Lime Rock Park to Celebrate Paul Newman’s Historic Trans-Am Win
Lime Rock Park (LRP), 60 White Hollow Road, Lakeville, will celebrate the 37th anniversary of Paul Newman’s historic Trans-Am win with a rare one-day-only exhibit of his racing estate during the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic Friday through Monday, May 26 to May 29.
Organized by Sotheby’s in advance of “The World of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman” auction in June, with logistic support from Salisbury Bank, the exhibit is part of a larger celebration of the late actor and racing legend’s life and career. The “World of Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman” exhibit will highlight the personal collection of the former Hollywood “It” couple, including two of Newman’s Rolex Daytona watches, a selection of helmets, racing suits, and other memorabilia that Newman used during his storied career.
The museum-like exhibit will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 27 only. Admission is included with a VIP Hospitality ticket. More information about the event and how to buy a ticket is at limerock.com/jw-pln-sothebys-2023/.
One of the watches, a white-gold chronograph circa 2006, was a gift to Newman from his wife, Joanne Woodward. It is distinguished by a case back engraving that reads: “Drive Very Slowly Joanne.” For Joanne Woodward, this phrase was meant to hug Newman’s wrist and trigger a reminder to keep his hands at 10 and 2 while navigating life in the fast lane. Newman wore the gift from Joanne as he took his famous final laps at Lime Rock Park on Aug.13, 2008. The track was completely closed to the public, granting Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s loved ones complete privacy as they got to observe the Hollywood-star-turned-racing mogul zoom past them in his 700 horsepower GT1 Corvette, completely at ease. The icon passed away just over one month later at the age of 83.
Newman’s name lives in perpetuity at Lime Rock Park after the Connecticut track renamed No Name Straight to the Paul Newman Straight last September. The renaming of the straight was the first initiative in the partnership with the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Earlier this year, Lime Rock Park named Hole in the Wall Gang Camp as the official charitable partner of Lime Rock Park’s fundraising efforts in 2023.