Lime Rock Park’s ‘No Name Straight’ Dedicated to Paul Newman
Some 65 years after the first race at Lime Rock Park, the “No Name Straight” at the Connecticut circuit was dedicated as the “Paul Newman Straight” during the Historic Festival 40, track officials announced.
In addition to the renamed backstretch, Lime Rock Park also announced its new partnership with The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp, a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization founded by Newman that provides support for seriously ill children and their family members, Lime Rock Park representatives said. The partnership makes Hole in The Wall Gang the official charitable partner of Lime Rock Park’s fundraising efforts.
“Paul Newman’s name now lives in perpetuity at Lime Rock Park, not in recognition of Paul’s fame which was considerable, but for the authenticity of his experience here at the Park,” said Dicky Riegel, president and CEO of Lime Rock. “Even with all his racing wins here on this legendary circuit and elsewhere around the world, it was Paul’s expression of joy at Lime Rock Park in every drive and every visit that cemented this place as his true home. The balanced appellation of the Sam Posey Straight, dedicated in 2013, and the Paul Newman Straight dedicated today pay homage to these amazing and pioneering drivers and friends of Lime Rock Park.”
“The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is honored to be Lime Rock’s official charitable partner and deeply grateful for their friendship,” said Camp CEO Jimmy Canton. “The dedication of the Newman Straight is such a meaningful moment for all of us, celebrating the intersection of two of Paul Newman’s greatest passions – racing at Lime Rock and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.”
Newman began his racing career late in life, running a Datsun 510 on Tuesdays at Lime Rock Park, not far from his home in Westport, before later becoming a regular in the professional Trans-Am championship, track officials said. Newman scored his second and final Trans-Am victory, fittingly, at Lime Rock.
“Two of my dad’s “Happiest Happy Places” would have to be Hole in the Wall and Lime Rock Park.” said Paul’s daughter Lissy Newman, who serves on The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s Board of Directors. “At the track he liked that success or failure were objective and he earned respect the hard way. At Hole in the Wall he was simply “The guy who started Camp” and that was enough for campers. He could look around and see the magic and healing of Camp at work. If there was ever a place where you could measure joy and magic objectively, Hole in the Wall would be it.”
Contributions can be made to Hole in the Wall Gang Camp by texting BANDIT to 243725 or by clicking here.
