Tragedy @ Lime Rock

Latest Stories - Tragedy strikes Lime Rock historics

Well it ain't tiddly winks.

But here's how they chose to play it in their announcement email.

It was packed.
It was fun.
It was special.
It was... Historic Festival 32.

The weather was stellar, Stirling Moss & Lady Susie were brilliant Honored Guests, Ralph Lauren's cars were more than impressive, and the racing was terrific, save the loss of a great competitor...

Lime Rock Park will send you complete Concours- and Racing results, but in the meantime, please enjoy this gallery of the final day of this year's Festival. (Photos by Greg Clark and Casey Keil)

Thanks to all the fans who make this event such a success...

Historically yours,
Lime Rock Park
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I was walking down to the B paddock when the State Troopers and ambulance blew through. It was very eerie not being told anything, and always a heavy heart when someone loses their life racing. Condolences to the family, LRP is and will always be great place, even in tragic times...

 

Racing is dangerous. Racing in old unsafe race cars is even more dangerous.
R.I.P.

 

indeed.

RIP Mr. Duran.

 

That is a very sad to see. But at least he was doing something he loved when it happened.

 

Agreed. I was near the Tower when they red-flagged the race. When the troopers came and the helicopter did not, many of us knew the outcome. Lee built that car himself on a Sprint car platform (OLD sprint car) and had a lot of fun with the Pre War crowd.

Those guys have just as much fun as we do in the slick-shod sports racers going thirty SECONDS a lap quicker.

God, I love Lime Rock...

 

Forgive me, I've only done a quick perusal of the replies and links, but I'd say this:

Any single car incident resulting in the death of a 73 year old is unlikely to be meet the definition of a "tragedy."

 

All loss of life pretty much qualifies as tragedy to me, even at 103, but I do suspect the participant would not want any pity, as those of us who race accept the risks. But he was obviously fit and vibrant and I suspect his friends and family would refer to this as a tragedy.

 

Gee, what a good and understanding human being you are.

 

Always nice to consult Websters when proclaiming the definition of words.

Let's see

"Tragedy: 1. : a very bad event that causes great sadness and often involves someone's death."

The comments of someone sitting behind a computer always surprise me. It desensitizes people to say things publicly and forever that they would never say in person to someone who will otherwise be hurt by reading. IMHO it is a real breakdown of the civility in our society. Sure hope a friend or relative is not reading. A race enthusiast, loved by many, is participating in a Motorsport event when his car flips over and he is killed on the track. My thoughts and sympathies to out to his friends and family. Its a tragedy, and i hope I never witness a fellow racer killed at a race event I am involved in. I hope my father is not taken at 73 and I hope I'm not taken from my children at this age. Too young.

 

That is unquestionably the most callous and insensitive post I have read in 7 years on FChat.

 

I have a question about this.

I fully understand that living is dangerous.

I really don't understand Racing in a car where your head is above the roll hoop.

If this car had a sprint car roll cage this crash might have been survivable.

 

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This is Lee Duran in his MG PA Special. I think this pic was taken at last year's Lime Rock Historics. As someone opined on an MG site; narrow track, high center of gravity and single hoop roll bar . . . .
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I view motorcycles the same way, which is why I no longer have one. Some people enjoy the danger aspect or want to experience the car exactly as it was in period; appalling safety, crappy brakes and all.

 

This is tragic but Jim is right. Add nothing resembling modern safety features and a 73 y/o body and even falling off your porch slipping on the ice could kill you. Anyone remember Dr. Atkins??? If anything VSCCA, or whoever should be taking a long hard look at upping safety requirements. The old days were called the killer years for a reason. If we don't police ourselves as racers non-racers will protect us from ourselves with draconian laws that will end our sport. We will be fighting for survival with the gun enthusiasts and the hunters.

 

Atkins fall would have killed anyone, but I get the point. My girlfriend's parents were killed in their late 70s by flying their plane into he Guatelope Mountains and my only thought is better there and fast than in a nursing home. That being said as you get closer to the big ending you tend to think differently about these things and life may become more precious rather than less as it slips through your fingers. Forever is a long time. A friend that I lost forever this week from brain cancer favorite saying was "Wait to sleep". You will be asleep for a long time.

 

RIP! Condolences to family and friends.

 

He was a good guy and died what he wanted to do and Lime Rock is THE place (the most beautiful place) to die.

Bob

 

Seriously? That is absolutely brutal. I feel sorry for your family......

RIP Mr Duran.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=42920718789&l=719a954612

Racing my Giulietta Spider Veloce at a VSCCA race.

VSCCA's insurance company feels good about underwriting the Club's cover.

You pay your money and you make your choice.

 

When I saw the trooper take to the track my heart sunk.
Lime Rock is a very special place but all racing is dangerous. Particularly in old cars.
Given what the car looked like after the accident it appears that a higher roll bar might have made a difference.
RIP

 

Very sad and very disappointing that the organizing body does not have rules
governing this.

As usual, they will now.

BHW

 

And the Bugatti next to it is even worse.

 

True.
Classless and uncalled for IMHO.
Kudos to those who are sympathetic.
RIP