I've been mulling over the weekend before adding my observations. Didn't
want to make any snap judgments.
For those that haven't attended the event, it's always been a mishmash
of eligible VSCCA cars and others. The HSR presence didn't seem to
change that very much. I must admit that I don't pay much attention to
the more modern cars anyway so there may have been differences I didn't
notice. However, unless I'm mistaken, only one of the classes was full.
In the past there have been approximately 350 entries for the event.
This year there were certainly less than that.
The VSCCA classes were a hodgepodge, with many cars excluded altogether,
others in the wrong group and still others admitted that weren't
eligible. Pre event communications
were almost nonexistent and many folks stayed away because of the lack
of information.
Grid positions were assigned based on the qualifying race (see below)
for most but some cars that didn't even show up for qualifying or were
DNF, got high positions. Makes you wonder why you bother to run the
qualifying race at all.
The practice sessions went off like clock work but when it came to the
qualifying races and race day, things fell apart. There are always
delays due to off course cars etc. but there were unnecessary
administrative screw ups as well. (speaking only about VSCCA groups)
The flagging during two of the qualifying races was a mystery, leading
to wrong grid positions for some. On race day, all of the VSCCA groups
races were shortened by at least one lap. No announcement, just an early
flag. I have to assume that this was done to accommodate the full
schedule and make up for lost time with award presentations that were
made after at least one of the HSR races. Such was the rush that as I
crossed the finish line I got a checker and a white flag at the same
time. The wrecker was pulling out onto the track as I approached at
about 90 mph. Not a safe situation.
Track security was extremely noticeable, even intrusive. Lime Rock has
always been pretty laid back but not this year. I was also told by some
flea market vendors that their space charge was doubled from last year.
Flagger friends related that the track management put lots of pressure
on them and the wreck crews to keep things moving as fast as possible.
Oh, and on Thursday campers and vendors were not allowed into the
paddock until 6:00 pm, another new wrinkle I'm told. Also, in theory the
only golf carts allowed had to be rented from the track (didn't seem to
prevent allot of others appearing though).
Having said all the above, my overall sense is that it was a nice event,
no worse than in the past but no better either. I missed not having more
VSCCA cars but some of the HSR cars are pretty neat to watch. The crowds
seemed to be smaller than in the past (in non rain years) but that's
pretty hard to judge and I'm sure we'll never know for sure.
The best part was breaking 1:20 in my old sprinter. Averaging 69+mph in
a 68 year old home built with two wheel brakes is a gas! On the other
hand I got sand bagged by a 74 year old Gorden MacKenzie so there is
still much to learn.
Dick Waite
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