If you live within 2,000 miles of Connecticut and are a member of The Autopian, you should really clear your schedule to make it up to the lovely Lime Rock Park (just two hours from NYC) on Tuesday, June 30th for the greatest* track day ever. Jason will be bringing his 2CV, NASCAR’s Parker Kligerman will be there to give you pointers, and there may or may not be a Murano Cross Cabriolet on the track. Plus, you don’t have to drive at all, if you just want to bring up your car and have lunch with staff and fellow members. Did I mention there will be a goodie bag?
This is our first ever track event, and will be taking place at Lime Rock Park’s phenomenal FCP Euro Proving Grounds, which is a beautiful and compact autocross track with very few things to hit. Because this is members only, and because members have already given us money, we’re going to try to keep this very affordable. Not a member yet? Just become one, it’s chill.
Guests! There will be guests! I am hoping to be able to announce more people in the coming days, but for now it looks like myself, Mercedes, Thomas, Jason, Andrew Collins, and Parker will be there, with more on the way. If you’ve never done anything like this before, we’ll be there to provide guidance. Is your car super slow? Great! Did I mention that we’re bringing a 2CV? That has 29 horsepower? In order to make it more fun, we’re going to cap the number of cars that can drive on track to around 60. We’ll also be giving out special prizes for cars that has nothing to do with how fast they are (though maybe how slow they are).
Below are a bunch of details that are going to be important, as well as ticket information.
What/Where Is This?
What:Â A reader meetup/autocross-style track day and lunch. If you don’t want to drive, you can totally just come have lunch and hang out. This isn’t about shaving 0.0001 off your time, this is just about driving spiritedly on a non-public road. Bring your minivan! It’s about fun, not fast.
Where: Lime Rock Park is located about two hours north of New York City where the borders of Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut meet. Inside the track is the FCP Euro Proving Grounds, a narrow and twisty autocross course that’s been recently reconditioned and features a large skidpad. The facility also has a chalet, which is where we’ll be meeting and having lunch at 12:00 PM.
The address is: Lime Rock Park, 60 White Hollow Rd, Lakeville, CT 06039.
Who:Â The Autopian Staff, you, some cool special guests like Parker and The Drive’s Andrew Collins.
When:Â June 30th from noon to 5 pm.
Why:Â Why not?
Great, How Do I Buy A Ticket?
I’m glad you asked. This is a Member event, so you have to be a member, but you can also just sign up for membership and it’s all good. We are doing the pricing in tiers and you need to be a member in good standing to participate. If you’d like to use this as an excuse to upgrade, that’s cool as well. If you’re signing up and are a new member I’d recommend becoming an annual member, as only people who signed up for a monthly membership pre-May 1st are considered a “member in good standing.” This is just so someone doesn’t sign up for a $5 account and then immediately cancel.
Ticket links are below and, then, below that are answers to a lot of your questions.
Lunch/Spectator Ticket -$60
This ticket gets you access to Lime Rock Park, a lunch (sandwich, chips, drink, cookie) with the Autopian Staff, and a chance to laugh at Jason. If multiple people are sharing a car, just have one of you sign up for a car ticket and the rest can get a spectator ticket. It’s the same price for any kind of member. Click the link above, or scan/click the button below:
Cloth Member Participant Ticket – $200
This ticket gets you access to Lime Rock Park, a lunch (sandwich, chips, drink, cookie!) with the Autopian Staff as well as a chance to drive on the FCP Proving Grounds in your vehicle. By purchasing this ticket you are claiming your car is safe and you are agreeing to attend a mandatory safety briefing and abide by all the rules. If you’re unsafe you forfeit your right to drive. The number of laps is not guaranteed and will depend on how many cars we get, but we are capping the number so people get their fair share. You must be a Cloth member to get this ticket. Click the link or scan the button to purchase.
Vinyl Member Participant Ticket – $150
This ticket gets you access to Lime Rock Park, a lunch (sandwich, chips, drink, cookie!) with the Autopian Staff as well as a chance to drive on the FCP Proving Grounds in your vehicle. By purchasing this ticket you are claiming your car is safe and you are agreeing to attend a mandatory safety briefing and abide by all the rules. If you’re unsafe you forfeit your right to drive. The number of laps is not guaranteed and will depend on how many cars we get, but we are capping the number so people get their fair share. You must be a Vinyl member to buy this ticket. Click the link or scan the button to purchase.
Velour Member Participant Ticket – $100
This ticket gets you access to Lime Rock Park, a lunch (sandwich, chips, drink, cookie!) with the Autopian Staff as well as a chance to drive on the FCP Proving Grounds in your vehicle. By purchasing this ticket you are claiming your car is safe and you are agreeing to attend a mandatory safety briefing and abide by all the rules. If you’re unsafe you forfeit your right to drive. The number of laps is not guaranteed and will depend on how many cars we get, but we are capping the number so people get their fair share. You must be a Velour member to buy this ticket. Click the link or scan the button to purchase.
New Member Participant Ticket – $250
This ticket gets you access to Lime Rock Park, a lunch (sandwich, chips, drink, cookie!) with the Autopian Staff as well as a chance to drive on the FCP Proving Grounds in your vehicle. By purchasing this ticket you are claiming your car is safe and you are agreeing to attend a mandatory safety briefing and abide by all the rules. If you’re unsafe you forfeit your right to drive. The number of laps is not guaranteed and will depend on how many cars we get, but we are capping the number so people get their fair share. If you’ve just become a monthly member this is the one for you, although it makes more economic sense to just buy a Cloth Annual plan, right? Click the link or scan the button to purchase.
RCL MEMBER – It’s Free!
If you’re a Rich Corinthian Leather this one is on us (just another perk!). Email me and we’ll get you registered.
Answers To Your Important Questions
Again, we’ve never done this before, so allow me to answer some very specific questions you might have. I may update this as people ask very good questions in the comments.
Is it cool if I’ve never driven on any kind of track before?
Yes! This is a friendly, not fast event and the FCP Euro PG is a great place to learn. We will keep cars separated and there is no pressure to go fast.
What configuration are you running?
We will be running the lower course and the skidpad separately so that one group can drive on the track and the other the skidpad, and then swap.
What if my car is slooooooow?
Who cares? So long as it’s safe, slow car fast.
What if I’m slow?
So am I, it’s all good.
What about helmets?
It’s great if you can bring your helmet. Specifically, if you bring a Snell 2015 or later one. We’ll have a couple on hand as well to loan, but you may need to share. Helmets are required for drivers and passengers.
Is there fuel there?
Yes, Lime Rock has fuel on hand.
Can I share a car?
Yes, but you all must sign the waiver and you all need a ticket, though one of you can have just the lunch ticket.
Can I have passengers?
Passengers are welcome to ride along as long as they sign the event waiver, wear a helmet that meets our requirements, are 16 years or older, the vehicle has the appropriate safety systems to safely carry a passenger, and you understand some people barf in cars.
Event Requirements/Details
This event will run rain or shine.
You are solely responsible for the safety of your car. We may choose to inspect cars for safety at any time for any reason. Any size water, brake fluid, or fuel leaks will disqualify you. You are responsible for any damage you cause to the track or facilities. Any extra charges from the track for cleanup, fire, damage, etc may be charged back to you and we will decide this on a case-by-case basis. Helmets must be rated SA2015 or later. Motorcycle helmets are not allowed. Eye protection required for open cars. We will have helmets to borrow, but you will use them at your own risk.
*Your version of “greatest” means a 2CV will be there and Jason will be driving it, of course.
Rats! 2732 miles away.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm I really want to do this.
I see no motorcycle helmets are allowed, which makes sense for cars but does that also mean no motorcycles?
Lol, you wanna bring a motorcycle? Then I guess a motorcycle helmet is ok? Better if there’s a sidecar tho.
Two things:
1) What if we forgot what tier of member we are?
2) What’s better, an FF on the track or an Escalade? – for the memes of course
Escalade! Though FF v 2CV is funny. You’re a Vinyl member.
1000 miles from me. I’d love to make it, but I think I’ll have to pray for another event that’s closer to me. I sure hope everything goes great and you make this a annual event in different parts of the country 🙂
Only 1000 miles? In case you missed it when you read the post, this is for people within 2000 miles, so you’re good.
But I don’t wanna push my MGB home 1000 miles after I blow it up at the track 🙂
Oh this looks like a blast. I’m a tad far in Los Angeles but I’ll definitely be signing up if (when?) (when!) you all do one of these out here.
In the works!
Nothing to drive but I’m in to spectate.
Bring your minivan!
I’m going to assume this is directed at me? Probably directed at me.
Boy is this tempting and has me looking at my vacation time situation.
Will there be any lodging reserved for Autopian members (at extra cost, of course)?
That’s a little advanced for us, but if you want to work in the Discord to see if people want to stay at some place nearby I’m down for that!
Hmm, I don’t do the Discord. Maybe I should learn.
We will welcome you with open arms!