Three Weeks Until Historic Festival 44!

A Summer Romance, at Speed

Before America had permanent road courses, it had Alexandria Bay.

Between the two world wars, brothers Barron, Samuel, and Miles Collier joined Thomas Dewart to form the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) in 1934. They were young sportsmen drawn together by European cars and the thrill of racing them on American roads.

For five summers beginning in 1936, ARCA transformed the resort town of Alexandria Bay into a street circuit for its aptly named “Round the Houses” races. European sports cars and American-built specials swept past homes, hotels, and storefronts as enormous crowds pressed against the course. The setting was elegant. The racing was anything but.

Dewart didn’t simply organize and compete in the races—he photographed them. His images captured something deeper: polished cars in the summer sun, drivers waiting for the flag, and spectators close enough to see their faces. Their beauty and intimacy make it clear he loved the cars as much as the competition. He later became president and publisher of the New York Sun.

In this photograph, Miles Collier is driving his MG PB Special, Leonidis, in the second “Round the Houses” race on August 7, 1937. Run under a handicap format, the race drew 10 entries, with Collier finishing fourth.

This was American road racing before grandstands, guardrails, and permanent circuits—hay bales at the corners, spectators just feet from the action, and an entire town caught up in the excitement.

At HF44, Leonidis will join several other surviving ARCA cars from this romantic, rarely seen chapter of American racing history. See them up close in a special display, then watch history come alive as they take to the track at Lime Rock Park.Get Tickets To Historic Festival 44 Here

The Badge that launched Mitchell

The charging, dirt-spitting Auburn at the heart of ARCA’s original badge was created by a young Bill Mitchell, then an illustrator for Barron Collier Advertising. His ARCA work caught the attention of Harley Earl and led him to General Motors, where Mitchell eventually became design chief and helped shape the Corvette Stingray and Buick Riviera.

Historic World Challenge — The Cars You Remember Still Have a Score to Settle.

If you sat on Spectator Hill in the 1990s and Y2K days, you remember World Challenge. The standing starts. The short, hard sprint races. Corvettes, Vipers, Porsches, BMWs, Audis, and Lotuses—cars you recognized from the street, transformed into all-out racing machines and driven door-to-door. At HF44, they’re coming back.

A 20-car Historic World Challenge field will bring those sights and sounds back to Lime Rock, including Corvettes, Porsches, BMW M3s, Lotus X180Rs, a Dodge Viper, Toyota Supra, and Alfa Romeo 75T Evo IMSA.

Among them is Chip Herr’s No. 17 STaSIS Audi A4—the same car he drove to victory at Lime Rock in 2007. Nearly two decades later, he is still racing it.

These aren’t tributes or recreations. They’re the cars many of you watched race from Spectator Hill.

Historic? Absolutely. Retired? Not even close.What Historic World Challenge at Historic Festival 44

The Cars You Owned.

The Cars You Still Wish You Still Had.

Mustang Boss 302. Camaro. Javelin. Challenger. Cougar. These were the American muscle cars in our driveways—transformed into race cars by Bud Moore, Roger Penske, and the great teams of Trans-Am. You watched them race at Lime Rock. Then you wanted one of your own.

On Sunday at the HF44 Concours, each of the 20 original Historic Trans-Am race cars competing at HF44 will be displayed alongside its street-going cousin—including a rare Dan Gurney Special XR7-G beside the No. 98 Bud Moore Cougar raced during the 1967 Trans-Am season.

The No. 98 has history here. In Lime Rock’s first Trans-Am race in 1967, Ed Leslie drove it to fifth while teammate Peter Revson won in a sister Bud Moore Cougar.

Same badge. Same silhouette. Two very different lives.

See them together during Sunday in the Park at Historic Festival 44. Get Tickets To Historic Festival 44 Concours Here

The Historic Festival starts with a Parade!

On Thursday, September 3, at 5 PM, 125 vintage cars roar to life for a scenic 17-mile parade through Lakeville and Salisbury, past Noble Horizons, with fans lining the roads. By 5:45 PM, the parade rolls into Falls Village for a street party with the Middletown Police Benefit Association Bagpipe Band, stilt dancers, food, refreshments and a free concert from Wanda Houston and her swinging jazz band. Bring a lawn chair!

Special thanks to our parade sponsors: NBT Bank, Northwell Health, HUB, Reliable Carriers, Foolproof Brewing and the Falls Village Inn.

Trans-Am Alley, where legends race again

Twenty original Trans-Am cars from legends like Gurney, Follmer, Jones, Titus, Posey, and Donohue return to race at HF44. Between sessions, head to B Paddock and discover Trans-Am Alley. Walk among the cars, meet the drivers, and step into what many consider the greatest era of American motorsports. Look for Vic Edelbrock Jr.’s original big red transporter. Lime Rock helped write this chapter of Trans-Am history, with Mark Donohue among the legends who won here.

Get tickets to HF44 Here.

Meet the Legends behind the History

Some of racing’s biggest names gather Saturday at 11:30 at the Information Tent next to Spectator Hill. Meet Hall of Famers David Hobbs, Judy Stropus, Tommy Kendall, and Skip Barber. Also joining them: Donald Osborne, Dorsey Schroeder, “Fast Freddie” Stevenson, Lorenzo Ardizio, and an important group of motorsport authors.

It’s a rare chance to meet those who shaped the sport, get an autograph, take a selfie, and say hello.

Get tickets to HF44 Here.

A Revolutionary Salute at Historic Festival 44

Members of the Connecticut Line and the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution will join Saturday’s pre-race ceremonies with a patriotic musket three volley salute, spend the day visiting with fans, and bring Connecticut’s Revolutionary War history to life. Grab a selfie with a Patriot, hear the stories, and help us celebrate the freedom and American spirit at the heart of this year’s Festival.

Come Raise A Little Hell

Paul Newman created the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp as a place where seriously ill kids could “raise a little hell.” On Sunday, the Camp is bringing that same spirit of fun to Lime Rock. Kids can paint their own miniature race cars, line them up on a mini track, and see who’s fastest. Grown-ups can get into the act, too: Skip’s longtime barber, Corey “Smitty” Smith, will be giving fresh cuts in honor of Skip Barber Day and Paul, with proceeds benefiting the Camp. Come for the Concours and Gathering of the Marques. Bring the kids. Make some noise. Raise a little hell.

The Greatest Car Show takes place on the track.

Sunday morning at HF43 begins with one of Lime Rock’s most colorful traditions: the Gathering of the Marques. Cars of all kinds line the track, parked by make in a joyful celebration of automotive passion.

No pressure. Just good vibes, great cars, and a whole lot of chrome. Bring something good-looking, or grab a coffee and stroll the track. You’re in the right place. Register Here for the Gathering of the Marques.

Performance. Presentation. Autodromo.

On Monday, one competitor from each run group will be recognized for distinguishing themselves—and their car—through performance and presentation throughout the weekend. Each will receive an Autodromo Historic Festival 44 Limited Edition Group C Turbo Sport watch. Inspired by the dashboard instruments of Turbo Era endurance racers, the watch combines a tachometer-inspired analog dial with a digital display in a lightweight anodized aluminum case.EXPLORE THE GROUP C TURBO SPORT

Meet the Heroes Who Made the History

Miles Collier founder of the Revs Institute

Honored Guest at HF44

The Voice, The Wit, The Champion. David Hobbs.

Donald Osborne

Brings Automotive History to Life.

Trans-Am Legend Tommy Kendall returns

Dorsey Schroeder. Still Stirring Up Trouble After All These Years