Lime Rock Park news 2008-06-30

Race Weekend Rundown for the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix

LAKEVILLE, CT (30 June 2008) -- With just eleven days until the amazing American Le Mans machines hit the track at Lime Rock Park on the newly paved and newly configured course, things have hit a manic pace in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut. The bulldozers, graders and pavers are all in their own race to complete the work in time for one of the biggest events of the season.

But the news isn't all about asphalt, as some driver line-ups have changed, an anniversary celebration will take place and even one series will test their stamina. Here's the rundown--

New Lap Record! Going Once, Going Twice--

With the track repaving and the two optional corners in place, we can guarantee a new lap record will be clocked during the race weekend. The unofficial length of the new course as it stands today is 1.51 miles and can be considered a 10-turn course. Who will do it? Will it be the diesel Audis, the contending Porsches or the fighting Acuras?

Andretti gets some frequent flier miles:

Marco Andretti will join his father's eponymous team at Lime Rock Park, driving for the Andretti-Green Racing Acura LMP2 machine in the Northeast Grand Prix before jetting off to qualify for the Nashville IndyCar event that same day. The opening laps at Sebring this year created some breathtaking moments for anyone watching Marco work the LMP2 wheel, and we should expect some similar excitement again as he takes on Lime Rock Park.

A fast 25 years for Dyson Racing at Lime Rock Park

Dyson Racing will celebrate 25 years of Professional Racing at the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix. The Dysons started their careers at Lime Rock Park and will be noted this weekend with a celebration on the pre-race grid just minutes before the race. What does 25 years mean? Some quick stats--

17 CHAMPIONSHIPS, 61 WINS, 165 PODIUMS, 56 POLES, 14 CARS, 24 DRIVERS, 260 RACES, 160,000 RACE MILES.

Audi Announces:

Audi has confirmed a two car Lime Rock Park effort with the R10 TDI machine that just won Le Mans, adding to an astounding record of success for the marque.

The Audi driver line-up at Lime Rock
No. 1 Dindo Capello / Emanuele Pirro
No. 2 Lucas Luhr / Marco Werner

It's amazing how much energy kids have these days:

Even though it is but a two-day event, Formula BMW Americas has announced that the Lime Rock Park round of the 2008 championship will stage three races! The Round 7, 8, 9 triple-header is the first in Formula BMW America's history. This will put the Series in line with the same number of rounds run around the world in the multiple global championships that Formula BMW stages, looking for more young racers to feed their up-and-coming Formula 1 team.

Big New Name--he's fresh from Le Mans, like many of his competitors--

Originally signed to be Paul Tracy's teammate in Champ Car, Frank Montagny made a pretty good glass of lemonade after the Champ Car demise, taking a podium with Peugeot at Le Mans and now being signed for the rest of the 2008 ALMS season with Andretti Green Racing, which is looking to recapture their mojo.

A Manufacturer's Dream: All teams vying for attention

It hasn't gone noticed that Acura has stepped up to the plate against Porsche and Mazda in the LMP2 class. And with four teams in their lineup, who's going to prove their moxie? Andretti Green Racing just made a huge driver change, De Ferran Motorsports made a grand debut in Round Four at the Utah Grand Prix, Lowe's Fernandez Racing is hanging on and Patron Highcroft Racing continues to show their steadfast goal of podium finishes.

Where the rubber meets the road:

What everyone can expect for the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix race weekend is this: Classic Lime Rock Park will be paved, the Optional Uphill and West Bend corners have been built and will be paved, the new entrance completed and two new spectator areas created.

-credit: lrp