Class D Austin-Healeys was won by Gil Geitner ahead of John Colgate and Harry Carter, and a five-lap race for DS, ES and FS
cars went to Bruce Kessler in his Ferrari 500 TR. The race was originally scheduled for ten laps, but a considerable delay at the start prompted the organizers to cut the race down to five laps. The crowd might have expected to see another Jaguar and Corvette battle in race eight. However, only one Corvette appeared on the start grid, together with eight Jaguars and a lone Mercedes 300 SL. The latter car had been included from Class DP. Rubin started well and successfully held his position at the head of the field in his old XK120M to see off the challenge of the Mercedes 300 SL and the Corvette that finished in second and third places. A small field of Formula Three and a lone Unrestricted Class car sat on the grid for the ninth race. Pupulidy had purchased a Mk-XI Norton 500 during the winter months, and on its first appearance won the race ahead of Richards in a similar car.
The final race of the day brought out the Cunningham Team Jaguars with very little else on the grid to stop them, or so it appeared. However, the crowd had not accounted for Kessler’s nimble Ferrari 500 TR. Kessler would present a challenge to the Jaguars of Fitch and Hansgen for the duration of the race. Fitch led for seven laps before Kessler moved into the lead, but that soon evaporated as Hansgen overtook him on the next lap, and went on to win the race with Kessler close behind him. The only mishap of the day was when Paul Sagan flipped his Porsche 550, on the back straight, though luckily he escaped with only three broken ribs.
It was maybe inevitable that following the first race event at Lime Rock, there would be views expressed as to its success or otherwise. The fact of the matter was, that several facilities pertaining to the track were really far from being finished, for instance, parking, toilets and eating facilities. Despite these areas that required attention, the press came out in favor of the venue, stating that, in their opinion, the event was conducted efficiently, with minimal inconvenience to local residents. Also good news was that the track surface had very little damage to it much to the delight and relief of Jim Vaill.
There was no doubt that the size of the crowd startled most residents of Lime Rock and surrounding area, as it was in actual fact the biggest
The Jaguar D-Type XKD 545 delivered to the paddock at Lime Rock for Constantine to drive, still bearing the race number 12 as used in its previous race at Sebring in 1956.. (IMRRC)
26 CHAPTER TWO • 1957: THE FIRST RACES
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