Connecticut Magazine celebrates its 50th anniversary this year by revisiting its archives, most recently highlighting CT’s sports legacies, including “Lime Rock Park Bridges the Gap,” a 1972 article by sports writer John Birchard about CT’s famed raceway, one of the nation’s three oldest continuously operating road racing venues.

Published just 15 years after Lime Rock Park’s 1957 opening, the article chronicles the history of the track, and provides some charming glimpses into the past, including details about the best vantage points (“For an extra dollar you can buy a paddock pass, which permits you to stroll around the area where the racing cars are being readied for their runs and see and talk to the drivers and their crews as they prepare for action or give their personal post-mortems on why they won or didn't win.), the refreshments (“many spectators bring a picnic hamper and a cooler full of their favorite potable. Some even tote portable barbecue grilles and cook up hamburgers or steaks while enjoying the races.”), and the way that a day of racing brings spectators together (“heads shaggy, crew-cut, grey and bald peacefully co-exist, as attention is focused on the brightly-colored vehicles rushing about the asphalt track.”)

Birchard vividly illustrates the cast of characters that contribute to a triumphant racing day, from the drivers, to the pit crew--at the time, often the driver’s own family (“if he loses, they all gather around to commiserate and encourage him with plans for ‘next time.’”), to the vital course workers (“a group of people without whom there would be no racing”). He also cites the rapid evolution of developments in racing: at the time of writing, the original lap record of 79 mph had been shattered by the 1972 record of over 108 mph.

Spectators and participants can experience the same excitement today. Lime Rock Park has implemented enhanced health and safety protocols and follows current CT guidelines, providing a fun, socially-distanced, outdoor outing for all. This spring and summer promises a thrilling roster of races, including the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic (May 28-31) and the SCCA NER (June 11-12). Check out their schedule of upcoming events here.