Lime Rock Park
Lakeville, CT
Length
1.53 miles
Turns
7
Direction
Clockwise
Elevation Change
100 ft
Elevation (ASL)
650 ft
Surface
Asphalt
Grip
Good grip when warm; can be slick when cold or damp
Brake Severity
Moderate - longest straight is ~0.4 miles
Sound Limit
88 dB — Strict municipal injunction - 82-88 dB depending on event; Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM only
FIA Certification
FIA Grade 2 (expired July 2025)
Nearest Airport
Bradley International (BDL) - 55 miles
Nearest Trauma Center
Sharon Hospital (Level IV) - 8 miles; Albany Medical Center (Level I) - 45 miles
Track Character
Short but incredibly fast and challenging. The Uphill (T1) is a fast, blind left over a crest. The Downhill is a heavy braking zone into a tight right. West Bend is a sustained fast left. Only 7 turns but every one matters. Setup for front-end grip and high-speed stability. The elevation changes demand good damper control.
“As you enter a corner, before you even get to the turn-in point, you should be looking at and through the apex. You have to know where you are going before you can know how much to turn the steering wheel at the turn-in point.”
Speed Secrets — Ross Bentley
The Uphill (T1) at Lime Rock is a fast, blind left over a crest — one of the most demanding vision challenges in American motorsport. Bentley's principle of looking through the corner before turn-in is absolutely critical here: you must commit your eyes to the apex before the car crests the hill. Walk the track to memorize the references, because at speed there is zero time to search for the line.
“Going deeper, first of all, should be reserved for high-speed-loss corners where threshold braking will be used. At Lime Rock, for example, there are six corner entries for every lap; only one involves threshold braking, and there is some active discussion about that one.”
Going Faster! — Carl Lopez (Skip Barber)
Lopez specifically references Lime Rock's braking demands — and this insight from the Skip Barber school is invaluable. Of the seven turns, only the Downhill into the tight right demands full threshold braking. The other corners are about entry speed, rotation, and commitment. Do not over-brake into corners that do not require it — at Lime Rock, carrying speed is worth more than late braking in most corners.
“Whether on a road course or an oval, perhaps the most difficult corner for any race driver is the fast one. The biggest problem for most drivers is that the self-preservation program in the right foot takes control.”
Ultimate Speed Secrets — Ross Bentley
West Bend at Lime Rock is a sustained, high-speed left that separates confident drivers from hesitant ones. Bentley's description of the "self-preservation program" is the primary obstacle: lifting even slightly unloads the rear and creates snap oversteer at high speed. Build up progressively — the car has more grip than you think in West Bend, provided the weight transfer remains stable.