LIME ROCK PARK MOURNS THE LOSS OF PAUL
NEWMAN
Lime Rock Park lost a legend, a friend and a fan this weekend as
Paul Newman, age 83, passed away last night, 26 September 2008, at
his home in Westport, CT. With ten Oscar nominations, countless
awards and credits, Newman's film career was well documented for the
excellence he created in front of and behind the camera. At Lime
Rock Park, Newman was a very competitive racer winning numerous
events throughout the years with his last win being this very same
weekend in 2007, the Sports Car Club of America NARRC Championship
GT1 Class. And today, Lime Rock Park remembered Newman with a moment
of silence between race groups.
That legendary career took a new turn in the early 1970's when he
took an interest in auto racing while filming Winning. Newman became
an active racer, cultivating a second career that many racers would
cherish. His passion for the sport was no mere fancy as he became a
tremendously successful team owner while also continuing to compete
as a driver. In the same way that Newman astounded the critics with
his ability to age with grace and perform with vigor deep into his
life, he brought that same incredible performance to the track, even
setting a record by becoming the oldest Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona
winner at 70 years old.
A philanthropist with a heavy disdain for any sense of entitlement
and glory that those in the limelight often crave, Newman considered
Lime Rock Park a second home (a backyard playground), who lived far
from Hollywood in (Westport), Connecticut. His unassuming manner
meant that Lime Rock Park guests never knew if they might bump into
him at the track, getting ready to strap into his GT-1 Corvette and
taking the checkered flag on an SCCA race weekend or maybe just
rumbling through the paddock in a deceptively fast Volvo station
wagon.
“Everyone treated him as a fellow competitor, not as a celebrity,”
stated Skip Barber, President of Lime Rock Park. “He came here as a
racer, was serious about his racing and…he was good. It was amazing
that he was as good as he was at his age. And, he liked going fast.
Back in the day when Bob Sharp was building the incredibly fast
Nissans/Datsons, Newman was racing at Long Beach with Sharp along
with the Indy Cars. Newman was the fastest guy down the straight –
faster then the Indy Cars. And when I say fast, I don’t mean lap
time…I mean speed. He always enjoyed having a car with a big motor.
He was a huge supporter of the track. Everyone (the staff, friends
and myself) at Lime Rock Park will miss him.”
But beyond statistics, those amazing blue eyes, and a sense of
grace that he brought with him no matter if he was waiting on the
false grid or heading to the Oscars, Lime Rock Park mourns the loss
of a racer, a humanitarian, a gentleman and a true hero. He will be
missed by all.
Thank you, PLN.
Statement from Newman's Own:
"Paul Newman's craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love
was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to
helping make the world a better place for all. Paul had an abiding
belief in the role that luck plays in one's life, and its
randomness. He was quick to acknowledge the good fortune he had in
his own life, beginning with being born in America, and was acutely
aware of how unlucky so many others were. True to his character, he
quietly devoted himself to helping offset this imbalance. An
exceptional example is the legacy of Newman's Own. What started as
something of a joke in the basement of his home, turned into a
highly-respected, multi-million dollar a year food company. And true
to form, he shared this good fortune by donating all the profits and
royalties he earned to thousands of charities around the world, a
total which now exceeds $250 million. While his philanthropic
interests and donations were wide-ranging, he was especially
committed to the thousands of children with life-threatening
conditions served by the Hole in the Wall Camps, which he helped
start over 20 years ago. He saw the Camps as places where kids could
escape the fear, pain and isolation of their conditions, kick back,
and raise a little hell. Today, there are 11 Camps around the world,
with additional programs in Africa and Vietnam. Through the Camps,
well over 135,000 children have had the chance to experience what
childhood was meant to be.
"We will miss our friend Paul Newman, but are lucky ourselves to
have known such a remarkable person."
THE END