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Gallery: Scenes From Lime Rock 2022
A celebration of the people and atmospheres that make Lime Rock Park such a unique place to work.
It’s around this time every year that I start to think back over the last 11+ months and reflect on the work I’ve done. To slow down, take a step back, and remember the feelings I felt while I traversed every square inch of Lime Rock Park in search of those storytelling images. Also, it's a chance to reflect and to reabsorb some creative energy as I head into the long, dark, and cold New Hampshire winter.
As I go through this process I often put together a couple of galleries to share with anyone who wants to take a look. This is the first of them.
Scenes From Lime Rock is my attempt to capture the people and atmospheres that make Lime Rock Park such a special and unique place to work. Over the course of the 4 major events, I took somewhere in the neighborhood of 25,000 photos. The majority of them were of the race cars on the track. But, the rest of them were of all the goings on happening around the track. There is always something, or someone, to point my camera at.
What follows is a selection of my favorite images from Lime Rock Park that tell the story of the year. A celebration of the people who make it all worth doing. The gallery is a total of 100 photos organized in the order they were taken. Some have captions, but most are allowed to speak for themselves. Please enjoy!
The title image above was taken during the Fan Fest in Millerton, NY that kicked off the IMSA Northeast Grand Prix weekend.
Trans Am Memorial Day Classic
May 27 - 30
IMSA Northeast Grand Prix
July 14-16
GridLife Circuit Legends
August 19-20
Historic Festival 40
September 1-5
One more…
Me on the right with Lime Rock Park’s lead photographer Greg Clark. This was my 5th season working alongside this pillar of a man. I honestly can’t imagine doing this job alongside anybody else. He’s a great photographer, a stellar human being, and someone I am very proud to call my friend.
Throwback Gallery: 2021 IMSA Northeast Grand Prix
With the 2022 edition of the FCPEuro Northeast Grand Prix literally days away I thought it could be a fun opportunity to look back at a selection of my favorite images from the 2021 NEGP.
With the 2022 edition of the FCPEuro Northeast Grand Prix literally days away I thought it could be a fun opportunity to look back at a selection of my favorite images from the 2021 NEGP.
IMSA weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year. It comes and goes in a flash. Two days of non-stop action featuring the best GT racing in the country. Headlining is the Weathertech Championship Series which features awesome GT3 machinery from seven different manufacturers. And in a supporting role is the Michelin Pilot Sport Challenge which has an even more diverse field of GT4 and TCR cars.
Below is a selection of my favorite images from the 2021 IMSA Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park.
Gallery: Scenes From Lime Rock 2021
The most important lesson I ever learned as a motorsport photographer is that it is NOT about the race cars. Sure, race cars are colorful, loud, and really, really cool. But they essentially amount to big lumps of metal, carbon fiber and plastic without all the people that make the sport go.
I noticed this young man who seemed to love Lime Rock as much as I do. Of course I asked him to stand with his favorite car for a photo.
The most important lesson I ever learned as a motorsport photographer is that it is NOT about the race cars. Sure, race cars are colorful, loud, and really, really cool. But they essentially amount to big lumps of metal, carbon fiber and plastic without all the people that make the sport go.
2021 marked the return of IMSA, Trans AM and, most importantly, FANS! Lime Rock just comes alive when the big series’ come in and the fans come out in force.
This gallery is a celebration of the people who make working at Lime Rock Park an outright joy.
Enjoy!
And one last one. Me with Lime Rock’s Lead Photographer Greg Clark. Greg and I cover every major event at Lime Rock Park from the same place of love for the track and respect for the sport. Some days are a grind but I’ve never had a day working with Greg where I wished I was someplace else. The man is a legend. photo by Bill Hauser.
Gallery: 38th LRP Historic Festival and Sunday in the Park Concourse d'elegance
Over the Labor Day weekend, I spent 5 days at Lime Rock Park as the lead photographer for the 38th Lime Rock Historic Festival. The fact that there were no spectators allowed on race days made those days feel a bit, well, strange.
The winners of Sunday in the Park. Left: Best American, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray; Center: Best in Show 1930 Packard 745 Phaeton; Right: Best International 1967 Lancia Flaminia Convertible
Over the Labor Day weekend, I spent 5 days at Lime Rock Park as the lead photographer for the 38th Lime Rock Historic Festival. The fact that there were no spectators allowed on race days made those days feel a bit, well, strange. Adding to the strangeness was the lack of vendors on the midway and in the swap meet. Both of which would normally be bustling with activity during HIstoric Festival. While Sunday in the Park felt closer to normal; albeit on the small side with half as many cars in the concourse and a very limited number of spectators allowed through the gates.
That said, for those of us lucky enough to be there, the 38th Lime Rock Park Historic Festival did not disappoint.
I knew going in that my job was a little different than it was in years past. I wasn’t just there as part of LRP’s marketing team but as the eyes of those who weren’t there. I really took it upon myself to capture the event in the most vibrant and creative way I could in order to share it with the fans who couldn’t be there themselves.
What follows is a gallery of some of my favorite photos of the weekend. Some of these were posted to the Lime Rock Park Facebook page as part of my daily galleries while some of them hadn’t been posted until now. Enjoy!
Throwback Gallery: 2019 Trans Am Memorial Day Classic
Lime Rock Park and Memorial Day weekend. For gear heads in New England they just go together. For decades summer began at the Road Racing Center of the East with a weekend full of racing.
Lime Rock Park and Memorial Day weekend. For gear heads in New England they just go together. For decades summer began at the Road Racing Center of the East with a weekend full of racing. In 2020, however, things are different. Because of the global pandemic emergency sporting events of all kinds have been put on hold or flat out canceled. The 2020 Trans Am Memorial Day Classic is, unfortunately, among them. Thankfully it hasn’t been canceled. Instead it’s rescheduled to October 16-17 and is now known as the Trans Am Fall Classic.
In lieu of being trackside I have compiled a selection of photos from the 2019 Trans Am Memorial Day Classic. This gallery of course includes photos of on-track action, but also the spectators, officials, and drivers as well as photos from the Sunday Royals Car Show and the Farm to Table BBQ. This is such a great event and it’s a shame it won’t take place as scheduled. My heart goes out to everyone at Lime Rock Park who put in so much work to make it happen just to see it postponed. I hope scrolling through this gallery will bring you back to good times at Lime Rock and get you excited for the return of Trans Am and SVRA in October. See you then!
A Lap of Lime Rock Park in Photos
At right around a mile and a half Lime Rock Park (LRP) is one of the shortest road courses in the country. It is also one of the oldest and most significant. LRP opened in 1957 and, even thought the facility has seen major upgrades through the years, the original track layout has remained largely unchanged. Over the years I have spent a lot of time at LRP. I attended my first race around 1985, began working on the editorial side of things in 2012, and 2020 will be my third season as a staff photographer. To say I know my around this gorgeous facility would be an understatement. So, just for fun, let’s take a virtual lap around the original (or classic) configuration of LRP.
At right around a mile and a half Lime Rock Park (LRP) is one of the shortest road courses in the country. It is also one of the oldest and most significant. LRP opened in 1957 and, even thought the facility has seen major upgrades through the years, the original track layout has remained largely unchanged. Over the years I have spent a lot of time at LRP. I attended my first race around 1985, began working on the editorial side of things in 2012, and 2020 will be my third season as a staff photographer. To say I know my way around this gorgeous facility would be an understatement. So, just for fun, let’s take a virtual lap around the original (or classic) configuration of LRP.
Gallery: 19 Faves from 2019
19 Favorites to celebrate and look back at 2019.
1. Chevron through the shadows during the Lime Rock Historic Festival.
Thank you to everyone who made 2019 such a successful year. With clients like Lime Rock Park, Sports Car Driving Association and Hooked on Driving, and partners like the Rochester Opera House, Moore Fight Moore Strong and the Greater Rochester Camera Club I couldn’t ask for much more. I couldn’t be more proud of what Shawn Pierce Photography has become over the last couple of years and the future is even brighter! Happy New Year everyone and welcome to the Roaring 20’s!
Gallery: 37th LRP Historic Festival and Sunday in the Park Concourse d'elegance
The Lime Rock Park Historic Festival is my favorite weekend of the year. It is five days long and is the equivalent of covering 3 events: a race car parade and street fair, 3 days of racing and a world-class concourse d’elegance.
Best in Show winners of the Sunday in the Park Concourse d'elegance.
Sport: Ralph Lauren's 1961 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (left)
Touring: Peter Kalikow's 1958 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet (right)
The Lime Rock Park Historic Festival is my favorite weekend of the year. It is five days long and is the equivalent of covering 3 events: a race car parade and street fair, 3 days of racing and a world-class concourse d’elegance.
It all starts on Thursday with a race car parade and street fair. The parade starts with all the participants lined up on the Sam Posey Straight. Race cars ranging from fairly common MGs to nearly priceless Aston Martins travels a 17-mile route, meandering down farm lined back roads, through the towns of Lime Rock, Lakeville, and Salisbury. The finish line is in Falls Village where the cars are all parked curbside for the enjoyment of all who came out for the street fair.
A beautiful Ferrari 250GT SWB in downtown Salisbury, CT during the race car parade.
The on-track action begins on Friday with practice and qualifying for all nine race groups. Saturday and Monday are race days with each group racing twice: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Sandwiched in the middle of the weekend, on Sunday, the track goes quiet and is opened to one of the most premiere Concourse d’elegance and car shows in the country. The Sam Posey Straight is lined from end to end with the most exquisite examples of automotive art you may ever see and the rest of the track is lined with one of the coolest, most complete car shows.
If you have never been to the Lime Rock Park Historic Festival I can’t recommend it enough. Exquisite vintage race cars, priceless works of art and the most beautiful setting for a race track makes for one of the most unique automotive experiences in the country.
What follows is a small selection of some of my favorite photos from the 37th Lime Rock Historic Festival with a couple of behind the scenes photos thrown in. Enjoy!
Gallery: 2019 Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park
A selection of my favorite images from an extremely hot and humid Northeast Grand Prix weekend.
The chaotic start of the Northeast Grand Prix.
A selection of my favorite images from an extremely hot and humid Northeast Grand Prix weekend.
July 18-20, 2019 | Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut
Scenes From the Track
When I tell people that I photograph motor sport and track days for a living they understandably think that it’s all about the cars.
When I tell people that I photograph motor sport and track days for a living they understandably think that it’s all about the cars. And, although the vast majority of the images I create are of cars, most of my favorite photos from working at the race track are photos of the people that make the sport go. Drivers, crew members, corner workers, spectators and fellow photographers make up this sub-category of what I do. Finding these moments can sometimes feel like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack, especially during busy race weekends. While other times the moment is the sea of humanity the haystack is made of.
The title image above is one of my favorite images of 2018. It reminds me of me, my dad and where it all began for me. I noticed the older gentleman overlooking The Downhill so I watched him for a couple of minutes, waiting for him to get closer to the fence. Then the younger guy, presumably his son, walked up and they just stood there and watched together. Right away I knew I had my story and my shot.
What it boils down to is that racing photography is more than photographing race cars. It's about the people. Drivers, crew, spectators etc. Without these people's involvement, there is no reason to race.
Below is a selection of photos that I think captures this sentiment and I hope they help bring you a little closer to a memory or make you want to attend your first race.
2018 Pirelli World Challenge Lime Rock Grand Prix
Spending Memorial Day weekend at Lime Rock Park (LRP) is a tradition that extends back to my childhood and this year was no different as I spent 4 days on-site at LRP covering the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC).
Spending Memorial Day weekend at Lime Rock Park (LRP) is a tradition that extends back to my childhood and this year was no different. I spent the long 4 day weekend at LRP covering the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) Lime Rock Grand Prix.
PWC is a little unique where each of the classes have two races at each event. Add in two additional races for the Lime Rock Drivers Club and this jam-packed weekend amounted to covering 10 races, 2 autograph sessions, 2 fan walks, hot laps, a car show, a pig roast, a surprise USAF C-130 flyover, and literally everything else that was happening around the track. This was my first event working as a staff photographer for LRP. I had to hustle and clock watch more than I ever had before and I loved every second of it. I am already counting down the days to my next LRP event: The IMSA Northeast Grand Prix July 20-21.
What follows are a bunch of my favorite images from the weekend as well as a few behind the scenes cell phone snaps I was able to grab along the way.
Friday, May 25
This was mostly a day of practice and qualifying. Not a lot going on otherwise on this day which meant I got to spend a lot of time trackside.
Saturday, May 26
A busy day. Practice & qualifying for the GT and GTS machines and two races each for the TC/TCA and TCR classes, plus a LRDC race.
Sunday, May 27 (9th Annual Royals Garage Car Show & Farm to Track Pig Roast)
The weather, unfortunately, did not cooperate. Cool temps and drizzle plagued the entire day forcing things to be reorganized on the fly. The Farm to Track pig roast, which was supposed to be served on the front straight, had to be moved under the infield hospitality tent. And the awards ceremony, originally scheduled for 2pm had to be moved up to 12:30. The people who did show, however, were still in very good spirits and the day was a great success.
Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day)
The busiest day of them all. 2 races each for the two top PWC classes, GT and GTS, and the second LRDC race of the weekend. Thankfully the rain had moved out, but the clouds remained, providing beautiful, even light throughout the entire day.
Dream Job Achieved!
Since I was very little Lime Rock Park has been, without a doubt, my favorite place on earth.
Since I was very little Lime Rock Park has been, without a doubt, my favorite place on earth.
I attended my first race in the mid-80s and had my first experience with a camera inside of Big Bend shooting Trans Am in 1993.
Scott Sharp exiting Big Bend in 1993. One of my very first motorsports photos.
Since then I have attended dozens of races at LRP. In 2012 I started shooting credentialed for NoBraking, learning and growing trackside, always with an eye on something bigger. Well, I am excited to announce that something bigger has finally come. For 2018 (and hopefully beyond), I am going to be working for Lime Rock Park as an official track photographer at all the major events: Pirelli World Challenge, IMSA, and the LRP Historics. It's my dream job come true.
Lakes Region Ice Racing Club
Winter. I hate winter!! I don't ski, I don't snowshoe, I don't really like being out in the cold. But in the last couple of years I have found that being outside in sub-freezing temperatures isn't so bad if I also get to photograph race cars.
The sprint cars take the green flag for their heat race.
Winter. I hate winter!! I don't ski, I don't snowshoe, I don't really like being out in the cold. But in the last couple of years I have found that being outside in sub-freezing temperatures isn't so bad if I also get to photograph race cars.
Last winter I found the Lakes Region Ice Racing Club (LRIRC) on facebook and, on a whim one morning, made the hour long drive to Moultonborough to check out what they do. I loved it so much that I knew that I wanted to get up there at least once this winter. Well, Last Sunday (Feb 4) I finally found some time to spend the day "trackside" on Lee's Pond.
Right after the New Year we were hit with a long stretch of days with sub-zero temperatures. I knew at that time that the LRIRC would be racing once the ice got thick enough on the ponds. The LRIRC races every Sunday (and some Saturdays) from January to March, or as long as the ice is safe.
Modified points leader Jack Cook, sliding through.
On the mornings of race days the organizers check the condition of the ice and then broadcast out online whether or not the racing is on for that day. So, if you want to check out the LRIRC I would recommend following their facebook page to stay in the know.
Derek Jeanson (52) struggles to see in the icewash thrown up by Tunk Berry (11)
