Author Topic: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York  (Read 553974 times)

blackjackracing

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Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« on: January 04, 2010, 04:10:02 PM »
Hi Folks...I need your help. I have started research on tracks in the southern tier. If anyone has info or contacts for the area ie: Airport Speedway, Glider City (Southport Speedway), Horseheads and Big Flats in the late 30's or anything in the area ie: South Seneca in Lodi etc etc etc...please contact me, Bob @ 607-739 -2789...looking for contact info for Francis Lyman of Elmira who had a HUGE collection. Thank-you and in the mean time I will share with you some of the stuff I have found so far........
BOB JOHNSON
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blackjackracing

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2010, 04:16:19 PM »
Airport Speedway in Big Flats ran from Sept. 7th 1952 until some time in 1953. It was a 1/4 mile dirt oval which was located at the spot the National War Plane museum was erected. Unfortunately it was plowed under and nothing remains of that site. I did, however find a satellite image from 1994.
BOB JOHNSON
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blackjackracing

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2010, 04:22:06 PM »
I did a little research and can now tell you that the winner of the first race held at Airport Speedway was Bud Chamberlain of Troy. Finishing in second place was Leroy Pakard of Troy and in third was Hank Clark of Ithaca. Heats were won by Clark and Bucky Buchanan of Elmira. 
BOB JOHNSON
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woodhullfan39

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2010, 04:57:05 PM »
Well Morgan C. could help you out a lot with that.

There was a Hornell Raceway in Hornell, NY. In someone's back yard actually  :-X but the track is completely gone, no remnants of it at all. Although I may have a few photos. But I cant seem to locate them as of now.

Seemed like there was a track in every town or City LOL! There was one in Tuscarora called Addison Hills Speedway which raced back in the 70's, also a track in Mills, PA called Mills Speedway. My grandpa, Darrell Dennis used to race at Mills, Addison Hills, and Hornell.   


justmark

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2010, 05:24:36 PM »
Southport Speedway/Glider City Speedway
1957-1958: Elmira, NY
1/_ mile dirt oval
Glider City was near the current site of the Southport Correctional Facility, southeast of the intersection of Rt. 328 and Rt. 14 (commonly called Bulkhead). It was located on the southeast side of Elmira (Southport) off of SR14, and now is the site of the Southport Correctional Facility.
STATUS: little remains of the facility?
Jackie Soper was the 1958 Southport Speedway champion.
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Fireball

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2010, 05:27:11 PM »
Hornell Raceway opened in 1959.  The third of a mile high banked track was owned and operated by Paul Amidon.  The track was located on Ashbaugh Hill across the road from Amidons house.  I am told the track with the banks still exist.  Below are photos of the backstrech.





Fireball

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2010, 05:29:01 PM »
Frontstretch - Hornell Raceway



Fireball

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2010, 05:45:41 PM »
Another Speedway was the Bath Speedrome.  This track was located outside of Bath off the old route 15 near Kanona.  I believe it was in operation from 1954-1956.


Groundpounder

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2010, 05:51:25 PM »
South Seneca
"Crate engines are to racing what Tofurkey is to Thanksgiving" - Karl Fredrickson
Distrust all men in whom the impulse to punish is powerful. - Friedrich Nietzsche
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Groundpounder

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2010, 05:55:43 PM »
Another view of South Seneca
"Crate engines are to racing what Tofurkey is to Thanksgiving" - Karl Fredrickson
Distrust all men in whom the impulse to punish is powerful. - Friedrich Nietzsche
We are descended in spirit from revolutionaries and rebels -- men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. - D. Eisenhower


slammin sammy

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2010, 07:00:11 PM »
yea my dad raced there at hornell,an angelica an hunts or called short tract ,my grandfather also raced at naples. have to get the pics out again.

justmark

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2010, 07:02:50 PM »
Here's the information that I've compiled on my site about closed/inactive NY tracks.....

http://www.nyracezone.com/news/2006/news060227b.htm
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blackjackracing

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2010, 07:18:11 PM »
can anyone connect me w/ Bonnie Potter in Campbell...she's related to the Harris family and also Buckey Dew
BOB JOHNSON
"Faster than a greased cheetah strapped to the front of a bullet train"
www.QUICKSKINZ.com

oldmodlover

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2010, 07:29:40 PM »
How about Olean  Raceway / Speedway  in Olean NY ?

justmark

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Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2010, 08:00:36 PM »
Here's the information that I've compiled on my site about closed/inactive NY tracks..... It's not an inclusive list either. People tell me about tracks that ran once or twice in farmer's fields or backyards.....

http://www.nyracezone.com/news/2006/news060227b.htm
Captain History
FOAR SCORE Club Historian

"Life's too short, man"

Be kinder than necessary as everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle: Attributed to both T.H. Thompson and John Watson