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New life for old cars

LIME ROCK — It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Lime Rock Park, and a crowd of more than 100 people had gathered in the midway, gawking at something with looks of awe and wonder—and of course snapping away with digital cameras.

No, it wasn’t an Earnhardt or some other racing celebrity that drew this mob. It was a 1939 Mercedes Benz W 154 Grand Prix race car, which was last driven on a race track 70 years ago.

This classic car was one of many that had a rare day in the sun at Lime Rock Park’s annual Vintage Festival, held from Friday, Sept. 4, to Monday, Sept. 7.

Many models and vintages were represented, including Plymouths, Aston Martins, Porsches, Lolas, Datsuns, Triumphs and more.

They and their owners took to the track — despite not having modern safety features that are required to compete in the racing events of today.

“Many of them do not have any real horse power, or brakes, and many of them just won’t go around the track well, but they’re sure fun,� racer Pete Brittingham said. Brittingham raced his 1959 Porsche 356 over the weekend. This Northwest Corner resident knows about second chances: He has survived five liver transplants, and calls his team Liverman Racing.

“It’s all about fun and it’s all about living,� he said. “I just like to keep racing.�

Robert Millstein drove his 1953 Hansgen Jaguar Special, which won the 1953 Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

“Driving these kinds of cars is terrifying,� Millstein said. “This one doesn’t have modern safety equipment, it doesn’t have disc brakes or air bags and it’s hard to turn. But it’s fun.�

Millstein said the cars being raced and shown at the festival are museum quality.

“And they would all be in a museum in a static display if it wasn’t for this event,� he said.

Lakeville Journal

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