Limes German Mechanical Watches has been named the Official Watch and
Official Timekeeper of the Vintage Automobile Racing Association (VARA) for
the 2002 racing season.

VARA, founded in 1973, is the largest vintage racing club in the United States.

Limes (pronounced Leem-ess) will award their hand crafted mechanical watches
at all races during 2002, and will be on hand to display their watches to both racers and spectators.

"Vintage racing and mechanical watches are a perfect compliment for each other as they both preserve their respective heritages encompassing craft, skill, and the interplay between man and machine " said Steven Walker, Limes' US representative. Walker has been an avid racing enthusiast ever since attending the 1979 USGP at Long Beach, won by the late great Gilles Villeneuve.

Limes Watches are made by Ickler GmbH in Pforzheim Germany, the hub of German watchmaking. Pforzheim is located near Stuttgart, birthplace of the internal combustion engine, home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, in a region world renowned for its superb level of craftsmanship. Although the Limes brand is relatively new, its parent company, Ickler GmbH, has a 78 year long history as a casemaker, supplying many prestigious brands. With a reverence for watchmaking integrity, Limes has purposely chosen to manufacture only mechanical watches. Limes uses highly modified and decorated Swiss ETA mechanical movements that can be easily observed through the display backs of their German-made cases.

VARA holds races in California, Nevada, and Arizona at such world class race tracks as Phoenix International Raceway, California Speedway, Willow Springs Raceway, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. VARA members race for the sheer joy of competition, and in a desire to offer the excitement of spirited racing and great race cars to a new generation. They have also raised and donated tens of thousands of dollars to local charities.

The races include almost every type of competition car imaginable, such as Pre-War Lagondas, Bugattis and Bentleys, 1950's and 60's era Porsches, Jaguars, Cobras, and Corvettes; Formula 1, Formula Ford, and Group C pure racing machines, and later production based cars like BMWs, Alfas, and MGs. Some vehicles are of paramount historic importance such an 1932 Alfa 6C 2600 - the first Enzo Ferrari prepared car to win an F1 Championship, Mike Hailwood's 1972 F2 winning Surtees, driven by Far Niente Napa Winery's owner and FIA champion Gil Nickel, and an ex Jim Clark Lotus 23. Many of the drivers have years of racing experience, and have competed at multiple levels around the world. It isn't uncommon to see cars and drivers who have driven in the Mille Miglia, Monterey Historics, or at Le Mans, Goodwood, or the Nurburgring. One of VARA's premiere events is the yearly "British
Extravaganza" with its showcase of priceless Pre War race cars being driven at speed as they were meant to be driven. Other events have included the Los Angeles Grand Prix, the Visalia Road Races, and the Tustin Thunder.

Limes and VARA are elated to join together to bring a new level of excitement and commitment to the 2002 racing season. For more information on VARA please visit www.vararacing.com. For more information on Limes¹ sponsorship of VARA, visit the Vara page on the Limes site. Limes Watches are available at selected fine watch retailers, and direct from the factory.