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2004 Ferrari Maserati Racing Days at Lime Rock Park
By: Drew Phillips
Photos by the author
July 17, 2004

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While driving through the Connecticut countryside on my way to Lime Rock Park for the 2004 Ferrari Maserati Racing Days, my only thought was that I wished I had something else besides my rental car to enjoy the drive with - something red with a high-revving engine. It didn't help that a rosso corsa Ferrari Testarossa was tailing me the entire way, exhaust blaring while downshifting before the corners. But I wasn't too upset. I knew I had a fantastic weekend ahead of me: a 360 Challenge race and two historic races along with more Ferraris than I'd ever seen before. You know things are going to be good when a Ferrari Enzo is in line behind you to get into the track.

Part of Lime Rock's lure is its location. As mentioned before, it's located in rural Connecticut, with a long drive to anything resembling a city. The location is the perfect setting. The thick forest surrounding the track creates a lush green background that is a stark contrast to the brilliant red Ferraris that were so prevalent during the weekend, and the odd juxtaposition of pure nature and raw machine is strangely appealing. It sets up unforgettable moments, like watching a Ferrari 512 S come up full throttle over the uphill turn onto the back straight with a 512 LM/BB following closely on its heals, both passing other cars with ease. Or looking down onto a pair 250 GTO's blasting through the no-name straight while the light filters through the trees and reflects on their curvaceous fenders. I even completely forgot to eat during one of the days because of a red 360 Challenge Stradale that held my attention for the entire lunch hour while it took fast laps around the track.

The dealer touring and sport sessions were a major source of enjoyment over the weekend and were an entertaining alternative to the competitive racing. Past and present Ferrari race cars along with some of the more potent street cars ran on the track to fill time between the Challenge and historic races. A particular favorite of mine was a 360 GT that ripped through the turns of the 1.53 mile course, the downshifts echoing in the surrounding hills. More than once I would swing my head around to catch a look at the next car coming only to realize that it was just the exhaust note of the 360 GT bouncing off the hillsides. Some past racers in the group included a 333 SP and several 355 Challenge cars. The 333 SP was perhaps the most track-worthy car of the whole weekend, passing every car it encountered. Besides the dealer groups, several owners got to drive their Ferraris and Maseratis on the track during the lunch hour parade laps. The owners got to stretch the legs on their cars that most likely otherwise see very little track time.

The historic challenge was probably my favorite part of the weekend. There's really nothing like a classic Ferrari. The Testarossa remains as one of my all-time favorite cars in terms of pure beauty. John Shirley's 250TR and Nick Colonna's 550 TRC had my mouth gaping in admiration every time they took the track. Peter Gidding's Maserati 250 F, however, was the fastest of the drum brake group. As mentioned before, the 512 S of John Giordano and the 512 BB/LM of Todd Morici provided entertainment for the crowd as the fought for position throughout the race track. Giordano and Morici traded overall wins in the disc brake group for the Friday and Saturday races. Also taking class wins were Chuck Wegner in his 625 LM and Tom Price in the #22 250 GTO.

The 360 Challenge provided the least variety of cars, but definitely the most competitive racing. Since all the cars are basically set up the same, the focus is directed completely onto the talent of those piloting the cars, and several of the drivers were feeling the pressure and pushed too hard. There were quite a few spins and even a couple wrecks during the weekend. A Challenge car spun into the barrier before the back straight, smashing in the entire front of the car, and a spin decided victory in the Saturday race. Points leader Emmanuel Anassis won the Friday event, leading every minute of the 30-minute race, making it his fourth straight. However, on Saturday, with heavy pressure from 2003 champion Jim Kenton, Anassis spun his car before the main straight half-way through the race allowing Kenton to take the lead, which he kept for the remainder of the race.

Off the track there was plenty to see as well. The paddock was a Ferrari enthusiast's dream, with everyone acting giddy and excited, mouths gaping in adoration. Grown men could be seen pointing and exclaiming about the next car they had spotted. It seemed as though everyone brought a camera to prove that yes, in fact, they really did see two yellow Ferrari Enzos parked side by side.

When the last checkered flag finally fell on Saturday evening, no one could have asked for a better weekend. The weather was fantastic with sunny skies most of the weekend. The cars were incredible, as if an all Ferrari and Maserati line-up could be considered anything else, and the drivers provided fantastic entertainment for the crowds. The next races will be at the Ferrari Club of America gathering at Laguna Seca in Monterey just after Pebble Beach and the Monterey Historics. It will most likely be the largest gatherings of Ferraris ever in the United States, so if you've been thinking about making the trip to Monterey, this would be the year to go. I, for one, wouldn't miss it for the world.