NELLI News - Fall Vintage Festival

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A DAY AT THE PARK

And what a day it was.  Started out with a threat of rain and eventually made good on the threat.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

The annual Labour Day Vintage Fall Festival at Lime Rock Park Raceway in Lakeville, Ct was, in spite of the weather, pretty sensational.  As promised, there were many cars that you likely have only read about, and, since the paddock is open to the public, you could see them up close.  An enthusiastic band of NELLI members made the trip and were not disappointed. 

We all met at the Westborough service plaza on the Mass. Pike around 8 am and arrived at the track about 10:30.  After dragging chairs, umbrellas (we're not totally dumb) and coolers over to the hillside above the esses, it was off to see the cars. 

NELLI arrives	Lime Rock - the hillside and the paddock

BMW was the featured marque, and in particular, the M1 was honored.  You will probably never again see so many M1s in one place.  And even though these cars are getting on towards 30 years old, they still look fantastic.

M1 road cars

Serious M1 Racer

Rolex was the sponsor of the event, and they had a beautiful under-tent display of famous race cars called "Rolex Moments in Time".  Included in the display was Nelson Piquet's Brabham that was powered by a turbocharged stock block 1.5 litre BMW 2002 engine that produced some 1200 hp!!  This car was the first turbocharged car to win the F1 championship.  The thought of standing on the gas with 1200 horses waiting sends chills down my spine!

Rolex Moments in Time

Piquet's Brabham

Jackie Stewart's Tyrell F1 was there too, along with many other important cars, all beautifully displayed and their history detailed in posters and video. 

Stewart's Tryell

Outside was even more!  The vendors' midway with all sorts of merchandise, an autojumble with that part that impossible part you have been searching for - our own Foster Cooperstein was there with his books and photos - a collection of antique BMW motorcycles and a paddock full of rare cars. 

Hey! You got a Hemi in that thang?!

Yep!

Yes it's a REAL GTO!

Not your father's Bimmer.

Lovely Jaguar C-type

The ride home was even wetter that the trip down, but we were very glad that we went.  The cars were memorable, the racing exciting, and the company was, as always, a pleasure.  Don't miss it next year!