Michael Ricciardi of European Motorsports
Chris Osborne and her amazing art
With the help of the Lime Rock Park marketing staff, including Mitchell Conroy, Mike Distefano, and Nicholas Leone, I got to live-sketch dream cars.
Me sketching the Bugatti Atlantic - Photo Christopher Carveth
The first was the Mullin Automotive Museum’s famous Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic. As I sketched away, I met old friends, and made new ones, including Peter Mullin himself, who came to see what I was hatching. He is in fact buying the original art, with the proceeds of the sale going to the supported charity The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Peter Mullin and I - Photo Christopher Carveth
1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic
The next day, I pinched myself … there was the 1937 24 Heures du Mans winning Bugatti Type 57G from the Simeone Museum! Another stunning subject to sketch!
Me sketching the Bugatti "Tank" - Photo Dom Miliano
Of course, it was all part of the largest North American gathering of the Bugatti marque, with 60 + examples assembled! So much French rolling beauty in one place!!
1936 Bugatti Type 57G "Tank"
Over the weekend, I was so happy to connect in person with Lyn St.James, a real racing hero of mine, plus the wonderful Tom Cotter, writer, racer, and TV personality.
Me live-sketching the Cunningham C-4RK recreation - Photo Brian Koch
On Coucours car show day, I chose to sketch Chuck Schoendorf’s brutish Cunningham C-4RK recreation. I love the purposeful lines of that racer … it just shouts, “Get out of my way!”
1952 Cunningham C-4RK
On the last day, I wandered around to say hello to friends Phil Lamont and Michael Gans, stopping at Tom’s stand to check out his Cunningham C-3 when he requested a sketch of it. No problem! The barn-find racer still has its patina, making it a challenging subject to sketch.
1952 Cunningham C-3
I sold 3 of my 4 sketches, allowing me to more than cover my costs, while also providing a bit of a show for the spectators. I was made to feel so at home at Lime Rock Park, I can’t imagine not returning for next year’s Historic Festival.
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