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Tracks: Michelin Tower to be Dedicated on Memorial Day at Lime Rock

22 May 1998

(LAKEVILLE, CT) - Lime Rock Park, in the rolling hills of northern Connecticut, is one of the most famous and picturesque road racing courses in North America. But time does not stand still for the 41-year old facility. The track is making the most significant change to its landscape in its history, with the addition of the newly constructed Michelin Tower at the start-finish line.

The Michelin Tower will be completed for the Dodge Dealers Grand Prix, May 22-25 and will be dedicated May 25, prior to the start of the SPORTS CAR race. The tower is a very visible part of Michelin North America's new partnership with Skip Barber Racing and Lime Rock Park.

Former-racer and current Speedvision commentator and architect, Sam Posey, along with his brother, David Moore, designed the building. Their goal with the tower was to unify the buildings at Lime Rock Park and to complement the architecture of the surrounding area.

The Michelin Tower has the look of a town hall, complete with a steeple and a green steel roof. It's unique styling will make it the focal point of all activity at Lime Rock Park. The tower will serve as the operation facility for race officials, timing and scoring and track announcers on race days, and as classrooms and gathering area for Skip Barber Racing School students and instructors. The building also has several porches and open areas for guests to view action around the track.

"We designed the building to have a tower, much like town hall or church in the center of town," said Posey who won the Trans-Am race at Lime Rock Park in 1969. "It also had to be something you could roam around, and be a comfortable place for people to gather and relax."

The Michelin Tower will also feature hand drawn tiles created by famous racing artists William Motta, Ken Dallison, Bill Neal, Tom Fritz, Leo Bestjen and George Bartell. The tiles will feature events from the rich racing heritage of Lime Rock Park. The tower, which will be completed in time for the Dodge Dealers Grand Prix, was built just 17 weeks after its January 14 groundbreaking.

"Michelin has been great every step of the way," said Posey. "They have been completely behind the project and have provided us with much enthusiasm and assistance."

The Michelin Tower will be dedicated Memorial Day, May 25 at 11:30 a.m.

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MICHELIN TOWER FACT SHEET

Architects:                     Sam Posey & David Moore

Groundbreaking:         January 14, 1998

Completion:             May 22, 1998

Labor Hours:            7,152

No. of Floors:          Three

Square Feet:            2,500

Tower Height:           35 feet

Width:                  22 feet

Length:                 112 feet

Race Facilities:                Timing & Scoring, 
                        Race Officials, 
                        Hospitality Area, 
                        Announcer Booth

Skip Barber             Two Classrooms,
Racing School           Equipment Room,
Facilities:                     Driver Changing Area,
                        Vending & Gathering Area

The Michelin Tower will be dedicated Memorial Day, May 25 at 11:30. Sam Posey, Skip Barber and Herb Johnson, director of motorsports for Michelin North America will be available for interviews following the dedication.