Trans Am is back, at Lime Rock Park

LIME ROCK — Lime Rock Park’s Memorial Day Classic weekend brought back Trans Am racing with the same excitement and enthusiasm that marked the series in its glory days of 1966 to 1972. 

Back then it was Fords and Chevys, Mercury Cougars and even AMC Javelins (remember those?). 

The cars were driven by some of America’s greatest: Mark Donohue, Parnelli Jones and the 1967 Trans Am winner, Peter Revson. Paul Newman too was a successful Trans Am competitor. 

Competitors and spectators alike were thrilled to be back at Lime Rock, and to introduce new fans to one of the great road racing events.

Over the years Trans Am had undergone changes in ownership and direction, and cars that qualified for the competition. 

Now it’s back to the classic Mustang versus Camaro duel, and though they look like street cars, they are far from it. The TA and TA2 cars are now tube-frame “silhouette cars” with over 800 horsepower, capable of blistering 50 second lap times on Lime Rock’s challenging mile and one half track.

Trans Am has joined forces with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) so the weekend was full of racing with a great variety of cars from the organization. “Vintage” is misleading; the cars only have to be five years old or older — so there are a lot of very fast and highly competitive cars in SVRA races — including open wheel formula cars, sports racers and more.

Falls Village’s own Jason Berkeley,  a Trans Am racer, when questioned about being back at Lime Rock said he has “been coming here since I was a kid; it’s part of being home.”

He said the “unique, natural, fan-friendly setting” makes the track special. He also enjoys the way it follows the natural terrain — “there are no cookie cutter corners.”

His black No. 67 Corvette was lettered with Falls Village Inn graphics.

Also notable for its graphics: Tomy Drissi’s “Godzilla King of the Monsters” race car, a rolling preview of the new feature film, which opens May 31.

The Fan Walk during Saturday’s lunch break offered a priceless opportunity for everyone to get close, rub elbows, and talk with drivers. Race cars and their drivers were assembled in the pit lane and fans descended in swarms for selfies, autographs, photos, chats and memory-making fun.

Lime Rock, Skip Barber, the Trans Am Association and the SVRA started the Northwest Corner summer off with a roar of engines and a cheer from fans.