ForConstructionPros.com

When O&G Industries Inc. of Torrington, CT was contracted to place a new asphalt surface on the Lime Rock race track, it called for a strategic vision to complete the task under a tight schedule. A pair of new Vision 5203-2 pavers from Vögele America Inc. — abetted by three Hamm Oscillation compactors — worked to a tight schedule in June as they reconstructed the pavement of Lime Rock Park race track near Lakeville, CT.

The track’s $5-million project is very ambitious, attempting to do, in the words of its publicity department, 90 days of work in 31 days. O&G Industries was paving the 1.53-mile track as part of an overall upgrade which includes capital improvements to structures.

“We’re doing two things: we are repaving and surfacing the ‘Classic Lime Rock’ track, which is the original mile-and-a-half track; and we are adding two optional, 40-foot-wide, more technically difficult sections of track that are slated for faster prototype cars that can go too fast on the classic track,” says Joe Sauer, director of operations and technology, Lime Rock Park.

The “classic” track includes seven turns in a park-like setting free of grandstands and bleachers; instead, patrons may wander around the grounds, change their vantage point, get close to the drivers, or relax in the shade.

Since 1957 Lime Rock Park has hosted almost every form of motorsport, including Trans-Am, formula racing, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series events, SCCA regional races, NASCAR Busch East Series, American Le Mans Series, the annual Rolex Vintage Festival every Labor Day, and the annual Ferrari Racing Days in July. It also hosts the Skip Barber Driving School for future and “wanna-be” race car drivers.