Coldplugs - Racing
 

Most of our photos were taken at Thompson or Lime Rock. We are hoping to expand this collection to include pictures from other tracks in New England and adjacent areas. Don't overlook the pages on some fascinating people down near the bottom.

Thompson Raceway, in northeastern Connecticut, was originally built as a 5/8 mile banked oval on leased land by a couple of brothers who were serious racing enthusiasts. One owned a construction firm and wanted to keep his men busy towards the end of the depression. Later, he kept them busy building the Massachusetts Turnpike.
George Weaver (left) was the prime mover in converting the track to a road racing course. He was an original SCCA member and had the first competition license issued by the club. He arranged to lease additional land, and became the track's general manager (and secretary, and treasurer....). The new 1.5 mile track opened in 1952, and was expended several times. Spectators and participants loved the place, and there was much wailing and weeping when it closed in 1967 (the oval is still used for some NASCAR events). The Weavers (George and Barbara) loved the place and in turn were greatly loved by the racing community.

[For more info on Thompson, see Vintage Motorsport magazine Mar/Apr 1999 and Road & Track magazine May 1957.]

Thompson Pages ->

Early years, paddock, starts
Racing I
Racing II
Racing III
Thompson track diagrams, miscellanea, Thompson as it is today
Thompson race program - Haybale
 

Lime Rock Park, in northwestern Connecticut, is one of the most beautifully situated tracks in the world. Its first sports car race was held in 1957, and the track has been used continually ever since. As with Thompson, it owes its existence to one man - in this case, Jim Vaill. Jim's father owned 385 acres in Lime Rock CT, Jim started a sand and gravel business there. He had a friend with an MG-TC, they enjoyed driving it around the gravel pit, one thing led to another, and Jim built the track. He did everything from arranging the financing to doing the clearing and grading. He sold the track in 1963. One of the smartest things he did was to have John Fitch participate in designing the track. John worked with Bill Millikin, another race driver and head of Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, to build a safe track. [For more info on Lime Rock, see Lime Rock Park - 35 years of Racing by Rich Taylor.]

Lime Rock Pages -> Paddock, starts, racing

There were, of course, others. Click here for pictures.


The era was blessed with memorable people. Those who knew them (or know them today) will never forget them, and even those who weren't lucky enough to cross paths often remember their names, their cars, and their work.