Lime Rock Park - American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix

We're going to LRP tomorrow for the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix.
The immediate plan is to leave here around 7am and high-tail it over the backroads to the CT track. To make the drive interesting I'll be pressing for the lead in the Europa, followed closely (no doubt) by my friend Peter's Elan and a neighbor's Elise Sport 190.

LRP has just finished a $5M repaving project (concrete was still being poured on Tuesday!) and this is to be the first event at the reglorified Road Racing Center of the East. Here, take a lap with David Brabham:



What's on the race card:

Formula BMW
Although it's the lowest rung on the BMW ladder to Formula 1 it's not an entry level formula as all of its front runners have years of experience in karts, Formula Ford, and other smaller bore wings & slicks categories. Racers are as young as 15 and BMW takes a keen interest in grooming these drivers for futures in competitive motorsports. In addition to driver development, Formula BMW spends a lot of time with training for media relations, race car engineering, diet and exercise. The cars are equal so it comes down to driver talent and team preparation. BMW pours some of its own money back into the series by sponsoring 5 drivers in each series @ $5oK each. BMW have a long history in driver development and given their record you're more than likely to spot future Formula One talent here.


IMSA Lites
Admittedly, I know very little about this feeder series - but the concept is simple. Like its big brother, the American Le Mans Series, this is a mixed class series made up of various small bore sports racers. There are three classes with essentially similar chassis/body configurations but different horsepower ranges: 170hp / 185hp / 205hp. On a track like Lime Rock this could mean highly aggressive passing opportunities and lots of working through traffic - and making traffic work for you. Drivers learn to deal with cars of different braking, cornering, and closing speeds all on the track at the same time... just like ALMS. Base costs for cars alone range from $30K - $90K so levels of commitment and preparation also pay a huge factor. These racers will be a mix of drivers with more talent than money all jocking for full time sponsored ALMS rides.


American Le Mans Series
These are large bore sports racers, the offspring of dedicated factory developments, seasoned professional drivers, a history back to the glorious days of the CanAm and in the modern linage of the Le Mans Prototype class. Drivers like Michale and Marco Andretti will clash with current and former IndyCar winners, ex-Formula One aces, and sportscar champions from Le Mans. The budgets are nearly limitless, the horsepower is extreme, and on a tight track like LRP its going to take total commitment just to complete one lap in this highly competitive field. Lucky for us there are TWO races - each an hour long. LP1 and LP2 classes will be equally matched, so the new Acura and Porsche prototypes might take down the mighty Audi R10. GT classes will see battles between Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette, and BMW.

Photos from the event - when we get back.