Lime Rock is truly a treasure
As I boarded my flight Wednesday for Albany, NY to eventually head to Lime Rock, I wasn’t sure how thrilled I was. Since I don’t travel as much to races these days, I sometimes am less-than-thrilled to make these trips. But, with Formula BMW mid-season fitness evaluations scheduled, it was time to travel. With a call from Formula BMW Director Randy Biggs that our hotel was possibly as low budget as they come, and the fact I was booked a tiny Hyundi….well, you get the picture. But once I landed and got my directions sorted out, and discovered that my 600 mpg hyundi has XM radioAND and an Ipod jack, things looked up.
If you don’t know, New York/Connecticut in the country is absolutely breathtaking, with green trees and mountains as far as the eye can see. Being from Indianapolis, this is a true gift that I appreciate. Whenever I travel to an area with large hills or mountains, I immediately begin plotting a brutal run or ride up them !
The hotel was a quaint little “motel” that reminded me of the small rooms in London. Not fancy, but for someone like me who is easy to please it was fine. The small little town of Hillsdale, NY is merely a stoplight, our hotel, two quaint pubs, and a gas station. Up the road was a ski resort called Catamount that was used as a rope climbing program in the Summer…I was in heaven.
After a day of BMW evaluation, I headed to Catamount only to discover I was too late for the rope climbing program. I asked if I could run up the ski runs, but the young lad said sternly” Only if we are here”. He then promptly closed early. I sneakily drove around for 15 minutes, returned, and spend the next hour running up and own ski runs in solitude, getting bit by flys, and listening to the impending boom of an oncoming storm.
The rest of the time in Lime Rock reminded me of the true grass-roots love of racing many fans share, and how if given the right venue these die-hards will drive far into the country to see young, old, and veteran drivers traverse road courses. Because Lime Rock Raceway is a BMW-sponsored track, there were more BMW’s parked than I could count. And Porsches, Mercedes, Ferrari’s, and even a few Bentley’s. It was quite humbling ( remember my rental).
The racing was spectacular, the local bars were full of Yankee fans with accents, and I hardly remember how far I was from the track each day as I drove to and from, watching the countryside speed by from the window of my little Korean rental.
If you get the chance, go to Lime Rock. Visit the surrounding towns. Mingle with the locals. You will be taken away from your worries. And rent a crappy little import from Suzki, Hyndi, or Kia. It will make you appreciate how much you should consider having a little toy waiting for you at home.
Safe travels,
JL
