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RaceNewYork Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: blackjackracing on January 04, 2010, 04:10:02 PM

Title: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing 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........
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing 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.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing 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. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: woodhullfan39 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.   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: justmark 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.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Fireball 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.



Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Fireball on January 04, 2010, 05:29:01 PM
Frontstretch - Hornell Raceway

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Fireball 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.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Groundpounder on January 04, 2010, 05:51:25 PM
South Seneca
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Groundpounder on January 04, 2010, 05:55:43 PM
Another view of South Seneca
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: slammin sammy 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.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: justmark 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 (http://www.nyracezone.com/news/2006/news060227b.htm)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing 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
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: oldmodlover on January 04, 2010, 07:29:40 PM
How about Olean  Raceway / Speedway  in Olean NY ?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: justmark 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.....

[url]http://www.nyracezone.com/news/2006/news060227b.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.nyracezone.com/news/2006/news060227b.htm[/url])
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 04, 2010, 09:26:05 PM
there's a great list on dirt track digest...lot's of stuff that isn't on it as it hasn't been verified...I have one that I found out a little more about today... The Reed Run Thrill Bowl ran in 1939 in Elmira. According to notes from Francis Lyman "it consisted of oil drums placed in a field to delineate a course, in a circle with lefts and rights, ups and downs." Fee to spectate: thirty cents. (not sure what the ups/downs part was about)  Soooo...where exactly is Reed Run in Elmira? Curuious as a cat! Also have info that there was a track called "Tri-County Speedway" in Elmira which is new to me.....Jump in if you know...Thanks again!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: woodhullfan39 on January 04, 2010, 11:26:48 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, I have seen the track to this day and actually someone pointed it out to me where the track is now, and the track is not visible at all. Actually my friends live on the property now, and they have a pond out where the track was. No remnants of the track left sad to safe but a great property they are living on.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: dan dan on January 05, 2010, 10:25:43 AM
when did they put the pond in? i was up by there last summer and dont remember a pond but i may have missed it.  the banks in the corner were still there up until a few, well maybe 5-10 years ago.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Fireball on January 05, 2010, 11:15:40 AM
I actually did not see the track.  A friend from Canisteo informed me at Thanksgiving time in regards to the track.  Here is a link (hopefully this works) to the Hornell
website http://hornellhome.com/Welcome.htm (http://hornellhome.com/Welcome.htm)

  where there are a number of photos I had posted.  They are all property of Ron Amidon, son of the owner.

Link does not take you directly to photos - Go to top of the page and select around Hornell - next select 50 & 60's secttion - once that opens you will see the icon photo for Hornell Raceway.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: woodhullfan39 on January 05, 2010, 12:24:40 PM
well here is an overhead image of the property now. The pond was put in 2006 or 2007 when the house was built. My friend was the one who put the pond in.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: dan dan on January 05, 2010, 12:37:20 PM
ill have to drive up by there sometime, i dont doubt you, its prolly the same spot it just looks different from the air than when you drive by.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Oldracing_fan on January 05, 2010, 12:43:48 PM
http://www.alleganycountynylocalhistory.com/Racing%20History-AllegCo/Auto%20Racing/AutoRacingHome.htm (http://www.alleganycountynylocalhistory.com/Racing%20History-AllegCo/Auto%20Racing/AutoRacingHome.htm)

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 05, 2010, 04:05:25 PM
I've found some stuff on the Bath Speedway. One thing I found was a newspaper ad from 1952 which said they were located "two miles west of Bath on Rt. 15" .. In regards to the satelite picture shown, sometimes there are more than one shot..if you can find an older image the track might show up better. Anyway...it's on my list and when I can get to Corning I will research it a little more.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: woodhullfan39 on January 05, 2010, 04:31:13 PM
Oh found some new info on the Hornell Raceway. The original track, back before the track on Ashbaugh, was located where the football field was, down town. The track was then moved to Ashbaugh.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 05, 2010, 05:04:32 PM
Someone mentioned a track today... by Elmira on Doty Hill/Doty Hill Road...anyone have any info? 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ridecar on January 05, 2010, 06:09:41 PM
(http://) Bath Speedway. Hope this works, if not I'll keep trying. I also have a 1957-1958 Cohocton Valley Racing Association rule book.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ridecar on January 05, 2010, 06:41:19 PM
(http://) Bath Speedway - Trying again.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: T20won on January 05, 2010, 07:12:52 PM
Addison Hill Raceway

Cty Rt 85
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: thedoebes on January 06, 2010, 10:17:38 AM
Kirkwood Raceway ran during the 30's and 40's.It was dirt track,in fact I just seen some pictures of it.It was located in Kirkwood N.Y.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 06, 2010, 03:24:59 PM
Here are some places in Broome and Tioga counties that once held auto racing events but no longer do...

BROOME COUNTY
BENNETT AIRPORT, Upper Front St., Binghamton (1935)
BROOME COUNTY FAIR, Whitney Point (1927, 1937-8)
DEPOSIT FAIR, Deposit (1936)
GLEN AUBREY RACEWAY, Glen Aubrey (1950-67)
KIRKWOOD SPEEDWAY, Kirkwood (1937-41)
MORRIS FARM (1936), Upper Conklin Ave., Binghamton (1936)
STOW PARK SPEEDWAY (aka STOW FLATS), Binghamton (1912-28)
TWIN VALLEY SPEEDWAY, Chenango Forks (1970-72)

TIOGA COUNTY
SHANGRI-LA SPEEDWAY, Owego (1946-2005)
TIOGA COUNTY FAIR, Owego (1937)
TRIPLE-CITIES SPEEDWAY, Campville (1937)

PLANNED SPEEDWAYS IN BROOME AND TIOGA COUNTIES THAT NEVER HAPPENED
JOHNSON CITY SPEEDWAY, Carlton Street, Johnson City (1937): A 24-acre tract of land, west of Johnson Field, was leased by the Johnson City Racing Committee.  Plans were made for a speedway to host automobile racing. 
APALACHIN SPEEDWAY, Apalachin (1945): Before he built Shangri-la Speedway, Bill Owen acquired 21 acres of land south of Route 17 in Apalachin and announced plans for an oval track to be constructed.  Grandstands, seating 5,000, were to be located on one side of the track.  Elevated parking spaces on the other side of the track were to accommodate an additional 30,000 spectators.
JAMES STRATES SPEEDWAY, Upper Front St., Binghamton (1949): James Strates of James E. Strates Carnival Shows staked out a half mile track to be used for auto racing after the town placed a limits on his harness track planned for the same site which was the old Bennett Airport near Sunrise Terrace.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 06, 2010, 08:29:14 PM
Wow jay mooney..that's awesome. A funny thing...I researched Chemung County Fairgrounds today and stumbled across the name of a 1/2 mile track that was in Big Flats in the late thirties...TRI-CITIES (must have been a popular name)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 06, 2010, 08:49:14 PM
does anyone remember a track on Doty Hill road in Wellsburg?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: dirttrackrocker on January 07, 2010, 01:49:24 PM
I think the track in Bath was located out behind the livestock auction or there abouts. Somewhere around the house here, I have a stack of complimentary passes from there.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 07, 2010, 06:04:59 PM
As Tompkins County is often grouped among the counties that make up the Southern Tier, I’d thought I’d post this here first.  Anyone have any knowledge of Ithaca Speedway?

I located a photo and story about the track in the Binghamton Press dated June 24, 1951. The co-owner of the track, Marjorie Marble was preparing for the opening of the speedway.  She had been advised that she would be arrested if the track raced on Sunday's as they would be in violation of the state's blue laws. That never happened, though. After three straight rainy weekends, the track folded. 

Ithaca Speedway was located on Route 34, three miles north of Ithaca. Anyone know if this track, or portions of it, is still there?

Ithaca Speedway was not the Ithaca-Dryden Speedway (aka: John Wood Speedway).  That track was located on Route 13.

Here's newspaper ad for Ithaca Speedway from June 28, 1951 which was run in the Auburn Citizen Advertiser:



Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on January 07, 2010, 06:16:46 PM
I know/knew drivers that raced at Doty Hill.
I know the location, but there is nothing there
that shows any resemblances of a track.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: chassis works on January 07, 2010, 06:25:19 PM
Corning War Memorial Stadium
1/4 mi.  dirt oval   sometime in the late 40's

http://www.autoracingrecords.com/arr/tracklist2.php?region=New+York (http://www.autoracingrecords.com/arr/tracklist2.php?region=New+York)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: chassis works on January 07, 2010, 06:40:45 PM
Ahhh, here is a few I remember
LOL

Addison Addison
Airport Speedway Big Flats
Airport Speedway New Springville
Airport Stadium Speedway Rochester
Bath Speedway Bath
Big Flats Big Flats
Black Rock Speedway Dundee
Bliss International Speedway Bliss
Brighton Fairgrounds Brighton
Broome County Fairgrounds Whitney Point
Broome-Tioga Sports Center Richford
Brown Farm Olean
Cayuta Lake Odessa
Champion Speedway Owego
Chemung County Fairgrounds Elmira Heights North
Chemung Speedrome Chemung
Chenango County Fairgrounds Norwich
Chittenango Chittenango
Corning War Memorial Stadium Corning
Cortland Fairgrounds Cortland
Cuba Lake Raceway Cuba
Elmira Driving Park Elmira
Five Mile Point Speedway Kirkwood
Hornell Raceway Hornell
Ithaca Motor Speedway Ithaca
Ithaca-Dryden Speedway Dryden
Lawrenceville Speedway Lawrenceville
Little Valley Speedway Little Valley
Millerton Millerton
Naples Speedway Naples
North Van Etten Raceway Van Etten
Olean Speedway Baldwin Heights
Oneonta Oneonta
Ovid Speedway Ovid
Penn Yan Fairgrounds Penn Yan
Perry Perry
Reed Run Thrill Bowl Elmira
Seneca County Fairgrounds Waterloo
Seneca Falls Speedway Seneca Falls
Shangri-La II Motor Speedway Tioga Center
Silver Speedway Elmira
Skyline Raceway Blodgett Mills
South Seneca Speedway Ovid
Southport Speedway Southport
Spencer Spencer
Sportsman Speedway Addison Hill
Sundown Speedway Bradford
Triple State Speedway Johnson City
Trumansburg Fairgrounds Trumansburg
Twin Valley Speedway Chenango Forks
Wellsville Wellsville
Wellsville Stock Car Speedway Wellsville
Woodhull Raceway Woodhull
Yates County Fairgrounds Penn Yan
 :) ::)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 07, 2010, 09:39:06 PM
quite the list...did you make it to all those?   In all seriousness, I've been dong a lot of research and there is a lot of misinformation in this list. For instance...Ovid Speedway...supposed to be 1/4 mile dirt track which ran from 1951-1952. My step-father grew up there and if anybody would remember this track, he would be the one. Chemung County Fairgrounds was supposed to have run big cars in the late thirties and early forties. I scoured the microfiche for these years and there was nothing. Mind you they made a HUGE deal when they ran at Tri-Cities in Big flats (the Big Flats track you mention) at the same point in time, so I'm sure they would have made a big deal of racing at the fairgrounds. my point here is that there are lists ad-naseum...I LOVE what This Mooney dude is posting...substantial information  JMO
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: bywr on January 07, 2010, 09:50:31 PM
Whitesville ??????????
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: lynchmobb on January 08, 2010, 12:34:49 PM
BlackJack - I have been using a book to assist im my hobby (collecting race programs) - 'The History of the American Speedway', by Allen Brown (the same guy that publishes the yearly Speedway Directory). The book lists all known American & Canadian speedways. I have found some discrepancies in the book, but overall it is pretty good.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 08, 2010, 04:36:39 PM
Thanks Lynchmob...I'll look into that. I think I need to let people know where I think this is headed. My cousin does a lot of historical research and he had tried to get me to do it in our area for some time...I just didn't have the time.  Over christmas the plant I work at was shut down so I had time to get on-line and start researching.... Type in Doty Hill Speedway or Bath Speedway and see what happens...I can tell you...NOTHING. The local historical society has some stuff on racing and it will fill a shoebox with room to spare. The curator of their library said she hears over and over how someone threw out such and such because they thought it was worthless.  This is lost history for the most part and I think that we're at the point where if we, as a racing community, don't come together to save that history it will be gone forever...okay, maybe a little mellow-dramatic, but a LOT of it will be lost...Like Doty Hill. So we need to un-bury it. I have been going to the library which is an excellent way to find stuff...found a track that was in  Athens PA yesterday called Valley Speedway...Looking for one thing found another. The other thing we can do is talk about it...I'm driving the people I work with nuts, but I heard about Doty Hill that way. Anyway..I'm rambling. When i get done I plan on donating everything I've un-buried to the local historical society. I plan on including anything I can find ie; pictures of local drivers, programs, memorabilia etc...You can do the same. I'm betting that for the most part if you're reading this, your local historical society dosen't have any of this either. If you have ANY info or leads or stories (oral history) or pictures  you would like to share that pertain to our region (binghamton to ithaca to ovid to towanda to wellsville?) call me at 607-739-2789. Thanks Bob
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on January 08, 2010, 08:53:41 PM
Bob, it was nice to chat with you on the phone today.
When you mentioned mapquest I looked up Doty Hill
the track was located at the intersection with Ridge
Road. Chet Bennett Sr. showed where the track was
he remember towing his car up the steep hill, sometimes
he said his tow car would over heat. I wonder if Darrell or
Dale Welty remembers if there dad, Norm raced there.
Norm and Chet were good friends.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on January 10, 2010, 12:13:36 PM
Chassis Works: You kicked up a couple of memories... you're the only person that I've ever heard mention Millerton, as in Millerton, Pa. I vaguely remember watching what I believe were 1/4 Midgets in my pre-teen years in a field in Millerton. Also, 1/4 midgets were raced five or six times at the baseball field on the Wiley Farm in Nelson, Pa. sometime between '58 and '62... can't lock it down to a more specific date. (I turned 10 years old in 1962)

I believe the "Addison" and "Sportsman Speedway, Addison Hill" are one and the same. Wendall Hand operated that track through the fifties and then reopened in '69 and '70.

I lived in the Cowanesque Valley for the first 20+ years of my life and never heard of a track in Lawrenceville...

Someone mentioned Whitesville. Could that be Circle K which was operated by Audrey Kio (Mrs. Don Kio)?

You have two entries for Wellsville... fellow Nelson resident Loren Doan raced at Wellsville in the early fifties and in past conversations with him (and a couple of other folks that grew up in that area) I've never heard of two Wellsville tracks. Gordon Chilson (grandfather to the Chilson-Wilcox Chrysler/Jeep dealer) and the great Dutch Hoag also raced at Wellsville.

Liberty Speedway in Liberty, Pa. (south end of Tioga County, Pa.) was another short lived dirt track in the Twin Tiers.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 10, 2010, 12:35:39 PM
Sportsman Speedway is listed on the allegany site as being in Mills PA. AWESOME photos on the site.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on January 10, 2010, 01:28:24 PM
Bob, I'd never heard of Addison Hill being called Sportsman Speedway, but didn't argue the point.  I know of at least three "Sportsman Speedway" locations in NY and Pa., and there's probably more. Gaylord Miller promoted Mills and at one time I believe it was called Millers Speedway. It was north of Rt. 49 between Whites Corners and Ulysses and was basically in Jim Van Pelt's back yard. ( a mile or two up the road).

A little sidelight history: George Williams got into a discussion on how to run a racetrack with Gaylord, and after being rebuffed, went home and laid out a neat little racetrack on his farm in Woodhull. Woodhull Raceway opened on Sunday afternoon June 13, 1965, and Gaylord promised penalties to any of his drivers that went over to race with "those farmers." Mills ran Friday nights, Hornell Sat., and Woodhull settled into Sunday. Amidon called George and told him that Hornell was closing at the end of the '65 season, and George switched Woodhull to Saturday nights for 1966. Gaylord wanted Saturday nights and was not a happy camper. Mills only lasted a short while after that. Wonder if we'd have our Saturday night home on the hill in Woodhull if Miller and Williams had a better relationship?

I may be mixing memories here, but I'm thinking there was a "Sportsman Speedway" in Pa. that I believe was run by the local Fire Company. The name of the town escapes me, but I think it was only three or four letters, may start with R? ...and it was near Smethport. I'm thinking it may have been a different track than the McKeen County Fairgrounds?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: leftyturner on January 10, 2010, 02:11:49 PM
Morgan, Are you thinking of the racetrack that was in Roulette, PA which is between Coudersport and Port Allegheny on Rt. 6.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on January 10, 2010, 02:15:38 PM
Maybe... would the name of the town have been Rew?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: bakes on January 10, 2010, 02:25:38 PM
Stow Flats was located where the Binghamton Plaza is currently located.  My dad "raced" there - as in his grandfather took him out there in a Model T Ford when he was seven and let him go at it.  My grandmother was *furious!* LOL!!!

Has anyone ever heard of a race track located in Doraville, outside of Windsor?  Back in the 1980s when I worked in Windsor someone joked about "going out to the races in Doreeville!"  There was an old clapped out Opel GT bodied Modified by the side of the road on the way out there from Windsor, but my guess is it's long gone.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: leftyturner on January 10, 2010, 02:27:51 PM
No, the town is Roulette. Bradford Speedway is actually in the town of Rew.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 10, 2010, 05:35:18 PM
Awesome stuff....A couple of quick notes. I have been researching the War Memorial Stadium in Corning which ran in 1949-1950...I'll share that when I get more. Can anyone verify that they had to fold because of the cost of replacing fencing. It seems like I saw that somewhere, but I can't find it in my notes.
I was at the library today and I started talking w/ one of the volunteers...she turned out to be Herbie Green's sister Rose. We had an amazing conversation. She shared a story about coming back from Cortland w/ her brother and losing brakes coming down the hill into Ithaca (the old route, not the bypas). Wonderful lady. It was ironic because Larry McCormick had just brought up Herbies name and I had just made a copy of the Cortland ad I will post.
She pointed me in the right direction for Glider City Speedway/Southport Speedway, so I think that is next on the agenda!
Larry McCormick corrected me in regards to racing at Chemung County Fairgrounds. He saidvthey raced midgets there in the 60's/70's....Does anyone have any info on this????
Bye for now...Bob
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: jonesp on January 10, 2010, 06:42:38 PM
I think there was also a track in Sidney near where the airport is now.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 10, 2010, 08:23:01 PM
Re: Cortland Fairgrounds Speedway (Cortland Co. Fairgrounds)

I knew that they raced open wheel events like sprint cars and midgets there, but I never knew they raced stock cars.   Doing some research it looks like stock cars were tried in 1950. Stebbins Speedways was Walter C. Stebbins, the promoter who also put on stock car, midget and big car races at Lockport and Honesdale PA, too.

One of the last races run at the Cortland Fairgrounds, before it was torn down, was on July 4, 1953 – a URC sprint car show won by Steve Yannigan.  URC raced that afternoon at Shangri-la then towed up to Cortland for the night race.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 10, 2010, 08:29:27 PM
I think there was also a track in Sidney near where the airport is now.
I sent an email to the historical society there a few years ago and that’s the reply I got.  That the track was where the airport is today.  Sidney was a ½ mile banked dirt track built in a natural bowl with the spectator bleachers on a knoll overlooking the track. 

Sidney was open from roughly 1946-’53.  Big Cars (sprint cars) were the main attraction in its early years.  URC had two sprint shows there in ’48.  Ottis Stine won both. Stock Cars were tried in 1953 and then it closed.  After it closed, Sidney’s bleachers wound up at Fonda Speedway where they were used for many years.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on January 10, 2010, 08:43:24 PM
Hi Bob, I remembered going to Glider City.
At the time I went there I was about 12 to14
years old. If you look across from Tom's Speed
Shop on Cedar St. you will see a dirt road that
goes up and over the dike, that led to the track.
The setting was on logs on the hillside over looking
the track. My cousin was married to Herb's brother
whom passed on. I still run into Herb once and
awhile, he goes to Florida every winter.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: chassis works on January 10, 2010, 08:47:26 PM
Tangletongue   :)
Lawrenceville race track was right in town on lands across from the current softball field on rt49, they ran sunday afternoons, check with Lew Chilson son of Gordon chilson and founder of chilson motors now named chilson-wilcox. he and don "pockets" howe ran there and corning.  Kizer ran corning for a while in a ole coope
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: BClapp on January 10, 2010, 09:02:56 PM
The racetrack in Sidney wasn't actually where the airport is, but rather next door, where Mead is now.  If only I was born about 50 years sooner, that would have been really convenient.  I live about a quarter of a mile from there.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on January 10, 2010, 09:45:36 PM
Tangletongue   :)
Lawrenceville race track was right in town on lands across from the current softball field on rt49, they ran sunday afternoons, check with Lew Chilson son of Gordon chilson and founder of chilson motors now named chilson-wilcox. he and don "pockets" howe ran there and corning.  Kizer ran corning for a while in a ole coope

Ok, you got me. As I said, was born in '52, and the group you talk about were active up until maybe '55 or '56. Don Howe was a hot shoe while he was going to Mansfield Teacher's  College and I think Lew's racing career was pretty short lived. As I recall, Gordon was known as "Pappy" or some such nickname, and he was a pretty stand out driver wherever he showed up. Somewhere in my archives I've got a photo of Howe and his two tone coupe. Mixed in with that group of photos is one of Cook's Lawrenceville based Midget.(at least the back says Cook)
My uncle was pretty good buddy's with Don and Lew, and my dad bought about four cars in a row from Lew... still not sure how I missed Lawrenceville Speedway... What years did it run?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 11, 2010, 08:47:02 AM
Tangletongue or anyone who might know,

What tracks in the Twin Tiers featured “supermodified bugs” or allowed them to compete with their modified stock car divisions in the 60’s?  I’m talking about cars similar to the ones driven by Bryan Osgood and Dave Kneisel pictured below.

I think by 1970 or ’71 these cars all but disappeared.

It looks the following tracks had “bugs” for sure: Chemung, 5 Mile Point and Midstate (judging by pics)

What about other tracks?  Ithaca-Dryden? Skyline? Glen Aubrey? Towanda? Penn Can? Herb’s? Honesdale? Moc-a-Tek? Addison Hill? Southport? Corning Stadium? Hornell? Olean? Dundee?

Any others?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: frontierjoe on January 11, 2010, 08:56:57 AM
Twin Valley raceway in Chenango Forks, I grew up right next door. The track actually is still there. Although it is getting very over grown . Most of the outside rails are still there, when we where kids we would have of 3, 4 wheelers and bikes there racing. Great fun. Karl Spoonhower  tried to open it back before Thunder Mountain but the town changed the zoning so that they couldn't. I wish we could have got more than just my racecar on that track. It's a really big 1/2 mile with quite a bit of banking. Maybe sometime this spring I'll get so pictures. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Nate Stevens on January 11, 2010, 10:13:57 AM
When Karl was talking about reopening Twin Valley, my dad and I went up to check it out.  I remember we drove around the place and it was pretty big.  It also seems like the straightaways had a slope or a hill in them.  My dad said they raced it that way.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Gomerpyle on January 11, 2010, 10:23:23 AM
The oringinal Thunder Mountain Speedway was to be built between Route 11 and Interstate 81 just a mile or two down route 11 from the Lisle bridge. Gary Dyer had the corners all dug out and then New York State stepped in and said they TOOK that land from the previous owner by Eminent Domain. So the site was switch.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: frontierjoe on January 11, 2010, 11:52:20 AM
Yeah there's even a few old racecars in the woods behind my grandfathers that ran there. None of them could be salvaged or anything but I'll try and get some pics when the weather breaks.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 11, 2010, 08:56:28 PM
hey Jay...The guy on raceny that really knows about the "bugs" is Dale Welty...post that on oldies but goodies and I'm sure he'll have some insight for you.
Larry Mc...I have heard that in order to get to Glider city you had to drive through the creek...any truth to that? You'll love what I dug up today......
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 11, 2010, 09:05:40 PM
Jay Mooney...going through my notes I found a notation about Cortland...They ran from 1932 until 1953...I haven't verified that yet, but if so, that's one hell of a long life for a race track...the average seems to be about a year and a half give or take a month
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on January 11, 2010, 09:26:30 PM
Some thoughts on all this:

1. I was a kid of 10 or 11, I guess, when Towanda opened. My family attended regularly through most of the life of the track, as well as pretty regularly at Chemung and once in a while at Ithaca-Dryden. I recall the move to the bugs being a sort of an evolution pursued by changes in rules. The first bug I saw was when Popeye Vincent cut a coupe down to about half its heighth. It was a B car. It was the number 180, blue and white,  and he was ahead of the competition in thinking about center of gravity. He ran at Towanda, and I think is still kicking around here. The promoters at the VFW track once organized a match race between the low-slung 180 and a Jag driven by a local sports car enthusiast, Stan Patten. I assume Popeye won, though I don't remember clearly. But I do recall the Jag bounding wildly through the turn ruts in the dirt surface.

2. As to the track in Athens, I would think it was in the 1950s that my parents took me to a make-shift race track located along the river between Athens and Sheshequin, on the Sheshequin side of the river. I believe it was down across a big field in the woods next to the river. Probably flood plain. The track was really small ... not much more than a circle 75 yards or so across..One small set of bleachers. Maybe a couple hundred people in attendance. Brush pilled round the outside of the track to stop free-loading gawkers, probably indicating the track was carved out of an unused brushlot. I remember some jalopies racing around the circle with awful dust in the afternoon from the dry silt. I don't think the track lasted more than a season, if that.

3. You might want to investigate a little before donating any rare racing memorabilia to the local historical society. Is there anyone at the society who gives a hoot about local racing history? Can you guarantee there always will be? Most historical societies have a problem, ... too many donations and too little space to display or store all these precious items. So while somebody may accept the donation at the front door, after a year or five it may be quietly slipped out the back door for consignment to an auction house. The museums need the income from these sales to display and store items deemed more central to their mission. One of the best ways for saving racing memorabilia and sharing it well beyond any historical society is right in front of us ... via pictures and descriptions on the internet. Look at how we all enjoy the existing racing historical sites. It doesn't take much to organize such a site today with all the help given online at various places. So share your collections online.

4. Beware of folks who are going to use your racing history in a book they're going to write someday. They're probably well intentioned, but those books never seem to get written.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on January 11, 2010, 09:40:06 PM
Woodhull ran "Bugs" or B-Modified cars from opening day on June 13 to July 8, 1965. The car counts ranged from six to eleven cars with the eleven showing up on the day George Williams decided to stop running them.  I think the car count had alot to do with the decision, but also the cost of running three classes in the early weeks of Woodhull was putting a drain on the profit margin. Charlie Wright from Little Marsh, Pa. won the first week, with Jackie Soper sweeping the next three races in a white #2 that looked alot like the Purdy Deuce from up north. I think the car was owned by Gil Frisbie. On July 8, George returned the pit fee to the teams, and gave them ten bucks for tow money.

I don't ever remember  B- Mods at Addison Hill, but I know Mills ran cars that would have fit the B class, Pete Kent and Phil Thompson had cut down Model A Coupes that were based in the Nelson area and ran Mills in the last couple of years at that track. A couple guys came down to Woodhull from the Cuba, Belfast, Wellsville area  with Bugs, so I'm sure some of the western tracks were running them, and Art Clark, Eddie Anchor etc had Bugs, so Im sure the Northwest part of the state ran them. I know Perry did as I have a few photos from that era. I'll defer to Dale on the eastern part of the state.

Pa. had V-8 cars that resembled the Bugs... Russ Smith's Flathead powered blue and yellow #11 comes to mind and a little later a young fellow started his racing career in a 302 Ford powered machine that looked alot like one of the Chemung Bugs but was called a Sportsman. Guy's name was Kramer Williamson.

I think the B-Modifieds were a pretty solid class in the northeast, with a few regional quirks.

If you want some really wild looking Bugs, or Dirt SuperModifieds, do some searching for some of the midwest modifieds of the era.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on January 11, 2010, 09:52:40 PM
"You'll love what I dug up today......"

Neat find Bob.   Just a thought..."5000 gallons of oil..."????  Does that site qualify for HazMat cleanup fund money?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 11, 2010, 10:20:31 PM
Thank you, Tangletongue and Beenthere.  That’s what I was curious about.  I was kind of wondering if some of these old, long closed tracks mentioned in this thread ran the "bugs" too.  It seems like more tracks ran the “bugs” than I first thought.  I always thought they were really interesting race cars.  Love looking at pictures of them.  There's a discussion going on now over on the Williams Grove Speedway message board about the "bugs" and where they evolved from.  A few Southern Tier area drivers and tracks are mentioned.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 11, 2010, 10:33:38 PM
Twin Valley raceway in Chenango Forks, I grew up right next door. The track actually is still there. Although it is getting very over grown . Most of the outside rails are still there, when we where kids we would have of 3, 4 wheelers and bikes there racing. Great fun. Karl Spoonhower  tried to open it back before Thunder Mountain but the town changed the zoning so that they couldn't. I wish we could have got more than just my racecar on that track. It's a really big 1/2 mile with quite a bit of banking. Maybe sometime this spring I'll get so pictures. 
I also grew up in the Forks, although I moved away a long time ago.  In fact, the land where Twin Valley Speedway sits was once my grandfather’s farm. 

The b&w pic is a Gater News action shot from Twin Valley in 1972, the last season the track was open. (170-Don Beagell, 9-Norm Norton, 90-George Ely).  The color pics are ones I took of Twin Valley back when I was a kid.  Rode my bicycle up there and snapped a few pictures 30 years ago.  I'm sure the place looks a lot worse today.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 12, 2010, 04:56:49 PM
In response to the post by beenthere...I got the impression from the two historical society's I have been in contact with that they were very excited to receive the information. I don't think I would donate my family heirloms, but they want to copy what I get from the research I am doing....If nothing else we are digging up great memories and unburying tracks that have been all but forgotten
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: frontierjoe on January 12, 2010, 08:23:46 PM
Those pics of twin valley, thanks. I've sat down there for years and thought for years about what it looked like when it was open. I was just fortunate to live next door and get a few really good hot laps on it in my car back in the 90s.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 15, 2010, 02:54:06 AM
blackjackracing...

I've been away from RaceNY since mid October, but not by choice. With my Dad being in ICU since mid October and reconnecting with my first girlfriend at the same time, I've had a ton of distractions. Things have calmed down immensely and I've finally gotten back to life as usual.

You called me on the phone last Saturday evening to tell me that you had confirmed the location of Glider City. I asked you to call back on Sunday because I had a previous commitment and couldn't talk right then. Apparently you got tied up and that's cool... stuff happens. I've got good news though.

Glider City still exists as far as I can tell. I found this thread while catching up on stuff I'd missed since October, and decided to play a hunch. I went to Bing Maps and found the airport in Big Flats. Lo and behold, Bing has high resolution images in the area. With this thread open in one browser and Bing open in another, I was able to pinpoint your picture of Glider City on the high res image they show today. The track outline is still visible in this picture. Check it out...

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FVintage%2520Racing%2FAirportBigFlats.jpg&hash=9a4fd0947563aef8bf3df7db5e16bcfa0ed4af9b)

This image was taken sometime during the week of April 2nd, 2006. The reason I know this for certain is that my brother had me take pictures of his Harley before he moved to Florida that year. He parked his motorcycle in my mom and dads front yard and I took a half dozen or so shots. Coincidentally, his motorcycle is in the front yard in the satellite image of mom and dads house - the only time it sat there. Those pictures are dated 4/2/06, which means the satellite was flying over New York during that week.

What I don't know is whether or not the museum has expanded to where the track shows on my image. If you or anyone else are in the vicinity and can check it out, I'd surely appreciate it.

Keep up the good work.
Bob Miller


Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: MOD27NY on January 15, 2010, 11:02:09 AM
BUGS
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: MOD27NY on January 15, 2010, 11:02:58 AM
Lester Green
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: MOD27NY on January 15, 2010, 11:04:17 AM
Bryan Osgood
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: MOD27NY on January 15, 2010, 11:07:38 AM
Osgood
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: modrace on January 15, 2010, 02:48:09 PM
hi ,,has the track in lockport at the naigara county fairground been mention,,thanks
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: bakes on January 15, 2010, 03:41:07 PM
I've seen rumors here and elsewhere that the Catlin 88 bug is holed up somewhere in a garage south of Elmira.  Anyone have any more information?

I keep meaning to find a way out to Gowanda and see if I can get a look at the Purdy Deuce, which is apparently still in storage at or near Purdy Ford.  Someday...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: justmark on January 15, 2010, 03:49:59 PM
The Purdy Deuce is still around there.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on January 15, 2010, 06:00:32 PM
I remember you had to drive or walk threw the creek to get to
Glider City, in the summer Seeley Creek was low of water.
The Southport Prison is where the track was located, not
near the airport.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 15, 2010, 06:05:17 PM
BENNETT AIRPORT, Upper Front St., Binghamton NY (1935) Press releases for an auto race here said “any old car is qualified to enter.  All cars are to have mufflers and have glass removed from both headlights and windshields."

It could have been the very first “stock car” auto race in the Binghamton area.  The ad says:

Welcome the entire Southern Tier to witness 150 laps, 75 miles of automobile racing at Bennett Airport Saturday afternoon, Sept. 28.  Most thrilling, outstanding and longest ever held in Broome County.  The entire Southern Tier is invited to witness races.  Children free.  Free parking.  Admission only 25 cents.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 15, 2010, 06:09:58 PM
STOW PARK SPEEDWAY (AKA: Stow Flats), Binghamton NY (1912).  From the Binghamton Press dated August 22, 1912.  The caption on the photo below reads:

Burman and Hickman in fast brush, passing grandstand.

According to the story which accompanied the photo, “Wild” Bob Burman (car #15 in the photo below) drove a 200 H.P. Blitzon-Benz to set a mark of one minute, 15 seconds for a mile which was two laps around the half mile track.  Later in the afternoon, Burman won Event No. 1 for non-stock cars, 600 cubic inches and less in piston displacement – distance three miles.  He beat H.C. Kyle in the “White Streak” in a close and exciting finish.  In the day’s final event, the free-for-all handicap, Burman started scratch with two other drivers being allowed a 15 second get away before Burman moved forward.  That three mile race was also won by Burman with a time of 4 minutes, 16 seconds.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 15, 2010, 06:11:44 PM
TRIPLE-CITIES SPEEDWAY (AKA: Campville), Campville NY which was located between Endicott and Owego.  The ad is from the Binghamton Press dated August 28, 1937:
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 15, 2010, 06:13:04 PM
KIRKWOOD SPEEDWAY, Kirkwood NY.  This ad from the Binghamton Press dated September 9, 1939:
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 15, 2010, 06:30:42 PM
And here’s another Gater News photo from Twin Valley Speedway, Chenango Forks NY.  This one from a Sunday afternoon show in May 1971.  Red Harrington #14 leads Jimmy Winks, Pete Cordes and Don Beagell.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 15, 2010, 07:53:16 PM
Hi Half-Fast Bob...The picture you have posted is of the National Warplane Museum....you're about 15 miles off. The building with the circular driveway sits smackdab on top of turns 3 and 4 of the Airport Speedway (1/4 mile) and is a stones throw from the older 1/2 mile (Tri-Cities Speedway)..They are both gone. Airport speedway was bulldozed under in the expansion poject and Tri-Cities ,I believe, was tilled under and is now part of the Airport. I'm posting an aerial photo of Airport Speedway from 1955 that was sent to me by the archivest at Big Flats Historical Society...her dad owned the property (small world). The track was a stones throw from the big 1/2 mile track (Tri-Cities Speedway)...In regards to Glider City Speedway, as it has been mentioned before it sits down by the Southport Prison and it can't be seen by the naked eye...I think it only ran one summer and I have seen where it's mentioned that it ran as Southport Speedway after this, but i haven't been able to find this in print...I did, however, find referances to a race track in Elmira that ran in the early fifties...I'm going to research that one next...I have notes from the late Francis Lyman that referance it as Tri-County Speedway. No one I have talked to remembers it, but.......This is like pealing an onion.       Does anyone remember Harold Green? Raced in the fifties?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 15, 2010, 09:15:56 PM
I have found some awesome articles written by Bob Fuller who was the flagman at Glider City...I will post them in their splendid grandier....
With The Stock cars By Bob Fuller....Modern Cars Gain In Popularity... Several persons have asked how the class of modern model racers originated at the Glider City Sports Arena. A group of track officials met at promoter Howard Tidds home one evening to discuss operations at the newly opened tracks. In order to add more spice to the Sunday events the fact arouse that a car had been purchased and someone was going to roll it off a ramp.
 A few of us had been to atrack upstate where they were running a few cars newer than stock cars and seemed to go over fairly well. Someone suggested we forget the roll over and use the car to start a class called modern cars. This was to be tried for two weeks to see what the crowd reaction would be.
 The first week there were six able to run. The next week 18, next week 27, next week 38, the following week 56 and now 67 modern cars give the greatest show on wheels. At first there were two heats and one feature. Now there are three heats, a consolation race and a feature. The last feature was started with 39 cars competing.  One of the reasons why so many cars are turning out is that the promoters have given them a nice cash purse to run for. Another reason is that there are quite a few fellows who would like to be in the racing game but can't afford a Class A or B car.
However, now you can pick up a modern car for  very little, put roll over bars on and a safety belt and they are in business. If it works in this class like it doesin the other classes, you will find these boy confine their hot-rodding to the track and not on the highways.
A Hal Hoose benefit race will be run at Glider City next Sunday......Percy Brown and Fred Brink are now running at Olean Saturday nights......Gordie Blanchard won the feature at Angelica...Cecil Keister says the competition is much keener at Port Royal and his car is starting to do well.
Towanda VFW Speedway now is running  Friday nights and getting a better purse: ninety percent of the cars are from Elmira.... Two local cars competed at the New York State Fair on Labor Day. They were no. 48 with Jack Soper and No. 7 with Bill Schroth.
MEET the DRIVER.....Bucky Buchanan.....James (Bucky) Buchanan Jr. started driving stockers back in 1949. His partner was the late Harold morse. Bucky would drive No. 99  at Naples and Morse would drive it at Corning. Other tracks that Bucky drove at were Wellsville, Doty Hill, Big Flats, Chemung, Elmira, Five Mile Point, New York State Fair, Williamsport and Troy.
Bucky has always owned or partly owned every car he has driven except this year. He has owned 11 cars and has always driven in the modified class before this year. He has never been seriously injured from an accident although four of his cars were completely demolished.
At present he drives No. 104, a 1934 Ford coupe with a 1946 flathead motor. The car is owned by an Elmiran, Bob Van DeBogart. Bucky drives and helps maintain the car for 40% of the earnings. His car is No. 1 on points at towanda VFW Speedway and one of the top cars at Glider City Sports Arena, Elmira. Bucky also drives once in a while at Dundee.
Asked what changes could be made to better stock car racing, he commented that the clubs weren't using enough body styles. They shouldbe allowing newer models and doing away with the older models, esapecially those with hyraulic brakes, he believes.
Bucky is 32 years old, married and resides in Horseheads on the Latta-Brook Road. He has two boys aged eight and two and two girls aged ten and five. His wife Ethel is also a veteran stock car driver. She is president of the Atlantic Womens Club and has two trophies to show for her skill.
Bucky now has thirteen trophies acclaiming his ability on the track.  He has several safe driving awards given to him through the Boss-Lince Trucking Company, where Bucky is employed as a driver. He is also a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army as an M.P.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: kenny5861 on January 16, 2010, 12:02:55 AM
I remember going to Glider City as a child of about 7.  I also went to Twin Valley in 1971 for a Sunday afternoon event. I believe it was a Genesee Beer points race, anybody remember those.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on January 16, 2010, 10:49:40 PM
Hey Blackjack, thanks for posting that article by Bob Fuller.
Hadn't heard some of those names in a long while.
Hal Hoose, Percy Brown, Fred Brink, Gordie Blanchard, Cecil Kiester, and Bucky Buchanan.
Wow.
I wonder how they would stack up against today's best, or how some of today's top drivers would manage in a "jalopy" A or B car.
Anyway, thanks again ... those were the days!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 17, 2010, 09:16:58 AM
I've got more..I'll post them as I get time....It's like opening a time capsule.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 17, 2010, 09:19:30 AM
I've got a question...can anyone enlighten me on the differances between the "A" and "B" cars (besides the fact it was twice as much $ for the "A")...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: kenny5861 on January 17, 2010, 10:27:07 AM
I think the A cars were V8's (flatheads maybe) and the B cars were straight 6's. Not sure if any other differences, I was just kid at the time.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: kenny5861 on January 17, 2010, 10:52:28 AM
At Chemung they had the A cars and  B cars during the 1950's. At some point they dropped the A cars, moving the B cars to their top class and adding the moderns as a second division. The B cars then began evolving into the bugs in the early 1960's.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on January 17, 2010, 05:41:53 PM
Yup. Kenny is right. "A cars" were V-8s and "B Cars" were sixes.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: paperboy on January 18, 2010, 07:59:56 PM
The Bug type modifieds raced at Ithaca-Dryden speedway in the early 60's, when I first went there as a kid.  Eventually, they switched to Late models (V8 overheads) and Moderns  Flatheads, sixes and straight eights)  as their regular classes. 
During my tenure as an Area Auto Racing News columnist,  I gathered a lot of information and wrote a historical piece about the track.  If it is of any interest to you Blackjack,  I can e-mail you a copy of the transcript, as I still have it. 
I wrote it back in 1997, and the accuracy is as good as the memories of the people who provided the information.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 18, 2010, 09:15:51 PM
I'd love to see it..My e-mail is   blackjackracin21@aol   looking forward to seeing it....I found an interesting bit of history the other day. I had seen in various lists that there was racing in Elmira in The 1910's. Info was very vauge, but I do recall seeing somewhere that they had raced at The Elmira Driving Park which I have learned is old school terminology for a horse track. It was a mile dirt oval and once again it is sketchy as to where it was....anyway, while looking for something entirely differant I found referance to it in a list of venues for the 1916 AAA racing schedule. It listed it as such    AAA Automobile Contest...Elmira, N.Y.   1916   one mile track  Elmira Automobile-Motorcycle-Bicycle Racing Assn.    I'll be checking into that one a little closer.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 21, 2010, 03:51:11 PM
I was told by someone today that when Glider City ran they had a "shootout" between local hot shoe Jackie Soper in the McClure Ford and Pennsy invader Hal Hoose in a Chevy. (Hoose died later in the year in a racing accident) Anyone have any recollections ...this picture of Jackie Soper is from the Elmira Star-Gazette, Sept 5, 1958 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on January 21, 2010, 06:59:44 PM
I was never at Glider City, but that race you mentioned would have been a real switcheroo as Hoose normally drove the McClure Ford. I believe he was in it at Port Royal(?) when he was killed.
But in those days, promoters ran every sort of race they could imagine.
I remember a big special match race at the old VFW in Towanda between Soper, Harry Benjamin, Brian Osgood, and I think Vern Coyle ... if memory serves me right.
Soper was making a sort of guest appearance that night, driving the "00," a 5-window 32 Ford I think, that had been brought up from the Carolinas where it had won many features.
My memory may suck, but I think one of the four cars in the race went off the turn between 1&2 when the steering wheel came off in the driver's hand, hitting an apple tree hard enough to shake the apples out.
Coyle ended up going end-over-end between 3&4.
At least that's the way I remember it.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: racenut1 on January 21, 2010, 10:23:19 PM
lol,,gee larry 756,,you must be as old as doty hill
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 22, 2010, 08:58:21 PM
Hey Beenthere...Your story made me laugh...The person that told me the story was someone who had been talking to his father and it was third hand by the time I typed it, so I have no doubt you  are correct on who was in which car...the articles from the Elmira Star Gazette had mentioned a few times that they had benefits for Mr. Hoose one of them being at Port Royal...I'm kind of envious of you. From what I'm learning it must of been an amazing time to go to the races...Do you by any chance remember there being a track in Elmira? (besides Glider City that is)

Someone related a story to me today about the Southport speed plant...When they were a kids they would race their bicycles around the abandoned track. He said this would have been around 1969 and by then it had become overgrown and trees had taken root. he told me it lays right underneath the prison as it was closer to the hills than the river...I'm taking an aerial picture to him so it will be pinpointed soon.....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 23, 2010, 07:44:27 PM
Another of Bob Fullers articles from The Aug. 3, 1958 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette...enjoy

  " With the Stock Cars'...Bob Fuller
Soper,Buchanan, Rienners Lead.

   The top point man in the modified class at Chemung Speedrome and at Glider City Sports Arena is Jack Soper...Al Brown received a fractured jawbone in the feature race at the

VFW Speedway in Towanda. Al spent two days in Sayre Hospital but is home now feeling normal. Stock Car drivers never die, they just break away.
   Jack Markos, promoter at Chemung Speedrome, reports that the fans are participating strongly in the "So You Want To Drive A Stock Car" idea...Since the Modern Model Class

was introduced at Glider City  auto dealers claim the older cars are selling like mad. Last week 24 started the feature. Howard Tidd is back from the hospital and will spend five weeks

conditioning for a major operation.
   Towanda VFW  Speedway now guarentees a $300 purse. Top point man there is Bucky Buchanan...Top point man at Dundee is Glen Reinners...Pete Shaffer took his first feature

in Ernie June's old car. Welcome back , Pete...Pete Marrone is the oldest driver in the area...Talented new drivers: Bryan Osgood, Mel Alexander, John Mace, Lee Whipple.
MEET Cliff Pierce...
   A veteran stock car driver who started in Corning in 1950. He has been a top driver in Wellsville, Naples, Owego, Ovid, Doty Hill, Troy, Big Flats, Chemung, Elmira, Glen Aubrey

and Towanda. At the present time is top point man at the Glider City Sports Arena and the Chemung Speedrome in the Class B or Sportsman. Cliff pilots car no. 9 owned by the Osgood

brothers of Elmira.
   Cliff receives one-third of whatever the car earns and from the way it looks, this will be a profitable year. he is considered to be a quiet, easy- going, well liked driver. he takes life

calm and cool, perhaps this has something to do with his careful style of driving. Cliff is thirtythree years of age, happily married and steadily employed at the American LaFrance as a

painter on the night shift.
   His wife "Ruth" rarely ever misses a race and is Cliff's biggest "rooter". On being asked how it feels to have a stock car driver as a husband, Ruth stated "We both enjoy the

races. It has become part of our lives". "Cliff is happiest when driving and  would drive every day of the week if there were that many tracks running locally. We realize the the possible and

hidden dangers, but this part we try not to talk about. Bsides, there are many things in life more dangerous than driving on a race track. For instance, driving on our highways."
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on January 23, 2010, 11:22:44 PM
hey,blackjack; do you have any old woodhull news(65-80)-that you can post?-some fotos would be cool too!! 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on January 24, 2010, 08:52:24 AM
Oh how i remember these times of race cars and the many tracks having races. Hal Hoose was a very good friend of my father and my Uncles were Fred Brink who raced for Ernie June at that time, Chet Bennett and Howard Randall. I remember being so excited to watch these and all the great drivers of my youth. I remember most but not all the racetracks at this time because I'm not quite as old as Larry 756 but have many great memories. These were great years because of how many tracks and cars their were at this time.  jmo
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 24, 2010, 09:06:28 AM
Hi Railbird Steve...I don't, but Steve Kellogg and Morgan colgrove do...maybe we could persuade them to share a little bit on here (wink wink)...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on January 24, 2010, 10:29:21 AM
Hey Luvsracing, never mind how old I am.  HA !!!  HA !!! HA !!!
I believe you might know Bob Johnson, he lives near you.
Do you have any old racing photos laying around?
I know little Chet may have some.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on January 24, 2010, 04:37:04 PM
Sorry Blackjack, don't rememeber any track in Elmira.
I do recall that all the big talk back then ... in the late '50s and early '60s ... was about Waterloo, Olean and Port Royal.
At the VFW, where I was a regular, those places were spoken of (at least it seemed to me) with reverance, as far away, dream-like places where the racing was really hot and heavy.
Soper was THE man to beat back then, as he ran at all those places and usually won.
I heard once that a young Brian Osgood was having trouble trying to figure out the VFW, so he hired Soper one day to show him the fast way around the track. Soper ran his line and Osgood followed.
After that, Osgood was the man to beat as Soper only visited once in a while.
Looks like you're mining the Star-Gazette morgue for vintage racing tidbits.
I did that once with The Daily Review in Towanda for VFW and Chemung articles from back in the day.
Keep 'em coming and good luck to you.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Fireball on January 24, 2010, 04:58:18 PM
Jackie at Angelica.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 24, 2010, 07:15:06 PM
Exactly right Beenthere...I plan on taking a trip down to Eastern States Museum this spring to check out their microfeche... eventually I'd like to document stuff within an hour of Elmira
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on January 25, 2010, 10:04:50 PM
Blackjack,
A couple of years ago Ford Easton met with a dozen or so of the drivers from the VFW to capture their memories. Ford was planning to write a book about the long-ago tracks along the Twin Tiers.
Don't know if he still plans to write that book, or whether he'd be willing to share his info.
I think Mark (Captain History) has contact info for Ford. Ford lives in Florida but comes north in the summer for the Cuba Lake reunion. A very personable guy.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 26, 2010, 08:11:20 PM
By chance is he the fellow that wrote a column for the Gater? (Speed Reading?)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: thewackyracer on January 26, 2010, 09:17:57 PM
That was Ford Ebersteen, He lives near WCIS
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: justmark on January 26, 2010, 11:09:24 PM
Ford Easton is in Florida. I can ask him what his book plans are at this stage about those race facilities. He's kind of busy with the Cuba Lake South Reunion now.
Ford Eberstein was the Gater columnist and still lives in Perry.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 28, 2010, 08:55:17 PM
I was looking for one thing and found another...Does anyone out there remember this track?
This ad was from the July 3rd, 1951 Elmira Star-Gazette 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 30, 2010, 05:47:11 AM
Anyone out there near Elmira and want to do a little leg work? I think I've found this track on the satellite, but I need someone to confirm it.

1.) Start at the intersection of 14 (S. Broadway) and 326 (Clemens Center Parkway) by heading south on Route 14.

2.) Just about a mile down on the right at the intersection of Bentley Rd and Route 14 sat a drive in. This is a reference point, but keep going south.

3.) There is a trailer park on the right side of the road that sits almost dead square on the border of PA and NY... pull in.

4.) The roads in the trailer park are kind of messed up on the satellites, and it's hard to tell where Sierra Vista Drive starts... but it's the furthest road to the right in the park after you pull in. Take Sierra Vista Drive to the sideways lot on the right and stop.

5.) Roughly 100 feet behind that sideways trailer is what I believe is probably Drive In Speedway.

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FVintage%2520-%2520new%2FDriveInSpeedway.jpg&hash=f29ac740d14f8d4883975dac655ea24be882e6f3)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 30, 2010, 07:39:44 AM
ironically...I bought my first race car from folks that live in that very trailer park!
I'll go down and check it out first chance I get.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 30, 2010, 08:15:30 AM
Another article by Bob Fuller...This one ran July 11, 1958 in the Elmira Star-Gazette

Racing News From Glider City Sports Arena...Caton Avenue, Elmira N.Y.

A word of explanation is due to the fans who have been looking forward to motorcycle racing at Glider City Sports Arena. (In 1957 the track was called Caton Avenue Raceway and held motorcycle races..RJ)   The cycle racing in this area comes under District 3 of the American Motorcycle Association and any races held must be sanctioned by the A.M.A. officers: the first race that was scheduled at this track had to be postponed by the A.M.A. due to a sanction at New Hampshire. The second race schedule was a sanctioned date, however rain spoiled the day. Now we have a sanctioned date set for Aug. 3rd: this will be a thriller because never before in this country have races been held on a 1/3 mile dirt, banked track. These cycles will not have brakes and are classified as sportsmen-lightweight. trophys will be awarded in each race.

New Event Planned

   This Sunday the promoters of the Sports Arena in their efforts to bring about a more diversified and interesting program, will present in addition to their regular modified and sportsmen events, a new class of races called Modern Model Cars- By Modern Model Cars we mean by cars from 1942 to present that are able to run under it's own power. It must have roll-over bars equipped and a safety belt installed. A car like this can be put on the track with very little investment plus the efact that a purse will be provided for qualifiers. We welcome anyone over 21 to try this: this will be a weekly race consisting of heats and a feature event.

   After being plagued by rains all last weekend, the sports arena promoters and officials are endevoring to make this Sunday and every other Sunday a faster-moving, thrilling and exciting race date.
   We welcome any and all cars from any track or club. Our top-point boys in each class at present time are from Elmira. There is a $700 guarantee, the track has been banked up  -5000 gal. of oil and 80 tons of salt  and shaping up beautiful and getting faster each week.
   So, Let's go to the races Sunday, July 13th 3:30. Incidentally we have a minature train and a baby sitter for the kiddies while mom and dad watch the show. The track is off Caton Ave. directly soth of Robert St.

See You at the Races
 
Bob Fuller: Flagman
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 30, 2010, 10:52:28 AM
Unfortunately, it appears that any and all traces of Glider City Sports Arena are gone. According to the article by Bob Fuller, the track sat on Caton Ave. at the end of Robert St.

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FVintage%2520-%2520new%2FGliderCitySportsArena1958.jpg&hash=083d8286198549544097142b04b10d2f027b7eb9)

Looking at this picture, the arena would have occupied the property where Robert St. was extended to meet Cedar St. after crossing Caton. If there are any businesses in the immediate area that would have been open in 1958 and are still going now, there is a chance that someone might have a picture of the arena while it was still in operation (wouldn't that be nice). Also... since Glider City Sports Arena was a motorcycle track first, any motorcycle/atv stores in the area might have a little history on it. If not, maybe they'd allow a copy of this thread to be posted on their bulletin board near the front door - that would spark interest from some of the old timers in the area.

Just a gut feeling here, but I am getting the impression that Bob Fuller was either the head honcho at the arena, or was a direct family member. Reason being is, when was the last time that the flagman also wrote the press releases? 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on January 30, 2010, 01:49:43 PM
Halffast, you across Cedar St. up over the dike threw the creek
out towards the hill were the prison is now. ::) ::) ;D
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on January 31, 2010, 01:47:49 AM
I just got on after a couple weeks off raceNY. The Bugs at Chemung and Dundee were six cylinders while the Five Mile Point cars were more like the so-called 30X60 cars of central Pa.   They ran at Selinsgrove, Port Royal etc and quickly evolved into sprint cars with homemade bodies representing coupe-styles and where soon just sprint cars. To see a lot of pics of these cars go to THEVINTAGERACER.COM and get into there photo section. Look for 30X60 and early sprints. Most of the Chemung cars had production car frame rails. Here's some examples. DALE
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on January 31, 2010, 01:48:49 AM
All are L.O. Duncan photos
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on January 31, 2010, 01:49:52 AM
My DAD
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 31, 2010, 07:09:38 PM
Hi Dale..Who was in the #44?
In response to Half-Fast Bob...Glider City Sports Arena sat across Seely Creek from where your picture is centered...Larry Mc related earlier that you needed to drive through the creek to get to it. It is now "entombed" under the Sothside correctional facility...In regards to Bob Fuller being a promotoer, I don't think so. The owner/promoter was Howard Tidd. I think Bob Fuller was just promoting the sport as his articles always have news of stuff happening at other tracks...no self respecting promoter would do such a thing...that would be like shooting yourself in the foot!
I'll get more of his articles on soon...very neat stuff.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on February 01, 2010, 04:48:24 AM
Quote
So, Let's go to the races Sunday, July 13th 3:30. Incidentally we have a minature train and a baby sitter for the kiddies while mom and dad watch the show. The track is off Caton Ave. directly soth of Robert St.

See You at the Races
 
Bob Fuller: Flagman

Quote
Glider City Sports Arena sat across Seely Creek from where your picture is centered...Larry Mc related earlier that you needed to drive through the creek to get to it.

Shame on Bob Fuller for not including this minor detail.  :-X





Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: YetAnotherDW on February 02, 2010, 04:37:56 PM
Hi Dale..Who was in the #44?
In response to Half-Fast Bob...Glider City Sports Arena sat across Seely Creek from where your picture is centered...Larry Mc related earlier that you needed to drive through the creek to get to it. It is now "entombed" under the Sothside correctional facility...In regards to Bob Fuller being a promotoer, I don't think so. The owner/promoter was Howard Tidd. I think Bob Fuller was just promoting the sport as his articles always have news of stuff happening at other tracks...no self respecting promoter would do such a thing...that would be like shooting yourself in the foot!
I'll get more of his articles on soon...very neat stuff.

Bob,  I think maybe it is Frank Chapman
Darrell
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on February 02, 2010, 08:42:38 PM
I think the#44 is Ciff Peirce.Chapman drove a red #4 .
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 03, 2010, 09:57:51 PM
I think I figured out where Drive-In Speedway was... I found information tonight that says it was in Pennsylvania (Fassett). it had to have been in pennsy as it ran on Sundays (this was during the BIG fight over Blue Laws and the ban on all Sunday racing). Anyways...It was  6.1 miles below Elmira and 1/2 mile on the right JUST over the state line. There is a "driveway" there and a short hop to a spot that looks like it could have been a track...I'll investigate it this weekend. The really interesting thing is that the promoter for Drive-In Speedway was Howard Tidd, the same fellow who ran Glider City 8 years later...Oh..and I think the name Drive-In speedway had nothing to do with The Roxy Drive-in...It was because you could watch the races from your car!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on February 04, 2010, 05:54:33 AM
99% sure that the 44 is Cliff... Claychamp, if you look close, you'll see a much younger version of me sitting to the right of the pole, about midway down the grandstand... every Saturday night in those days. Neat pics.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 04, 2010, 09:01:11 PM
I think this might be the Drive-In Speedway..It's in this vacinity.
The winner of the first race was Bob Edwards.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on February 04, 2010, 10:28:12 PM
That's Cliff Pierce in the #44. Here's some action shots I've posted before. All by L.O. Duncan.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on February 04, 2010, 10:29:07 PM
again by LO Duncan
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on February 04, 2010, 10:30:09 PM
Ny Dad walks back to chat with another driver.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on February 04, 2010, 10:31:18 PM
Tipped her a little too hard!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on February 05, 2010, 05:40:46 AM
That #60X is nonother than the Flying Milkman Kenny Moore.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 06, 2010, 09:25:01 AM
Bob Fullers collumn from the August 24th, 1958 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette.

With The Stock Cars...Bob Fuller

Fun, Excitement for Novice Drivers

   Bucky Dew made his first appearance last week at the Southport track, driving a sports car for Gil Frisbe. Bucky drove No. 7 for Howard Tidd Friday at Angelica N.Y. He is top point man at Waterloo. he says he will be a regular driver in Elmira from now on.

   The late Harold Morse of Troy, PA. used to have No. 99 on his car. Since his death in 1952, while driving at the Los Angeles Raceway in California, the local tracks do not permit a car to use his No. 99. In fact, it was on the 99th lap of a 100-mile feature that his car lost the right rear wheel and went out of control.

   This is how "So You Want To Drive A Stockcar" works at Chemung Speedrome every week:  Anyone interested in driving a stockcar in a race with other amateurs is given a ticket. On these tickets they put their name and address and drop them in a box at the jucges stand. At intermission time the Queen of the Speedway picks out five tickets and those people whose names are on the tickets are called over the public address system.
   These people are then furnished with a Class B car, helmet and are fastened into the seat by safety belts. The promoter pays their entrance fee into the club and they are signed in under protective insurance. After they are briefed on the art of racing, they are allowed two laps to get used to the car and then lined up for competitive racing. Bunched together and in pairs, they take one more lap and come down (nervously) to the starter for the green flag.
   Once the race has started they seem to react the same as every other race driver does and that is to get out in front and stay there. No one has gotten hurt and there is fun and excitement for both the fans and participants, and the winner is held over and has a chance to compete again next week. No one has won twice in a row yet.

   Todays Races at Glider City Sports Arena will include a 30 lap mid-season championship in the Sportsman Class. The roll over expert, Dick Lewanduski, will once again roll a car off a ramp.

Meet The Driver...Bobby Jaynes

   Bob started driving at Corning, along with most of the other beginners. He drove a '36 Ford for the Ferris Garage of Elmira and was one of the high point men for two years. As a matter of fact, he has been among the top ten high point men every year he has raced.
   Other tracks at which he has raced are Oswego, Naples, Glen Aubery, Wellsville, Airport Speedway, Bath, Doty Hill (near Fassett, Pa.), Olean, Cuba, Chemung, Selingsgrove, Pa., Glider City, Elmira and took the feature race  the last time he appeared at Angelica.
   At the present time, he is one of the top contenders in the modified class at Chemung Speedrome and Glider City Sports Arena. He drives car No. 1, a 1934 Ford Coupe with a 1955 Ford overhead motor. He is half partner with his next door neighbor, Charley Knowles, and estimates they have more than $900.00 in the car.
   Bob served two years in the Navy during World War II overseas in the South Pacific. He is a well liked, happy-go-lucky type of guy and is considered an old timer in the racing game. He is 31 years old and resides on Ridge Road in Horseheads with his wife "Jenny" and their four boys. The fourth boy was just born on Aug. 14 and Bob says he now has a full pit crew.
   Bob is sole owner of his own business called the Ridgeview Dairy and gets up every morning at 4 a.m. to make his usual milk run.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 06, 2010, 04:31:48 PM
I went on an excursion into PA today...Scratch the trailer park and the image I had posted as possible sites for Drive-in Speedway...They aren't quite far enough from Elmira...(6.1 miles)..I'll try to get a little more info and try again. I thought I might have found it today, but I'm just not sure. They're seemed to be one "banked corner, but only the one..Anybody out there know anyone fron Fassett Pa. who's been there forever?

In the meantime, found some stuff at the library today..the first is an ad for Chemung. This is from the first year Chemung ran and shows Bill Perkins, Don Shaw and Bucky Dew
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 06, 2010, 04:39:37 PM
Heres one of Bucky Dew of Ithaca. This was also from 1951 and Mr. Dew was cleaning up at Chemung...nice to put a face to a name I've heard much of my life. (my step-father raced with him and quite frankly reveared him...with good reason!)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 10, 2010, 06:12:50 PM
This is an advertisement for the first race (I think..I'm still researching) held in Elmira. The ad is from the May 26, 1916 Elmira Star-Gazette. The race was held at the Maple Avenue Driving Park and was a multi-vehicle event as they ran motorcycles and automobiles. It was sanctioned by the AAA and amazingly held partially at night with "thousands of arc lamps placed around the racecourse" to illuminate it...not sure if this was the first night race or not?  I'd be interested if anyone could shed some light on this (pardon the pun).
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on February 11, 2010, 01:07:02 PM
Larry756 asked if I had any pictures from when my Uncles raced there at Chemung and other tracks. Larry 756 it so happens I'm in South Carolina for awhile and only a hour from my Aunts house. I had stopped by a few weeks ago and asked about some pictures she has, she is going to look them up and show them to me again in a few weeks. Any good pictures from the area tracks from the 50's and early 60's I will try and send them on. Hows everything going Larry, cold down here but snow free.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on February 11, 2010, 02:02:55 PM
blackjackracing...

You might be interested in this regarding the Maple Avenue Driving Park.

http://www.baseballstadiumreviews.com/Stadium%20Home%20Pages/Ballparks%20of%20the%20Past/Dunn%20Field.html (http://www.baseballstadiumreviews.com/Stadium%20Home%20Pages/Ballparks%20of%20the%20Past/Dunn%20Field.html)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 20, 2010, 07:26:51 PM
Another article by Bob Fuller...This is from the October 5th, 1958 Elmira Star-Gazette

WITH THE STOCK CARS

Meet Chemung's Chubby Chandler

   Art (Chubby) Chandler, the hard working owner of a 130 acre farm in Chemung N.Y. is better known for his ability on local stock car tracks.
A veteran of eight years at tracks such as Chemung, Southport, Towanda, Glen Aubery, Five-Mile Point, Doty Hill and Owego's Shangri-La circuit, Art won the Chemung Class A point title last year, but had to be content with second honors behind Jackie Soper in points at Southport. He still has accumulated 18 winners trophies.
   At almost every race in which Art competes, you'll find his wife Phyliss and their three sons, aged three, 10 and 11 years. He's driving No. 112 for the sixth year. The car is a 1934 Ford Coupe with a 1955 Thunderbird engine, and he uses a mixture of alcohol and gas for fuel.
   Art is a driver-owner, but he's decided to sell his car at the end of the season. The car is being offered for $1000 including equipment, but Art is willing to drive for the new owner if the car is maintained in it's present condition.
   PENN-YORK Atlantic Women's Racing assn. will hold it's banquet Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Elmira VFW Home. Trophies will be presented, movies will be shown  and the program will be followed by dancing...Chemung Speedrome held it's final season race Saturday...Promoter Jack Markos says he may blacktop the track next year.
Qualifying heats will be run at 1:30 this afternoon as Glider City Sports Arena runs it's 100 lap Modern Car championship. Thirty-six cars from a field of 80 cars will be eligible after heat races. There also will be qualifying heat races and a consolidation race in the Class B sportsman division for next Sundays 100-lap "B" championship race.
   Ernie June will have two modified cars next year... Jack Soper still holds a one point lead over Jackie Baldwin at Glider City.... Bobby Jaynes will be driving in three classes next year. He'll drive No. 1 in Modified, a 1957 Fury Plymouth has been bought for him to drive in Modern Class, and a Class B car will be constructed during the winter.
   Billy Rafters, the driver that dominated feature races at Corning Stadium a few years ago, lost a tough race last Sunday at the Syracuse State Fair. He led the feature for 90 of the 100 lap NASCAR event, then developed motor trouble which dropped him back to an eventual fourth place finish...Dutch Hoag of Bath finished second... in the same race, Glen WQagner of long island was killed in a roll-over on the 16th lap.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: justmark on February 20, 2010, 09:29:58 PM
It's Rafter and Wagner.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 21, 2010, 09:58:57 AM
FYI...The typo for Wagner is my bad..everything else is verbatim from the articles, warts and all...but thanks for the spelling lesson
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 22, 2010, 07:48:56 AM
Picture of Bob Fuller from Elmira Star-Gazette
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 22, 2010, 07:58:26 AM
Ad from Shangri-La..not sure of the date as I discovered this one when I was cleaning out my computer
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Shamrock 3x on February 22, 2010, 08:09:56 AM
Blackjackracing,
You can always count on Mark for a spelling or Grammar lesson...he's just the bomb-diggety that way. The rest of us should be so fortunate!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 22, 2010, 10:24:44 AM
Hi Mr. Shamrock...the last thing I would want is to turn this into is some kind of pi$$in' match... better to let it go which I should have done in the first place...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Groundpounder on February 22, 2010, 11:51:44 AM
Ad from Shangri-La..not sure of the date as I discovered this one when I was cleaning out my computer
I'm guessing this ad was from the week of Sept., 8 1963.  Nelson Ward was killed in a wreck at Shangri-La in August of that year, and Sept. 27, 1963 fell on a Friday.  The next time Sept. 27th fell on a Friday was 1968.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 06, 2010, 08:06:14 AM
Another article by Bob Fuller from the September 14th, 1958 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette...

WITH THE STOCK CARS....Remembering the Late Hal Hoose.

   Today the Glider City Sports Arena will hold a benefit race for one of the best-liked drivers the local area has known... Harold Hoose.  To those of us who knew him well, he was more than just a good driver. He was full of fun, excitement and considerate of others on and off the track. He was an all -around good athlete, an excellent truckman, a talented salesman and a honorable soldier.
   When some of you read this, you may say that if he hadn't gotten mixed in with the stock cars he would be alive today. Perhaps. But, lets look at it this way:
Just how much of a risk is there in driving a pleasure car when every corner and turn finds death waiting or the pilot who leaves the ground not knowing whether he will land safely again or
the person who walks up and downstairs 20 or 30 times a day and then one day slips with tragic consequences. There is an element of risk in nearly everything we do today.
   Yet, when someone gets killed driving a racer, immediately some try putting the blame on the sport of racing. No, the racing game is not always at fault, and I cannot say if anyone or anything is to blame. Here was a man who loved the roar of an engine, the high speed thrills and the cheers of the crowd.
   His car was one of the safest built cars ever to race on the track. That was the only way the owner, Al McClure, would have it. He and Hoose were a team that was very hard to beat. Al told me that if Hoose was intending to quit racing this year, it was news to him. In fact, he and Hoose talked many times of going into "new car" racing next year.
   I know if Hal Hoose could relive his life, he would certainly be in the racing game. I say these things because I really knew him. We came from the same neck of the woods, went to
school together, trucked together, drove in competition against each other and were the best of friends. I am not up to date on his financial status, but whatever it was, it is never enough to take care of a distressed wife and three children.
   We who are in the racing game are going to give our best to put on a great benefit show for the fans and we hope the fans will turn out in a big way to see it because all the proceeds will go to his family. A huge trophy has been donated by a local merchant and it will be awarded to the winner of the modified class today. Hoose drove in the modified class. Any driver winning the trophy three years in a row gets to keep it.
   Towanda VFW Speedway put on a Hoose benefit race Friday night with cars and drivers coming from Angelica, Elmira and Port Royal to put on a terrific show. Port Royal will have a benefit in about two weeks. Chemung Speedrome fans contributed $477 to the family at a collection one week ago.
   
   Car No. 104 certainly was a familiar sight at Towanda Speedway a week ago Friday. Bucky Buchanan won the heat races with it, then Van DeBogart won the the novice race in it. Ethel Buchanan used it to win the Powder Puff championship and then Bucky came back to take the checkered flag in the feature.
   There's also a No. 104jr...Actually Bob Depews's old No. 22 which was bought by Jim Hamilton. Driver (or drivers) for it hasn't been decided yet.... Art Chandler is within stricking distance of Jackie Soper at two tracks. Jackie mentioned a few weeks ago that he'd take some iron off to lighten the car if Art got to close. Maybe this is the time.
   Towanda Speedway drivers are pleased with the local promotion. A week ago 219 persons paid for admission yet the drivers received a purse of $255....
Gil Frisbie and Jackie Soper have made appearances at the Pennsylvania track since it switched to Friday nights.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: shoestring on March 06, 2010, 10:50:41 AM
I'm a little bit of an outsider in this history discussion, but many of the Towanda and Chemung drivers names do really ring bells from my childhood.  My parents, Joe and Esther Birney from Sayre, owned many early cars, raced all over the northeast and were associated with many drivers and owners of this era being mentioned in this thread.

I was extremely fortunate to have spent much of my childhood in the middle of all of this history.  Of course memory becomes faded with the passing years and I am not sure anybody will find this interesting.  But for what it is worth...

In no particular order.  George Dickman, Pete Shaffer, Frank Jennings (mechanic on many top cars), Jackie Baldwin, Jim Leonard, Popeye Vincent, Harry Benjamin, Vern Coyle, Frank Chapman, Eddie Kakitus (spelling on that one could be wrong,  he drove a bug with the Pontiac Indian head logo on the side), Bill Crane, Stubby Crane, Jo-Jo McKernan, Kenny Townsend, Herbie Green, Reese Green, Bob Whitaker, Dick Karlnoski (spelling on that one could be wrong), Vern and Bryan Osgood, Scotty Kocanivitch (spelling again, genius engineman for Jackie Soper's stuff of legends 283's), Mac Davenport, Jackie Soper, Lucky Cornish, Earl Bodine, Cecil Keister, Don Moyer (legendary owner of many major early dirt cars), Hal Green, Bobby Jaynes, Percy Brown, Fred Brink, Ernie June, Harry Carlyle, Gil Frisbie, Art Chandler, Dave Curren, "Hoot' Gibson, Artie McLaughlin and so many, many wonderful names from the mists of that magical time.  Anybody remember Bernie Foster's name and escapades?  How about Fred Meyer's name.

Daddy and Mother always had great drivers.  Jackie Soper, Bryan Osgood, Billy Schroth and Frank Chapman come to mind.  Daddy also built cars or helped maintain cars especially for Vern Osgood.  Bryan always got much of the glory, but it was Vern calling all the shots that their success was predicated on.  Vern truly was one of the major components of the Osgood Brother's outstanding racing legacy, but few people recognize his name. 

Odd is it may sound today, my mother Esther Birney had quite a racing career of her own.   She always had the best equipment for her powder puff racing - certainly Osgood's cars, daddy's cars and even Walt Bostwick owned cars.  She even drove a "modern" once owned by Mac Davenport.  Spindle broke and she took a wild ride off the first turn at Towanda in Mac's car.  I can't really recall the years it all happened, but it must have been the late 1950's through early 1960 era.  She raced, if my memory hasn't failed me, at Towanda and Chemung, but there may have been others.  Perhaps Ithaca-Dryden also.  Mother is alive and well living in West Virginia at age 92!  She gets a kick when people remember her racing.  She and Jackie Soper met again recently for the first time in nearly 45 years and had quite a time recalling their lives in racing.  They still speak by phone.

I was extremely fortunate to have reconnected with Jackie Soper after nearly 43 years.  I've mentioned before on this list that as a child I simply loved Jackie.  I still do.  Anybody who is seriously looking into the racing history of the souther tier should talk with Jackie.  He is a living legend of that era and his recollections are just outstanding.  He can be reached at soperjackie@aol.com and his telephone number is 352.6.25.3546.  The depths of his racing memories, the stories of different people, northeast tracks and specific race events is absolutely second to none.

Thank you for your consideration in reading my memories...

Candy Dolin
Shoestring Motorsports
Seagrove, North Carolina
   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: justmark on March 06, 2010, 12:48:36 PM
Candy, Thanks for sharing!! I've said it before, and Jackie Soper is indeed a treasure trove full of memories of things like they had just happened yesterday!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 06, 2010, 04:56:02 PM
Candy...thanks so much...I'll drop Jackie soper a note.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: dirtraceguy on March 06, 2010, 05:30:19 PM
I havent paid to much attention to this thread untill today, and I had the idea that it would be quite interesting if we could put all of this information (mostly old photos and scanned images of programs) into one website, in an attempt to make it more easy than looking through archives on raceny for items from a certain track.  If anyone else likes this idea, I would be more than happy to start a site, and everyone with something to contribute could email me what they have to offer for me to put up. Just an idea  :)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on March 06, 2010, 10:46:26 PM
Thanks again Bob for unearthing another super Bob Fuller column, and thanks also to Candy for her always excellent writing and great memories. Though she didn't mention it, she wrote many excellent columns on racing when she and Lee lived up this way and fielded modifieds.
I know her list of Towanda VFW and Chemung names wasn't intended to be all inclusive -- though she got many of the most memorable. I do indeed recall her mother's name, often heard at the VFW back in that day.
But after a lot of digging into the dusty corners of my brain, I'll add to the Towanda roster Norm Welty's 27, Gordie Blanchard's 3B, Howard Light driving Pap May's 188B or 189B, Dale Berry's 112(?) and Doc Bill Elrod's 105B. I think even Jim Zacharias drove there a few times in his earliest years. Bob and Bob have already brought Bucky Buchanan and Hal Hoose to our attention. And to the Chemung list add Cal "Swivel" Lane and Cliff Pierce's 111 bug.
A Bernie Foster story, as I remember it some 50+ years later:
The hell drivers had come to the VFW for a show, ... I think it was the Joey Chitwood crew.
The next weekend Foster, the zany flagger and official-everything, decided to duplicate one of the stunts for the crowd.
Chitwood's people had strapped a driver to a car hood and crashed him through a wall of flame, an act that was always part of their show.
Foster decided to try that, allowing himself to be firmly strapped to the hood of perhaps a Modern. As I recall it, a wall of plywood was erected and lit on fire. Bernie donned white painter's coveralls for the stunt. What Bernie didn't know was that the hell drivers used something like balsa wood, lots of hay, and a suit of material that wasn't too flamable, plus some sort of quick release buckle to get the driver off the hood in a flash.
So Bernie crashed the wall, got his bell rung by the plywod, only to find burning splinters of wood stuck under his body which was still firmly attached to the hood. As I recall he did a lot of squirming and wiggling on those embers before they got him off to the hood, to the laughter and hoots of the crowd.
Another Foster stunt I remember:
There was a special announcement over the PA as the feature -- B cars as I recall, were circling the track ready to take the green. The crowd was told that Bernie would give the cars the one more lap signal as they passed him on the front stretch (he started races from the track), and then as the field rounded turns 1 and 2, Bernie would sprint to the backstretch to give the field a surprise green flag. Of course some drivers were paying attention and saw it, but others were caught off guard and and kept a slow pace and got left in the dust.
At least that's the way I remember it. Can you imagine something like that being done today?
I could go on -- racing sure was differnet back then, and in some ways better -- but that's enough for now.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 07, 2010, 08:19:24 AM
Here's one for Candy Dolin...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on March 07, 2010, 08:58:48 AM
In the day,did Towanda go head to head against Chemung?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on March 07, 2010, 10:17:09 AM
I don't remember. Seems to me they almost always ran on opposite nights, Towanda on Friday night and Chemung Saturday. But judging from the ad above Towanda must have tried Saturday nights at least for a while, or maybe the ad is mistaken???
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on March 07, 2010, 04:19:23 PM
Candy -

Please keep telling the stories. As a history freak, I find this stuff incredibly fascinating. I started going to the races when I was 9 years old in 1972, and a lot of the memories you have were things the announcers talked about during track packing sessions and rain delays. Some of what they had to say was seen first hand. Some of it was passing along stories that were told to them by other people. Most of what they were saying was just barely 20 years old at the time. I wish I had paid closer attention to the details then, but I was only 9... I was easily distracted. Hearing them from someone who lived it is cool. Hearing it from someone who can still remember the finer details is rare. And hearing from someone who writes well is unheard of.

You keep posting and I'll keep reading. And if people aren't interested in what you have to say, they can read another topic as far as I am concerned. This thread is about Southerntier racing. You've got stories to tell and an audience who is interested in hearing what you have to say.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on March 07, 2010, 05:11:06 PM
This newspaper ad for East Towanda Raceway (VFW) is from 1962.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on March 07, 2010, 05:15:27 PM
A big weekend of racing at the Chemung Speedrome in 1958...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on March 07, 2010, 05:18:58 PM
This one's pretty rare - a 1955 Shangri-la Speedway ad from the Binghamton Press.  Note the "Le Mans Start" in the main events and racing taking place on BOTH the 1/4 mile and 1/2 mile tracks...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on March 07, 2010, 07:02:24 PM
The one VFW ad here mentions, "Will a Jaguar beat a stock car? Answer Saturday night."
I very well remember that race, or at least part of it, and have written about it on this forum before.
You see, promoters were much more inventive back in the '50s, coming up with all sorts of twists to the normal racing program. Some of these stunts were stupid, but some added genuine interest to the show.
This was one of the better ones.
Popeye Vincent was the first local driver I recall to have cut down a coupe to about half it's height, creating a "bug" for stock car racing. Later most of the field evolved to bugs.
The low Vincent machine was naturally compared to the low-slung sports cars of the day, like the Jag.
Well, seemed Towandian Stan Patten, an engineer at Dupont, had a Jag.
The VFW called upon him to race it against Vincent's stock car in a special match race.
In that race, the stock car behaved as expected but I still remember that Jag bounding through the corners. Seems the Jag's highway suspension just couldn't smooth out the ruts. I swear, seemed like that Jag fender was jumping four feet off the ground.
I don't recall who won, but am pretty sure it was the 180 of Vincent.
Another memory sparked by those ads ... the ticket prices at the VFW, I believe originally $1.10, then hiked to $1.15, and finally $1.25. My old man was beside himself over what he saw as those outrageous price hikes. But then you have to consider that a good job only paid about $100 a week at the time.
The ads stir up other memories too, though the years may have clouded my accuracy: Earl Zimdahl drove the immaculate 68A, Roger Fish drove the sharp red  and gold 76A or 77A with Lucky Cornish, and -- oh yeah -- those Lemans starts.
They were another stunt that enjoyed a brief popularity along with Australian Pursuit Races, train races, etc. Just as at Lemans, drivers lined up across the track from their cars, ran to them and jumped in. Sometimes they had to secure what passed as safety equipment back then, other times crew members were allowed to help, and then they roared off in the several-lap race. It was a screwy as a hot dog race, another pretty silly event, though laughable.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: shoestring on March 07, 2010, 08:06:35 PM
Wow.  I am stunned at the gracious posts where my faded memories are concerned.   Thank you for the kind remarks.  I'd seriously like to mention that I am not totally decrepit, although some of the younger list members may hold with that thought!  It is just for whatever reason I was incredibly blessed in the manner my parents were involved with local southern tier racing all those years ago.  There are several other RaceNY members, the Welty brothers for example, who also shared such childhoods.  My mother raced against their mother and both mothers were members of the AWRA.  Additionally I can recall AWRA members Polly Patchen, Arlie Bricka, Doris Benjamin, Nettie Ellis, Loretta Leonard, Phyllis Coyle, Jane Norwood, Betty Serfas, Hattie Chapman, Corlene York, Marg French and Grace Benjamin.  There were so many more, but the years have erased them from memory.

My parents were involved with the reopening of the Towanda track, I think in the early 60's, but I am not sure of that date.  My mother can recall when as a small child she attended county fairs there.  A man by the name of Wes Perry kind of got the idea of reopening the track going.  I would have to check with Jackie Soper, but I think he drove Daddy's "B" car for the grand opening.  The track had some glorious years with annual banquets (some pretty wild as I recall).  Mother still has some of her Towanda Powderpuff trophies!  The Towanda track programs were mimeographed in an upstairs bedroom in my parents home.

I can't recall when there wasn't a time my parents weren't racing at Chemung.  Daddy's first team member association was with Wayne Blakeman from Sayre, but I have no idea the year.  I still have photos of the baby blue number 19 coupe.  Wayne also raced at Shangri La long before it was reopened in 1962.  I can still remember playing under the wooden grandstands.

Shangri La's reopening was a huge event.  A Sunday afternoon.  If memory serves me correctly Nolan Swift dropped a coupe body on his 10 pins super modified and proceeded to show the boys how it was done bigtime.  There was a ton of caterwauling in the inspection barn afterwards on that deal.  I remember Daddy wanting to stay and see what happened.  Swift, a superstar in his own right, had also taken the 10 pins to Port Royal with additional sheetmetal to make it "legal."  Very methodically he took several weeks to get the feel of the track.  When he did finally figure it all out it was so over for the locals.  He dominated much of the season.  I have no idea of the year, but I know by then my parents had moved their racing to Port Royal and other central Pennsylvania tracks.

It was a scorchingly hot racing afternoon.  I recall Bryan Osgood telling my mother and me the story of how he was lined up on the front stretch waiting for his heat to roll out.  For some reason I think it was the Shangri La reopener.  A track official tapped him on the shoulder, startling him.  Bryan later remarked his wife Delores was several months with child and had fainted earlier that morning.  Bryan thought perhaps she'd taken ill because of the heat and that was the reason for the official stopping beside his car.  Bryan laughed because all the official wanted to tell him was he was sitting in the wrong spot for his heat line up.  Funny what I've remembered.  Perhaps Bryan's story was from another Shangri La hot afternoon, but I think it was the reopener. 

Jackie Soper came into my life when he drove for Daddy.  Jackie was hot as a pistol could get as a driver.  It is hard to explain to anyone today his superstar status.   Kids used to wait at gas stations just to catch a glimpse of Jackie's car and rig.  Even now nearly 50 years later Jackie still hears from fans remembering him.   He was one of the first drivers to be paid appearance money in the northeast.  There are few today racing at the local level who will ever achieve Jackie's astounding statistical numbers.  In 1958 Jackie had five track titles in two states, held down a weekly job and still managed I think 55 wins.  I could be off a little of the wins number, but not by much.

I am a little uncomfortable writing so much about my personal memories.   I am of a mind it seems a tad conceited on my part.  I truly and honestly had no real part in any of these events and think I'd better end for now and re-evaluate this story telling.

Again.  Thanks to all for their interest.  It was greatly appreciated.

Candy Dolin
Shoestring Motorsports
Seagrove, North Carolina 

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on March 10, 2010, 01:25:38 PM
Binghamton Press ad for the 1962 re-opening of Shangri-la Speedway
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on March 10, 2010, 01:27:20 PM
Story on the re-opening of Shangri-la Speedway as it appeared in the Binghamton Press on Monday, June 25, 1962...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on March 11, 2010, 10:17:14 AM
Shangri-la Speedway held their original grand opening on Sunday, July 28th, 1946.  This photo ran on the front page of the Binghamton Press the next day.  The headline read, "18,000 See Bouley Win Auto Race"
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on March 11, 2010, 11:15:44 AM
Another defunct Southern Tier track was Glen Aubrey Raceway which was located north of Endicott on Route 26.  It closed after the ’67 season.  Check out their special attraction from opening day 1962: “Lady Rhoda X-ray vision girl will drive blindfolded”…
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2010, 09:46:44 PM
Al Wilcox from Trackside Products/Penn Can lent me some old pictorials.."Cavalcade of Auto Racing" from 1961 and 1966...I'm going to try to get as many as I can on here and on "oldies but goodies"...here goes.   First up...Larry Catlin in the #88 circa 1965
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2010, 09:50:04 PM
Herbie Green- Modern Champion at Chemung circa 1965
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2010, 09:52:07 PM
Art "Chubby" Chandler- Modified Champion at Chemung circa 1965
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2010, 09:53:56 PM
"Big Bad" Bob Frisbie at Chemung circa 1965
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2010, 09:58:31 PM
Jackie Soper at Chemung circa 1965
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2010, 09:59:48 PM
Frank Chapman at Chemung circa 1965
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2010, 10:00:59 PM
Al Dillon trophies Al Baldwin at Chemung circa 1965
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2010, 10:03:47 PM
Dick Reagan-most improved driver at Chemung circa 1965...from what I've seen in the past I'm guessing these photos were all by L.O. Duncan....someone correct me if I'm wrong...more to come
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 12, 2010, 09:07:04 PM
Candy Dolin mentioned Nolan Swift in the  "Ten Pins" car...here he is at Thompson Speedway with the Atlantic Auto Racing Association circa 1964
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 12, 2010, 09:13:19 PM
Another shot of Nolan Swift from Oswego
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on March 12, 2010, 11:44:25 PM
here's the cover of a VFW Speedway program that I have.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on March 12, 2010, 11:49:03 PM
Also someone mentioned the Le'mans start. I'm not sure if that's what they are setting up to do in this photo but it's possible. I've never had anyone definatively tell me what track this was shot at. There's no photo credit on it's reverse. Although they say the flagman is stocky like Al Dillon so it could be Chemung although the track looks too big to me! DALE
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on March 13, 2010, 08:52:47 PM
That's Harry Benjamin in the 184B on the cover of the VFW program, posing with flagman Bernie Foster.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 24, 2010, 09:22:32 PM
I'm going to post a group of pictures from the 1966 edition of "Cavalcade of Auto Racing"...these were taken at Penn Can Speedway in 1965...Enjoy!
First up...Ron Board in the #25
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 24, 2010, 09:23:37 PM
Willard Dibble in the #117
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 24, 2010, 09:24:41 PM
Chuck Corey in the #15
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 24, 2010, 09:26:01 PM
Arde Hollister in the # 100
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 24, 2010, 09:27:28 PM
Jack Wanatt in the #26.....more to come!!!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 25, 2010, 08:04:20 PM
More from Penn Can in 1965....
Dave Copeland in the #21
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 25, 2010, 08:05:26 PM
John Deakin in the # 6
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 25, 2010, 08:06:24 PM
Roy Johnson in the #185
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 25, 2010, 08:08:08 PM
Richard Latwinski in the # 33
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 25, 2010, 08:10:04 PM
George Lewis in the #10
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 25, 2010, 08:13:09 PM
Buddy Nagel in the #7
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 25, 2010, 08:22:44 PM
Earl Halaquist of Sidney NY...1962 URC co-champion
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 25, 2010, 08:30:35 PM
From the "Cavalcade of Auto Racing"...Dutch Hoag at Langhorne (1963)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Stone_67r on March 26, 2010, 09:21:44 PM
Thats pretty cool.... Thats my grandfather in the #100 Arden Hollister...Neat stuff.. He also drove the #67 Car thats where I got my number from
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on March 27, 2010, 10:14:17 PM
My father Clayton Brink attended the first race in 1946 and when it reopened in 1962 at Shangri-la. I have his grandstand ticket from 1946 and his pit pass from 1962 and many other racing stubs from many different tracks from the 50's and 60's and his N.Y.PA. racing sanction pit liscence from the 50's if I remember right, haven't gone through the items in a long time. These and many others are very important to me as he took me and the rest of our family each and every week, sometimes twice a week to all the area race tracts.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 28, 2010, 11:11:00 AM
Another Bob Fuller article from the September 21, 1958 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette.

With The Stock Cars by Bob Fuller

   Area's Oldest Active Driver

      Pete Merrone is the oldest stock car driver racing in competition in this area and perhaps many other areas also. He is 45 years of age and is still very capable of holding his own with the best of the boys. Pete hasn't won a large number of feature races but he is the most consistent driver who finishes in the money.
   Pete is the type of driver and owner that every club needs because of his faithfulness. A good example of this was the nice trophy which was awarded to Pete two years ago, by Eli Bodine at Chemung Speedrome, for a five year perfect attendence record.
   Pete started racing in 1952 and has raced at Bath Speedway, Chemung Speedrome, Airport, Ovid, Towanda, Glen Aubrey, Elmira and Addison Hill. He has never been hurt and intends to race again next year. He drives car no. 38, a 1937 Ford coupe with a 1953 Mercury motor. He is also one of the few owner-drivers.
   Pete and his wife, the former Ruth Burr, are formerly from Brooklyn. Ruth has appeared on stage and in two short movies doing specialty acts on roller skates. Pete and Ruth came to Elmira in 1940 and Pete became employed at the Ward LaFrance. He's been employed as an electrician for 18 years.
   Pete lives on Snake Hil Road in the town of Horseheads. He is a friend of all drivers and never hesitates to lend a helping hand. He served 2 1/2 years overseas with the Navy Seabees during World War II.
   VERY HAPPY to report that after expenses, the Glider City Sports Arena contributed $780.62 to the late Hal Hoose's family. Many thanks to the fans and drivers.
   The Chemung Speedrome is to be thanked for offering advance tickets to the Retarded Children's Assn. for the September 27 race. Here is an association that is desperately in need of funds. All advance ticket sales for this race will go to this worthy cause. This will also be a championship race date. Tickets may be purchased now by phoning Roy Struwing (7945) in Elmira or Al Warren (9-1726) in Horseheads.
   ART CHANDLER lost his clutch last Saturday night at Chemung Speedrome causing him to lose several points. It is now impossible for him to catch Jack Soper for high point man at Chemung. However, at the Elmira track Jack and Art are so close that either one will be ahead by taking one more feature race....Bucky Dew reports that Waterloo is through racing for this year. He ended up as third highest in point standings.
   Lucky Cornish says a race track in Etna N.Y., northeast of Ithaca, has been under construction all summer and there will be  stock car racing there next year...Motorcycle races, scheduled at Glider City Arena today have been postponed to Sept. 28, next Sunday. That same day, a 100-lap "duability race" will be held for the modern car class. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on March 29, 2010, 06:05:45 AM
Quote
Lucky Cornish says a race track in Etna N.Y., northeast of Ithaca, has been under construction all summer and there will be  stock car racing there next year...

Anyone near Etna that can do a little legwork? I think I've found this track.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: brplm91 on March 29, 2010, 07:09:26 AM
any idea of what classs yet?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 29, 2010, 05:42:32 PM
Classes?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 31, 2010, 08:03:36 PM
from the "Cavalcade of Auto Racing" circa 1965...Bryon Osgood at Williams Grove
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 03, 2010, 10:12:43 AM
Bryan Osgood at Susquehanna circa 1965
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Reportertom on April 09, 2010, 11:43:39 AM
Half Fast Bob,

  Was that the old Ithaca-Dryden Speedway that you can still see a little bit of and is the home of Ringwood Raceway go-kart track now??
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on April 09, 2010, 03:26:07 PM
Quote
Was that the old Ithaca-Dryden Speedway that you can still see a little bit of and is the home of Ringwood Raceway go-kart track now??


Reportertom...

No, sir. I've found an oval that appears to be about a half mile in size - not very far west of the town of Etna. The reason I suspect this could be a car track is that it was carved in the middle of nowhere and not anywhere close to a farm that would indicate it was used as a horse training facility at one time.

If anyone is in the area, take a drive west out of the town of Etna on Etna Road. You'll cross Wood Road continuing west, and will come to a set of high tension power lines that cross Etna Road. Stop. On the right side of the road is where this track is. It's nestled in the woods probably 100 yards off the north shoulder, and extremely visible from the satellite images.

And if you feel like pounding on doors to ask questions, start with the sawmill in the lower right corner of this picture. There is an obvious old tractor path leading from that property over to the area where this track is.

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FRACENY%2FPossibleEtna.jpg&hash=723a1302f4ad4fc485b9fafb9948ef95e1005e4c)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 09, 2010, 05:22:07 PM
Yes the track where Ringwood raceway is WAS the Ithaca-Dryden Speedway...There was stuff posted earlier on this thread about a track that was built in that area (Ithaca Speedway) in 1951  but never raced and also I found mention of a track that was being built and was supposed to start up in 1959 in Etna...This track was being spearheaded by Hank Clark (he won the first race at Airpot Speedway)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 14, 2010, 09:43:55 PM
Bob Fuller artilcle from the August 17th, 1958 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette

Bob Fuller   WITH THE STOCK CARS
Midget Cars Returning To Area

   Friday will be a spectacular night for Chemung Speedrome. That's the night that promotor Jackie Markos will inaugurate the first midget car racing in this area in several years. Sanctioned by the Indianapolis Racing Assn., there will be at least 26 race cars guarenteed to compete and a few Indianapolis drivers present....

Bud Johnson of Alleghany won first place Saturday in the 100-lap Modified Championship. Local drivers competing were Jackie Baldwin, who finished third; Fred Brink, who finished fifth and Percy Brown, 12th after losing a wheel. Percy stayed overnight and won first place the following day at Hunt, N.Y. ...  Cecil Keister, now driving at Port Royal, Pa. (near Williamsport) for Al McClure of Troy...Bill Schroth will drive No. 7 in the modified from now on...Gordie Blanchard now using a new Chevy motor in 3A...Jake Miller says he's having a ball, driving a modern car for Southport Fire Dept. 

RAIN SPOILED the Glider City Sports Arena show last Sunday with 83 cars competing. This week three features will run first, then the regular race card which will include a mid-season 40 lap "modified' championship...Dick Karlnoski and Bill Chisholm, both from Dundee, are doing well at the two local tracks...Look for Earl Bodine to challange the "A" leaders as soon as he gets his car handling well.

Bucky Buchanan is moving up fast, along with Pete Schaeffer, at the Southport track...Bucky's still the leader at Towanda.... Bobby Jaynes is still having trouble keeping No. 1 on the track...Cliff Pierce blew the motor on No. 9 last week...47 modern cars are now running at Southport...Jack Soper won a big one at Chemung Saturday, but Bill Schroth had a chance all the way.

MEET THE DRIVER...Earl Zimdahl
   A veteran driver who started at Big Flats Airport Raceway (Tri-Cities  ed) in 1938, "Zim" (as most people call him) was top driver there along with Johnny Granger and Red Davis. His car was a 1927 Chrysler, which co-driver Davis termed the hottest on the track.
Money being scarce and welding so expensive, the car was literally braced and held together by baling wire and straps. Zim recalls that $3 for a heat win was good money then. Zim served in the Army during World War II and fought in Europe, being wounded once.
   He returned to stock car racing in 1950 when Corning started it's strictly stock policy. He's also driven at Wellsville,  Naples, Owego, Glen Aubrey, Five-Mile Point, Chemung and Southport in New York and Williamsport in Pennsylvannia. He has won at least one feature at every one of these tracks, except Southport.
   Zim drives No. 65, a Chevy in the modified class. At pesent he's high point man at Glider City track and sixth in point standings at Chemung. He's one of the few drivers who owns the car he drives.
   Zim is 37, married and lives in Horseheads with his wife, Regina, and their three daughters, aged 15, 11 and 5. He's a mechanic with his own place, the Zimdahl LaFrance Garage. He's well-liked by both drivers and fans and won the first feature-run at Chemung Speedrome. Unfortunately, Zim is under a doctor's care now. He's been suffering chest pains and loss of breath and possibly shouldn't have been driving the past two weeks. We certainly hope that the condition will clear up soon so that the fans can see the No. 65 back in action and better than ever.   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Indian on April 17, 2010, 01:44:35 AM
Also someone mentioned the Le'mans start. I'm not sure if that's what they are setting up to do in this photo but it's possible. I've never had anyone definatively tell me what track this was shot at. There's no photo credit on it's reverse. Although they say the flagman is stocky like Al Dillon so it could be Chemung although the track looks too big to me! DALE

I've seen that picture a number of times and I think it was found to be taken at the Glider city race track.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 25, 2010, 11:30:24 AM
Bob Fuller article from Sept. 28, 1958 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette...

WITH THE STOCK CARS
Jack Soper, Area's Leading Driver

   George "Jack" Soper, originally from Troy Pa., and now living at 205 South Ave., Elmira, has been the area's most successful stock car driver this season.
A veteran of seven years of competition, the 23-year old Soper is high point driver at Chemung Speedrome, Angelica, Smithport and holds a one point lead over Jack Baldwin at the Southport track. He has collected 13 trophies this year and could add at least three more point trophies before the season concludes.
   He's also raced at such tracks as Glen Aubrey, Williamsport, Big Flats, Towanda, Addison Hill, Ovid and a few times at Pikes Peak Speedway while visiting Clorado Springs, Colo.
One of eight children in the family, he is joined in the sport by his mother and sister who often participate in powder puff events. Many have said that Jack's "youth"  is responsible for his success. My personal opinion is that it's certainly much more than that. Anyone who knows and talks to Jack recognizes that certain quality of a good driver which he has. He loves racing, whether he's on or off the course (as a mechanic at Dalsis Motors).
   Much of the credit won by Jack can be attributed to the help of Don Moyer, owner of car No. 48, and Cyril "Scotty" Kowinevich, it's mechanic. Whatever Jack wins with the car, a 1933 Chevrolet coupe with a 1957 Corvette engine, is split three ways. Jack also drives No. 118 on occasion.

DRIVERS FROM Towanda VFW Speedway did a great job of contributing $500 to the family of the late Hal Hoose. At the same time, the Penn-York Women's Assn. sold programs and contributed another $50...Port Royal Speedway will hold a benefit race for Hal's family Oct. 4....Mrs. Hoose wishes to thank each and every person for all they have done for the family.

   Chemung rained out yesterday...will have only one more night count in the point standings but  more races after that... Towanda finished it's season Friday night... Dundee Speedway has also been closed for the season, with Glen Reinners finishing as top point man.
   Sorry to hear of the death of Howard Tidd's mother, a frequent spectator at the races. It was especially difficult for Howard to hear the tragic news at the same hospital where he was being prepared for surgery...For certain today (barring rain again), there will be motorcycle races at Glider City Sports Arena, along with qualifying for next weekend's 100 lap modern
car feature ($100 first prize).   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 04, 2010, 08:34:32 PM
Howdy....I  have uncovered the identity of the mystery track in Etna... Ready?...... it's the Ithaca-Dryden Speedway (DUH) which was in Etna. It was spearheaded by 'Hungry' Hank Clark, a top notch driver and the winner of the first race at Airport Speedway in Big Flats (NY) . I varified the dates today. this should have been a no-brainer as when you google-map Etna  Ringwood Raceway is right there in the map picture.
I'm sharing the last Bob Fuller article tonight. I don't know if he ever wrote again, but I personally enjoy them and as I've stated before, it's like opening a time-capsule. So, it was with great GLADNESS that I un-covered not one, but two series of articles in the 1959 Elmira Advertiser and the Sunday Telegram. I can't wait to share them with you guys and will get them on line as soon as I can fit it in my schedule.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 04, 2010, 08:37:15 PM
From the Oct. 12th, 1958 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette....enjoy

WITH THE STOCK CARS
By Bob Fuller


   As the 1958 season of stock car racing closes a few questions are brought to mind which bear considerable thought:
Has this been a favorable season for all concerned? Will the Atlantic Stock Car Club be able to pull itself together or is it finished?
Since it is quite evident that the Chemung Speedrome will continue to run Saturday nights, what nights will the other tracks try to operate next season?
   Included are the Glider City Sports Arena, Towanda, and the new track at Etna (near Ithaca). Will the modified class, especially in this area, be able to produce more cars, or is it dying a slow death? It would be difficult for me to find all the answers to these questions. However, I would like to pass along the feelings of a few who are involved.
   Ernie June, owner of two modified cars said: "When we first formed the Chemung Racing assn., we had a smooth running club bound together by a board of directors. Everyone had equal authority. Then something happened."
   "It now appears that two or three are trying to run the show and there is a lot of bickering. I probably am considered an outcast with the club for speaking for what I consider right." "I would like to see all the people connected with racing sit down together and hash out all the problems. Maybe we could call it 'a meeting for the betterment of racing' ".
   Hank Clark, veteran driver and past president of the Finger Lakes Racing Assn., which will be running the new track at Etna next year said:
"We haven't decided just what night we will run next year. We had considered Friday, but understand that a few other tracks may also try friday."  "We do not want to cause arguements or bad feelings with anyone. It is too bad we can't all get together".
   Chuck Benjamin, local driver and past president of the Penn-York Racing Assn. says: "The Towanda track is in the best condition since it was constructed."  "We are hoping for a big year next season. However, we do not know yet what day of the week we will run. We are forming new rules for next year at a meeting Wednesday in Towanda. I hope something will develop to get the clubs together over the winter months".
   Howard Tidd, promoter for the Atlantic association, said: "It's going to be expensive to erect lights for night racing, but we are making plans to do so. I would like to say that I will play ball with anyone who will meet me halfway. I always have treated the boys fairly and will continue to do so. Sometime over the winter we will decide what night we will race."
   Harold Hoyt, vice-president of the Atlantic association, said: "There  definitely will be a re-orgainized Atlantic club by next spring. As soon as all the tracks are through racing for the year, there will be a meeting. We will discuss whatever is wrong with the club and straighten it out."  "Several boys have made a few suggestions which may help. We don't know what track we will run, if any, but there is definitely going to be an Atlantic club".
   Since the majority of stock car people express the same hope-  peaceful negotioations among all clubs-  why don't they sit down together and iron out the difficulties?
I would like to go out on a limb and suggest that everyone connected with stock cars in this area schedule a meeting. How about Wednesday night Dec. 3? Those interested call me. As this is my last article for the season, I would like to express my gratitude to all for the fine cooperation.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 04, 2010, 08:49:37 PM
I found a little bit of info on Roulette Speedway in or by Galeton Pa. The article said it was a 1/3 mile banked track and said to be the fastest in the area. The artcle was published on May 29th, 1959 and stated they had been running for a few weeks. (amazing in that Chemung had been washed out one week and didn't open the next due to the cold....die-hards baby!) The first week Elmira's Jim Leonard won the opener in the #98. Galeton's John Schoener scored the win the next week in the # 51.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on May 04, 2010, 09:50:40 PM
As always, Bob, thanks for all the hard work in bringing these articles to us.
They bring back many memories.
Thanks again, and I look forward to whatever you find in the future.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 05, 2010, 09:22:42 PM
Thanks Beenthere... amazingly enough I got an e-mail from Jackie Soper today. I talked to him a few weeks ago...Very Nice Fellow. I am FLOORED by his accomplishments!
Anyways...I'm pressed for time tonight and I'll share his insights next chance I get, but one thing he cleared up was the demise of Glider City Sports Arena. My questions was that with the success they seemed to have how could they not have run in 1959?......he relayed that it was due to zoning and noise. Imagine that!
Also, in one of the articles I found it was reported that Bob Fuller was moving to Florida, so that answers that question...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: bakes on May 05, 2010, 09:51:32 PM
I found a little bit of info on Roulette Speedway in or by Galeton Pa. The article said it was a 1/3 mile banked track and said to be the fastest in the area. The artcle was published on May 29th, 1959 and stated they had been running for a few weeks. (amazing in that Chemung had been washed out one week and didn't open the next due to the cold....die-hards baby!) The first week Elmira's Jim Leonard won the opener in the #98. Galeton's John Schoener scored the win the next week in the # 51.

There is a definitely speedway-ish looking feature on Google Maps at the southerly end of Schoonover Road about a mile or so east of Galeton, but it looks too small to be a 1/3 mile oval.  It's located just east of 2268 Elk Run Rd, Gaines, PA 16921
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 18, 2010, 05:57:36 PM
From the June 17th, 1959 Elmira Sunday Telegram.........

Racing Notes

Stock Car Language Doesn't go Unnoticed

By Bob Wilbur

   Stock car terminology, as in other sports, can be a bit confusing. Time is of the essence on the tracks and the drivers, mechanics and owners can hardly be expected to have a
chat during a pit stop or at pre-race time.
   Therefore, a stock car lingo popped up to save both time and breath. To begin with, the drivers seldom refer to the track as such but rather classify it as an oval. This term holds forth for any track, regardless of size.
   A bad jug could be very costly. Jug in this sense refers to the carburetor. When a driver goes "into a slide", he isn't taking his car over the wall or through the fence but is merely conforming to pattern after making one of the turns.

   Another phrase, "burning it", comes into view at the "slide". On occasion, drivers will use too heavy a foot on making the turn. The motor roars and the tires spin. Accident wise, the words "flip" and "pile-up" come up. A flip refers to a rollover while the pile-up involves two or more cars in a collision.
   All fuels are fitted into the category of "juice'. Proper handling of the turns is called "cornering" and  "stacks" refer to the exhaust pipes. The motor is a "mill" and everything on the car is measured in "cubes" or cubic inches.
   If you see anyone "riding the hub", chances are he'll still be behind the wheel. This refers to a car hugging the inside sail during a race. The straightway  in front of the grandstand is named the "chute" while the straightway away  from the grandstand is the "backstretch".

   This year, of all years, there'll be plenty of bugs on the track. "Bug" has been associated with the car that has the most modification change. Naturally, if you "de-bug" a car, you'll be taking it out on trial runs looking for any knocks or mechanical trouble that might appear during a race.
   A "feather- footer" is one who drives at a half -throttle while a "lead-footer" operates with a full-throttle. A "screamer" refers to a motor's highest pitch while a "mag" is the distributor's title.
   Extra wide tires are called "slicks" and the 'line-up" involves the cars and starting positions before a race. A "hot one" applies to a fast car and "putting on the binders" gives reference to hitting the brakes.

   AREA NOTES:  Weather permitting, it'll be test time today for new stocks built by veteran hard-top driver Ernie June. June has been granted permission to try out 59x and 58x at the Towanda track, and if all goes well, the cars will be able to make a swing this weekend towards Angelica, Olean and Hornell.
   "I've had ideas on these lines for years," said June, "but the stiff rules and regulations imposed held me back. There was a definite easing last year and I was able to construct these two models"   Percy Brown and Fred Brink will handle the new models owned by June and his wife Betty.
   Angelica opened it's season last Friday..... The proposed new track at Perry (1/2 mile) will not be open in time for racing this year..... Another opening, this time in Hornell, has been delayed. The Hornell season was slated to begin this afternoon but has been set for next Sunday (May 24) instead.
   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: justmark on May 18, 2010, 08:32:14 PM
Think if Perry was a 1/2 mile track!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 27, 2010, 09:44:13 PM
from the May 23rd, 1959 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette.

Racing Article

Rather Race Stocks Than Eat---- Ernie June

By Bob Wilbur

   It would take less than 30 seconds for you to discover that Ernie June is a real racing enthusiast. His type of racers, however, aren't of the animal variety found at Belmont or Jamacia - instead, they're the four- wheel, power-type at Chemung, Angelica or Olean Raceways.
   "I'd rather race stocks than eat," said June, who once or twice has set aside the racing helmet to deal strictly with the mechanics of  stock car racing. The temptation to get behind the wheel remains strong and, on occasion, June has taken the wheel for a practice run.
   Percy Brown and Fred Brink handle the driving chores for June's newly modified models. "Keeping a car in tip-top shape is enough for one man to worry about without driving too," said June. "Percy and Fred have handled the job well and we've had fair luck on the circuit."
   
                  *   *   *   *
   When did this racing bug bite June? He was a spectator 14 years ago, got interested  and teamed up with former area car-owner Henry Leister. "I had big ideas regarding a car of my own someday," June said. "It took me four years to build but I never did race it. Finally sold it and the last I heard it was in Canada."
   Through 1948 and 1949, June raced cars but with a minimum of success. He was at the Corning Stadium in 1948 and at Owego in 1949 among other places. June remarked, "I raced at Addison four times one year and won twice. Hung up my helmet then and decided to go into business for myself. Bucky Dew, Ithaca, drove for awhile. Real great guy."
   Ernie and his wife,  Betty, now own and work on the 59x and 58x. The relaxing of the stock car standards has enabled June to modify his cars to a great extent. "Had the cars out on the track last week for the first run. You've got to get the bugs out before the start of the races."
   When June said he spent quite a bit of time working on the cars, he wasn't kidding. Broken parts, squeals, squeeks, the sterring mechanism, etc., all have to be checked after every weekend. The midnight lamp is on throughout the week at the June garage.

   *   *   *   *
   Last Year, June was the victim of one of those jarring experiences that happen to owner-mechanics. "The engine fell out of the old 59x in Olean," said June, "but we welded the block and had her ready for action again."
   The other car had it's moments. The front end of the 58x was smashed in as a result  of a pileup but once again the mechanic's touch put it back on the track.
   June readily admits that racing has changed considerably since he raced sprint cars at Shangri-La near Owego. The track, incidentlly, was at one time considered one of the east's fastest 1/2 mile tracks. June even remembers when 18,000 fans were on hand to watch the races.
   June remarked, "There's a lot of young blood in the game today. The opening weeks of the new season are constantly getting harder. Everybody's trying out new styles and you just don't know what's going to happen anymore. The competition has improved considerably."
   The veteran also noted the percentage of Elmira drivers touring the western part of the state. "I was at Olean last week and I'd say 60 percent of the performers were from the Elmira area," said June.

   *   *   *   *

   Talk of loose driving, smash-ups and the like haven't the slightest chance with June. "If a driver has good sense, he'll make it. Straight thinking and driving sense will keep you in the race."
   The helmet on the wall may come off again this year since June is far from hiding his zeal for the sport. His last big effort came on the hard-top at Brewerton where he drove his wife's car in the Class-B New York State-Canadian 100-lap non-stop race.
   June added, "It's a tough sport and there's not much of a gain, but it's in my blood and if it weren't for eating and sleeping, I'd be with the car's every minute." 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 27, 2010, 09:55:04 PM
Picture that accomponied the above article...caption reads as follows:
INSPECTION---Ernie June gives one of his modified models the inspection treatment following last week's trial run. The veteran driver-turned mechanic spends a great deal of time working on the cars getting them ready for the weekend run.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on May 28, 2010, 12:23:47 AM
I was a very young boy and my father and the rest of my family went to all most all the races that Ernie June went too, my Uncle was Fred Brink who drove for Ernie. I love racing and its all do to following Junes cars racing at all the tracks in New York. It could be Ihaca-Dryden, Chemung, Angelica, Olean, Cuba, and many more and our family would go two and sometimes three times a week to see My Uncle race Ernie Junes cars, always had too many cars as they ran many consis to cut the full field of cars, I loved it....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: WaltS171128 on May 28, 2010, 12:21:13 PM
First of all blackjack, my name is Walt Sherwood. I just re-registered again this morning, been away from this board for quite awhile. I wanted to touch on a few points you brought up and that is you mentioned and I quote

"I found a little bit of info on Roulette Speedway in or by Galeton Pa."

Galeton is a good 35 miles west of Roulette which was between Coudersport and Port Allegany, Pa. The track you speak of was in Roulette near the drive-in back in the late 50's. My Dad (Harold "Shifty" )raced there along with Dean Layfield as teammates and Squirt Johns, two legends in this part of the country, and on that rare occasion Jackie Soper. They were working in conjunction with McKean County Raceway in Smethport, Pa (which remains open today) to make sure they never ran on the same night, which didn't happen because Roulette didn't stay open for very long, but you're right, the place was really fast and had a wicked hairpin in turn three that tested every driver that competed there. My Dad never really took to the place but Layfield loved it because with his immense talent he would always be in contention for the win which he did quite frequently.

Another point I read on here my good friend Tangletongue mentioned something about there being two or more "Sportsmen Speedways " in Pa between 1959-1965. Yes; this was the one which he mentioned was Gaylord Miller's high banked oval:), you had to see the place to believe it, I can still see the late great Floyd Green's car sitting perpendicular up the flag pole which was covered in mounds and mounds of dirt. Gaylord and his trusty sidekick, the happy go lucky George Chilson, loved piling up dirt wherever they could pile it which made for the highest piles of dirt you would ever see between turns 2 and 3. Cars that managed to go over the turn 3 piles of dirt could end up down in the jingweeds heading towards Mills, Pa :). Like I reiterated before, you had to see the place to believe it. We only lived three miles from the track and it was nothing for my father (Shifty) to load up the multiple cars we would run and have a race right down the main highway to get to the track. He would even suit up our huge German Shepherd dog named "Silver" in his lucky number 11JR helmet complete with sunglasses and Silver would always ride shotgun right to the track. The dog loved being suited up, he would've raced right in the car with Shifty if the track officials would've let him. Gaylord was so tight back then he charged my Dad a dollar for the dog to get in for admission. :)

The other Sportsmen track you would be referring to was in Knox, Pa which was in central Pa near Clarion  Back in 1990 when Don Kio and Walt Mitchell were driving for Shifty in their modifieds we went there on occasion. Don and Walt took turns winning races down there, our cars were really superior to those guys who were racing there, we were pretty fortunate. My two late younger brothers Lyle and Kevin helped crew chief for Mitchell while my brother Bob would crew for Kio. Great times indeed !

And finally, you showed a great story about the second favorite driver I ever saw race right behind Dean Layfield in my mind and that was Jackie Soper. For nine years Jack would come up to my place where I used to live in Wellsville, NY and hunt on my 120 acre spread. He not only was a great stock car driver, but he was an even better hunter. The guy is amazing ! He has tales of the past that sportswriters should be tapping into about the local racing scene in our areas. If anyone ever gets the chance, look Jackie up, Godspeed to the man, he'll always be one of my racing heroes.

Until then, next week it'll be 5 long agonizing years since I lost my little brother Lyle at Woodhull. I miss ya alot, little buddy !
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 28, 2010, 06:39:01 PM
WOW...welcome back  Walt....I'm sure I'm speaking for everyone who reads this in that we'd love to hear more from you!!!  I got to talk to Jackie a little bit and he is the nicest guy. I AM FLOORED by the fact he won 50 odd races in one summer...Anyway, thanks for sharing and don't be a stranger!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: WaltS171128 on May 28, 2010, 07:39:40 PM
Thanks blackjack, and it's true about what Jackie won between 1957-59. I do know he won 52 races in I believe 1958 but ya gotta' realize Jackie was racing (everywhere). Chemung, Angelica, Cuba Lake, McKean, Roulette, Dalton which was Hunt, Perry, and a few stops around Lancaster and North Collins, Wherever there was a race, it seemed like he would just show up and kick the tar outa' other racers. I always wanted to see him in a match race with Dean Layfield to see who the better man was, but it never came about, God, how I wished it had. Those two drivers were just unstoppable when they competed in their respective classes. Dean would race in the "modern" class that's what it was called at most area tracks, and Jack would run what they called those great little B-Modifieds. Jack, Curly Wilson, Cecil Keister, Billy Schroth, Fran Pezzimenti, God, I could go on and on. Trouble is the older I'm gettin, the more I seem to forget these days. Dam old age anyways ! Dean and my father were teammates between 1958-61 driving Studebakers, Mercurys, whatever car they'd put together they raced it. I read somewhere on here from a fan who said that Dean died on a Sunday in late August in 1961 at Perry, but in actuality Dean lived 4 and a half days after that stone flew through the side of his car and basically put him in a coma, but eventually he passed away on a Friday morning in a Buffalo hospital. My Dad was supposed to be in that race in one of the team cars but he decided to go to Hunt to race that same night because he was high point man. Suffice it to say, we never raced that night because of Dean and my father went to Buffalo to be with Dean's wife Alice. It was a real sad deal, and one I'll never forget. I lost my uncle, who also had the name Lyle (Shifty's younger brother) back in that fatal year of 1961 at the age of 18 and on the night of his graduation in a car wreck on 22 June and then two months later Dean was gone as well. But, my little brother Lyle was born right between those two fatalities on 24 July. So weird is this world at times. My brother Lyle died almost 24 hours after his only child Amanda graduated from her high school five years ago come 4 June. They'll never be able to prove or convince me that fate doesn't work in mysterious ways in everyone's life. I've always been a numerology freak and I could tell tales about certain people's life and death that would make people stand up and think.

But in closing, I SO loved the racing back in the day when you could just cobble up a car right off the street, put the welder to her and build ya a cage, put in one hell of a powerplant, put on four scrub tires right out of a junkyard, enough to last ya one race, add the oil, and in Dean and Shifty's case, stand there for 15 minutes and put a can of STP in her. :) According to the two of them, that was the secret to everything when it came to engine durability especially in those 100 lappers that Perry Raceway loved to run.

Like I said, if ya want some truthful fantastic racing stories of the good ol days in the Southern Tier of NY and northern Pa get a hold of Jackie and equip yourself with a good tape recorder and about 10 blank tapes, he'll fill 'em all for ya....until then
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on May 28, 2010, 10:34:41 PM
I had a few Uncles who raced back then and I cheered them all on and of course one of my favorite drivers of all time, Jackie Soper. What a driver, racer this man was, he and I still keep in contact Thur emails after I met him in person when my father introduced me to him. This was after his great years of the 50's and 60's when we met going to Phoenix for an Indy car race, the stories this man has to tell. Someone should get a hold of this all-time great a record his records and stories, they are priceless.  jmo
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on May 29, 2010, 07:24:24 AM
WELCOME BACK WALT! Not much time this AM, but a quick question: My memories may be  a bit jumbled, but the other Sportsman Speedway that I was thinking about was in Rew, Pa, between Bradford and Smethport. What sticks in my mind is that it was run by the local Fire Dept. and I believe Jim Williams (among other locals) raced there a few times prior to Woodhull opening... I'm guessing around 1964. I haven't been able to find much info on it. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: WaltS171128 on May 29, 2010, 12:37:23 PM
Yeah, Rew, Pa is just up the road here from where I live now, it's the old Bradford, Pa Speedway which is still racing by the way, and yes, ( Rew ) it's between Smethport and Bradford. It has quite a history to it, they ran some of the first Nascar races ever from back in the late 40's to mid 50's with Lee Petty and the Flock boys, etc. Junior Johnson raced up here, and I believe you're right, the fire company (did) have a hand in on the maintaining of the track. I believe Bradford was the first Pa. track, or one of the first, to host a Nascar race back in the day. They had a big race up here in the 60's and 70's called " The Kendall 100 "; it ran at least once a year. alot of local legendary drivers like Joe Tomes, Ron Baker, Bud Johnson, Don Kio, Ray Jordan, Bill Layfield, the Pistner boys, Al Skiver, alot of the names escape me but if I read or seen them again, my mind could clear up and recall them. :) If u recall, Kendall was the oil of choice over this way and they sponsored this race for years.

And yes, thanks, I'm glad to be back on again myself, great hearin from ya' again, Morgan
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on May 30, 2010, 10:02:48 AM
Thanks for putting it together Walt. Makes sense, but Rew and Bradford were talked of as being two different tracks by a couple of people I spoke with. I'll defer to your knowlege of that area.
You mentioned Bradford and NASCAR... Junior Johnson won the 1958 event there in a "57 Ford over Lee Petty and Bob Duell (Duell was a western Pa. native). Dean Layfield was 19th in a brand new '58 Chevy from Pearsall Motors in Shinglehouse Pa. That was the year that Dean drove that Chevy to Daytona Beach, removed the lights and plates, raced his way to a 12th place finish in what I believe was the last beach race, put the plates back on and the lights back in and drove it back home to Wellsville.
Heidelburg Speedway in Pittsburg hosted the first NASCAR event in Pa. in 1949, and still holds the distinction of being the track that had the highest finishing female driver in NASCAR history. Sara finished fifth.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: WaltS171128 on May 30, 2010, 04:27:59 PM
No, it was just one track located in Rew but called Bradford, go figure, huh :). And yes that 1958 race Dean raced in was the " Permatex " race in Daytona, it was not long after that in the same year when he and my Dad put a bunch of cars together down in Wellsville at Dean's garage to race at a multitude of local tracks. His brother Bill told me some fascinating stories about that Daytona trip just before he died, if I get some time someday I'll share a few, but Smoky Yunick was a big influence on Dean when he was at that race. And yes, I still recall old Heidelburg Speedway; but I always found it kinda' funny that the first Bill France chose Pennsylvania to branch out his brand new NASCAR sanction; could it be that he thought the racing was pretty good up here in these parts, something to ponder, huh ?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on May 30, 2010, 11:41:46 PM
I just wanted to note that Jackie Soper was my favorite driver when I was a little boy and my other hero, besides my Dad and my brother Darrell was Dick Karlnoski. Those guys could back-em' in with the best of them! Dick was wild with a raw talent while Jackie really ran hard but he seemed to be in total control at all times. Great racers and great memories!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: WaltS171128 on June 01, 2010, 03:03:55 PM
I see that Jack still has his phone number listed, anyone can call at any time, I'm not fond of giving out people's phone number on the internet, but if ya google Jack Soper, Florida you'll see his phone number; it's the very first one....hopefully ya can catch him if he's not out on the water, doin some fishing, or chasin' some cute little phillie, another two traits he's very good at :)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: aa33 on June 01, 2010, 07:21:25 PM
www.alleganycountynylocalhistory.com/Racing%20History-AllegCo/Auto%20Racing/Herb%20Layfield/3HerbLayfieldPhotos.htm (http://www.alleganycountynylocalhistory.com/Racing%20History-AllegCo/Auto%20Racing/Herb%20Layfield/3HerbLayfieldPhotos.htm)

see if this works
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 08, 2010, 09:45:25 PM
from the 5-24-1959 edition of the Elmira Telegram.....

Hopes Fade For Races At Chemung Fairgrounds

By Bill Weingartner

   A plan to hold championship and midget auto races at the Chemung County Fairgrounds apparently will not win approval this year. The bid by Jannet Racing Association Inc. of Elmira, to stage the races has been tabled by the Public Activities Committee of the Chemung County Board of Supervisors.
   Approval for the proposal must come from the board of supervisors, but a spokesman for the activities committee said there was virtually no chance of holding races this year.
There were several major problems which blocked the proposal. the first was that harness races are scheduled for Aug. 20, 21 and 22, the week of the annual fair. Entery fees for the harness races have been paid by some horse owners.
   It is felt that the track could not be used properly for both harness and auto racing since the treatment of the track for auto racing differs with that for horse racing.
In auto racing calcium is used to keep down the dust and harden the track. The hard track plus the oil slick from the cars pobably would be harmful to the horses.
   The activities committee also received several protests from people living near the fairgrounds opposing the proposal. The protests were taken into consideration during
disscussion of the proposal but a committee spokesman said races could be held at the fairgrounds under existing ordinances.
   The committee also felt that arrangements for insurance coverage should be fully ironed out before giving the bid approval. The proposal was to run both midgets and championship type auto races at the half -mile fairgrounds track on Saturday afternoons.

   A PROTEST against Jackie Soper's recent victory in the feature race at VFW track in Towanda has been nullified. It was claimed that Soper was not a member of the Penn York Racing Assn. and was not eligible to drive.
   However, Soper holds a driver's card in the association and therefore the protest was automatically nullified, according to Chuck Benjamin, president of Penn York.
The main drivers at Towanda thus far have been Pete Shaffer of Elmira in Car No. 100, Harry Benjamin of Towanda in Car No. 110, Bryon Osgood of Elmira in Car No. 9 and Jim Leonard of Erin in Car No. 98
   Seven events plus a powder puff derby, which usually draws about six women drivers, are held every Friday night at 8:30 at the Towanda track.

THERE WAS some speculation as to how many cars would be at the Chemung Speedrome for it's Saturday night races. There are two other tracks in the area- Perry and Olean- where the
Class A cars can run on Saturdays and the Class B drivers are reported dissatisfied with the rules and payoffs at the Speedrome.
   The purse is figured on 50 percent of the gate and then this total is divided equally between the A and B cars. The B drivers are seeking a payoff based on 60 percent of the gate.


Note about this article...I have been told by several people that there was midget racing held at the Chemung County Fairgrounds at some point in the early sixties. Does anyone have any info?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 08, 2010, 10:07:45 PM
from a 1972 Oswego Classic Program (the Eagle)
The sport of auto racing is filled with some of the greatest people on earth and two of the most superb reasons offered come in the form of Ernie and Bob June, owners of the yellow roadster car number 59, piloted by Jimmy Winks. This father and son combination have proven to be a very respectable competitor at the Oswego Speedway and their presence in the supermodified circuit is looked upon as nothing less than an asset.
Ernie first started racing back in 1949 running a flathead down at the Shangri-La Speedway. For four years, Ernie ran the flatheads encountering a good amount of success. During that time, he started building a sprint car which he ran all over the country. After his fourth year with the sprinter, he decided to retire from racing. Ernie just couldn't stay away, a few years later he returned with a modified to run at the Brewerton Speedway. In his first race back, Ernie drove the car to a fine third place finish in the season championship 150 lapper.
In 1959, Ernie and his wife Betty decided to run two sportsman cars. They had two cars, numbered 58 and 59. Betty took charge of the 58, placing Fred Brink behind the wheel, while Ernie himself piloted the 59. Ernie admits that the 58 finished ahead of the 59 several times, but the two cars proved to be the top combo at the time. It was a great family affair each time they went to the races - as you can well imagine. They ran the car for a few years, both of which were equipped with 292 Ford engines.
In 1963, the sweep of the supermodified class made it's way into the Empire State and Ernie decided to join the bandwagon. The first driver to ever run a June built supermodified was Bucky Dew. He ran Oswego for several years with a fair amount of success. Other drivers aboard the 59 (for several years known as the 59X) were such stars as Neal Tooley, the late Jack Thomas (who Ernie claims started them on the right road to real good races), Eldon Schrader and of course the current pilot Jimmy Winks. Both Bob and Ernie both express their highest feelings for every driver who ever chauffeured their roadsters.
The Junes' claim, "Jim Winks is a real talented young guy. We hope he'll be driving for us next year as we plan on building a new roadster". They have so much respect for Winks that they purchased an Indianapolis rear engine machine from Mike Mosley - the car he ran in 1969 and Ernie has future plans for the popular Winks. They stated, "First we'd like to take Jim to a championship show and place him on a pit crew so he can pick up a bit of experience and see exactly how the entire show is run. Once we feel he's ready, we'll put the car together and go".
Both Ernie and Bob service the car during the week totalling about 40 to 45 hours each week. When the car is at the track, the Junes receive added help from Tom Teeter and Clayton Brink. Ernie has such high praise for his son saying, "Bobby is a sharp young man who I owe much credit to. Without him, we'd never make it to the track". Bob indeed does a fabulous job with the 59 building all the engines. They have two engines at the moment - one 5 years old and the other 6 years old. Bob built them both and his record of dependability certainly is unequaled by anyone.
We at the Oswego Speedway are most proud to have both Ernie and Bob June as part of our weekly show. Our association with them has been a fine one and we're only more than happy to award them "Car Owners of Year for 1971" an award that they both deservingly are credited. Our sincere best wishes to them for years of successful competition in racing.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: queenofthedirt on June 08, 2010, 10:54:10 PM
aa33.. you wouldnt happen to know dates around the time of the pictures from your link with Bill Wilson in them would you?? My grandfather was Bill (william)  Wilson along with his Jr .. my Uncle.. I am from Wellsville, and just wonder if maybe I have missed some part of my family history.. .. Always wondered where i got my love of the dirt from lol!!!

Actually the more i look at the pictures and realize who the people really are in them it makes me wonder even more.. I know Lisa real well, Greg and GT are just a few years older than me.. (cute picture by the way boys!!) . Hmm.. Maybe just maybe im going to have to talk to the Layfields a bit!!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 15, 2010, 08:30:57 PM
An artilcle from the 5-10-1959 Elmira Telegram.....

Stock Car Chatter

Chemung Speedrome To Open Saturday

By Bill Weingartner

   Stock car racing in the Elmira area begins in earnest Saturday night when Chemung Speedrome opens. Tracks already in operation in the area include Towanda, Olean, Angelica,   Hornell and Dundee.
   The Speedrome originally was scheduled to open May 2 but promoter Eli Bodine Jr. postponed the races until the track was in top shape. "We've had a lot of work to do around
the track," said Bodine, "and we didn't want to open until everything was set. The work is coming along fine now and we are looking forward to a big year."
   Much of the work done at the Speedrome consisted of improvements in facilities. A new fence was built around the track and better facilities for parking and concessions were made. New seats were added and considerable painting was done.
   Work also is being done on the surface of the quarter -mile track. Two loads of salt were worked into the track to help settle the dust. This is the eighth year of operation for the
Speedrome and Bodine expects it to be one of the best. The track will open for about twenty weeks. Both A and B class cars will race and the opening night program will have three A car and six B car races.

   CHUCK BENJAMIN, president of the Penn York Racing Assn. reports that racing at the VFW track in Towanda is improving each week. Penn York sanctions the Friday night races at the 1/3-mile track.
   The track opened at the end of April and according to Benjamin, the attendence and the number of cars entered in the races are increasing each week. Penn York has 33 cars in it's organization and with outside cars, about 50 enteries are usually at the track. Enteries are limited to cars with a maximum motor size of 266 cubic inches.

   "THIS COULD be a big year," says Benjamin. "The track is in good shape. Quite a few drivers consider this the fastest 1/3 mile track in the East."
   A band, which made it's first appearance last Friday, will play before the races and during intermission for the remainder of the season. The spring championship 40 -lap race probably will be held in about three weeks.
   Leading drivers thus far at the VFW track are Pete Shaffer of Elmira in car No. 100, Terry Benjamin of Towanda in Car No. 110 and Jackie Soper of Elmira in Car No. 9.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 21, 2010, 09:35:31 PM
article from June 3, 1959 Elmira Star-Gazette

Women In Racing

Stock Car Powder Puffers Organize

By Bob Wilbur

   The next time you're at a stock car track, take another look at the drivers as they come racing past the grandstand. They may be women. The Powder Puffers have been a familiar part of stock car racing for some time as witnessed at the Chemung Speedrome in the past and at the Towanda VFW Raceway today.
   A move has been started at the latter track in an effort to organize and unify the women drivers in this particular area. Doris Benjamin, wife of Chuck Benjamin (the current president of the Penn York Racing Association and a former driver) has been leading the drive to get more women interested in the sport.
   "We don't plan to restrict the organization to drivers," said Mrs. Benjamin. "Anyone interested in the mechanics of stock car racing is invited to attend our meetings."
The initial meeting of the new unit was held last week and another session has been planned in the near future.

   MOST OF THOSE in attendance at the first meeting were veterans so to speak. Perhaps the largest representation came from the Soper family. Jack Soper is currently taking honors at several top tracks. Lillian Soper and daughters Sally and Polly  have seen competition in the sport.
   They take their share of the bumps too, according to Mrs. Benjamin. "Lillian, a while back, rolled over five times in a race. Last season, I rammed into her car during an event. It's early yet and there hasn't been too much excitement. But mark my words. There will be once the season gets along."
   Among the other women drivers instrumental in forming the Penn York Women's Racing Association are Loretta Leonard, Jean Stroman, Peg Harvey, Phyllis Cole, Arlie Bricka and Joyce Steele. The group is seeking a closer association with the tracks. The cars on the whole are serviced by the men. An exception to the rule is Mrs. Harvey.
   "We don't ask any quarter," said Mrs. Benjamin. "Of course, our speeds differ to an extent but the same racing rules apply to us as the men. The black flag can be waved at us for the same violations applied to the men drivers."

   THE WOMEN have a 10-lap feature at Towanda every Friday night. The spring season championship has been run off with Mrs. Leonard taking the honors. That particular race was a 15- lap affair. Mrs. Cole was second and Mrs. Benjamin third.
   Injurues haven't been of any great nature and don't appear to worry the women. However, the "butterflies"  sometimes pop up. "Every time I race," Mrs. Benjamin added, "I get those butterflies. Of course it's not as bad as the first time. I was always threatening to drive a stock car. One night, the boys bet me that I wouldn't dare. I took the bet, hopped  into a car and drove around the track."
   The women race Class B stocks now but it is hoped that eventually, they may turn to the modified cars. This, together with a proposed point program, could make for an interesting season.
   The women, on occasion, have competed against the men in special match races. One such race was held at Towanda last year and Ethel  Buchanan won over a male opponent. "Everyone insisted it was fixed," Mrs. Benjamin added jokingly. "but it wasn't. Ethel was really driving along."

   MRS. BENJAMIN herself was a victim of circumstance at Towanda last year. She had nary a scratch as a driver. One night , after a race, she stepped up to the bleachers to speak to an official, tripped, broke her right ankle and was out of action for six months. Previously, womens racing had  merely been a special event on the program. Perhaps with the new organization, including the point program and championship races, powder puff activity will hit a new peak. The women certainly hope so. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 28, 2010, 08:29:31 PM
From the 6-7-1959 edition of the Elmira Telegram...

Speedrome Enthusiasts To Pick Favorite Driver

By Bill Weingartner

   Fans will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite stock car driver in a contest started at the Chemung Speedrome by promoter Eli Bodine. Bodine said a large trophy will be awarded at the end of the season to the most popular driver at the track as selected by the fans. Persons attending the races will be given an opportunity to vote each Saturday until the end
of  the racing season. A scoreboard at the track will keep the fans posted as to how the contest is going after each week's balloting.
   Another special event at the Speedrome will be a program of micro midget races which will be held every other Saturday.  Perry Cronkite is in charge  of the micros and says about 12 cars will be at the track. The next micro program will be June 20. The winner of the micro feature receives a trophy and heat winners receive lesser awards.

   THE VFW track at Towanda has enlarged it's program from seven to 10 events every Friday night. The three-added races probably will be made up of cars in the modern class.
                At the Towanda track the leading drivers have been Pete Shaffer in Car no. 100, Brian Osgood in Car No. 9, Jim Leonard, Car No. 98 and Howard Salesman, Car No. 110. Chuck Benjamin won the spring championship race in a new car No. 184. He had been driving Car No. 110.

   THE SPEEDROME, oldest of area local tracks, is still having it's troubles and at last reports it appears that the track may operate just with B cars. The A car drivers are holding out for a larger share of the purse and promoter Bodine says the 50 per cent divided equally between the A and B drivers is his final offer.  At the Speedrome's opening, only two A cars appeared.
   Bodine also plans to continue running the track independently (without a racing club sanctioning the races). The Penn York Racing Assn., which runs at Towanda, wants to go into the track as the sanctioning club but it is doubtful if they will get the green light.
   "I see no reason to bring in a club."  says Bodine. "The boys who are running here are happy with conditions and I expect that we will continue to operate independently."
   Chuck Benjamin, president of Penn York, said his club is interested "mostly in having representation in making track policy." Penn York was seeking 60 per cent of the gate for the drivers but now probably will settle for 50 per cent if it can sanction the races.

   RACING NOTES-  Elmira's Jackie Soper has been winning almost all of the features at Angelica, Olean and Hunt. He recently lost his first race in his new No. 9 when he dropped an axle at Olean....Bob Fuller, veteran flagger on the area scene, plans to move to Florida soon.
   Drivers at the speedrome will vote on changing the weekly feature race from 20 to 25 laps. The mid-season championship race at the Chemung oval is set for July 4....Dundee's Glenn Reiners is the leading driver at his hometown track, the Dundee Raceway. Reiners drives No. 194.
   More tracks than ever are operating in the area. Towanda, Angelica, Dundee and Glen Aubrey all run on Friday night: Chemung, Five-Mile Point (near Binghamton), Port Royal and Olean are open Saturdays, and Hornell, Hunt and Roulette are operating Sundays. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 08, 2010, 05:03:35 PM
from the June 21, 1959 Elmira Telegram.....

Stock Car Notes

Chemung Plans 40-Lap Feature

By Bill Weingartner

   The Chemung Speedrome will hold its mid-season championship stock car race Saturday night. The race will be for 40 laps and the winner will receive a large trophy. The event usually is held July 4 but promoter Eli Bodine Jr. has a large fireworks display planned for that date and feels it would be impractical to hold the longer feature plus the fireworks because of the additional time needed.
   Presently at the speedrome, Chuck Keltz of Bath is in first place in the point standings with car No. 103. He has 24 points. Three points behind is Hoot Gibson of Hall in car No. 19. In a three- way tie for third are Brian Osgood of Elmira, car No. 9, Paul Bostwick of Waverly, car No. 111 and Mel Alexander of Bodines, Pa., car No. 17.
   Two drivers from the Valley are ahead in the most popular driver contest. Harry Carlyle of Athens holds the lead with George Dickman of Waverly in the runnerup spot. Bodine says more fans are voting in the contest every week.
   Enteries at the Speedrome are picking up. More than 40 cars were present recently and the track ran four qualifying heats for the first time this season. Bodine feels that the enteries will continue as the season progresses. On a night when the weather is good and the fans turn out, the track offers a purse of between $800 and $1200 to the driv-
   Saturday night will also have the second powder puff derby, run by the Atlantic Women's Racing Assn. The women drive on alternate weeks with the micro-midget racers.

   LATEST WORD on the Dryden Speedway is that the track will open July 3. Both modifieds and modern cars will run at the quarter- mile track. Plans now list Sunday afternoon as a possible rain date. An opening purse of $1200 reportedly will be offered.  The track has been refurbished and there will be parking for 3000 cars.

   RACING NOTES-- Elmira's Loretta Leonard is off to a flying start in the area powder puff races. She has one victory at the Speedrome and two at the VFW track in Towanda....Several new B cars are being built and are expected to race at the Speedrome.
   Waverly's Dad Evans had tough luck at the Speedrome recently. Two cars owned by Evans, Nos. 11 and 17, were involved in a three car pile-up and Evans cars both were reported badly damaged....Hoot Gibson broke Glenn Reiners strangle hold on the Dundee features recently by bringing car No. 19 in first.
   When Stub Crane scored at the VFW track it was his first feature win. Some of the drivers claim the track at Roulette, Pa. is too narrow....Angelica Raceway has several special events  lined up in the near future. Friday, there will be the regular program of modern and modifieds plus go-cart races. On July 3 there will be a trophy race and on July 4 at 2;30 p.m., a John Miller benefit race is scheduled.   
   Hunt Raceway will run this afternoon with both modified and stock races.... Hornell Raceway switched from "A"  to "B" cars but only 11 "B" enteries showed recently. Modern cars also run at the Hornell track.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 19, 2010, 02:26:44 PM
from the July 12, 1959 edition of the Elmira Telegram....


Soper Heads Stock Car Parade

Elmira Driver Consistent Victor at Area Tracks

By Bob Wilbur

   Determination is a funny thing. Some have it but don't use it. For those who do, the rewards are plentiful. One look at Jackie Soper's trophy room would indicate that the stock car driver is either lucky or just plain dertermined to take every trophy in sight.
"I've always had a passion for cars," said Soper. "I've had my troubles with them but the troubles just seem to increase my determination."
   Soper, currently driving the first place special  No. 7, hasn't always been as near the finish line as he has been the past two seasons. This year, however, with a new car, the Elmiran has captured 15 features at area tracks. not including a host of preliminary events. he's the leading point man at Olean, Angelica and Lancaster. Last weekend, he took the 50-lap feature at Olean and followed that victory up with a triumph at Angelica in a  special trophy race.

   Soper is originally from Troy Pa. and got his early knowledgeof the sport at tracks in Muncie Valley, Pa., Williamsport and Tuckhannock. Mechanical know-how was gathered while he saw duty in the pit crew of the late Hal Morse, killed a few years ago in at crash at Los Angeles.
"My troubles started the first year I raced," said Soper. "In my third race, I broke a bone in the back of my neck and injured a few ribs in a crash. That didn't stop me though. I just got more determined."
   The middle years of his nine-year driving career were average. Last year, Soper combined with Elmiran Don Moyer. Moyer owned car No. 7 while Soper handled the wheel. The No. 7, incidentally, has been with Jackie throughout his racing days. "No special reason: It's just seven," he said. Eugene Frisby and Howard Tidd, both of Elmira, are the current owners of the newly-built No. 7 edition. The 1958 car met with disaster at Port Royal, Pa. early this spring. Soper broke several ribs, his nose and loosened several teeth giving a dim outlook for the 1959 season. However, Soper and his crew (Jack Allen, Moyer and Frisby) hit the jackpot with the new model that was perked up by the modification allowances that came into effect for Class A cars this year.
   
   In addition to winning races, Soper has proved hard to stop in relation to time. At Lancaster, he zipped around the 1/2 mile oval in 24.3 seconds, setting a new one-lap mark for the track. "I was trying for it that day. There was a bonus for the fastest time and I was determined to get it. It's a hard clay track treated with calcium. Hard on the tires but you can really move on it."
   Soper plans to add the new Ithaca-Dryden Speedway to his schedule soon. "It looks good. I took a ride around the track and walked around once. I do that on all the tracks I race. Gives me a chance to look over the area and size up the soft spots. It can prove valuble during a race."
   Jackie rates Elmira's Bill Schroth and Cecil Keister as two of the better drivers in the immediate area. But he won't let you forget Oleans Bud Johnson who consistently chases Soper around the track and has been a constant threat to the Elmiran's pursuits.

   Most of the tracks have three respective championship attractions: the spring, mid-season and fall races. Points compiled at these events and the regularly scheduled features add up towards the seasons crown. Soper has a good lead at Olean, Angelica and Lancaster and may well add the Ithaca-Dryden Speedway to his chain of triumphs. He's also seen participation at the Hunt Raceway, taking the feature in each of his three appearances.
   Soper will readily agree that today's stock car racing is a tough deal. "The cars are better and it takes top driving to stay in the running." said Soper. "The cars run close and an inexperienced driver can cause trouble. Most of the drivers currently competing are experienced and can handle the cars with the new modifications."
   Soper has implied that the taste of victory won't wear off as rapidly as it was brought on. He'll have to put an addition on that trophy shelf if he wins many more but apparently the thought of the extra work doesn't bother him. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 19, 2010, 02:35:22 PM
this is the picture w/ caption that accompioned the article from  7-12-59.......

TROPHY TIME- Jackie Soper, veteran stock car driver who has been taking a majority of the feature races at area tracks, poses with his trophy collection, most of which have been taken during the his last two years of racing. Soper has been in the drivers seat for nine years.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: bgrimes on July 22, 2010, 12:21:46 PM
I love reading all about thehistory of racing in the southern tier. My dad wa sonny grimes and he raced at olean raceway back in the 60s. He grew up in hinsdale and loved racing. His lat duty involving racing was head starter at perry speedway. Thanks for the history and if anybody has some more pics of olean and cuba please post them.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ModRoCmaniac on July 23, 2010, 08:34:17 AM
anyone ever hear of a crazy Irishman called Carl Caslin...i knew him & family yrs back & heard some storys before he passed never did see him race @ all but i think he took part back in the 60's ? ~ maybe...not sure how long or how famous OR what famous for lol...sure like to find out something about him...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ModRoCmaniac on July 23, 2010, 01:30:17 PM
 Just a TidBit ~ dugg out a old paper says...1960's Earl Bodine drove a "BUG" ~ Plymouth slant-6 #188 him & his Bro Maynard built them & raced for 50 yrs...Chemung Speedrome Earls brother Eli Built it in 1951 ~ "the house that Eli Built" ~ & we still come  8)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on July 25, 2010, 10:45:47 AM
Here's apicture of that "BUG", the #188. Photo by L.O. Duncan. DALE
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2010, 11:34:16 AM
I was saving this for a rainy day....

Former Orchard Blooms With Enthusiasts

 Chemung Breeds a Popular Brand...

By Ed Collins

   The old orchard ain't what it used to be. Seven years ago, just west of Chemung, on the Ely Bodine farm, were an orchard and a corn field fitted neatly into a curiously shaped depression. The loudest sounds were the caws of an occasional pair of crows and a farmer's sigh at eventide
   Today, of a Saturday evening comes the ripping snort of an engine, the sound of furiously revolving tires swabbing a flat furrow in a hard turn and the roar of crowds ranging from 1500 to 2000. It's the site of Chemung Speedrome, a mecca for stock cars.
   Peopled by a close- knit group who are more gentled by the roar of pounding pistons than the purr of a kitten and more warmed by a 20- foot exhaust stream than the morning sun, Chemung represents a vital sport.
   Each Saturday night upwards of 50-55 cars compete for 40 per cent of the $1.15 per-person gate, but only incidently for the money involved. Only a top driver makes his expenses and then, to stay on top of his class, he turns his winnings back into his pet engine block.
   
   THE PUBLIC picture of "hot rods" screaming down a narrow residential street is not the picture of these drivers. If anything, they drive a car on a public road with twice the caution of the average driver. Consider the case of 22-year old Bill Schroth of Bressport currently the second- ranking Atlantic Stock Car Assn. driver in Class A at Chemung.
   Bill started driving stocks at 18. His father, Carl Schroth (who acts as part of Bill's pit crew), tells it this way: "Bill was driving too 'hard' on the highways. He hadn't been arrested , of course, but I didn't want anything to happen to him. So, his mother and I gave our permission for him to drive at the track. "Within a year of driving at Chemung, he was a more careful driver on the highway than I am. That's why I'm all in favor of this idea". 
   Bill started with a '54 Ford engine block that his parents bought for him. Last year he graduated to a Class A car, Don Moyer's No. 49 with a '56 Ford engine, and since then he's been close to the top. In fact, Moyer has such trust in Bill's ability that he delivers the car to the quater-mile dirt oval, turns it over to Bill and his pit-crew (Carl Schroth and Dean Wheat) and becomes a complete spectator in the stands.

   THE CLASS A LEADER is star Lucky Cornish of Ithaca, who doesn't seem about to be passed, as he piles up feature win after feature win each Saturday in his colorful "no. 44". And right behind the Breesport youth is eight-year veteran Bucky Buchannan of Horseheads in "No. 77" and Percy Brown of Elmira in "No. 59".
   Keeping it in the Chemung family, the youngest driver on the track, 18-year old Earl Bodine No. 88 of Chemung , leads the Class B division, closely followed by Tex Owens (No. 48) of Endicott and Jack Curren (No. 00) of Elmira, who are tied for second, and Cliff Pierce (No. 29) of Elmira  who is fourth. Earl is the brother of Junie and Carl Bodine who run the track located on their father's former farm-land. 

   JUST AS Bill Schroth is an excellent example of what the stock cars can do for young men, Pete Marone of Ithaca is an example of how they can keep the spirit fresh. "Nearly 50", Pete was a field driver for a long time but in the past year has picked up steam and several first place spots.
   Similarly, with men like Junie Bodine, who puts in hours that can never be tallied in dollars and cents in readying the dirt oval, and Bob Fuller, the aerobatic flagman whose driving days are over, being a part of the operation of a stock car track is like an outdoorsman's breathing pure air.
   Junie is almost a part of the track, having seen the orchard and the cornstalks fall, and the bulldozers scrape a reality out of the hazy plans of some enthusiasts, and the contoured furrows of a turn. It all started when some members of the Finger Lakes Stock Car Racing Assn. became dissatisfied with conditions at another Southern Tier track six years ago. They came to Ely Bodine and his sons and mentioned the bowl-like depression behind the barns the indians are supposed to have helped raise.
   June recalls "There was an orchard near the road and the cornfield went back to the hill. We marked out a course by walking off the distance and placing rocks, then took the tractor around to mark  the inside lane. There was still a barn in the middle of the track and some trees around. But when the bulldozer took over and started shoving dirt and trees out of the way, it really began to look like a track. We bought lights and hooked up a war  surplus generator we had in reserve here on the farm, and we had our track.

   THIS IS CHEMUNG'S sixth year of racing and it's growing more prosperous and better. The track time has improved from 17 seconds to 16. One second may not seem like a lot, but when a pack of stock cars do 75 miles per hour on the straight and 45 on the curves, it's 20 extra thrills in the space of a caught breath.
   Driving at Chemung is not just a matter of tooling some hopped up coups onto the track. Prime requisite is a good engine, preferably encased in a durable (and often venerable) coupe because the lighter coupe chassis handles better on curves.
   Beyond that certain safety regulations must be observed. Car's must have roll bars installed inside the cab, the insides must be stripped of all upholstery and glass except for the windshield, the fenders must be either cut down or removed entirely, a safety belt must be installed and the front and rear wheels locked by welding the spider gears. Further, each car must have a fire extinguisher in it, and front and rear crash guards: and the driver must wear a helmet.
   Most necessary for a driver are intelligence and instinct. A Class A car probably represents about a $2000 investment. Class B car a little less than half that amount.
   Car's are known by their numbers rather than their drivers and the point standings are awarded accordingly: should one driver come up with a little  better car, it's an out-and-out challange to his opponent's skill and ability- both mechanical and operation.

   ROB FINNEY of Chemung is president of the Atlantic Stock Car Assn. (which sanctions Chemung) and Bernie Foster is secretary. Earl Buzell is chief timer, Bob Shaddock announcer and Harry Hoyt pit steward. Unofficial timers and pit crew members are the wives and girlfriends of drivers and mechanics who become as expert and enthusiastic about the sport as their men.
   Chemung runs twice this week. The course will hold a program Memorial day at 2:30 p.m. and again Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. The program, which include "heats" (time trials from each of which four drivers qualify), "semis" (semi-final races from each of which six drivers qualify) and the "features" (either main event or special match races).
   Chemung's biggest and wildest crowd totalled 4,000 on a "free" night.  It's largest paid crowd was 2,200. It has only once (and that on a cold night) dipped below 1,000. From all indications [this is where the article was cut off...sorry guys...it's reprinted with all it's warts!]
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2010, 11:45:04 AM
Pictures that accompioned the above article. (From May of 1958..Elmira Star Gazette)

First one is captioned..... Wedging through turn- Chubby Chandler(7) tries to wedge past Cecil Keister (7) as the four cars shift through the lower turn at chemung Speedrome. Driving 49 is Bill schroth and in the 111 on the outside is Jackie Soper. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2010, 11:49:05 AM
Safety Stresed- Bill Schroth, the second-ranked Class A driver at Chemung, demonstrates the safety precautions taken by drivers: seat belt, helmet and (behind him) reinforced top supports.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2010, 11:52:13 AM
49'S POWER PLANT- Four leading Chemung Speedrome drivers take a look at the '56 Ford engine block in Bill Schroth's No. 49. Left to right are Art "Chubby" Chandler, Bill Schroth, Jackie Soper and Cecil Keister.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on July 25, 2010, 12:02:45 PM
These are great stories from Chemungs earliest years. My Uncle who drove for Ernie June in 58x in those early days bring great joy to me remembering watching him race in those years. When my father passed he left many things from his life and one of them was the $1.15 ticket to get into Chemung Speedrome, its still in wonderful shape after all these years.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ModRoCmaniac on July 26, 2010, 08:12:26 AM
all i can say is WOW ! ~ this is some of the best reading i ever done.... AWESOME & THANKs for sharing  8)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on July 26, 2010, 10:57:17 PM
Here's the "gossip sheet" from the Chemung program from the sixties. Hope it's big enough to read! DALE
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 28, 2010, 10:36:45 PM
Hey Folks...I attended the Cuba Lake Raceway oldtimers reunion this afternoon and must say that if anyone out there hasn't gone they should do it next year! My wife and I had a great time and met some amazing people....The table we sat at was occupied by Bill Tingue, Al Skiver, Doug Pringle, Monroe Puffer,  My new favorite person in the world...Howie Slocum and if you'll indulge me , one other cat.
My wife and I went to Volusia in February for the DIRT mods and WoO latemodels. We sat next to a couple of fellows and I got talking to them. I mentioned that I raced a modified and tne guy asks me where at. I tell him Woodhull and he lights up. It turns out he used to be the flagman there and also owned a car that he had a fellow named Basil Shutt drive at Angelica. I told him I was researching this and had just come across photos from that era and one of them had been of Basil. When we got home I couldn't remember the guys name for the life of me
Cut to today...My wife picks out seats for us and we get talking to the gentleman to my left and who does it turn out to be?
Basil Shutt. He informed me that the guy I had met was Mike Jackson.  It is TRULY a small world. Nice guy and it turns out he was part owner of one of Kurt VanPelts rides (#13...Basil's number coincidently)....COOL DAY!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 30, 2010, 10:37:09 PM
Article from July 19,1959 Elmira Telegram


Gibson, Bodine In Matchrace

By Bill Weingartner

   A special match race between Hall's Hoot Gibson and Chemung's Earl Bodine is scheduled at the Chemung Speedrome Saturday night. Gibson and Bodine are battling for the individual driver title at the Speddrome with Gibson, the mid-season champion, holding a slight lead going into this weekend. "People have been asking for a match race between the two
fastest cars at the track," says Eli Bodine Jr., "so we're going to give it to them".
   Earl Bodine, brother of the Speedrome promoter, drives car No. 118. Gibson drives car No. 19 and had to rebuild the body several weeks ago after it was involved in a crash during a powder puff derby race. Bodine's car has had the same body for three years.
   The Speedrome is having one of it's best year's in both attendence and in car enteries, according to promoter Bodine. Attendence he says is averaging almost 300 fans more than last year. In the track's most popular driver contest Athen's Harry Carlyle continues in first place. He leads Waverly's George Dickman by about 30 votes.

   Racing Notes- Attendence is picking up at the VFW Raceway, according to Bernie Foster who handles publicity for the Towanda oval. Recently a record crowd of 700 turned out. Current point leaders are Brian Osgood of Elmira and Harry Benjamin of Wysox.
   The Ithaca-Dryden Speedway switched to Saturday night after one Sunday afternoon of racing. Owner Gordon Reed still offers a gauranteed purse of $1200, probably the largest in the Elmira area....Class A cars still will run at the Olean raceway contrary to a report which circulated last week that they were pulling out.
   The Hornell Raceway operates this afternoon with Class B and moderns. Last weeks winners were Harold Pielow of penn Yan and Floyd green of Scio....Elmira's Bucky Buchanan came through to win the feature at Angelica recentlydefeating the highly-rated Jackie Soper of Elmira and Bud Johnson of Olean.

   HUNT RACEWAY will hold it's 50-lap mid-season trophy race for modified stocks this afternoon. The event was postponed by rain last week. Racing gets underway at 2:30 p.m. at Hunt....Waverly's George Dickman is spending most of his spare time building a new Class B car....The Micro-Midget racers seem to be catching on.  The VFW raceway hopes to hold some micro races in the near futureand the Chemung Speedrome may expand it's micro program from every other week to every week. Eli Bodine Jr. reports that about half of the Speedrome crowd shows up early to watch the micros. The micro's start at 7:30 p.m. at Chemung.

   THE PINE CITY Band will be on hand to entertain at the Chemung Speedrome Saturday night....The Ithaca-Dryden track is a quarter-mile oval and some of the cars had trouble because they were geared for the more popular third-mile tracks...Glen Reiners continues to find success on his hometown Dundee track. Reiners won the mid-season championship recently and is two-time defending champion.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on August 11, 2010, 10:58:40 PM
Here's another of the "gossip" columns from the Chemung Speedrome program in 1960.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on August 11, 2010, 11:01:00 PM
Cal Lane with another win at Chemung Speedrome in the "Bugs" circa 1965. Photo by L.O. Duncan.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ModRoCmaniac on August 14, 2010, 08:19:14 AM
anyone ever hear of a Driver @ the Ole Chemung ~name: "Pellor" raced 50's - 60's maybe ? Father of a good friend of mine & they were to young to recall ~ like to be able to give them a little info....thnx
think they still have his old car in their Barn  8)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 17, 2010, 08:34:49 PM
from the Elmira Telegram... 7-26-1959.....

 Stock Car Notes

5 Elmirans Rank High On Olean Raceway List

By Bob Wiber

   Elmira drivers, particulary those in the modified class, are continuing to make themselves known on the Western New York tracks.
   As an example, five local drivers are in the top ten at Olean Raceway. Bill Schroth, Jackie Soper, Cecil Keister and Ernie June's combination of Fred Brink and Percy Brown have all had their share of point making.
   Olean's Bud Johnson, due to Soper's inactivity at Olean the past two weeks, has taken the lead with 107 points but four Elmirans are right behind him.
   Schroth follows Johnson with 103 and Soper has 100. Keister and Brown are next with 85 and 50. Following Brown are Fran Pezziment, Allegany, 48: Tom Rose, Buffalo, 42: Brink, Elmira, 40: Miles Clark, Allegany, 37 and Bud Thearsdorf, Allegany, 31.

   JUNE, INCIDENTALLY, saw action on a half-mile track in a modified for the first time in seven years at Lancaster recently. Brink, driver of the 58x, hurt his back and June hopped into the driver's seat. He was 15th when he took off from the stop and finished ninth.
   Brink and 58x have had their share of troubles during the past weeks.
   June said "we had to put a new motor into the 58 due to the knocks received. Fred's been shaken up three different times but is rarin' to go. (Brink was taken to a Buffalo hospital last week for observation but was released following an aggrivation of a back injury). The crowds have been good though at all the tracks, and despite our problems, things are beginning
to shape up. We've got our sights set on the 100-lap feature at Olean next month."
   The 100-lap affair, an annual event at Olean, has a $3000 purse. Brink finished sixth in the race last year. Brown was third until the 57th lap when he lost a hub and wheel and went to the sidelines.

   SOPER IS continuing his habit of winning feature races. He reports that the track at the new Ithaca-Dryden Speedway was a little rough at the start but has smoothed out some. He has taken the feature two straight weeks.
   He swept the mid-season championship at Hunt Raceway last week and added another trophy to his growing collection with a victory at Angelica. The trophy was awarded for his win in a special Chamber of Commerce feature at the western oval.
   He has his sights on the 50-lap mid-season championship at Angelica.

   THE MICRO-MIDGETS continue to please the fans at the chemung Speedrome. Leading the parade are the Cronkite youngsters, Chubby and Linda, of Horseheads.
   The machines, with 7 1/2 cubic inch engines as a limit, can gather from 2 1/2 to 3 horsepower. Some of the cars are homemade while others have been bought. Eli Bodine plans to make the micros a regular feature at the track.
   A Powder Puff championship may be in the near future at Chemung, Bodine also reported.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 17, 2010, 08:41:29 PM
I have a couple of pictures from the George Nichols collection that I thought I would post on this thread. It's not circle track stuff, but as we are twenty minutes from Watkins Glen it seemed a good fit. I'm just going to post them as I have NO photographer info and while I know a little history on them it would be more fun to see what you guys interject....enjoy!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 17, 2010, 08:43:39 PM
pic 2
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 17, 2010, 08:47:50 PM
pic 3
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 17, 2010, 08:53:18 PM
pic 4
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 17, 2010, 09:02:44 PM
pic 5
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 17, 2010, 09:04:42 PM
pic 6
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 17, 2010, 09:08:16 PM
pic 7
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on August 17, 2010, 10:05:20 PM
Wow what a treat for me to see my Uncle Fred Brink named as one of Ernie June's drivers, he drove the 58x. I remember going to all those race tracks mention as we would follow Ernie June where ever he raced and I loved going to all the different dirt tracks to see all the great drivers and great races they had back then. I became a modified lover and a big fan of racing, they were the days.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 28, 2010, 08:47:11 AM
From the Aug. 9, 1959 Elmira Telegram....

Micro-Midget Racing Popular

Horseheads Youth Current Leader at Speedrome

By Bob Wilber

   More and more people are going to the Chemung Speedrome a little earlier these Saturday nights. Why? The reason's simple. It's micro-midgets, which race prior to the regular Chemung stock car show. The local association, the Elmira Quarter-Midget Racing Club, has been increasing in popularity since the season began, thanks to the efforts of the enthusiastic youngsters, ranging in age from 8-15.
   The micro fad has become so big that now it's quite simple for you to go out and buy your own do-it -yourself micro-midget, referred to as a "track-rabbit". However, most cars are built at home. And one of the best belongs to 12-year old Perry Cronkrite of Horeseheads, current leader in points standings at the Speedrome.
   Perry and his sister, Linda, age 10, are veterans of the sport in every sense of the word. Both their cars (Perry drives No. 9 and Linda drives No. 7) were built by their father, Perry Sr., track photographer at the Speedrome.
   The cars, valued at more than $250, are capable of speeds up to 30 and even 40 mph with their 2 1/2 horsepower engines.

   THE YOUNGER Perry (known as Chubby) explained the racers to the fullest. "Linda's car has twin knobs over the wheel: one the throttle and the other for cutting off the engine. My car has the foot brake and accelerator inside. Both have the hand brakes on the outside for emergencies."   
   Does the Quarter Midget Club make any reqirements regarding the racer's? "They certainly do," said Perry. "We have safety belts; side bars to ward off ramming; a back bumber to prevent someone from driving over you and roll-over bars on top of the seats, some distance above the driver's head."
   Perry than displayed his battle dress (a football helmet with a plastic shield). The Horseheads youngster has always been interested in racing and, if all goes well, he may enter the larger car field himself someday. "Hoot Gibson ranks as a favorite with me," said Perry. "He drives a nice car."

   THE WAY Perry's been performing at Chemung should make Gibson smile. Perry, as of Aug. 1, had a 20 point lead over his nearest competitor. His record shows two victories in heats, two semi-final wins and a feature triumph. The feature gave him the micro-midget mid-season championship. In addition, he has placed second once and third twice in heats; second, third and fifth in semi-final events; and second twice, along with a third, in the features. The Speedrome program consists of two heats, a sem-final and feature.
   Eight laps constitute the heats; 10 the semi-finals while the feature goes 15.

   THE MIDNIGHT oil burns late at the Cronkrite household as it does for stock drivers. Perry said "sometimes we work on the car all week. We always change the oil and take the motor apart and put it back together."
   Perry's pit chief, Jerry Tompkins, also of Horseheads, is on the scene and assists in the mechanics of both Cronkrite cars.
   The youngest of the current Speedrome drivers is eight-year old Tim Wood, of Elmira Heights and the oldest is 15-year old Richie Falls, Elmira,
   Other drivers who have seen action include Danny Pickering, 12, Horseheads: Vic Parker, 11, Hornell: Linda LaDue, 13, Horseheads: Gene LaDue, 11, Horseheads: Jeff Bodine, 10, Chemung: Larry Hall, 12, Hornell: Bud Wheeler, 10, Corning: Bill Cook, 11, and Marty Payne, 12, Elmira Heights.

   ALL OF PERRY'S driving activity hasn't been confined to the Chemung Speedrome. He raced at Dunn Field and at Eldridge Park. The Speedrome track is 1/20 of a mile and circles the main track in the infield.
   Perry and Linda, who have been racing for a combined total of seven years, are not the only Cronkrites with their eyes on micro-midgets. Dev, 5 and Greg, 2, have already shown interest.
   The youngsters, equipped with safety equipment and a sturdy knowledge of the rules, are out to give fans a good time and from all indications, they've been successful to date.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 28, 2010, 08:53:57 AM
Photo and caption that accomponied the above story
MIDGET RACER- Perry Cronkrite Jr., smiles after winning the mid-season micro-midget championship race at the Chemung Speedrome. The 12-year old Horseheads youth is one of the reasons why racing fans are flocking to the track a little earlier each Saturday night.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 28, 2010, 09:01:05 AM
this ones for you Luvsracin....
From the Bob June collection. Fred Brink in the Bette June owned Ernie June prepared #58x
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Loudspeaker on August 28, 2010, 01:41:12 PM
If you want to see and meet some of the legends of the past ...
come to The 15th Annual CNY Stock Car Hall of Fame & Reunion on SUNDAY SEPT 12th  10am -4pm at the former Mid-State Speedway in Morris,NY.. free admission, food  all kinds of racing memorabilia, restored race cars of all types and  more print off a flyer & RSVP form at  www.thundermountainspeed.com  or www.theracereprort.tv and see the past events at www.midstateantiquestockcarclub.com  ( event reports 2009)
contact info on the flyer
see you there !    ;D
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 05, 2010, 06:56:28 PM
Jackie Soper forwarded this to me...sounds like fun (bummer it's the same day as the one in Morris)

 What:  3rd Annual VFW & Chemung Raceway reunion 

When:  Sunday Sept 12th  2010

Where:  Stub Crane's  Saw Shop at the corner of Overlook Rd & Vromann Hill Rd between US Rt 6  @ West  Burlington  and  Rt  514 @ Baileys  corners  (call 364-5541  if you need more info)

Who: Owners-Drivers-Mechanics-and  FANS

Time:  11AM until??? All are welcome anytime during the day  OR come early and Stay LATE

  We will provide Hamburgers--Hot Dogs--and  Grille

 Every one please bring dish to pass, beverage of your choice, and table service for your party

      Also photo albums and /or racing memorabila for display

We are planning on having some old movies taken @ VFW Raceway   and Chemung for viewing

Held    RAIN or SHINE    Come on over & share some memories

 

 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on September 06, 2010, 12:33:03 AM
Talking about racing history in the Southern Tier, does anyone know the whole story of the night the cars got into the stands at Shangrila? When I was a kid I remember some stories about it but not many details. Not sure of the extent of the injuries but it's always a tragedy when fans are just out to have a good time and something goes seriously wrong. When I say my pre-race prayer I always ask for the safety of my competitors, fans, officials and the crews.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: thedoebes on September 06, 2010, 07:55:13 AM
the year was 1969.It was one car that went into the stands.Geoff Bodine was coming out of the pits and Gordie Isham was coming down the front stretch,he made contact with Gordie sending him airborne and through the fence that hit some people that were standing by the wall.There were several injuries which included two fatalities.This is what I remember.Gary Gitchel is the person who could give you the full details.His dad was running the track back then and he has all the articles.He lives in Binghamton.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on September 06, 2010, 10:09:15 AM
Talking about racing history in the Southern Tier, does anyone know the whole story of the night the cars got into the stands at Shangrila? When I was a kid I remember some stories about it but not many details. Not sure of the extent of the injuries but it's always a tragedy when fans are just out to have a good time and something goes seriously wrong. When I say my pre-race prayer I always ask for the safety of my competitors, fans, officials and the crews.

The accident happened on Saturday, July 12, 1969.  I was there that night, but too young to remember very much.  Two spectators were killed and 13 injured.  One of the spectators killed, Joey Gulbin, was a relative of mine, my mother’s first cousin. 

Back then spectators used to sit on the grandstand walkway and stand underneath it next to the front stretch wall.  If you look at old victory lane shots from that era you can see rows of people standing right next to the wall in the background. 

Here’s the Binghamton Press story as it ran the following morning.  I’ve omitted some of the more graphic details from the article.  It was a horrible, horrible scene.

TWO KILLED DURING RACE

By Betsy Buechner   

At least two persons were killed and possibly another 10 injured last night when a stock car flipped over a retaining wall at the Shangri-La Speedway in Owego and into a crowd of spectators. All of the injured were taken to either Ideal Hospital in Endicott or Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa.

Killed were ERNEST VANN, 58, of Danby, and JOSEPH GULBIN, 23,of Binghamton, RD 3. The tragedy could have been worse, had not the stock car been equipped with a safety fuel cell that prevents explosion from leaking gasoline, the president of the race track, Francis Gitchell, said, adding the "place could have burned."

The driver of the stock car, Gordon Isham, of Colesville, was uninjured. Witnesses to the accident said the driver waited in his car, holding the gas line to prevent more gas from leaking. Several persons were reported pinned under the car.

According to Mr. Gitchell, the accident happened in the second heat of a modified sports car race when two cars driven by Mr. Isham and another by an Elmira driver locked wheels and sent the Isham car flipping end-over-end over the retaining wall and into the bleachers. A three-foot concrete wall, topped by a two-foot high steel sheet separates the track from the bleachers. The bleachers are six and a half feet from the ground.

After the accident at about 8:40 o'clock, track officials called off the balance of the races.


And here’s another story which ran in the Binghamton Press on Monday, July 14th 1969…

VICTIMS AT RACE IN RESTRICTED AREA

The two dead and 13 injured victims of the area's worst race "track tragedy at the Shangri-La Speedway in Owego were standing in a restricted area when a stock car flipped over a retaining wall into a crowd of spectators. This comment came today from the track president, Francis Gitchell, 15 Roosevelt Avenue, Binghamton.

Mr. Gitchell said track officials Saturday night repeatedly warned spectators to stay out of the area between the three-foot high concrete retaining wall and the bleachers, but to no avail. He said auxiliary members of the Tioga County Sheriff's Department "tried to keep them out of "there," and warnings were given over a loudspeaker.

Gordon Isham of Colesville, driver of the car that flipped over the wall, attributed the accident to "rough-riding" on "the part of another driver” He said the accident happened as three modified sports stock cars were coming out of a turn on the paved one-half mile track.

Mr. Isham said he was on the outside of the track, passing two other cars when "one came across in front of me." He said he went over the top of the other car and began flipping end over end across the wall. The end of the car hit the bleachers, but nobody sitting in the bleachers was hurt, Mr. Isham said.

"Nobody would have been hurt if they had been where they were supposed to be," the driver said. The car took out the lights on the top of a light pole, and broke through a two-foot high steel fence over the retaining wall.

"When my car hit the fence, the fence unwound like a steel spring through the spectators,' Mr. Isham said. The driver lost several teeth and suffered whiplash injuries, but was not hospitalized. A steel pole supporting the fence snapped and flew through the Isham car, severing his shoulder harness.



Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 06, 2010, 06:16:41 PM
From the Elmira Telegram... Aug. 16, 1959......

Stock Car Notes

Track Crew Kept Busy At Chemung Speedrome

By Bill Weingartner

   "No one realizes how much work goes into a track to get it into shape for racing each weekend."
   The speaker was Eli Bodine Jr., promoter of the Chemung Speedrome stock car track which runs every Saturday night. Bodine feels that the track is holding up well and is in top shape but it takes a lot of work to keep it running smoothly.
   It usually takes Bodine's three man crew about eight or nine hours to fix the track after a night's racing. Then the track is rolled as much as possible through the week and watered heavily on Saturday. On a recent Saturday, Bodine said 18,000 gallons of water were put on the track.

   HERE'S HOW he describes the weekly repair job which starts as soon as possible after the races at the Speedrome.
   "First we fill in the holes with  water and then put salt and calcium in the holes. Then we wet the whole track, concentrating heavily on the curves."
   "The next step is to draw the dirt that has been kicked out back onto the track, then it is watered again. We then roll and grade the track two or three times to get the bumps out."
   "We roll the track as often as possible during the week and then put on a coat of salt or calcium on it at the end of the week to hold down the dust."
   "Then on Saturday we water the track down and it's ready for racing."
   The next day the same routine starts all over again.

RACING NOTES-- A double match race is planned at the Chemung Speedrome Saturday night. Point leaders Hoot Gibson and Earl Bodine will meet in a match race and then will switch cars in a second race to see if it produces a different result.
   The Speedrome will hold it's final racing program on Sept. 26..... Waverly's George Dickman is building a new car and and has put a reported $700 into the motor.... About 40 different drivers have received votes in the most popular driver contest at the Speedrome. Athens'  Harry Carlyle is still in the lead.
   The micro-midgets may run in two divisions next year with classes for drivers six to 10 years old and from 11-15. They race all in one class this season but expected additional enteries probably will allow the split in 1960.

   BARBARA BENNETT of Montour Falls took the women's midseason championship sponsored by the Atlantic Women's Racing Assn. at the Speedrome.... Several area drivers are pondering a trip to Syracuse for a shot at purses totaling $6,400 during the State Fair. The stock car races are slated for Sept. 5 and 7.
   Bucky Buchanan of Horseheads and Jackie Soper of Elmira have been setting the pace for the "A" drivers at the Ithaca-Dryden Speedway. Soper leads in points and took the feature last week. Buchanan's car developed trouble in the semi-final. The week before Buchanan took the feature and Soper missed the event because of motor trouble.
   The "B" car races have been switched from Wednesday night to Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Ithaca-Dryden track. Hoot Gibson captured the B feature last week with 21 cars at the track. Gibson is expected to seek his second straight this afternoon.

   SOPER TOOK two successive features at Angelica where Elmira area drivers seem to have a strangle hold on the A class. Cecil Keister, Buchanan, Bill Schroth and Norm Evendon all find the track to their liking.... Larry Hollister of Hornell has registered the first sweep at the Speedrome in the micro midget class. he took the heat, semi-final and feature, jumping from 10th to third in the point standings. Chub Cronkrite of Horseheads still holds the lead.
   Towanda's VFW Raceway is continuing to enjoy crowds of about 1,000 after a slow start. Elmira's Frank Chapman ended Vern Coyle's streak at two by winning last week's "B" feature. The modern feature went to another Elmiran, Herb Green.... Only 11 of 23 cars finished a recent modern feature on a rain slick track at Dryden.
   Floyd Green and Glenn Reiners took the modified and modern features at the Hornell Raceway and they'll be after repeat victories this afternoon.... Reiners also bagged another victory at his hometown track, the Dundee Speedway.

   WHEN THE TWO leaders at the Chemung Speedrome, Hoot Gibson and Earl Bodine, were forced out of the feature recently, Elmira's Jim Leonard came in first.... Lucky Cornish had tough luck at Angelica one Friday night. He lost the radiator on car 77 during a warmup and then switched to car 66 but the auto lost its rear axle.
   The Roulette, Pa. Raceway has closed for the season.... Last week's winners at Hunt Raceway, which will open this afternoon, were Milt Stiles (modern) Joe Thomas (modified) and Al Caplin ("B").
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on September 06, 2010, 08:28:52 PM
Blackjackracing,  I want to thankyou so very much for putting up a picture of Ernie Junes race car with my Uncle Fred Brink driving the car. This means so very much to me as a young boy our family went to just about all the dirt tracks that Ernie's cars went to race on. These are some of the most enjoyable activities that I did as a young boy growing up in the 50's and 60's, so thankyou so much for the picture. How excited I was to go to all these dirt tracks on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays from Chemung Speedrome, Ithaca-Dryden Speedway to Angelica Speedway, what a way to grow up.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 13, 2010, 08:52:32 PM
Just a quick note in regards to the Chemung/Towanda reunion held this past weekend...My wife and I attended and had a Super time! We meet some really great people with really great stories to tell. Among the folks I met were Dick Close who ran Chemung in the late fifties and Towanda in the sixties; Pop Vincent who "ran everywhere and anywhere"; Rod Spaulding, who was chatting up my wife, and the host, Stub Crane who ran Chemung in the early sixties and Towanda and and man, there were so many he mentioned (I should have taken better notes!).
        Stub  took the time to show me his "bug" that he still has. It was just thrilling to see one in the flesh! The afternoon ended with Dick Close sharing home movies from Chemung in 1967 (the likes of "Jeff" Bodine, Bryon Osgood and Cal Lane immortilized for posterity) which was a hoot and a half.
       As I've said before...if you are given the chance to get to know these characters, take it. You'll be glad you did!
So all that being said, here's an article from the Aug. 23, 1959 Elmira Telegram...enjoy

Stock Car Notes

Horseheads Youngster Maintains Midget Lead

By Bob Wibur


   Four Horseheads drivers are among the top eight in point standings at the Chemung Speedrome in micro-midget activity.
   Horseheads'  Chubby Cronkrite continues to lead the field with 61 points. Following Cronkrite are Dan Pickering, Horseheads, 44; Larry Hollister, Hornell, 42; Linda Cronkrite, Horseheads, 37; Gene LaDue, Horseheads, 31; Bud Wheeler, Corning, 30; Vic Palmer, Hornell, 27 and Jeff Bodine, Chemung, 23.
   Leader Cronkrite, incidentlly, didn't rack up any points in his car last week as a flat tire denied him the opportunity. He took over Linda's car, however, and added 14 points to his sister's record.

   ERNIE JUNE'S wife, Betty, received a pleasant surprise last week when Fred Brink drove her 58x to first place in the $3000 100-lap feature at the Olean Raceway before more than 5,000 fans.
   It was the third feature victory of the season for Brink who has been a consistent threat in the past weeks. June's entry, 59x, and handled by Percy Brown, cracked up in the time trial but stayed in the activity and placed second in a heat. Brown was third in the feature when engine trouble knocked the car out of the race.

   ROBERT (HOOT) GIBSON of Hall and Chemung's Earl Bodine continue to stay neck and neck for the point standing crown at the Speedrome.
   Gibson, in his second year of stock car driving, has gone over the 100-point mark. He has missed only one race all season, that due to a broken wheel. Gibson, who works in Dundee, has been assisted by Leon Hamilton and Jim Dundee in the pit.
   Bodine, in his fourth year of driving, drove an A car last year. He was high point man at the Speedrome in 1957 and 1956, going well over the 200 point mark in 1957.

   A BENEFIT program was held at Lancaster last weekend in honor of the late James Copella, stock driver killed at the Raceway last month. The officials at the affair donated their fees and all first place money went to Mrs. Copella. A collection was taken in addition.
   Area drivers who have raced at Lancaster track are impressed with the lighting facilities. The Raceway purchased the lighting equipment formely used at the Schenectady ball park and added 15 additional lights.
   Olean Raceway is scheduled for two more weeks of racing, coming to a close on Sept. 5.

   ELMIRANS HAVE definitely made themselves known in the western portion of the state this year. In addition to the June enteries (Brink and Brown), Bill Schroth, Cecil Keister and Norm Evendom have been notching points.
   Olean's Bud Johnson, who took over the Olean Raceway lead when Jackie Soper left, has had his lead narrowed by the recent efforts of Brink and Scroth.
   Johnson took a small spill during last week's races and suffered a slight concussion but is expected to return to action shortly. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Shamrock 3x on September 14, 2010, 08:21:22 AM
Blackjack,

Thanks for all the posts. I couldn't help noticing one sentence from that 1959 release...

ERNIE JUNE'S wife, Betty, received a pleasant surprise last week when Fred Brink drove her 58x to first place in the $3000 100-lap feature at the Olean Raceway before more than 5,000 fans.

Holy cow....$3K to win in 1959!  Look how far we've come (but in the wrong direction)!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: oldguy on September 14, 2010, 10:00:45 AM
Mr. Shamrock 3x,

That was a $3,000 purse, not $3,000 to win!  Most likely, they paid about $250 to win a special like this.

Most tracks tried to pay $100 to the "A" main victor for a regular show.  That was enough in the 50's to support a family - and you could race three or more nights a week.

John

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on September 16, 2010, 12:14:09 AM
If I remember right after so many years I think the feature that my uncle Fred Brink won paid a cool $1,000 to win. I may be wrong but I think I remember my father telling me this about that race, but it was many years ago and I could very well remember wrong. I know one thing for sure my father and us kids were very excited when Fred won........
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Fireball on September 18, 2010, 08:33:03 AM
Dutch.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Fireball on September 20, 2010, 01:02:43 PM
Eddie Anchor, Hornell Raceway - 1959
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Fireball on September 21, 2010, 09:48:22 AM
Dean Layfield - Hornell Raceway - 1959
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 25, 2010, 08:16:08 AM
I'll be posting more photos from the George Nichols collection on the "oldies but goodies thread"...some unknowns that need an ID.......
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 27, 2010, 04:27:57 PM
The final article from 1959..just in time for me to go back to the library and find more.........
From the  Aug. 30, 1959 edition of the Elmira Telegram....

Stock Car Notes

Hoot Gibson Triumphs Bring Motor Checks

By Bill Weingartner

   Hoot Gibson has been having so much success with his Car 19 that some of the other drivers have trouble believing the car is legal.
   The drivers have been asking track officials to tear down Gibson's motor and check it's size after the Hall driver registers a feature win.
   Gibson was checked out at Dundee and then at the Chemung Speedrome the next week but both times his car proved legal.
   The B cars are limited to a maximum 266 cubic inches and at the Speedrome, Gibson's motor measured 262.
   A tear-down takes place when a driver requests the technical committee to check a car. At the Speedrome, the person making the request must put up a $15 fee for the job. He loses it if the car proves legal. In Gibson's case, Hoot got $10 from the fee and the inspector collected the other $5.
   Last week, Gibson was idle because his car developed motor trouble. His crew said that the motor was ruined and reportedly feels that the auto was sabotaged to keep Gibson from racing.

   RACING SHORTS-  The Chemung Speedrome plans to run both Saturday and Sept. 7 (Labor Day). The holiday program will feature a 30-lap trophy race.... This Saturday may be the last program of micro-midget races for the season at the Speedrome.
   Speedrome promoter Eli Bodine Jr. says he plans to hold the modern car races plus the regular B events every week if enough moderns are available.... Free rides in stock cars will be offered to children Saturday night during the intermission.
   Elmira's Bill Schroth now holds the one lap record for the Olean Raceway. He toured the one-third oval in 19.49 seconds recently to break Jackie Baldwins mark of 19.50 set last year.
   Jackie Soper won the feature and a modified heat at Angelica, besting Allegany's Fran Pezzimenti in both events. The same night, there was a nine car pile-up in the modern feature on the third lap and then, on the ninth lap, there was a gas fire on the track when Don Matherson of Eldridge dropped the gas tank from his car. Freddie Gilbert eventually won the race with Scio's Lyle Green in the runner-up spot.

   THE FORTUNES of  the VFW Raceway in Towanda have done a complete about face. At the beginning of the season, attendence lagged and there was some concern if the track would operate the entire season. But attendece picked up slowly, finally reaching 1,000 and then two weeks ago an estimated 150 persons were turned away. Additional bleachers are planned.
   Sayre's Frankie Chapman is considered one of the most improved drivers in the B class. He grabbed the 25-lap feature at Towanda.... Dundees Hank Chaffee broke the ice with his first feature win of the season recently at the Dundee Raceway. Chaffee sped home in the lead after Hoot Gibson and Carl Reiners, who usually dominate the Dundee feature, collided.
   Last Sunday's winners at Hunt Raceway were Jim Jones of Perry in the A feature, Al Catlin of Geneseo in the B event and Lyle Cornelius in a special black flag race.... Jack Soper's point lead at Angelica is almost 100 points over Cecil Keister. Bucky Buchanan is third.

   REQUIREMENTS FOR the stocks at the State Fair at Syracuse include motors running at 300 cubic inches. This eliminates most of the top drivers in this area because their cars are all larger than 300.
   Ithaca's Crash Cooper took last week's feature at the Chemung Speedrome after Earl Bodine ran into some bad luck. Bodine came from the scratch position to first place on the 18th lap only to have the throttle of his car unhook and force him out of the race.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: WaltS171128 on September 30, 2010, 10:54:43 AM
Funny how your great old newspaper clippings get my mind to wondering back blackjack, my father was in that Angelica feature when Matherson's gas tank flew off; he ran over the right corner of it trying to avoid it. One of the scariest dam things that ever happened watching that fire shoot out from the gas, thought my old man had met his maker way too early :) He ended up 4th in that race according to my old black book that I used to keep results in.

And reading on I see the article mentions Lyle Cornelius winning the black flag race, which was very popular at Hunt Raceway by the way, Lyle; or the " Electric Indian " as we affectionately called him back in the day drove my dad's '56 Ford in that race. Lyle would later became famous as "the" first modern feature winner at Woodhull Raceway in one of my father's five Blue Angel cars that Shifty would bring to the track back in '65.

Memories to last a lifetime, and thank you for continuing this series of press clippings that ALWAYS takes me back to the great old days of racing when it was extremely fun to race at four places in one weekend. Angelica on Friday nights, Sportsmen raceway in Mills, Pa on Saturday nights, and then the big jaunt on Sundays to Perry in the afternoon, and Hunt on Sunday nights.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 16, 2010, 10:19:19 AM
From the July 10, 1958 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette...

Chemung Speedway Changes Promoters;
Atlantic Assn. Folds

By Ed Collins

   The two-month rivalry between Chemung Racing Assn. and Atlantic Stock Car Racing Assn. has apparently ended with the demise of the latter group.
   This is just one of a number of changes in area stock car racing which will present a different picture in this weekend's racing.
   As the situation now stands, there will be Class A and B racing at Chemung on Saturday night, Class B racing at Towanda Fairgrounds on Saturday night and a varied program at Glider City Sports Arena, Southport, on Sunday.
   Chemung Speedrome has been leased for four years by the Jackie Markos Racing Associates Firm of Elmira, which plans a rather diversified promotional program at the quarter-mile Chemung oval.

   Bodines Retire
   
   The transition at Chemung marks the end of six and one-half years operation of the Chemung track by the Ely Bodine family, which still owns the property.
   Jack Markos, manager of a local tire concern, and Carl Farnbaugh, chairman of the board of directors of Chemung Racing Assn., are partners in the new venture with Markos holding the controlling interest. Chemung Racing Assn. is the stock car group which sanctions racing at Chemung Speedrome.
   At the same time, announcements from two points appeared to mark the end of Atlantic. Chemung Racing Assn. was begun this season, following a disagreement last season among members of the Atlantic group.

   Join Penn-York

   Most of Atlantic's Class B drivers and owners have decided to join the Penn-York Racing Assn. in participating in races at the one-third mile Towanda Farirgrounds oval under the promotion of the Towanda VFW.
   Also, Howard Tidd, promoter of the newly-opened Glider City Sports Arena in Southport, has opened his Sunday programs to any stock car driver, regardless of association. The Atlantic B drivers had been competing at Glider City after Towanda set up a new racing organization in a disagreement with Atlantic.
   Glider City's program will include "modified sportsman and modern (1942 to 1958) models." The last-named are regular production cars with glass removed and windows and safety belts (connected to the frame) installed. Tidd announced that a $700 guaranteed payoff would be the rule for racing drivers at Glider City.

   Chemung Program

   This Saturday's program will be the first at Chemung for Markos Associates. it will open at 7 p.m. with the quarter-midgets, scale cars driven by boys aged 6 to 16, racing on the new infield circuit at Chemung.
   The regular program at 8 p.m. will be featured by a 50-lap "Mid-Summer championship" for Class A. The program will include two heats and the A feature, in addition to four heats, a consolation race and 20-lap feature for class B division. The 50-lap feature for "B champioship" race will be run the following weekend.
   As frosting on the new promtion, a Miss Chemung Speedrome will be chosen weekly to make the trophy presentation at the close of the feature race and an all expense weekend in New York City will be awarded to some couple and a "double display" of fireworks which couldn't be used on July 4 because of rain will be exploded.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 21, 2010, 10:19:18 PM
Ford Easton has posted a nice tribute to Jackie Soper on the " WE REMEMBER" section... There are some nice photos of Jackie
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 26, 2010, 04:32:51 PM
From the July 11, 1958 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette......

Stock Car Pot Boils

Tidd Counters Atlantic Charges

By Ed Collins

   More fuel was aded to a sputtering fire last night and today by statements by the president of Atlantic Stock Car Racing Assn. and one of his representatives and a counter-statement by treasurer Howard Tidd, promoter of racing at Southport's new track.
   Bernie Foster, association president , issued a statement denying that the association had folded as reported in yesterday's Star-Gazette. Ironically, the first information that the association was foundering was given by the association's publicity man, Bob Fuller, who said that "Atlantic as a racing group is no more" two days ago.
   Foster's statement was buttressed by another from Hal Harvey, " Speaking for Mr. Foster." Harvey announced that Atlantic would meet next Wednesday night at the Heights Legion Home to take special action. He also said that the association was planning "to supeona the association books" kept by Tidd.

   Ready Reply

   This morning, Tidd countered that "all the records are in my safe and all the money is here and accounted for. When they get through with all their monkeying around, the records will be turned over to the proper authorities-which is New York State." Atlantic is incorporated in NYS.
   Tidd, who said that he opened the Southport track for the sole purpose of strengthening Atlantic Stock Car Racing Assn. after Chemung Racing Assn. took over  Chemung Speedrome, explained that he tore up the contracts with Atlantic after the 'B' drivers demanded 50 per cent of the purse.
   "Those 'A' cars cost around $3,000 whereras the 'B' cars are worth around $1,500 at best. Why should 'B' get as much, when it costs 'A' drivers so much more to race?" he asked. He said that he would open the track to any qualified driver, regardless of association, and planned to form his own board of directors " to promote better racing conditions and honest efforts for the drivers."

   Only 15 Present

   Some evidence of the decline of Atlantic could be drawn from Harvey's statement that "we only had 15 members eligible to vote Wednesday night for the meeting, so we had to get another guy to make a quorum."
   At a meeting one year ago following racing incidents at Chemung Speedrome which indirectly led to the formation of the rival Chemung Racing Assn., Atlantic had more than 100 members, drivers and owners, present. Following that meeting, Atlantic began a policy of not answering newspaper questions, preferring to issue statements periodically.

   Foster Statement
   
   Foster's statement last night was:
   "There is no truth to reports that Atlantic has folded. For the rest of this year, our 'B' division will run at Towanda and our 'A' drivers will be on a freelance basis. However, they are still members of Atlantic. Next year we will attempt to run together".
   "All our officers have remained in their posts with the exception of treasurer Howard Tidd, who has offered his resignation."
   "There have been some changes in the area's racing picture recently. Most of the trouble started when the 'B' drivers at Southport refused to race after failing to get an increase in their guaranteed purse."
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: dirttrackrocker on November 04, 2010, 09:11:06 AM
Not sure if this is of any interest to NY guys, but, this is a view of Berwick/Beach Haven Speedway that ran in the mid 70's. Yes that is a Lake in the middle of it. The Spencers ran there (Ed and Jimmy) the track didn't last long as it was more dirt than clay and they ran on Sunday afternoon because there were no lights. They paid $400.00 to win and thats it.. Nothing from 2nd back.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/klv8lm/BerwickBeachHaven.jpg


Here is a webpage about it...

http://www.thevintageracer.com/tracks/berwick.htm
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 07, 2010, 11:37:53 AM
I'm bummed...I researched 1960 and only found one article for that year...I was hoping that someone had written a column like the previous two years, but unfortunately no. One question I have is what happened to the Markos promotion agreement with Chemung as it seemed to disappear? Perhaps someone can shed some light on this.

From the May 22, 1960 Elmira Telegram....


Doubleheader Program Planned at Chemung

By Bill Weingartner

   A special Memorial Day stock car race program is being planned at the Chemung Speedrome, according to promoter Eli Bodine Jr.
   Both the moderns and the sportsmen's car classes will be competing for the Memorial Day trophies in 40-lap feature races at the Speedrome the afternoon of the 30.
   Bodine is looking for a big season at the Speedrome in this, the 10th season of operation for the track. A new fence protecting the stands and a new section of bleachers have been installed. There were about 65 cars at the track opening night.
   Bodine plans to run micro-midget race programs starting at 6:30 p.m. every other Saturday. On alternate weeks, a women's race will be held. The regular racing program gets under way at 8:15.

   NOTES-The local micro-midget club, headed by Perry Cronkrite, is trying to get the New York State micro-midget championship for the Speedrome. In a move toward achieving this, the track was lenghtened from 1/20th of a mile to 1/12 of a mile to conform with state rules....   
   Promoters at Angelica put in about 500 loads of clay to improve the banked curves on the third-mile track.
   Friday appears to be the most popular time for running races. Towanda, Ithaca-Dryden, Glen Aubrey, Angelica and Dundee all are or will be running on Fridays. Saturday it's Chemung, Olean and Five Mile Point. The Hornell Raceway runs Sunday as will a new track at Hemlock.... Hoot Gibson of Hall, last year's champ at Chemung, has a new car but it had gear trouble at the Speedrome opening. Gibson, however, did manage to take the Dundee feature....
   Cliff Pierce of Elmira and Vern Coyle and Walt Bostwick of Waverly are driving new cars at the Speedrome.... The two programs of kart races scheduled at Chemung were rained out. The karts will run on the regular quarter-mile stock car oval in races sponsored by the Glider City Kart Club.... Bernie Foster reports that Elmira's Jim Leonard has one a real good "B" car in number 98, which won the opening feature.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 11, 2010, 09:10:57 PM
Found a cool website while looking at a thread on the H.A.M.B

http://www.vsrnonline.com/GoodOldDays/GoodOldDays_Main.htm

Lots of local stuff from Five Mile Point, Shangri-la, etc.......
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 20, 2010, 11:27:10 AM
In researching racing in the Twin-Tiers of NewYork and Pennsylvannia, one of the things I un-covered was the first auto races held in Elmira. There might have been one before this, but I haven't dug it up as of yet. This is interesting in that it was held on a horse track at the old Maple Avenue Driving Park where Dunn Field (a baseball stadium) sits. The races were held at night and illuminated by arc lamps. I have tried to find out were the first night race was held with no luck. This might possibly have been it, but I'm really not sure and I'm hoping someone out there can "en-lighten' me if you'll pardon the pun. A little side note: Maple Avenue Driving Park was were the race horse "American Girl" went down. From what I get this horse was the "It" horse, like "Secritariat" in her day. they erected a statue in her honor which ended up at Eldridge park. It was stolen and cut up by some *****..the remains of it  are still around somewhere.

From the may 31, 1916 Elmira star-Gazette
 
Races At Maple Avenue Prove Thrilling Events

Crowd Enjoys Good Contests Despite the Weather Which Handicaps Promoters Somewhat --- To Arrange Another Program For July 4
   
   The night automobile racing at Maple Avenue Park last evening, under the auspices of the Elmira Automobile, Motorcycle and Racing Association, were most thrilling. It was an innovation in the entertainment here and furnished good amusement for hundreds of people.

   The races in the morning were hampered by a heavy downpour which prohibited the motorcycle racing on the track at night as the officials deemed it too dangerous. Not an accident marred the day.
   
   Two speedy motorcycle races were held in the morning, one a five-mile event for the professionals and a two-mile event for the amateurs. Bob Barclay of Buffalo won the five-mile race with Art Buckingham a close second. Charles Munsell won the two-mile race. Bob Freeman clung close to him throughout and made the race a fast one. The rain put a damper on the rest of the morning's program.

   Last night the track and grounds were brillantly lighted by numerous arc lamps. It was a distinct amusement feature and the lack of sunlight did not seem to bother the speed merchants.

   "Chet" Kauffman of Buffalo in a Dort racer carried away the lion's share of honors. Kauffman won three races and finished second in two others.

   A three-mile race opened the evening's festivities. This was won by Harry Weitz in his Corbin. "Zip" Kauffman finished second and Art Hickcock in a Paige "Blue Streak" was third. The time of the event was 4:55. Kauffman won the next three-mile race in five minutes. Veltz was second.

   A one-mile exhibition race with Thompson of Binghamton in a Stutz driving against time. He circled the track twice in 1:28.

   The fourth event proved a thriller. Three cars were entered in an Australian pursuit race. The cars were started 18 seconds apart and each driver tried to overlap the man ahead. As soon as he accomplished this the other driver was eliminated.

   Kauffman was sent away first followed by Hickok and Ray Massecar in his Regal "Sunkist."  In the sixth lap Kauffman passed the Regal, eliminating it. The race then centered between Kauffman and Hickok, but the former could not eliminate the Elmira driver at the end of the tenth lap. The time for the five-miles was 8:10.

   In the fifth race which was a three-mile free-for-all handicap, Hickok proved the better. Kauffman was second and Massecar third. After the race was sent away against time and made two-miles in 2:55.

   A five-mile free-for-all ended the evening's races. Kauffman won with Massecar a rather poor second. Time, 9:26.

   The next race is scheduled for the Fourth of July, when better weather is hoped for. Yesterday's events were hampered considerably by the weather. The following acted as officials:
   Judges,  J.C. Ferguson, Charles Halliday, R.I. Moran, Frank Higgins, P.B. Rutan, W.G. Henner, the latter of Rochester.
   Scorers,  Thomas Wrigley, Henry Pohlman, Ted Sayles.
   Timers,  James Drake, Daniel Sullivan, Frank Ross.
   Umpire,  Edward Carpenter.
   Starter,  George Heckman of Rochester.
   Clerk of the course,  Dana Smith.
   Assistant clerk,  Lee Knapp
   Official referee,  James A Hemstreet, head of the A.A.A. touring bureau in New York.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 20, 2010, 11:36:25 AM
A 1916 Stutz racecar...(no photog info or location info)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on November 20, 2010, 05:20:55 PM
Isn't that George Kent's first modiefied ?....... ;D lol
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 24, 2010, 07:57:01 PM
This was the second write-up for the races that were held at the Maple Avenue Driving Park in Elmira during the summer of 1916...I've tried finding others from later but to no avail. The First World War was the next year which put a kaboosh on things...I'll keep digging for other stuff...
From the July 5, 1916 Elmira Star-Gazette...

Big Crowds Enjoy Races At Maple Avenue Track

Motor Events Are Run Off in Good Style Without Hitch to Mar Program-- Several Minor Accidents Only Add To List of Thrills

   It was a large and enthusiastic crowd that enjoyed the motor races at the Maple Avenue Park yesterday afternoon and last evening. There was not a single accident to mar the day's sport and the program went off without a hitch.
   There were three speedy motorcycle races and four automobile events each one of which furnished an abundence of thrills and kept the audience deeply interested.
   The first event was a three-mile motorcycle race open to professionals. The riders finished as follows:
   Longsdale, Jamestown;  Peters, Elmira;  Naylon, Binghamton. Time, 3:43.
   Second event: Five-mile, professional;  Squires, Jamestown;  Naylon, Binghamton;  Peters, Elmira.  Time, 6:40.
   Third event:  Ten-mile, professional;  Naylon, Binghamton;  Squires, Jamestown; Longsdale, Jamestown.
   Naylor and Peters both were slipped on the backstretch, but gamely continued racing.

Automobile Events

   There was wide interest in the automobile events, which were run as follows:
   First event-- Three-mile professional:  won by Dick McCleary of Elmira, driving an Oakland owned by V.A. Towner of Addison. Time, 4:40.  H.A. Ridall, Elmira, driving a Stearns, finished second with Harry Taylor in a Hudson a good third.
   Second event--  Professional:  Won by Claude Newhouse of Rochester, driving an Oldsmobile. McCleary, in his Oakland, was a close second and Carson, in the Hudson, a third. Time, 4:37.
   Third event-- Australian pursuit race.  Awarded by the judges to Dick McCleary in his Oakland. Newhouse finished second and Ridall was a good third.
   Fourth event-- Three-mile professional.  Won by Claude Newhouse, in his Oldsmobile, with Taylor of Elmira a fair second. McCleary finished a good third. Time, 4:38.
   
   There were five enteries in the auto events yesterday afternoon. Newhouse of Rochester; "Mooch" Bell of Rochester in a Chalmers Blue Bird; Dick McCleary in the Oakland; H.A. Ridall of Elmira in a Stearns; J.B. Carson in a Hudson; McCleary was scheduled to drive the Paige Blue Streak entered by A.J. Strong, but because of magneto trouble, the Blue Streak was withdrawn. A.B. Hickok, who was to have driven the Oakland, relinquished the wheel to McCleary,  Hickok assuming the duties of announcer.

   Last night's program was a repetition of the afternoon program, except that there were but two motorcycle events run off. The first event was won by Naylon of Binghamton; Squires of Jamestown, second, and Rodgers of Sayre, third.
   The second event was a five-mile race open to professionals only; Won by Naylon, with Squires second and Rodgers third. Both events were mighty fast and afforded many thrills for the crowd, which equalled in size that of the afternoon.   

Race Officials

   The officials who ran the races under the auspices of the Elmira A.M.B. Racing  Association, were as follows;
   A.A.A. referee, J.M. Hemstreet, New York:  F.A.M. referee, Wagner of Rochester.
   Motorcycle starter, Heckman of Rochester;  umpire, Daniel Sullivan, Elmira;  announcer, A.B. Hickok, Elmira.
   Judges,  Carl Marshall, Frank Ross, George Banks, Buffalo; P.B. Rutan, Charles Halliday.
   Timers,  Harry Burgess, Roy Moran, Marsden gerity, Fred Nixon of Toronto.
   Clerk of the course,  Dana Smith;  assistant, Fred Kingsbury.
   Scorer,  Mr. Christofer;  assistant, Loren Ferguson, Tom Clague, Rochester;  Schearer, Rochester 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 24, 2010, 08:05:53 PM
One of the cars mentioned in the last article was a Paige..This ad is a little newer, but not radically differant from what they were driving in 1916
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 26, 2010, 12:53:43 PM
Can anyone tell me anything about a racetrack in Owego N.Y. called "Wine Creek" speedway...I'm posting a google image someone had posted on another site. The info I have is that it ran in the early fifties with Tim Flock winning a July 4 race ('m presuming in 1952)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on November 26, 2010, 02:26:26 PM
Blackjackraicing:

There’s a lot of goofed up info out there on some websites about that 1952 NASCAR Grand National (Winston Cup) race.  There was no track in Owego called Wine Creek.  Wine Creek Speedway was the original name of the horse track that became OSWEGO Speedway.  The NASCAR race that Tim Flock won in 1952 actually occurred in OWEGO at Shangri-la Speedway, not Wine Creek.

Also, the photo image you have is of the Tioga County Fairgrounds in Owego.  Racing occurred at the Fairgrounds pictured, the last being a sprint car (big car) event at the fair in 1937.  The race, promoted by a George Kinum, was an “outlaw” event not sanctioned by the American Automobile Association.  The show was won by Eddie Cox of Rochester.  Lee Wallard of Schenectady, who would later go on to win the 1951 Indianapolis 500, also competed in the Tioga Co. Fair race that day.  Wallard crashed through a fence with another car and wound up in a concession stand.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on November 26, 2010, 02:43:45 PM
From the Binghamton Press dated Saturday, July 5, 1952...

Tim Flock Wins $1,000 Feature At Shangri-La

Tim Flock of Atlanta Ga., driving a Hudson Hornet, won the $1,000 first prize at Shangri-la yesterday with about 5,500 race fans watching the special event.

Flock completed the 200 lap, 100 mile stint in one hour and 33 minutes.

Prior to that Flock turned in the fastest time of the day in a trial – 25.80.

Trailing the Atlanta speedster were Herb Thomas of North Carolina, Dick Rathman of Los Angeles, Buck Sager of Toledo, Ohio, and Lee Pedy (Petty) of North Carolina.

There were five area drivers entered but only one – Walt Carver – finished.  Carver finished tenth.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 26, 2010, 04:42:53 PM
I had a feeling that you would have the answer Mr. Moody...thanks for the clarification.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on November 29, 2010, 01:25:26 PM
Looking for the race results from these two fairgrounds in Chenango County which scheduled stock car races in 1950…The Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich NY and the Afton Fairgrounds (the original 1/2 mile horse track) in Afton NY.  The events were to be run by the Mohawk Racing Association which also conducted the racing at Bennett Field in Utica and Brookfield.

From the BINGHAMTON PRESS Wed., Sept. 20. 1950…
Stock Car Races Open Saturday At Norwich
Norwich—Plans are being made for stock car races here Saturday on the Chenango County Fairgrounds race track. M.A. Quinn, who runs' the Thursday auction at the fairgrounds, arranged for the start of stock car races after the Chenango County Agricultural Association had dropped the idea for this year. He is renting the grandstand and track from the association.  Mr. Quinn said the races will be conducted by the Mohawk Racing Association of Utica, and will be run from about 1 to 5 p.m. Weather permitting, the races will be run the two Saturdays remaining in September and the four Saturdays in October.

From the SUNDAY PRESS Binghamton, N. Y., Sept. 3, 1950…
50-Lap Grind At Afton Today
A 50-lap championship classic will mark the weekly stock car auto racing program at the Afton Fair Grounds speedway this afternoon. Fred Crane, secretary of the Afton Fair Association, said that 27 cars will start in the grueling 50-times-around stint representing cars and drivers of the sanctioning Mohawk Racing Association.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on November 29, 2010, 01:30:47 PM
Also looking for results from this Otsego County track…Webb Island Speedway in Oneonta NY which scheduled a series of stock car events in the fall of 1950. This ad is from the Otsego & Republican (Cooperstown NY) dated Friday, October 6, 1950  …
Title: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: oldguy on November 29, 2010, 02:09:38 PM
Re:  Blackjackracing post from November 20th - 1916 Stutz racer photo.

At zazzle.com, found same photo with this info:

Man and Woman with a Stutz Weightman Special 1916
This is a reproduction of a photograph of a man and woman showing off their Stutz Weightman Special no. 26 on Benning race track, Washington, DC, area; taken in 1916.  ...a reproduction of a photograph of a man and woman showing off their Stutz Weightman Special no. 26 on Benning race track, Washington, DC, area; taken in 1916. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Lady is a riding mechanic - photos from 1915 show her working on engine.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 03, 2010, 12:34:44 AM
That goggle earth photo of "winecreek raceway" is just a current photo of the Owego Fairgrounds or maybe it's called Tioga county fairgrounds. Ben Weitsmans and Sons scrap yard is located to the right of the track. I believe they did have the antique Old Timers give an exibition race once. They probably did race there sometime in the past as there's gaurdrail along the front straight.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 03, 2010, 12:50:44 AM
Here's an article about my Mom and our racing family that appeared in the Elmira Star Gazette in 1971.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 03, 2010, 01:09:02 AM
heres the text
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 11, 2010, 05:05:05 PM
This is a shot from the Chemung Speedrome Awards Banquet. My guess would be probably 1965 or 66. Does anyone know the names of anyone pictured?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 11, 2010, 05:07:04 PM
I do recognize Chet Bennet Sr at the far left edge of the photo. My Mom used to drive his car in the Powder Puff division on a regular basis. I guess my Dad's car wasn't fast enough!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 11, 2010, 05:10:43 PM
Here's another shot from the same banquet with the Powder-puff division receiving their awards ....again I need help with who these woman are. My Mom, Eris Welty is on the far right. The pic may be exposed in reverse as it's from a scanned slide. I believe my Mom was the champion the previous year. Pic most probably by Norm Welty.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 11, 2010, 05:19:52 PM
This is the CWRA Soveigneer stand at Chemung Speedrome. The CWRA was the Chemung Womans Racing Association. To raise money they sold little novelties like small checkered flags, little plastic stock cars, decals and such plus snow-cones and the track program with a gossip sheet. The stand was at the top of the front stretch stands toward the fourth turn. There's probably still grooves in the dirt under the pavement there where I raced those little plastic coupes around and around! I recognise the lady on the left as my Mom's best friend Ruth Henry but don't know the other two woman.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 11, 2010, 05:20:27 PM
This is the CWRA Soveigneer stand at Chemung Speedrome. The CWRA was the Chemung Womans Racing Association. To raise money they sold little novelties like small checkered flags, little plastic stock cars, decals and such plus snow-cones and the track program with a gossip sheet. The stand was at the top of the front stretch stands toward the fourth turn. There's probably still grooves in the dirt under the pavement there where I raced those little plastic coupes around and around! I recognise the lady on the left as my Mom's best friend Ruth Henry but don't know the other two woman.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 11, 2010, 05:21:56 PM
This is the CWRA Soveigneer stand at Chemung Speedrome. The CWRA was the Chemung Womans Racing Association. To raise money they sold little novelties like small checkered flags, little plastic stock cars, decals and such plus snow-cones and the track program with a gossip sheet. The stand was at the top of the front stretch stands toward the fourth turn. There's probably still grooves in the dirt under the pavement there where I raced those little plastic coupes around and around! I recognise the lady on the left as my Mom's best friend Ruth Henry but don't know the other two woman.
THEY ARE SHOWING OFF THE LATEST THING IN TRACK FOOD.......THE SNOW_CONE!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: YetAnotherDW on December 11, 2010, 10:36:34 PM
I do recognize Chet Bennet Sr at the far left edge of the photo. My Mom used to drive his car in the Powder Puff division on a regular basis. I guess my Dad's car wasn't fast enough!

That's Dale's other left (the right)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on December 12, 2010, 09:29:46 AM
Yeah, I'm a little dyslexic...you know what a Dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac does? Lays in bed awake at night wondering if there is a DOG! Actually I usually write the caption from my recollection of when I scanned it and then attach the pic....sorry about that. Chet Bennet is on the right and there's four women in the picture. Here's yet another banquet phot...somebody must know who these pioneers of our racing history are!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 14, 2010, 03:33:59 PM
   My wife and I took a ride down to St. Marys Pa. today to drop off my frame at the powder-coaters. On the way back we stopped in Coudersport to catch a bite to eat. We walk in with an older gentleman who was wearing a D.I.R.T. motorsports hat. We started talking in line and it turns out he frequents Woodhull and likes to go out to Little Valley (among other places).
   He ended up eating lunch with us and we were talking racing. Out of the blue he tells me he used to crew for a guy named Jackie Soper. My jaw hit the table....he related a little story to me about Jackie. One of the things he said was Jackie used to tell him that "if you were going to drive, you had to learn how to fight." He went on to tell me about an incident that occured at a tavern  in Towanda (Doyle's?) were they were having a little liquad libation.
   A fellow starts bad mouthing 'that damn Jackie Soper' and saying 'he's the biggest damn cheater around'.
Soper gets up off his bar stool and goes up to the guy and says to him "Do you know Jackie Soper?" The guy says no. Jackie asks the guy if he would know Jackie Soper if he came up to him. The guys says no. Jackie reels back and punchs the guy off the bar stool and onto his butt. Jackie says to the guy "Now you've met Jackie Soper."
   We go to leave and I ask this fellow his name. He says "Vern Crain". I ask him if he is related to Stub....sure enough. He is Stubs cousin.  (we went to Stubs for a Chemung-Towanda reunion earlier this year)....It is a small world!!!!
The moral to this story is that when some oldster asks if he can eat lunch with you, always say yes!!!!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 14, 2010, 03:53:36 PM
I'm sharing a note i received from Ford Easton...

 Hi to all, Going through some files the other day I came upon the photo below of Jackie that as I looked at it I said to myself that is the way I want to remember him.  Those of you that knew him will agree I feel and for those of you that didn't know him believe me in that it is a picture that represents "Jackie".  Picture was taken at the CLR south luncheon last year at Brandon FL.  Card below the picture is one Jackie gave me a few years back that was made up for him by a friend.  He thought that was so neat that the friend had had these cards made up for him to share with others.
                                                              Ford
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on December 20, 2010, 05:03:59 PM
Found a neat photo from 5 Mile Point's "bug" era.  This one is from 1969...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on December 20, 2010, 05:05:13 PM
Here's another.  Also 1969...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on December 26, 2010, 11:48:37 AM
In the first Banquet photo the man at the very center of the photo looks like it could be Bo Elliot and the woman to the right when looking at it is his wife Louise, he drove back in the days of the bugs at Chemung. The picture of the Chemung Woman's Racing Association of the four woman, the woman to the far right is Ethel Bennett, wife of Chet Bennett Sr..
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2010, 06:51:54 PM
found some cool ads for area tracks on another site.....
first one is from Cuba Lake, 1957
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2010, 06:52:53 PM
Jamestown, 1940
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2010, 06:54:28 PM
A tri-fecta...Shangri-La, Sidney Speedrome and Brookfield, 1953
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2010, 06:56:57 PM
Bath Speedway
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2010, 06:57:33 PM
Olean, 1964
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2010, 06:58:14 PM
Naples, 1952
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on December 28, 2010, 10:29:06 PM
 blackjackracing...

I knew there was a "Jamestown Speedway" but all I could ever find about it was mentions from drivers who said they raced there in interviews. Your ad above includes a street name - which got me thinking. I searched Jamestown NY Speedway in Yahoo, and about 3 or 4 pages into my results, I find a US Geological Service topographical map that shows the proximity of where the speedway was. From there, I opened Bing Maps and searched the area.

Jamestown Speedway has been found, thanks to your ad.

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FVintage%2520-%2520new%2FJamestownSpeedway.jpg&hash=8c58b43f8bc7f7916d013953d86ede9351fa5d50)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on December 29, 2010, 08:39:04 AM
FINALLY!!! Been looking for this next one since I first found out about it several years ago, but the satellite images were never clear enough to be 100% certain. From the Fenton History Center...

Quote
Satan’s Bowl of Death came to life in the summer of 1939. On June 28, 1939, the incorporation papers for the Auto Derby Club were filed in Mayville. This organization was the sponsor of Satan’s Bowl of Death. The six names on the incorporation papers are Kenneth D. Whitney, Panama, N.Y.; Norman P. Whitney, Panama, N.Y.; William J. Shaw, Lakewood, N.Y.; Paul M. Faulkner, Ashville, N.Y.; Carl William Chamberlain, Sinclairville, N.Y.; and C. Milton Jones, Jamestown, N.Y.

The purpose was to acquire real estate, to develop the same for recreation and allied purposes, to own, operate and maintain restaurants, refreshment concessions, motordromes, motor race-tracks and motor derby courses, and to engage in the business of furnishing amusement, entertainment and diversion to the public.

A racetrack was developed at the Frank Shaw Farm which was located on the Big Tree-Sugar Grove Road, two miles from Maplehurst Golf Course. One letter in the collection at the Fenton History Center claims Satan’s Bowl of Death as ‘‘the original jalopy race track.’’ Every Sunday during the summer at Satan’s Bowl, they held jalopy races during 1939, 1940 and 1941. The price of admission was 25 cents — children free when accompanied by parents and parking was free.

There was a concession stand for eats and drinks. The photographs in the collection of the Fenton History Center show some bleacher seating plus area on the banks overlooking part of the track as well as standing room along part of the track area.

The dirt track was more of an obstacle course than a smooth flat oval that would have been used for speed. Satan’s Bowl had a front straightaway that took the racers right to the mud hole in the creek bed, where they had to turn to go up a steep hill. At the top of the hill was turn two which took them between the large trees as they emerged along the back straightaway before turn three. Turn three took them back down the hill to turn four, heading again for the mud bath at the end of the front straightaway.

It was World War II — with many of the young men entering the Armed Forces plus the rationing of gas and tires — that put a stop to racing at Satan’s Bowl and most other tracks in the country.

Satan’s Bowl started again after the war, but we have nothing about that time period in the collection.

According to ads in the newspaper, other attractions took place at Satan’s Bowl along with the racing. Parachute jumps from airplanes were advertised in 1940. Another feature was a balloon ascension with the Flying Allens. Seventeen-year-old Florence Allen would ascend 5,000 feet in the hot air balloon and then jump out. ‘‘To see her hurtling through the air, then the graceful unfurling of her parachute which brings her to earth safely, you’ll declare it a thrill of a lifetime just to watch her.’’

The photographs in the collection show large crowds, many in their Sunday best sitting on the ground under the trees on the bank overlooking the track as well as some sitting in the bleachers. Other photographs show the cars and drivers as they raced through dust and mud, overturned, crashed and vied for first place or worked on their cars between races. Next week we will have more about the drivers and the cars that raced at Satan’s Bowl of Death. If anyone has more photographs or information about any of the activities at Satan’s Bowl of Death, you are invited to contact the Fenton History Center and share your stories.


And the only known video from the '40s...  http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip/1617560_034.do

Satans Bowl of Death as it sits today...

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FVintage%2520-%2520new%2FSatansBowlofDeath.jpg&hash=b1495cc06de96aa19c3be48dd50c95d91df564e0)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 29, 2010, 09:44:06 AM
Does anyone out there have any recollection of a track called Highland?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Gary Montgomery on December 30, 2010, 09:43:02 PM
I believe that there was Highland Speedway or Raceway was located near Kane,PA. 

Gary Montgomery
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 08, 2011, 06:43:01 PM
Some pictures from Chuck Green's collection...mostly of his father, Reese Green, but other neat surprises.....
first one is Reese Green (#330) layin' it sideways at Hornell Raceway in June of 1959.   Chuck Green collection
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 08, 2011, 06:45:15 PM
Del Elsworth in Reese Green's #34    Chuck Green collection
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 09, 2011, 10:39:07 AM
Reese Green had the driving duties in the Bob Vorhees owned #2 @ unknown track
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 09, 2011, 10:44:26 AM
From L-R:  Unknown, Lee Green, Bobby Green, Unknown w/ trophy, Reese Green and Tommy Green. Chuck wasn't sure which track this was at, but my guess would be Wellsville as there is a pretty good size grand-stand in the background.  Chuck Green collection
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on January 09, 2011, 10:53:44 AM
The two unknows are Billy Green and Herbie Green.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: greyhairedracer on January 09, 2011, 10:54:58 AM
Chemung early 70's-----Herb Green 88 leads the 40 of Fred Quail, the 2 of George Kent and the 55 of Tom Gush
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: greyhairedracer on January 09, 2011, 10:57:05 AM
And some nights were not so kind to Herb------Chemung Speedrome
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 09, 2011, 04:04:36 PM
I'll ask Chuck if that's right, but I'm guessing he would have known that if they were his uncles....
Now for a special picture... Chuck's dad (Reese) took this over at his bud's garage.... It's the only picture I've seen of this car (Love to see more of it if anyone has any shots of it)... Dutch Hoag's Grand National car. Chuck related that Dutch had taken a nasty ride in this (at Pocono?)  photo by Reese Green.    Chuck Green collection 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 09, 2011, 04:06:07 PM
Bob Frisbee @ Shangri-La. photo by Reese Green.  Chuck Green Collection   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 09, 2011, 04:10:26 PM
A couple pictures of  the first rear engine car @ Oswego. Built by Ernie June of  Elmira, the first picture finds Jack Laird of Horseheads at the controls
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 09, 2011, 04:11:27 PM
this one has Cecil Keister driving the same car...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on January 09, 2011, 07:03:28 PM
The photo of Dutch Hoag's car was taken at the old Carol dodge dealership in Elmira in 1969.Dutch finished 2nd that year at Daytona in the Permatex 300.I was a kid but  remember all of these great photos of the Green's.It was a great childhood being around this family.My dad  and I were so close to this family people thought that we related to them.This is where I got my blood for racing was through this great family.There are onlt 2 brothers still alive,Herbie and Tommy.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on January 09, 2011, 10:37:32 PM
Not a very happy memory but a major piece of the Southern Tiers racing history. Here is the front page of the Elmira Star Gazette after the Grand Prix accident that killed a small boy and ended racing on the streets of Watkins Glen. My Mom saved this since 1952. I believe my Dad and her were at the event but up the street on the opposite side from where the car brushed the spectators.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on January 09, 2011, 10:46:58 PM
Here's a picture of the actual incident just after the car has brushed the spectators as it appears in the book WATKINS GLEN RACING by Kirk W House and Charles R Mitchell. No photo credits given. The car at the far right, driven by Fred Wacker had apparently contacted the car at the far left as he passed and got alittle out of shape and brushed the spectators although he regained control. I'm told that he quit driving race cars forever after the incident.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on January 09, 2011, 11:02:23 PM
Here's a shot from the same location a few seconds after the horrible accident.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 10, 2011, 07:26:50 PM
112SMW....I asked Chuck Green if that's who it might be and he said he wasn't sure as this was before his time, but it sounds like you have the handle on it, so I will pass that on to him.
I have one more from Chucks collection. This one is a perfect example of it being a small world. The driver is Reese Green in Doug Brown's #11a. I am told that this was taken @ Chemung (I'm guessing a Conkrite photo). I work with the son's of both these guys.
Jeff Brown, Doug's son, told me today that his dad won one race @ Dundee with this car (his only win) and let other guys drive it when he went into the service. Red Bainfield was the guy that popped into his head. The car was co-owned by Pete Peterson.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 10, 2011, 07:30:35 PM
Geoff Bodine and crew w/ the Armstrong #1
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: greyhairedracer on January 10, 2011, 08:38:18 PM
Not 100% sure but I believe that is car owner Dick Armstrong to the left of Geoff and Brett Bodine on the far right---
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: greyhairedracer on January 10, 2011, 08:44:26 PM
112SMW is correct on that being Herb Green holding the trophy-----
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 11, 2011, 07:23:16 PM
I was searching on another web site and found some neat stuff that has local significance.
The first one is an aerial veiw of Towanda VFW Speedway...
The photo is on 'JIMMIES' and was posted by "RT88". I will include some of what he had to say.... "Track was closed for a few years when this was taken.  The stone quarry seen just outside of the track has now consumed all of the former raceway.  Track was right along the Susquehanna River just across from Towanda."
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 11, 2011, 07:24:52 PM
Another one "RT88" had posted was this aerial photo of Sportsman Speedway in Mills, PA......
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 11, 2011, 07:43:54 PM
I've saved the best for last.... I have been researching local tracks for a little over a year and one of the great puzzles for me was where "Drive-In" speedway was located. I went so far as to drive down to Fassett, PA to try to figure out where it was located.
I talked to Bill Scroth a while back and brought it up and we got talking about that area and Doty Hill. He said something that made a lightbulb go off... Doty Hill was run by Howard Tidd and the track went by another name.
(Those of you that have been doing your homework will remember that Howard Tidd ran Glider City Sports Arena (Southport) and fielded a successful "A" Class car for Jackie Soper.)
I went back through my notes and found the directions from an ad for Drive-In Speedway. The ad said "6.1 miles from Elmira on Route 14. Right at state line." I googled the directions from Elmira to Fassat and low and behold there it was staring me right in the face  He must have meant RIGHT at state line...in other words, turn 'right' at the state line which is LEFT (this probably makes no sense but bear with me). When you get to the state line the only road to turn on to is.......DOTY HILL ROAD!!!!
Can I get an Amen brothers! I'm posting a picture that "RT88" had taken of the field that once was "Doty Hill". The track was layed out so you could sit in the stands or watch the races from your car ie: like a 'Drive-In'
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 11, 2011, 08:15:12 PM
Aerial photo of Doty Hill (Drive-In Speedway) again from 'RT88'
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 12, 2011, 12:19:09 AM
Jimmy's is a cool site for the nostalgia geeks. The RT88 guy has posted a ton of stuff in various threads that has helped me solve some of the mysteries in NY. Good work, Bob.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 12, 2011, 04:16:16 PM
Thank-you sir!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 13, 2011, 04:18:19 AM
I don't know about you, but I am investing about every spare minute I have tracking down the missing pieces. Been on the phone with your cousin at least 30 times over the last 3 or 4 weeks trying to nail down some of the unsolved Albany area stuff because nobody has time during the active season. You're doing a great job in the southerntier region. I'm finding that there are little clues all over the place and the stories you post have been like stepping back in time and reading a current event in the local newspaper. Each one contains a little piece of the puzzle. I hope I'm not the only one who is getting any use from them.

Question for Dale Welty...

Did you have any idea when you were a kid that all the pictures you were taking would have as much historic value as they do today? I'm probably not the only one who believes this, but if you didn't do what you did, it wouldn't exist. The reason I say this is that nearly everyone has a computer these days. If the pictures existed form other sources, I'd have to believe that there would be more of them posted on the internet. On behalf of all the nostalgia geeks, thank you and please keep them coming.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 13, 2011, 04:46:06 PM
A funny thing happened today...after all the researching and speculating and detective work, I go to a web-site today and looked up defunct PA tracks and there it is... Drive-In Speedway at Doty Hill...Wished I had looked there first!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 13, 2011, 11:29:16 PM
Did you find it on Jimmies?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 15, 2011, 08:38:42 AM
No... ARR
http://autoracingrecords.com/arr/tracklist2.php?region=New+York

This is the link for NY but as you can see there are a lot of options for info
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 21, 2011, 09:26:39 AM
A good portion of the AAR website was taken from the Allen Brown book,  “The History of America’s Speedways.”  I'll give Allen all the credit in the world because he did the majority of his research prior to data bases and present day computers - that give us amateur speedway sleuths an upper hand. Most of Browns information was taken from hand written notes, microfiche and countless phone calls. But we are finding today that not everything in the book is accurate. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a slam in any way. The book is an absolute must to use as a reference tool. But again, not everything in the book is accurate.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on January 22, 2011, 12:18:19 AM
how about some photos from woodhull -before ,80 or so is there any way to reserch(sp?) any woodhull or dundee archives? please help clay champ 123! p.s I used to be chuck kenninsons no-1 fan when he ran woodhull.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 24, 2011, 07:15:57 PM
Ford Easton shared some great photos with me and I asked if it would be okay to share with you guys....
These are relevant to this tread. The rest are on "oldies"....Ford wanted me to mention that several of these came from Lou Ensworth...
First one is  from Naples.  Driver name on car is S. Disbrow
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 24, 2011, 07:18:36 PM
Another one from Naples...Eddie Roberts
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 24, 2011, 07:28:27 PM
Hi Railbird Steve...A lot of stuff I find is from the news-papers of that time frame...I found stuff on the racetrack at Big Flats by going to the library and looking at old 1938 newspapers on micro-film. For Woodhull your best bet is the library in Corning...Dundee is a little harder...maybe Geneva. Another great source is the old Gator and Area Auto Racing News. Hope that helps a little.....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on January 27, 2011, 10:07:52 PM
sorry blackjack to rant on this page, the hornell public library has some woodhull results on there hornell newspaper micro-film -i just cant find photos in any local history(?)-I know that woodhull & dundee had its rough side but, when a nightclub openened in corning or hornell it got big press!-i wonder if the addison post has any old arcives?-best of luck in 2011 at woodhull
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 30, 2011, 10:35:09 AM
I’ve been doing a bit of research looking up “speedways that were proposed but never happened”.  Below are three “stock car tracks” in the Triple Cities area of the Southern Tier which were planned, but went nowhere due to local town ordinances and/or public resistance…

1949-1953
THE PROPOSED $500,000 “FENTON PARK” SPEEDWAY, (Town of Fenton (Port Crane), NY):
First proposed in 1949, this stock car track was to be part of a new amusement park and recreation center situated on 115-acres nine miles north of Binghamton in the Town of Fenton. The complex was to be located on State Route 369 and was bordered to the west by Chenango Valley State Park. For four years, the project went nowhere. Then, in 1953, real estate agent John Solak made a last ditch effort to get the park and speedway built. However he soon found put that "you just can’t beat city hall". Town of Fenton ordinances put limits on Solak's hours of operation. The park wasn’t allowed to be open on Sundays, which may have put a big damper on race day plans. The town wouldn't budge. Solak had a “Plan B” though...turn the property into a trailer park. I’d say that’s what eventually happened and the land became the Virginia City Mobile Home Park.

1951
OAKDALE RACETRACK, (Town of Union/Oakdale (Johnson City), NY):
  This quarter-mile dirt oval was proposed in the winter of 1951. A recreation center/roller and ice skating rink was included in the plan on property “east of Oakdale Road and north of the Erie Railroad” line. That would have put the proposed race track about where the old Azon manufacturing plant and Route 17 are today, a stone’s throw from the Oakdale Mall. The proposal was put together by a group calling itself “Clark Promotions” who planned to hold stock car races twice a week. Local car dealer, Don Owen, was the point man on the project. The group also included two other men who where leasing and promoting Shangri-la Speedway at the time. After heated resistance from nearby residents in the Town of Union, the Oakdale dirt track proposal quietly went away.

1961
JACK KERSCHNER’S PROPOSED QUARTER-MILE DIRT RACE TRACK IN THE TOWN OF OWEGO, (Town of Owego (Campville/Endicott), NY):
Endicott stock car driver and junk yard owner, Jack Kerschner, along with his partner, Clarence Page, a local contractor, brought their race track proposal to the Town of Owego in November, 1961.  The men proposed to “build and operate a quarter-mile track on the Charles Ingersoll Farm on Cafferty Hill Road” (which I’m guessing was north of Campville and just west of Endicott).  Kerschner told the Town board that the track “probably would be dirt and would be used for stock car racing and possibly midget racers.”  Not exactly sure what caused this plan to bomb.  A little clue to this track’s failure could be found three weeks later when the Town of Owego announced that it planned to pass new zoning ordinances regulating the operation of auto race tracks in the town.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 30, 2011, 02:46:23 PM
Just wondering if anyone from the Waverly/Elmira/Corning areas and westward have any knowledge of proposed tracks out that way that never got built?

Not really a “new track”, but a proposed track that I vaguely remember was a dirt track that was to be built in the infield of the old Chemung Speedrome.  I’m thinking this might have been when Bob Stapleton first acquired the track, around 1985 or thereabouts.  It didn’t go over well with the town. Anyone else remember that?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 30, 2011, 06:09:00 PM
Someone had referanced a track that was proposed out by Campbell. I think I saw that on DTD.
One more picture from Ford Easton on this thread...I saved the best for last!
Bill Rafter in a  midget...He ran at Corning's War Memorial Stadium...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 30, 2011, 06:14:34 PM
Early Ad from Corning
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 30, 2011, 06:21:03 PM
Article from a 1949 edition of the Corning Leader...

Billy Rafter Captures Main Racing Event

Billy Rafter of Clearance Center, N.Y., won the the feature 25-lap event of the Southern Tier Racing Association program held Friday night at the stadium before a crowd of well over 2,000. Rafter's time was nine minutes and 98 hundreds seconds.

The winner took the lead in the second lap and held it throughout the race. Runner-up was Eddie Lenz of Colden who copped last week's feature followed by Speed McPhee of Rochester and John Hirz of Erie, Pa.

In the qualifying heats, Eddie Lenz in 3:35:41 won the first one followed by Ernie Wright of Rochester and Del Wilcox of Palmyra. Clyde Long of Sydney captured the second heat in 3:33:11 with Fred Knight of Buffalo and Joe Russo taking the second and third spots.

Bill Rafter took the third heat in 3:34:99 followed by Dan Dahlripple of Silver Creek and Howard Jackson of Nunda. Speed McPhee of Rochester finished first in the fourth heat in 3:35:90 while John Hirz and Eddie Roberts of Rochester were the runners-up.

Eddie Cox of Rochester nosed out Jack White of Lockport in the consolation class "B" event while Burt Sullivan of Buffalo and Don Cook of Niagra Falls finished in first and second place in the Austrailian pursuit race.

Next Friday's program will start at 8:30 p.m. in order to give the drivers ample time to get to Corning.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 30, 2011, 06:40:21 PM
Just a quick note about Corning...If anyone has pictures of the races at the stadium I would love to see them! (I think everyone else would for that matter). I've had a few old-timers tell me it was quite the place. I saw in a memo on another sight that it was eventually closed due to the high cost of replacing the fencing. Also, my favorite racing name of all time is mentioned in the article...Speed Mcphee!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 30, 2011, 06:43:53 PM
Another shot of Bill Rafter...It's an Otto Graham photo so I'm guessing it was taken at Fonda
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 02, 2011, 07:13:25 PM
Aerial photo of Sheshequin by Athens/Sayre.... I found ads for it calling it Valley Speedway, but i've found other info calling it Sheshequin Valley Speedway....Any matter...Bucky Buchanan won the first race there in 1954
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on February 02, 2011, 11:09:11 PM
Hey Bob,
I was at the speedway near Sheshequin once or a few times.
My only memory (I would have been eight) of it was, upon arrival, coming around the end of a hedgerow and there was this tiny speedway ... seemed like an eighth of a mile or less. A few jalopies were kicking up a hell of a dust cloud in that dry river silt on a hot summer day. There was lots of brush piles and a tiny set of bleachers.
For what it's worth, the speedway I was at could actually have been a predecesor to the one you show. I'm thinking that my visit might have been a few years earlier ... maybe 1950 or '52.
Anyway, I have a story about the car that brushed the crowd at Watkins Glen.
My parents went to that race and were standing in the crowd where the car hit.
They had wanted to take my younger brother and I, but at the last moment left us with a babysitter ... the only time they ever did that.
At the Glen my mother remarked to my father that they should have taken us boys, for we could have sat on the curb with the other little kids.
When the car hit, I believe it was a little boy sitting on that curg who was killed.
My mother was wearing a white sweater, which ended up spattered with blood. She took it off and left it there.
My parents returned from that race shaken.
Odd how fate takes such curious turns.
 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on February 13, 2011, 01:39:28 AM
Hi Beenthere,
That story of the Watkins Glen race is like a lot of other stories I hear or have experienced. I truely believe we have guardian angels who look out for us and if it's not our time they interveine in subtle ways to keep us safe. JMO. Anyway to the topic of proposed race tracks that never got built, Frank Smalley who has a repair shop in Montour Falls attempted to start a dirt track near the Watkins Glen International course. I think it never got past the planning stages. My Dad was an initial investor. Too bad it never got off the ground as my family could have saved a fortune in tow truck gas had it become a reality!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 13, 2011, 08:21:47 PM
For anyone out there who has never been to it, the re-inactment during the Sept. vintage races is worth the drive to Watkins Glen. The cars take two laps in two groups and follow the route of the original road course (which, incidentally, is one of the funnest 6.6 mile drives one can take). I like to stand on the hill going up towards the upper entrance of Watkins Glen State Park as this is where the boys GET ON IT. You stand on the shoulder of the road and are literally an arms length away from the cars. And the cars...any thing from MGTC's to, as unbelievable as it may seem, full blown prototypes  ie: Porsche 962's. You come out with a coating of rubber on your face! It is a must do for anyone who loves racing.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on February 18, 2011, 11:29:48 PM
Hey Claychamp,
Always enjoyed watching your father race at the old VFW Speedway and elsewhere back in the day.  He certainly made one of the longest tows of any competitor ... must have been a chore back when roads weren't what they are today.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 20, 2011, 12:54:09 PM
More pics from the Southern Tier...
From a cover from a Binghamton publication... Chuck Akulis (3j) and Mike Colsten (51) @ 5MP (photographer unknown)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 20, 2011, 12:57:35 PM
George Kent with the Smalles (might have spelled that wrong?) #41 @ Lancaster, 1978 (J&H photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 20, 2011, 12:59:10 PM
Curt VanPelt @ Dundee (Terry Cook Col.)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on February 23, 2011, 11:06:20 PM
Thanks for remembering my Dad. Here's a cover from a VFW Raceway program with Harry Benjamin!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on February 23, 2011, 11:07:48 PM
Here's another program cover from 1960. DALE
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 27, 2011, 08:33:18 AM
Geoff Bodine @ Islip (no photog info)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 27, 2011, 08:36:11 AM
Graeme Bolia @ Shangri-la...guessing it's a Fred Smith photo
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 27, 2011, 08:39:39 AM
George Kent @ Shangri-La...checkers in hand. (Fred Smith photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on February 27, 2011, 01:40:54 PM
Hi blackjackracing, wanted to tell you I got some great clippings of speedway ads and pictures of my Uncle Fred Brink driving Ernie June's 58x. Also ads promoting the racing like the $3,000 race at Olean on August 8th 1959. Also a clipping of Jackie Soper sitting in a Kurtis Kraft sprint car which it says he was going to drive in big car competition for fellow Elmiran Jack Markos. When I get home I will post so you can see these pictures and clippings. I never knew my Aunt kept all these pictures and programs and ads, even of other drivers.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 01, 2011, 08:11:28 PM
AWESOME!!!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 09, 2011, 08:25:21 PM
I recieved an e-mail from Stu of Elmira..thought I'd share it with you guys....
Bob,
 
I was looking over some of the previous threads on RaceNy and saw a discussion about the old racetracks in NY where you appeared interested in some of the history.
 
There was a question about the Corning Memorial Stadium closing because of the damage to fencing; and, that is correct as baseball was played there in the summer as well and the outfield fence needed repairs just about every week.  In addition to Dutch Hoag, Sonny Meyers, Billy and Bobby Rafter also ran there.  There was a car known only as "Mr X" competing there as well - I don't recall the driver's name ever being announced.
 
My father, Sy Morrison, raced at a number of the area tracks in the early 50's.  Namely, Naples, Addison Hills, Wellsville, Big Flats, Chemung Speedrome, Doty Hill and Troy. 
 
The Big Flats track was called the Airport Speedway and was short lived due to taxes and lack of water rights.  The Southport track was called the Glider City Speedway and also short lived in the mid 50's - the correctional facility is now located there.
 
Doty Hill was probably the most popular of local tracks during the early 50's.  It closed down following a suit against it for an accident that severely injured a small girl.  My father raced there regularly; but, on one weekend he loaned the use of his car to Dave Curran of Elmira.  Dave was one of the top dirt drivers of the period and while dueling for the win on the last lap, somehow got pushed off the track going into turn one. The car went up over the bank between 1 & 2 hitting a tractor where the small girl was sitting on the rear tire watching the race, knocking the tractor over.  I don't believe the girl ever recovered from her injury.
 
Dave, along with my father, the Atlantic Stockcar Association and the Doty Hill race track were sued.  My father's lawyer got his dropped; but, the outcome dragged on for Dave, Doty Hill and the ASCA.  Dave was later killed at Daytona International Speedway in 1960, some 8 years or so after the accident at Doty Hill. . But, at the time of his death the suit was still pending.
 
Stu in Elmira
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: justmark on March 09, 2011, 08:42:12 PM
I hadn't heard or read of Dave Curran passing at Daytona International Speedway in 1960 until now. Are there any details about that anywhere?
He's not listed on the Motorsport Memorial site which lists many (not all) drivers, spectators, staff, etc. who lost their lives at racing facilities over the years.....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 21, 2011, 06:50:43 PM
Bryan Osgood (no info on photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 21, 2011, 06:58:10 PM
Chuck Kime @ Shangri-La (No info on photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 02, 2011, 09:13:17 AM
George Chalker @ Five Mile Point w/ the STSCC  1958 (no photog. info)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 02, 2011, 09:14:40 AM
Monk Rouch @ Five Mile Point w/ the STSCC  1958 (no photog. info)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 02, 2011, 09:15:22 AM
George Knight @ Five Mile Point w/ the STSCC  1958 (no photog. info)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: oldguy on April 02, 2011, 11:39:45 AM
Mr. Blackjackracing,

Thanks so much for that shot of Monk.  I remember that this was just one of his many victories.

We raced mostly at Chemung and Glen Aubrey then - Monk was indeed among the best drivers.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on April 13, 2011, 08:19:12 AM
I stumbled upon this video on YouTube just now and happened to watch it all the way through:

http://youtu.be/L9jJkohJaM8 (http://youtu.be/L9jJkohJaM8)

It’s a compilation of old drag racing video from all across the country.  At the 8:08 mark there’s 15 seconds of drag racing footage from Shangri-la Speedway (I’m guessing 1963).  I thought it was pretty cool.  That first turn wall came up pretty fast!

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 16, 2011, 09:37:38 AM
Bill Stroshal...guessing it was @ Five Mile Point. no photog info..can anyone help w/ that.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 16, 2011, 09:40:10 AM
Don Diffendorf @ Shangri-La  1974... (Fred Smith photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 16, 2011, 09:45:07 AM
Jean-Guy Chartrand w/ the Hemi-Cuda @ Shangri-La  1974 (Fred Smith photo)...There's a re-deux of this car that ran the ROC tour last year (I believe its the same owner?) with the same roof line...awesome
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 19, 2011, 04:33:43 PM
More local stuff.... Bob Sweeny @ Shangri-La
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 19, 2011, 04:35:28 PM
Benny Stephens @ Shangri-La
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 19, 2011, 04:38:02 PM
Candor's Bill Strosahl @ Shangri-La...1966
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 19, 2011, 04:52:37 PM
Don Beagle's #170 (from Jimmies)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 21, 2011, 04:26:25 PM
From"Jimmies"....Dean Hoag (no photog info)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on April 24, 2011, 12:52:12 AM
someone please confirm....is the Strohsal car #15 a McClure FORD? Also are you sure that's Benny Stephens in the #93. Benny was usually just #3 in my memory and that car looks painted very similar to Crazy Eddie Rafferty's dirt cars of a few years later. Or perhaps the car owner was the same and the driver changed?  Here's my contribution. Lou "The Monk" Lazzaro from the Smith Photo Collection.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on April 24, 2011, 07:34:59 AM
someone please confirm....is the Strohsal car #15 a McClure FORD? Also are you sure that's Benny Stephens in the #93. Benny was usually just #3 in my memory and that car looks painted very similar to Crazy Eddie Rafferty's dirt cars of a few years later. Or perhaps the car owner was the same and the driver changed?  Here's my contribution. Lou "The Monk" Lazzaro from the Smith Photo Collection.
Yep,the #15 is a Al McClure car and Benny Stephens did drive the #93 way before he Drove the #3X for Joe Norton out of Sidney NY.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 14, 2011, 09:12:10 AM
Tom Ford @ 5MP circa 1979 (Russ Mills photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 14, 2011, 09:14:02 AM
George Kent @ Shangri-La circa 1977 (Fred Smith photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 14, 2011, 09:15:47 AM
Bubba Beck @ Shangri-La circa 1979 (Fred Smith photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on June 14, 2011, 11:05:59 AM
George Kent @ Shangri-La circa 1977 (Fred Smith photo)
The photo of George Kent is from 1974.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: MOD27NY on June 16, 2011, 10:10:48 AM
Tom Ford @ 5MP circa 1979 (Russ Mills photo)

Not Tom Ford...  Tim Ford ( my cousin )
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 03, 2011, 09:47:48 AM
Thanks for the corrections...I had Tim on my note..i'm going blind!
Bentley Warren @ Shangri-La  1979 (fred Smith)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 03, 2011, 09:49:26 AM
Stan Polaski @ Five Mile Point   1979  No photog. info...maybe Russ Smith?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 01, 2011, 05:39:41 PM
I'm sitting with Jim Brink who is sharing stories and photos of his Uncle Fred Brink...here is one of his Uncle Fred with Ernie June circa 1959... Jim thinks it was taken @ Olean Raceway.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on September 01, 2011, 06:06:47 PM
Bob, glad you have met Jim and learning about his Uncle Fred.
Someday hopefully we will meet. Hi Jim hope I find you well.
Larry
 ;D
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: luvsracin on September 02, 2011, 05:46:00 PM
Thanks Larry and I'm feeling well. I have more pictures of Ernie June cars 58x and 59x and pictures of Jackie Soper, hope to get them out soon.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Walt171128 on September 05, 2011, 02:12:51 AM
That picture of Fred (was) taken at Olean Raceway. It's in my collection and I bought it for a quarter back then when I was buying pictures right and left. Fred beat ( The Sheriff ) Fran Pezzimenti for the win that night. Fred was one of the best mod drivers around during those years, Soper really had respect for him. Fred also raced at Angelica in those magical days. And I have over 300 pictures of Jackie that I'm putting together for a collage later on this year and the majority of them are of the last ten years when he hunted at my place. Some great shots of the racing legend ! I'll post some when I get them around to all you Jackie fans.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 05, 2011, 12:35:34 PM
Walt..as always thanks for the memories...we all look forward to yours and  Jim's photos and recolections!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 14, 2011, 06:32:50 PM
Found this one of Geoff Bodine today....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 19, 2011, 06:18:27 PM
I'm back!   I found this article last spring and I haven't had the time to go back to the library to get the photos...  Made it back today....I'm sorry the photos aren't great, but I'll post then all the same (they will be the next three posts)....ENJOY!

Elmira Telegram  Aug. 27, 1961  (pg. 4D)

Bodines Operating Track For 11th Straight Season

DRIVERS RACE FOR GOLD, GLORY AT SPEEDROME

By Jack Wheeland

   The thunderous roar of engines, screeching tires, screaming spetators and hard-nosed drivers who dare to drive at break-neck speeds. These are some of the ingredients that make up a night of action at the Chemung Speedrome where an average of 1,200 paid fans turn out every Saturday.
   When one mentions the Speedrome, the Bodine name generally follows. The connection is that Mr. and Mrs. Eli Bodine Sr. and Eli Jr., all of Chemung, are the owners of the quarter mile track that has brought gold and glory to scores of drivers.

   ACTUALLY, Eli Jr. is what you might call the kingpin in the Speedrome operation. Mom and Dad Bodine remain in the background while their 40- year- old son runs the show.
              "Dad enjoys watching the races," says Eli Jr.,  "but that's about it. He gives me lots of advice and is willing to chip in whenever needed. However, he prefers to remain in the background as far as operating the Speedrome."
   "He enjoys racing- he hasn't missed a race in the 11 years we've been operating in Chemung. As for Mom, she doesn't go to the races. I guess she just isn't interested." While Eli Jr. handles the operating end of the racing, another Bodine, Earl, is actively engaged in the sport. Earl, a brother of Eli Jr. is shooting for the total point championship this season and when he churns around the clay-covered track in the Number 188 he pleases the crowd. Earl and another brother, Maynard, operate a garage next to the Speedrome. Maynard is Earls mechanic on Number 188.

   THE BODINES, combining as operators and racers, have helped make the Chemung track a profitable enterprise. Eli Jr. says the average of 1200 paid fans on hand every Saturday night is proof of this. "We are down a little this season,' he said, "but the weather has hurt us. If we have good weather we won't have any problems."
   The Speedrome has a seating capacity of 3,140 and a standing room area for 800 more. It is located on a 10-acre tract owned by the Bodine family. When the track first opened, the owners had trouble with dust. However, the Bodines have come up with a salt preperation which contains the moisture and has eliminated the dust problem.
   "Maintenance is the biggest expense," said Eli Jr. "We try to keep the track in tip-top shape and that takes money." Naturally, the drivers have to be paid. "We split with the drivers," said Bodine. "They get half of the admission money and then it's divided according to the races."

   HOW MUCH can a driver make in a season or a night? Bodine answered, "Well, I'll give you an example. Recently, Earl won the feature, a heat  and then came in third in the semis. He picked up a total of $113. That's not bad for one night of racing."
   "During one season one of our top drivers took home $1300. Of course, it must be remembered that some drivers split with the owners of the cars while others work on a 60-40 per cent basis. And then there's the expense of maintaining and repairing the cars."
   Class A cars are not allowed to compete at the Speedrome anymore, only the Class B and modern cars. "The reason for limiting the competition to the two divisions,' said Bodine, "is because the Class A cars cost more than the other to buy and maintain." 
   "We found that only seven or eight drivers could afford to have Class A cars so we cut the class three years ago."   

   ALTHOUGH THERE aren't any Class A cars competing, Bodine feels that he still has some of the top drivers in the area. Among these are Cliff Pierce of Elmira, Chubby Chandler of Waverly, Vern Coyle of Barton, Frank Chapman of Sayre, Harry Carlyle of Athens, Bob Jaynes of Horseheads and Al Baldwin. Bodine realizes there's plenty of competition for the amusement dollar in the Elmira area. "I think the present recession has something to do with our slight drop in attendence," he said.
 " We try to cope with this by cutting our prices or bygiveaways. Recently, we had an admission price of 99 cents, a reduction of 26 cents from the regular adult price of $1.25."
   "We have lucky numbers just as they do in baseball games and our ladies auxiliary gives away cakes, etc. The auxiliary accepts donations from merchants and we give them away."

   WHEN BODINE isn't at the Speedrome he's working at the Chemung Dairy Bar which he owns. At one time Bodine ran a poultry farm and had 9,000 chickens. "I had to give it up," he explained, "it was just too much work. It didn't make sense working for them when they wouldn't work for you."
   Bodine said new restrooms are planned at the Speedrome next season. "We constantly are trying to improve the area for our customers," he said. But before next season, Bodine has some top races lined up. "One of the biggest is the Labor Day Championships and the final championship race on Sept. 30," he said.

   ONE OF THE main reasons for the success of the Speedrome is Bodine's employees. "I am fortunate to have employees who do their utmost to make the track a paying attraction," he said. "One of my most capable helpers is my flagman, Dub Dennis of Waverly." He added, "There are many others who have contributed, the drivers, their helpers, the car owners and members of the technical committee which inspects the cars. We have what you might call a big, happy family down here in Chemung. We all try to help each other."
   Bodine is proud of the fact that there's never been a serious accident among the drivers on the track in 11 seasons. "We have had a few breaks and bruises but nothing serious," he added.
   Then he smiled and said, "There's one maintenance man  employed by me who was hurt one time- his feelings, not his physical self. it seems that he was cleaning up the area after a race and spotted a $10 bill. He felt great when he spotted that bill but his face dropped when he found that it was torn in half. I'll be darned if he still isn't looking for the other half."
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 19, 2011, 06:29:13 PM
Photo #1 from Aug. 27, 1961...
GETTING INTO POSITION- "Dub" Dennis of Waverly, Chemung Speedrome flagman, lines up cars for a practice race at the quarter mile track at Chemung. races are held each Saturday night at the track on Rt. 17 east of Elmira.     ( just of note...Vern Coyle in the X-1 and Chubby Chandler lined up right behind him.)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 19, 2011, 06:32:42 PM
Picture #2
              BROTHER COMBINATION- Earl Bodine (left) who leads drivers at the Chemung Speedrome in points for the season, watches as his brother, Maynard, checks their car.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 19, 2011, 06:36:08 PM
Photo #3
             CHECK SAFETY RIM- Driver Chubby Chandler (left) and Craig Henderson of the Chemung Speedrome technical committee check the safety rim on Chandler's stock car in pit area at track.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 25, 2011, 10:29:46 AM
From Elmira Sunday Telegram July 22, 1962 (p.3D)

ANOTHER BODINE TAKES OVER

Maynard Stock-Car Sub For Injured Earl

By Bill Burbaum

   The doctor says Earl Bodine -- the man who dominated the first nine races at the Chemung Speedrome -- will be out the rest of the season. The July 3 accident which broke three of Bodine's ribs and punctured the right lung may have sidelined one Bodine but it didn't stop another Bodine -- Earl's brother Maynard -- and  car 188 from getting back into the thick of the race Saturday night.
   Earl was riding a string of nine straight feature wins going into that fateful Tuesday night. He had accumulated nine consecutive feature wins and a total of 153 points -- almost twice that of his nearest competitor Cal Lane of Dundee with 79.
   When the accident occured, Earl was running third on the 11th lap of the 20-lap modified qualifier feature. In Earl's mind, he went too high on the turn between No. 3 and No. 4 corners. The track was slippery and his slide lasted longer than he expected. Suddenly, his right rear wheel was off the track and before he knew it, 188's frame was caught in the dirt. It rolled him over three times.

   THE HARNESS, which the track requires all drivers to wear and which is designed to prevent a driver from being tossed out of the car, might have saved Earl's life. As it was, his right elbow was driven into his right side, breaking the ribs and puncturing the right lung. It was the first time Earl had been injured seriously on the track. He was hit broadside in 1958 at the 'Drome' but walked away from it with nothing but a few scrapes and bruises.
   Brother Maynard, who has been working on the mechanics end of earl's six- year career at the 'Drome', has spent the past three weeks getting car 188 back into shape. The frame was not bent but Maynard had to tear the 1960 Plymouth 230-cubic inch displacement engine apart and re-build it.
   Maynard, 29, is no newcommer to racing circles. He was an active driver at the 'Drome' before 1956, when Earl took over. The Bodine's are predominately a racing family. Eli Sr., 75, owns the Chemung Speedrome and Eli Jr. manages it. Earl is 26. Another brother, Jim, contents himself as an interested spectator in the Bodine racing interests.

   WHEN MAYNARD rolled onto the track Saturday night, he found the race for the Top Point Winner Title a little bit tighter than it was before Earl was injured. Lane had closed the gap the past three weeks, grabbing 33 points. He now stands second with 112. Vern Coyle of Waverly was third with 96 points while Stubby Crane of Troy held fourth with 71.
   The other members of the 'Drome's' top ten were: Pat Judson of Waverly, 66; Chubby Chandler of Chemung, 59; Ken Townsend of Chemung, 58; Bill Crane of Troy, 53; Larry Catlin of Sayre, 50; and Bill Vergerson of Candor, 47.
   It goes without saying that car 188, with Maynard at the helm, has more than a fighting chance of picking up where Earl left off and winning the point crown. It indeed seems a certainty that no matter what should happen, car 188 can finish no worse than third. And this would not be too bad, considering that earl and car 188 won the crown three out of the six years Earl competed.

   EARL STARTED his career in 1956. He was high point man that year, in 1957 and 1961. He finished second in 1959 and 1960 and fourth in 1958. Of the past half dozen years, this was Earl's finest start. It a was also the finest showing the 'Drone' has ever seen. No one knows what the record might have been if Earl had been able to continue. But, the fates have different ideas and strange ways of working. Perhaps, as fate would have it, Maynard will pick up where Earl left off.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 25, 2011, 10:37:04 AM
picture with last post 7-22-62

Caption reads ad follows:  OLD FRIENDS    Earl Bodine, who was injured in a july 3 accident at the Chemung Speedrome, recently stopped by the Bodine garage to check up on the progress being made in the rehabilitation of his car 188

Note from Bob....By July 28th, Maynard and Earl had put Cliff Pierce behind the wheel of the ultra-potent #188...Pierce swept his first night winning his heat, semi and the feature!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 27, 2011, 10:37:25 AM
Doing more research...found this gem. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on November 27, 2011, 10:59:26 PM
Bob, I printed off that form and sent the money....wonder how long until they ship the "sounds of Chemung Speedrome". Seems like an old fashion way of doing business....I looked for their web site but it must be down due to the overwhelming traffic....everyones probably ordering to beat the Christmas rush!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on November 27, 2011, 11:03:23 PM
Here's an artical from the 1973 State fair race Syracuse program. You'll notice Darrell Welty ran the 1st Consi and made the field but dropped out finishing 27th.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 28, 2011, 09:58:26 AM
Dale, You still own a record player? Man...You are old! ;)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on November 28, 2011, 02:06:04 PM
I must be old too. I couldn't bear to part with my old vinyl collection. There's stuff in there that hasn't been converted to CD yet.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: argonrcn on November 28, 2011, 06:52:03 PM
WHAT'S STEREO?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on November 28, 2011, 10:57:33 PM
My record player takes these super cool cylinder things and you crank the handle. Pretty sure it's the "green" way to go!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 29, 2011, 09:39:55 AM
Chemung Ad from May 25, 1962
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 30, 2011, 03:41:06 PM
Found a neat thread today...time to share.   From the Shangri-La program cover dated Apr. 29, 1972.  Dick Clark
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 30, 2011, 03:45:39 PM
from Shangri-La program cover dated May 6, 1972.  Gary Reichert
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 30, 2011, 03:49:30 PM
From Shangri-La program cover dated May 13, 1972.  Wes Moody
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Shamrock 3x on December 01, 2011, 08:21:31 AM
That Wes moody coupe was a GREAT looking Modified!  The Turner Corvair?  Not so much, although I was a big fan of theirs, as well as Gary Reichert.  Gary live less than a mile from me and has been over to see my project in 2011.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: moselli on December 01, 2011, 11:34:19 AM
If you look closely at the picture of Wes Moody's Coupe take notice of the "Tunnel Ram" intake manifold that he used to power his big block Chevrolet motor.  His was one of the first that I had seen during this era.

As I recall the Tunnel Ram was a phase or fad, if you will, in the period of Cubic High Dollar engines and began to answer the question of how much power can we make before the Firestone Steamroller tires will lose grip and start to spin.  I saw Wes Moody demonstate this principal several times at Shangri La when he would try to put the power down and smoke the tires coming out of turn four.

I heard rumors that some of the motors at that time had so much power and that the brakes and chassis suspensions could not use the power, forcing several teams to "de-tune" the performance of the engines in order to improve lap times and speed.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 01, 2011, 03:37:16 PM
From Shangri-La program cover dated May 27, 1972... Wayne Edwards
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 01, 2011, 03:41:57 PM
From Shangri-La program cover dated June 3, 1972... Chuck Brady
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 01, 2011, 03:46:36 PM
From Shangri-La program cover dated July 22, 1972... Al Clark
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: terrig1 on December 14, 2011, 06:41:02 AM
Prayers and thoughts are going out to Andy...Get well soon
From Sid Greene and family
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on December 18, 2011, 04:35:55 PM
any body got pre 88 photos from woodhull-dundee to put up ?lots of history there.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 21, 2011, 05:14:18 PM
Hi guys...I've been busy researching South Seneca Speedway in Ovid but one thing has led to another and I stumbled on a bunch of stuff about the race track in Seneca Falls. I plan on getting that on here soon...In the mean time, I got to hang out with some old-timers last night. One of these guys was Don Buchanan who told me he had raced at Southport in Elmira in 1963.  he was pretty sure it was called Glider City at this point. I'm going to get to the library soon to check further..Also talked with a historian in Ovid and there was a track that ran there in the 20's..... 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 26, 2011, 11:19:42 AM
From Shangri-La PROGRAM DATED 7-29-1972... Don Yeingst
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 26, 2011, 11:22:33 AM
From Shangri-La program dated 8-2-1972... Ben Stephens
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 26, 2011, 11:25:30 AM
From Shangri-La program dated 8-15-1972... Ray Austin
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 26, 2011, 11:28:28 AM
From Shangri-La program dated 9-2-1972... Dick Reagan
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: vintage44x on December 28, 2011, 09:07:32 AM
Trying to find a pic of Don Yeingst in a white coupe #47 at Shangri-la. I've seen one of the car in a wreck there but that's the only one I've seen. I used to own his #44 'cuda that he ran at Shangri-la. Hope someone has a shot of the #47
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2011, 11:39:40 AM
From a Tioga Speedway Program cover..."June 30,1968...Frank Chapman leads Chubby Chandler at Shangri-La"
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2011, 11:41:38 AM
From Shangri-La program cover...Don Diffendorf circa 1971
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2011, 11:43:39 AM
From Shangri-La program cover...Ben Stephens circa 1971
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 28, 2011, 11:48:00 AM
From Shangri-La program cover...Geoff Bodine circa 1971
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 29, 2011, 03:58:06 PM
In researching one thing, I was led to another... this is the write-up for a race that was held on the old Ithaca Fairgrounds track on July 29, 1939. I'm also posting the advertisement for the race. (the track was located out by where Wegmans is now located)

from Ithaca Journal    July 31, 1939

CHENANGO MAN WINS RACE

   Johnny Gailet of West Chenango, in the Cream Hornet, won the 30 mile final event in Saturday's auto racing program at the Ithaca Fairgrounds.
   In his time trial, Gailet averaged 0:29:2 for the half-mile track, the fastest time of the day. Only casulty of the afternoons racing over a rather bumpy track was Johnny Carpenter of Buffalo who skidded into a tree in the southwest corner when he threw a wheel and drove off the track. There was no fence in the particular spot.
   He received lacerations of the lower lip and abrasions of the right ankle and right forearm. He is resting at memorial Hospital.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:42:43 AM
I am in the process of researching South Seneca Speedway, but I stumbled upon information about Seneca Falls Speedway. It doesn't quite fit the focus of what I'm doing, but I thought someone out there might be intererested in researching it more. I will post everything I have found so far and I am in the process of supplying the Seneca Falls historical society with this info.
A short history:       In 1948, Bill Owen, the owner and builder of Shangri-La Speedway in Owego, N.Y. leased property from Max Stanton, prominent business man and horseman. It consisted of 80 acres on the southwestern outskirts of Seneca Falls (off Bayard St.).  The name of the track was NEW SENECA FALLS SPEEDWAY. It appears that it was a horse track as the drivers had commented on how flat it was.
               Owen brought in the Eastern States Racing Association "big cars" and the Niagara Frontier Racing Association midgets for a total of four races.
               In 1949 the track now went as SENECA FALLS SPEDWAY. The "Roaring Roadsters" racing club based out of Rochester had invaded the speed-plant. They split their racing schedule up between Hemlock Fairgrounds, Caledonia and Seneca Falls.
              I looked for other years but came up empty. Also, I'm not quite sure what had happened with Owen's involvement in the track.
First attachment is the original Ad for the big cars.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:47:25 AM
Geneva Daily Times   7-28-48

Car Racing Set For Falls Track

   Seneca Falls, July 25-   Bill Owen, owner and promoter of Shangri-La Speedway, Owego,
announced last night that the members of the Eastern States Racing Circuit will have another track to
navigate in that he has leased a new speedway at Seneca Falls. With a backlog of racing experience, he is
rapidly becoming the foremost race car promoter in New York state and will endeavor to promote big cars
and midgets on the new track, the Seneca Falls Speedway.
   The property has been leased from Max Stanton, prominent business man and horseman. It
consists of 80 acres on the outskirts of Seneca Falls. Work has already begun on the development of the
track: construction of concession stands and grandstand, traffic lanes, race car pits and all other
necessary items.
   The track will be dust proof. It will have a dirt surface but the dust and dirt will be controlled
largely by the sprinkling of oil upon it's surface. A dust proof track lessens the dangers and hazards of
accidents.
   The "Seneca Falls Speedway" will be a half mile oval. The Eastern States Racing Association will bring the big cars and the Niagara Frontier Racing Association will perform with midgets at this new
racing plant.
   Opening date will be announced within a week or two.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:49:07 AM

The Citizen Advertiser (Auburn)    8-14-48

S.F. Speedway Opens Sunday

   The official opening of the new Seneca Falls Speedway will take place Sunday, August 15, it was announced today. This half mile, dust-proof track is designed for race cars, drivers, pit crews and all other things that constitute a racing performance.
   Bill Owen, promoter of the speedway will bring the riders of the Eastern States Racing Circuit to display their ability in driving their powerful machines.
   A great many of these drivers are undoubtedly familiar to the racing fans of the Finger Lakes region who have attended these big car events at Owego. "Wonder" Boy Eckert in his cream No. 4. "Grandpa" Gritzbach in his new Offy, "Smilling" Eddie Gallione driving his Hoffer's Hal, "Boots" Bouley, Russ Truelove, Sandy Sanford, Johnny Hill, Eddie Sollohub, Mike Fiore, Bob Yardley, Bill Damico and a great many more will be on hand for the inaugural event on Sunday, August 15th.
   Time trials begin at 12 noon with the first event scheduled promptly at 2:15 p.m. There will be three qualifying heats, a semi and final event to climax the racing on the new dust-proof Seneca Falls Speedway, just outside of Seneca Falls.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:51:28 AM
Geneva Daily Times   8-16-48

Crowd of Nearly 3,500 Sees Inaugural Racing On New Track at Falls

   Seneca Falls-   Thrills and Spills were in store for nearly 3,500 people who saw inaugural auto races yesterday at the opening of the new Seneca Falls speedway.
   In the main event after four qualifying heats, George Markie, driving car 55, got the checkered flag with "Wonder Boy" Eckert, Milton Godwin and "Grandpa" Gritzbach in second, third and fourth spots respectively.
   Twenty torrid laps with 12 cars marked the big race and brought to a successful conclusion the opening day. Time was clocked at 10:17:23.

Car Skids
   Johnny Hill, on the pole in car number 5, took an early lead over Markie until the half-way mark. On the 10th lap Hill went into the first turn fast, close to the inside, and skidded turning his car completely around. Hill, with fastest time trial of the dayat 29:74, was the potential winner but lost out on his skid.
   While the main race was not as action-packed as the four qualifying heats, the fans were treated to plenty of excitement as the 12 cars came thundering around the half-mile oval.
   In the first heat, Sam Craft in his blue 65 came in first ahead of "Wild Bill" Damico in Cream number 4. "Grandpa" Gritzbach, in car 8, was sixth. Time: 3.16.13.

Second Heat Hot
   The second heat, by far the most strenuous on drivers and fans, saw Milt Goodwin move in from his scratch position to third place in the second lap behind Curtis Ackley in 59A.  Ackley kept the lead over Goodwin and forged down the stretch neck and neck with him to win by half a car length. Cliff Wagner was third.
   "Sandy" Sanford in car 84, commonly referred to as the ":flying bombardier", started next to the pole in his Jorono special but dropped out when his racer developed engine trouble.
   Again in the third heat, fans saw some razzle-dazzle driving when "Eager Beaver" Johnny Hill brought his sleek number 5 across the finish line after starting on the outside scratch position. In the first lap, Hill grabbed third spot on the first turn as he shot by the field. The third lap saw "Eager Beaver" live up to his reputation by moving from third to first leaving his challengers, Eckert and Sanford, in the dust.

Eckert Second
   Eckert started in the second row on the outside and wound up in second for the heat with markie, starting in scratch position with Hill, holding down third.
   Ken Gallup and Buddy Phillips dropped by the wayside when their oil lines gave out. Heat time: 3..16..47.
   Highlight of the fourth heat was the remarkable driving Bill Chick gave his car 42 when he ran off the track on two successive laps, managed to kep the racer upright, cut across lots and came back into the race.
   Another high spot was the driving of Gallup who brought his car from the scratch position to come in second. Jerry Brown was the winner with John Hoover third. Time: 3..23..25.

Three Out In Run
   In the consolation heat which followed, Bill Chick tried desperately to keep his careening car in the specified space and managed to take down first spot in a time of 3..38..15.  The consolation heat became a glorified test run when three of the six drivers pulled into the pits with engine trouble.
   Drivers generally praised the new track, saying that as the season progresses they will become more familiar with racing on the comparatively flat surface. Seneca Falls' sister speedway at Owego is a paved track with steeply banked curves.

Braking Needed
   Drivers further declared that at Owego they "never touched the brakes". It was necessary here, one said, to slow down considerably and apply the brakes at every turn. Despite this, the cars maintained an average speed from 80- 90 miles per hour on the stretches.
   In the time trials yesterday, Mike Fiorie was taken to the Seneca Falls hospital when his car flipped on its back as it hit the first curve of the track.
   Fiole of Waterbury, Conn., was driving car 82 and has met with several other racing mishaps in his driving career.
   "It is regrettable." track promoters said yesterday, "that Mike had to meet with an accident on the inaugural day of the new speedway."
   He was rushed to the local hospital by ambulance after his car had turned on top of him. He complained of his back hurting and suffered cuts on his face.
   At the hospital, officials said this morning, his condition was "questionable". As yet the extent and severity of his injuries has not been determined.
    Damage to the car was slight.


Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:53:09 AM
Geneva Daily Times   8-23-48

Two Drivers Hurt as 3,000 See Falls Midget Car Races

   Seneca Falls-   Blazing a fiery path around the half-mile speedway here yesterday, nearly 30 midgets racers of the Niagara racing frontier put on a thrilling exhibition before a capacity crowd of over 3,000. Two drivers were injured in accidents, one seriously, the other suffering minor burns.
   In the main event of the day, 20 laps of the track, "Speed" McFee got the checkered flag from starter Joe Keller ahead of a field of 14 racers. McFee led the feature event throughout the race and finished half a lap ahead of second place Joe Russo.
   Roy Graham held down second place until near the finish when he blew his motor on a curve and Russo took over second. Paul "Nuts'n" Bolt was third with Eddie Shaw fourth and Bill Rafter in fifth place.
Time was 10:32:15.
   Cars 34 and 2, driven by Eddie Roberts and Eddie Lenz, spun out of the race.

Yanigan In First
   Taking the first heat , after a prolonged start complicated by many post enteries, was Steve Yanigan. Winner of the main event, "Speed" McFee crossed the finish line second ahead of Eddie Roberts. Time: 4:27:03.
Both Yanigan and McFee moved their speedsters from scratch position to win the event.
   The second heat saw Joe Russo get the checkered flag with Vern Harriman and Roy Graham in second and third from the back of the field. Time: 4:27:79
   Johnny Hoover and Curtis Ackley, big-car drivers who became popular with fans a week ago, took their cars out of the race when they developed engine trouble.
   Winner of the third heat was Paul Bolt with Fred Knight and Eddie Shaw in second and third repectively. Time was 4:36:24
   During the fourth heat, Bill Rafter barrelled in his racer from scratch position on the pole ahead of Bill Lauty and Doc Hoctor.

Two Spin Out
   Len Lorber and George Buehl spun their racers on turns and were out of the race. A  'B'- feature heat of eight-laps was inserted in the program at this point by promoter Bill Owens:
   Curtis Ackley, who spun out in the second heat, took the event with Ralph Brown second and Johnny Hoover third.

Militello Crashes
   The added heat was marred by the crash of Sam Militello. He was injured when his car went out of control on the first curve after the race had been completed. Fish- tailing into the curve, his rear wheel caught on the outside and sonersaulted the midget several times.
   Raced to the Seneca Falls hospital by ambulance, Militello suffered concussion, contusions and abrasions of his face and shoulders and a neck injury. Exact extent of his injuries had not been determined this morning.
   The semi-final event, or consolation heat, was won by Roy Graham followed by Eddie Lenz and Len Lorber. Lenz made a serious challange to the winner by moving steadily to the front of the field until he claimed second place.

Racer Burns
   Ralph Brown, 41, of Canandaigua, left his midget racer burning on the back stretch, climbing out with burns on his hands and legs. He was treated at the track by a physician there.
   Driving Blue 5, Doc Hoctor of Buffalo flipped his midget half-way between the first and second turns. Landing completely upside down, Hoctor undid his safety belt and crawled out under his own power. He then tipped the car and righted it.
   The plucky driver, bruised on the left elbow, asked for another car to drive and was back on the speedway in the fourth heat.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:54:24 AM
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle   8-23-48

Seneca Falls-   Sam Milltello, 34, of buffalo, was injured seriously yesterday afternoon when his midget car went out of control and overturned several times on the Seneca Falls Speedway. W. Bayard St.
   At Seneca Falls Hospital last night it was said he was suffering from concussion, contusions of the face and shoulders and possible neck injuries. he was thrown out of the race car.
   In another mishap at the track, just before the final race, Ralph Brown, 41, of Canandaigua was burned on the right hand and right leg when his car cuaght fire. A crowd of 3,500 saw the accidents.



Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:55:50 AM

Geneva Daily Times   8-25-48

Big Cars Return To Falls Track For Third Card

   Seneca Falls-  The jockeys of the big cars will journey to Seneca Falls Sunday to repeat their chauffering performance of their initial meet. So far, the residents of the Finger Lakes region have had a taste of midgets and big buggies in that each of circuits have perfpormed one meet each. This will draw as big, if not a larger, number of cars than the midgets of last week.
   Bill Owen, promoter of the New Seneca Falls Speedway, has confirmed and verified that many entries have already been returned to the office and that from all appearances the entire membership group of the circuit will be on hand Sunday.
   The Sunday program will get under way with time trials at 12 noon: the big cars qualify their buggies each meet for positions in the prelimanary heats and main feature. The first event will be promptly at 2:15 p.m., with three qualifying heats, a semi-final and final event scheduled.




Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:57:03 AM

Geneva Daily Times   8-30-48


Big Cars Draw Nearly 4000 To Falls Race

   Seneca Falls-   Promoters of the new Seneca Falls speedway discovered yesterday that the big cars are more popular among racing fans than the midgets. A capacity crowd of nearly 4,000 visited the half-mile oval to watch the big cars in a razzle-dazzle show.
   The same type of cars seen yesterday made the inaugural run three weeks ago. Last week fans watched midgets perform.Next midget race here is scheduled for Sept. 12, according to Bill Owen, speedway promoter.
   On a five heat program, "Wonder Boy" Harry Eckert, Margaretsville, barrelled across the finish line to take the main event in 8:27:79. Holding down second spot in the 10-mile main event was George Markie with Eddie Gallione in third. Both are from Schenectady. Sandy Sanford of Johnson City was in the fourth payoff spot.
   Gallione was Eckert's only serious threat, challenging to take the lead in several of the 20 laps. Markie took second away from Gallione when the latter spun out but retained control of his car.
   Eckert showed his mastery of the curves by cutting them in such a way as to make it impossible for Gallione to pass him.
   The drivers showed their ability to learn a new track in a short time when they shaved off the main event time. Running it this week in 8 minutes, the winner took ten to cross the finish line three weeks ago. At that time, yesterday's second place winner took first while Eckert was second.
   Six-lap heat results with winner's times were; First heat, Eckert in 3:19:77; Jerry Brown and Johnny Hall: second heat, Gallione in 3:13:61, Milt Goodwin and Mike Zilka; third heat, Markie in 3:14:09, Sandy Sanford and Sam Craft: semi-final eight-laps, Cyrtis Ackley in 7:27:88, Cliff Wager and hilton Utter.
   Yesterday's races were the first since the speedway opened three weeks ago in which no one was hurt. Each of the other two exhibitions sent one driver to the hospital.





Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:58:15 AM

Geneva Daily Times   9-29-48

-Mites Whirl Sunday-

MIDGETS TO RETURN TO FALLS SPEEDWAY

   Seneca Falls-   The new Seneca Falls speedway has been chosen by the officials of the Niagara Frontier Racing association as the sight for the midget dirt track championship event. Sunday, at 2:15 p.m. the green flag will be flashed beginning a series of qualifying events, eventually revealing the 1948 dirt track midget champion.
   Since the New Seneca Falls Speedway is a compartively new track and has been the site of only one midget race, the officials, car owners and drivers have chosen this half mile, dustproof oval. All drivers, new and old, of the Niagara Circuit, will have an equal opportuity of finishing first in the main feature. There will be four qualifying heats, a semi-final and championship events scheduled for a full afternoon's racing program.
   Al Richardson, business manager of the Buffalo Midget circuit, has stated that the entire field of cars will be on hand to participate for the championship event. Speed McFee, a midget driver who has qualified a car for the 500-mile big car speedway classic at Indianapolis, will be present to try his luck at the dirt track title: Roy Graham, Eddie Shaw, Eddie Lenz, Doc hoctor, Fred Knight, Bill Rafter, Paul Bolt, Joe Sandola and Jack White are a few of the drivers who are awaiting the trophy race of the afternoon.
   Bill Owen, promoter of the New Seneca Falls Speedway, states that this will be the last race of the 1948 season at this particular oval. No time trials are necessary for this date. The Niagara Frontier Racing Circuit from Buffalo is the sanctioning body and brings the doodle bugs to Seneca falls for their last appearance of the year.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 11:59:27 AM
Geneva Daily Times   10-4-48


No Midgets Marred

ROY GORHAM TAKES TITLE IN FINAL RACES AT FALLS

Seneca Falls-   Thrills were held to a mimimum yesterday, but chills were frequent for an estimated 800 fans who huddled in blankets to watch the championship midget races at the Seneca Falls speedway, sponsored by the Niagara Frontiers Racing association.
   In the big final event, in which 14 drivers particiated, the enthusiastic, but numb crowd saw Roy Graham of Buffalo take the checkered flag on the 72- mile feature event. Graham consistently edged the second place runner Eddy Shaw who started at second position next to the poll.

'Pop Is Third-

   "Pop" Vercilly of Freeport, L.I., roared from his fifth position next to the poll to claim a pay-off spot in third. "Pop" got warm applause from the spectators. he is the father of nine children.
   No time was recorded for the winner, officials said, because the caution flag was waved when Vern Harriman spun out on the second turn and Eddy Lenz side-slipped his midget on the third turn. The electric timing eye was not used and all times were kept by stop watch.

First In Initial Heat-

   The feature event winner, Roy Graham, also barreled his midget into first position in the first heat of the day. Steve Yannigan and Bill Wilcox tied for second. Time was 4:12 and two fifths. Running the second heatalso, Graham pulled an iron man stunt by zooming from scratch position next to the pole to take the heat over a front runner Phil Gaius who was second. Fred Knight claimed third spot. Time was 4:07 and two fifths.
   Third heat which also failed to bring any torrid action on the half-mile oval saw Eddy Shaw take the checkered flag with John Borden moving in from the scratch to take second. Steve Yannigan was third. Time was 4:08 and four fifths.
   Racers driven by George Buehl and Vern Harriman got the black flag when the mighty midgets broke down.

Takes Consolation-

   The forth and final heat before a consolation was taken by Eddy Lenz. Doc Hoctor was second: Vern Harriman third, running brilliantly from his pole position. Eddy Roberts in car 34 spun out but he kept his racer upright keeping the safety record up to par in yesterday's events. Time was 4:06 and four fifths.
   Ironing out their battered feelings in the consolation heat John Hoover who started ahead of the field zoomed across the finish line first with Eddie Roberts second and Howard Jackson third.
   Yesterday's  races completed the season at the new Seneca Falls speedway.






Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 12:04:45 PM
I'm going to post some pictures of guys that raced at Seneca Falls. The pictures aren't from Seneca Falls, but they are guys that drove there.  I woudn't normally scarf a picture from E-Bay, but ...This is picture of Speed McPhee from Buffalo. You can purchase this on E-bay
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 12:10:48 PM
George Gravell's blue #65 driven by Sam Craft in first race at Seneca Falls.  Also driven by "Smiling" Eddie Gallione (picture from Hemmings Motor News)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 12:12:47 PM
Roy Graham
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 08:32:18 PM
Moravia Republican Register   5-12-49


Seneca Falls Speedway Opens Sunday

   The roar of the Roaring Roadsters will open the racing season at the Seneca Falls Speedway Sunday, May 15. A full field of drivers is expected to appear at the first roadster race to be held in this section of the state.
   This form of racing has been the rage in the Central and far West for several years and is rapidly becoming very popular in the East.
   The drivers racing at Seneca Falls opened their racing season at Hemlock where several close finishes and crack ups gave the fans an afternoon full of action and thrills.
   Among the drivers will be Jerry Earl of Fairport, winner of the opening feature; Ira Morrison of Rochester: Larry Divito of Rochester with a newly designed racer; Harold Wright of Rochester; Ken Meahl of Lockport; Bobby Sund of Buffalo; Billy Wolf, Johnny Church, Frank Marks, Harvey Rousseau, Ernie Yorton, H.L. Brown, Dick Ford, Bill Chick, Al Stevens, who laughs at fences and of course Danny Danniels of LeRoy.
   These drivers along with newer entries always put on a good show and the fans may be assured of an afternoons entertainment that makes racing the fastest sport on earth. 







Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 08:33:31 PM
Geneva Daily Times   5-16-49

Daniels Takes Speedway Prize

   Seneca Falls-   Danny Daniels of LeRoy won the feature race of the "Roaring Roadster"  events yesterday at the Seneca Falls Speedway.
   Daniels time for the 20-lap race on the half mile track was 8 minutes, 32 seconds.
   In earlier races Daniels also came in first in the second and fifth events. Another racing program, sponsored by the Rochester Racing club will be held Sunday afternoon, May 29.
   The finish order of the feature race was: Daniels, Irv Morrison, Rochester; Hirvey Rosseau, Fairport; Bobby Sund, Buffalo; Al Stephens, Rochester; Jerry Ear, Fairport; Ernie Yorton, Macedon; Bobby Sund, Buffalo; Kenny Meahl, Lockport
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 08:34:51 PM

Caledonia Advertiser   5-26-49

ROARING ROADSTERS TO RETURN TO HEMLOCK

   On Decoration Day, Monday, May 30, the Roaring Roadsters will return to the dirt track at the Hemlock Fairgrounds in Hemlock. These cars raced at Hemlock on May 1, and have been racing at the Seneca Falls Speedway since that time. There are very few racing groups that give a crowd the excitement and thrills that Roaring Roadsters furnish at a dirt track. Harold Wright, driver of No. 18, Larry Divito, driver of No. 1, and Bill Chick, driver of No. 12 will have new cars to replace the ones they wreaked at the Speedway in Seneca Falls last week.
   A full field of drivers is expected to be at Hemlock, among them being Irv Morrison, Johnny Church, Frank Marks and Billy Wolf from Rochester, and the well known Bobby Sund from Buffalo. Other drivers in the field will include Harvey Rousseau, Ernie Yorton, Al Stevens and H.L. Brown. Also LeRoy's well known Danny Daniels and his No. 17 will be on hand.
   Children under twelve will be admitted free so as to make the Auto Races at Hemlock a good place to bring the family and spend a Decoration Day afternoon and watch the Roadsters prove auto racing the "Fastest Sport on Earth".
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 08:36:02 PM

The Skaneateles N.Y. Press   5-27-49

Auto Races Again At Seneca Falls

   After a spectacular three-car collision last week at the Seneca Falls Speedway, the racing fans desired a return engagement, so on Sunday, May 29, the roaring roadsters will return to thrill the spetators.
   The field of drivers will be enlarged and Larry Divitor, driver of No. 1 car, Puff Ball Wright, driver of No. 18, and Bill Chick, driver of No. 42, all plan to be at the track with new cars. Wright, the driver of the car that hurtled 35 feet straight up into the air will drive a new and different car. Ken Heahl, driver of No. 14 from Lockport, will also be among the heavy footed drivers trying to cop the feature.
   Drivers from Rochester include Irv Morrison, Johnny Church, Frank Marks and Billy Wolf; from Buffalo, the well known Bobby Sund. Other drivers in the field will include Harvey Rousseau, Ernie Yorton, Al Stevens and H.L. Brown.
   On Monday, May 30, at the fairgrounds at Hemlock, the roaring roadsters will return to the track where they opened their racing season on May 1. Here the field will be augmented by drivers from the Southern Tier. Anyone who has seen the roadsters on the track is assured of an afternoon's entertainment with more than its share of speed and thrills.








Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 08:37:14 PM
Fairport Herald   6-23-49

LOCAL RACERS TAKE FIRSTS AT SENECA FALLS

   A large number of the town's racing enthusiasts turned out at the Seneca Falls race track Sunday to see the local boys bring home a good sized slice of the bacon. Ernie Yorton, Harvey Rousseau and Gery Earl each won a first. Then as an extra bonus,  Gery came in fourth in the feature race. There is no telling what Ernie might have done in the second if Johnny Clifford had put some gas in his car. Harold Brown's car was temporarily out of the running because of a defect in the steering wheel.
   Next Sunday is the really big day, when the races will be held at Caledonia. A fine race track, a good grandstand for the spectators and all the cars and drivers in top form, promise a big affair.









Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 30, 2011, 08:38:25 PM

Binghamton Press   1948 (no date)

Seneca Falls Races to Start

   Auto races will start at Seneca Falls Speedway next Sunday. Land for the new half-mile track recently was leased by Bill Owen, owner and promoter of Shangri-La Speedway, Owego.
   Many of the drivers who compete on the Owego speedway will make their first appearance at Seneca Falls. Racing fans will see Harry Eckert, Hank Gritzbach, Eddie Gallione, George Bouley, Russ Truelove, Sandy Sanford, Johnny Hill, Eddie Sollohub, Mike Fiore, Bob Yardley and Bill Damico in action.
   Time trials will begin at noon, with the first race scheduled at 2:15 p.m.










Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: thewackyracer on December 30, 2011, 09:18:33 PM
WOW, many of the names from back in my teen days, some I had forgotten. It's been a long time since I have read my cousins name in print. " Danny (Ellsworth) Daniels. Any body out there have pics of him or mu Uncle Harold Wright>
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Rocket88 on December 30, 2011, 11:22:33 PM
Looks like the track is still there.....http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS399US399&q=42.905839,-76.812841&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89d0b7ce75dfeaf7:0xb143401224eb74f6,%2B42 (http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS399US399&q=42.905839,-76.812841&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89d0b7ce75dfeaf7:0xb143401224eb74f6,%2B42)°+54'+22
The latitude and longitude will appear, click "search". Zoom in under the "A"
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on December 31, 2011, 01:21:04 AM
The track is still there and very easy to spot on the ground. Bob Johnson - keep up the good work, and as always... if you happen to run across pictures, hook a brother up.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 02, 2012, 11:50:08 AM
from 1971 Shangri-La program cover...Larry Edwards
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 02, 2012, 11:51:16 AM
from 1971 Shangri-La program cover...Bill Marean
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 02, 2012, 11:52:38 AM
from 1980 Shangri-La program cover...1979 track champion George Kent
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: NC Ghost Hunter on January 04, 2012, 02:37:48 AM
well here is an overhead image of the property now. The pond was put in 2006 or 2007 when the house was built. My friend was the one who put the pond in.

Negative on the pond being the Hornell track...it  was NE of the pond 950'  check out the 1963 aerial on historicaerials.com
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 07, 2012, 12:06:08 PM
Chuck Akulis (3j) battling w/ Doug Hoffman during the 1995 Southern Tier 200 @ 5 Mile Point (Tommy Shelton photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 07, 2012, 12:10:29 PM
Bob McCreadie (c) w/ Frank Cozze (L) and Steve Paine after McCreadie's win in the 1995 Southern Tier 200 (Tommy Shelton photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 15, 2012, 11:49:58 AM
From Bill Schroth's collection come these pictures from Olean Speedway covers dated 1959...
First one is someone climbing out of a "stock" car...says Jack Cradduck on the roof...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 15, 2012, 11:51:58 AM
This next one is of Fran Pezzimenti (#A or Ace) chasing down Bill Schroth (#5)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 15, 2012, 11:54:29 AM
Racing action @ Olean w/ Gordy Blanchard (#3B), Doc Hoctor (#118), unknown in the sandwich and Gil Fladd (#50) bringing up the rear
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 15, 2012, 11:57:32 AM
One more for today...1959 Olean Raceway beauty queen...If anyone knows the whole story on this one, I would love to hear it!
MORE TO COME
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: MODiFried on January 17, 2012, 09:39:11 AM
 ??? Carl Caslin raced in the 60's @ Chemung....nobody ? nothing @ all ?
sure would like to hear something about him
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 18, 2012, 04:59:26 PM
Some more cover photos from Olean Speedway programs...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 18, 2012, 05:02:11 PM
Accident @ Olean...I believe that is starter Whitey Gorsuch with his back to the camera
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 18, 2012, 05:03:57 PM
Midget action @ Olean
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 20, 2012, 09:47:47 PM
more pictures from the covers of Olean Raceway programs....
Three car pile-up w/ the #5 of Bill Schroth in the middle
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 20, 2012, 09:48:33 PM
Another view of the same accident
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 20, 2012, 09:49:38 PM
Whitey Gorsuch gives the "modern" stocks the green flag...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 28, 2012, 02:27:09 PM
Ad for Shangri-La 7-13-1952.  Johnny Hill of Binghamton featured.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 04, 2012, 10:51:49 PM
I found these shots in the Elmira Star-Gazette...Please forgive the fact that they are a bit fuzzy, but they are worth a look.
The first picture is a group shot of the Elmira Micro Midget Club in 1962
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 04, 2012, 10:52:40 PM
Earl Bodine in 1962
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 04, 2012, 10:53:26 PM
Pat Judson in 1962
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 04, 2012, 10:54:35 PM
Art "Chubby" Chandler in 1962
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 04, 2012, 10:57:17 PM
Geoff Bodine w/ the Armstrong #1 (Fred Smith photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 04, 2012, 11:00:02 PM
A Geoff Bodine "glamor" shot...Just a guess, but it was probably from the Gater Racing News
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 21, 2012, 04:20:52 PM
A few pictures I have garnered from the old Elmira Sportsman's Herald
first shot is of Carl Strattonn's #6 (May 1959) 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 21, 2012, 04:24:38 PM
Dick Karlnoski of Dundee. In the upper left is Rex Ward, flagger at Dundee and in the upper right is Larry Rappalee (owner of the 55X and Dundee police officer)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 24, 2012, 04:15:02 PM
More stuff from the old Elmira Sportsman's Herald.....
Jim Perkins, 1956 Class "B" track champion at Chemung Speedrome
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 24, 2012, 04:18:16 PM
Gil Frisbie (L), car owner, and Tommy Mahler give Bill Schroth's new "A" ride the once over. (this car was  in some of the pictures from Olean and was a fast piece)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 24, 2012, 04:21:29 PM
One of my favorite pictures of a young Billy Schroth...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 25, 2012, 03:06:37 PM
I found a site-map of Elmira that shows the location of the Maple Avenue Driving Park where races were held in 1916
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 26, 2012, 11:27:24 AM
More stuff from the old Elmira Sportsman's Herald...
A publicity photo for Cuba Lake w/ 4 year old Billy Towner of Hornell beating his father, Red Towner, in a one-lap shotout
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 26, 2012, 11:28:43 AM
Harry Benjamin w/ the checkers @ Towanda VFW Speedway (7/59)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 26, 2012, 11:30:34 AM
JoAnn Moffat of Elmira, Towanda VFW Speedway Queen of the week. (7/59)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 26, 2012, 11:32:46 AM
A heated dispute erupts over the "Modern Stocks" finish @ Towanda VFW Speedway (7/59)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 06, 2012, 08:44:02 PM
Some cool stuff came my way today and I thought I would share it... first up is pictures from Cuba Lake Raceway...I'm just going to post the note from Ford Easton....
Pictures came from a mechanic/driver named Shorty Hobbs and he wanted them shared with everyone that would appreciate seeing them.  Photos actually came to me from a friend in the Wellsville area, Bill Greene.  That is Shorty himself in the forth photo.  What a great time this era was in stock car racing for so many of us that remember it.  These are great color photos too and I can remember all I took back then were black and white.  Third photo is the announcer and scoring stand at Cuba Lake Raceway(CLR).  I can remember a Sunday afternoon in 54 or 55 when Don Wood from Bolivar had a run-in with Al Basen the announcer and chased him around and around the stand but never caught him.  I can't remember what happened yesterday but can remember that like it "was" yesterday.
                                 enjoy the photos, Ford
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 06, 2012, 08:44:45 PM
The back stretch at Cuba Lake Raceway
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 06, 2012, 08:46:03 PM
The cars line up in front of the announcer/scoring stand @ Cuba Lake
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 06, 2012, 08:46:55 PM
Shorty Hobbs...thanks Mr. Easton
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 06, 2012, 08:51:18 PM
These next few pictures are from the Paul Wright collection...ahead of time, please forgive the butchering these guys names are gonna get...If anyone knows the correct spelling, please feel free to let us know.
First pic is of Bob Hydack (sp) w/ Bob Williams and the familiar backdrop of Woodhull Raceway. Paul remembers that Bob H. always sported the height of fashion....Circa 1965
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 06, 2012, 08:53:48 PM
This last photo is of Larry Ecelstein w/ the checkers. The car looked like Hell, but it went like a bat out of Hell....No ID on the flagger.
(Rettig Photography Service/Cuba, NY)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2012, 10:30:03 AM
I have an article on Jackie Soper and his involvement with Jack Markos' sprint car in the early 60's. (not sure of the exact date). There is one bit of the article that got loped off. Thanks to Jim Brink for sharing this...

 Elmirans Build Sprint Racer
by Ed Collins (circa 1960)

   The culmination of $8000 and 14 months of effort will take to the southeastern racing circuit in April  with the area's leading stock car driver, Jackie Soper, at the wheel.
   The vehicle is a Kurtis Kraft sprint car which develops 360 horsepower on alcohol-nitro methane fuel and is capable of speeds up to 180 miles per hour. It sports a chassis used on a car which finished seventh in the 1958 Indianapolis 500-mile classic.
   For it's owner, Jack Markos, it represents a return to the sprint tracks on which he raced for 11 years- the turning the circuits in such fast competition that he set track records on more than one track. he retired from racing in 1956, after some near-misses including having a tire off a following car run over the top of his car inches from his head. He now manages the General Tire Co. in Elmira.
   For its driver, Jackie Soper, the car represents a giant step upward in a racing career that has spanned 11 years. Soper, who's 26 and lives at 313 Soper St. (just coincidence on that street name, he says), is a native of Troy (PA) and moved to Elmira four years ago.
   He's become increasingly successful in stock cars, his best year being 1958 when he was high point driver at five tracks- Chemung, Southport (Glider City Sports Arena), Hunt (NY), Smethport (PA) and Angelica (NY), which is a lot of driving, both to and on the circuits.
   Jackie, who became interested in racing when the late Hal Hoose [ missing  text] components made of chrome steel. Special aircraft fittings are incorporated for speed and weight purposes.
   After a complete prelimanary shakedown run at Watkins Glen's Grand Prix circuit during March or early April, the car will be taken south to either Raleigh or Martinsville, N.C., for it's first competition. Markos, Soper and the car's mechanic and No. 1 protector, Doug Burgard of 209 Marshall St., Horseheads, will compose the weekly junket to the various race sites, operating under either United Racing Club or U.S. Auto Club authorization.
   None of the three expects more than a chance to learn the car's capabilities this first season and Markos is quick to take Soper off anybody's griddle with the remark:
   "My instructions to Jackie are to spend the most part of the season feeling out the car and getting accustomed to the competition."
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2012, 10:32:40 AM
I found these pictures Jackie in the Markos sprinter on the HAMB's sprint car thread...my apoligies for not having the name of the photographer...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 11, 2012, 10:34:19 AM
One more...Jackie and crew...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 12, 2012, 04:11:35 PM
What I did on my Christmas vacation..... stumbled on an incredible amount of material on the South Seneca Speedway is all. I will now share it with you!
The first picture is of Jim Joslyn's '37 Ford that he ran at Ovid in 1953-54
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 12, 2012, 04:14:06 PM
Jim Joslyn in turn 1 -2 on the south end of the speedway..the Boyce's barn is visable in the background. Still there to this day...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 12, 2012, 04:19:11 PM
The next few are from a crash that Joslyn took that was recorded by his brother-in-law.... 
Joslyn's car (#366) is going over in the left side of the frame. (the #21..I love that #, is right behind it)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 12, 2012, 04:20:10 PM
#366 rolling...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 12, 2012, 04:21:09 PM
The car on it's side....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 12, 2012, 04:22:52 PM
People checking out the aftermath.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on March 12, 2012, 11:08:57 PM
Good work, Bob. Haven't read your article yet, but I plan to. Keep at it - good stuff.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: dan dan on March 13, 2012, 12:57:05 PM
These next few pictures are from the Paul Wright collection...ahead of time, please forgive the butchering these guys names are gonna get...If anyone knows the correct spelling, please feel free to let us know.
First pic is of Bob Hydack (sp) w/ Bob Williams and the familiar backdrop of Woodhull Raceway. Paul remembers that Bob H. always sported the height of fashion....Circa 1965

id say the backdrop of woodhull darn near looks the same this many years later!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 17, 2012, 09:36:53 AM
Here are some more pictures from South Seneca Speedway. These shots are courtesy of Bill Schroth.
The first one is of Bill with Hudson Smith on the front stretch @ S.S. The Boyce farm is visable between the two gentleman.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 17, 2012, 09:39:00 AM
Cars lining up on the front stretch @ S.S.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 17, 2012, 09:43:06 AM
Cars coming down the front stretch @ S.S. Possibly working the track in. That's Billy Scroth in the white car. Once again, the Boyce farm is visable in the background.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 17, 2012, 09:51:32 AM
One more for this morning. This shot comes from the old Elmira Sportsman's Herald...It was a pic for an article on Dundee in it's first season open (I think) and the MAN at that time was Glenn Reiners. This was taken @ South Seneca. Reiners was a multi-time track champion @ Dundee and also track champion @ Waterloo in 1957.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on March 18, 2012, 09:54:05 AM
Those are great photos Bob! I notice that those three didget cars used to win a lot of races at Dundee and other Southern tier area tracks!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 18, 2012, 10:18:08 AM
Hi Dale..The three digit number did seem to be popular back then.... I have to say that before December I had only seen three pictures of the track in Ovid. I was very excited to make the connections and I am happy that it makes you guys happy.
One of the things that impressed me the most about South Seneca was the DEPTH of talent that emerged. Just to name a few guys that had raced there: Jackie Baldwin, S.S. track champ, who went on to great success at Chemung; Gordon "Gordy" Blanchard, who I believe won the first track championship at S.S.; Ronnie Narduchi, who went on to tremendous success in New England and the Albany area (and is enshrined in the New England Motorsports Hall of Fame); Lucky Cornish, who went on to a stellar career in the Southern Tier; Billy Schroth, who went on to an excellent career in the URC sprints; Rollie Velte, who was a top-notch driver at Waterloo; Glenn Reiners, Dundee Speedway Ace; Bucky Dew (who told me that the guys at South Seneca wouldn't let him race there as they felt  that he was a "professional"), won his heat the first time that he raced there; Fred Brink, who had a very good racing career;  and of course, Jackie Soper, who got his first ride at the Ovid speedplant.
Here's a picture of Bucky Dew in the Bennett Bros. #73 (Art Lynch collection)       
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 18, 2012, 10:29:08 AM
Through the fence, the cars come into turn one at South Seneca Speedway. (Bill Schroth collection)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 18, 2012, 10:31:51 AM
Bill Shroth collects the checkers at South Seneca. (Bill Scroth collection)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on March 24, 2012, 11:15:52 PM
Bob, just a quick correction... the 6 7/8 is Paul Hidek from Bath. Paul  missed the first three races of Woodhull's opening season in 1965, but still took home the inaugeral season Modern points Championship. The photo is in late August of '65 as the red 1962 Impala was finished and entered in only the last two races of the season. Paul did most of his first season Woodhull winning in a maroon and white 1961 Bel Air. The '62 had 2 inches longer wheelbase on the right side than the left.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 29, 2012, 04:54:49 PM
I have some Bill Schroth pictures to share...
This is the second car Bill owned
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 29, 2012, 04:59:21 PM
Bill in the Bill Millspaugh built and owned #4. This picture was at Chemung in May of 1955 (most likely by Cronkrite). Bill was waiting for car #3 to be finished.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 29, 2012, 05:06:37 PM
Bill's third car...in his own words, "we used a lot of light weight stuff on it...It had an aluminum roof, aluminum channel for bumpers...we moved the battery to the inside floor to put weight lower. We really thought stuff oot on this car". Car was painted 'Castle Gray'.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 02, 2012, 09:51:01 AM
Bill with the checkers. As stated before, the car was pretty tricked out. In Bill's words, "the car had a quick change and also two sets of tires, one set big and one set small. The car had two gears".
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 02, 2012, 09:53:22 AM
Bill's car, pretty much destroyed at Chemung.  This was during the 1957 season.... He found another body, fixed it and ran it again. Not that this mattered as Bill was about to go on to bigger and better things. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 02, 2012, 10:11:47 AM
Don Moyer's potent #49. This was an Ernie June built monster. Jackie Soper, who was married to Don's daughter Nancy, had been driving this car. I believe that at this point Jackie had vacated the ride to drive for Howard Tidd. Bill Schroth was hired to pilot the beautiful metalic blue #49. One of my favorite stories that Bill shares is this one. Bill Schroth states, " I was driving for Moyer and beat Bucky Dew tapping him in the process. Bucky comes looking for me after the race, pointing his finger at me. I opened the door and stepped out onto the rail, looked over the door down at him and said 'Old man...get the hell out of the way...us kids is taking over'. He never bothered me agian".   All photos Bill Schroth collection
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 06, 2012, 08:43:37 AM
Tommy Martin car. Car was built by Ernie June and originally driven by Buckie Dew. The ownership went like this...June to Howard Tidd to Gene Frisbee to Tommy Martin. Bill Schroth wrecked big at Port Royal. They re-built it in a week and were back out on a Saturday.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 06, 2012, 08:48:46 AM
Bill Schroth is all smiles at Selingsgrove posing with the Max Gehr # 81.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 06, 2012, 08:56:16 AM
Another shot of the Gehr car at Selingsgrove. This car was demolished when the throttle stuck wide-open and the car went over the side of turn three. The car caught fire, causing a scene of chaos. In Bill's words, "I got out with the wind knocked out of me and sat down. Somebody didn't see me and stepped on my knee. I thought for sure it was broken". Max Gehr is the gentleman standing on the right in the picture.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 10, 2012, 04:42:46 PM
I got the chance to visit Bill Schroth today and he shared more amazing photos with me...I'll share them with you.
This is Bill most likely at Olean in the ex- Gil Frisbie car. Bill pointed out it was Oldsmobile powered...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 10, 2012, 04:49:40 PM
Bill Schroth poses with the Bridgeport N.J. based Bauer #75
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 10, 2012, 04:51:31 PM
Bill in car with Bill Bauer and crew member in their Sunday best....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 10, 2012, 04:52:15 PM
Bill Schroth and Bill Bauer at URC awards banquet with the hardware
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 11, 2012, 08:55:03 AM
In doing research I came across some articles by Joe Amentler from the Elmira Star-Gazette. These were printed in 1976...Enjoy

From the Elmira Star-Gazette
7/2/1976

   Around the Tracks by Joe Amentler

   Can the promoter of a small dirt track in the boondocks present a single class of racing on a weekday night, charge five dollars admission and expect to draw a crowd?
   Apparently, if the attraction is some of the East's top dirt modified drivers, he can and he did.
   
   Several thousand fans made the scene last Wednesday night at James Williams'  Woodhull Raceway to see such stars as the "Tampa Terror" Will Cagle, Canadian Davey Moore and ageless Frankie Schneider do their thing.
   Cagle did it best in the 100-lap Schaefer Qualifier as he took command from third starting spot, lost and regained the lead on consecutive-lap restarts, then slid through the dust and dips of the tight third-mile oval to a $1000 victory. Cagle was challenged early by Burdette's Chuck Ciprich and later by Gary Iulg (pronounced Yule) but was able to pull away each time. Iulg took second and Moore got past Ciprich in the closing laps for third.
   The veteran Schneider, 1952 NASCAR modified champ and twice winner of the national open at Langhorne, lined up 16th for the feature but his car broke on the parade lap and his trip from Flemington was for naught.

   In another type of dirt action, Bill Schroth of Breesport powered the Bauer sprinter to his first United Racing Club win this year at the Beckley, W. Va., Speedway. Schroth also took a second place in the twin-25 lap show and propelled himself into the URC point lead ahead of Harry Benjamin. 1975 champ Garry Gallub was runnerup to Scroth in the first main and led Bill to the checkers in the second. The URC has night shows scheduled this weekend at Flemington Saturday and Weedsport Speedway Sunday.

   There was a full schedule of combat at the area's asphalt arenas last weekend.
   Richies Evans returned to Shangri-La Saturday and left with his third modified victory. Four-time winner Sonny Seamon couldn't get by hard-running Wayne Edwards and had to settle for third. Dean Hoag came from 13th to finish fourth and George Kent held on for fifth.
   1975 track champion Duane Ellis finally found the winning combination as he trounced the limited sportsman field. Mike Casterline's hopes for five in a row were dashed when a broken driveshaft put him into the wall. Mike was running third and gaining at the time. Gordie Smith was second and Dave Machuga third.
   Evans also won at Spencer Speedway Friday night, while Seamon took the laurels at Fulton Sunday.

   Chemung Speedrome had its seventh different late model winner in nine shows this year. Doug Hewitt of Perry N.Y., made the score Visitors 5, Locals 4, and he outclassed the field for his first-ever Speedrome main. Guest star Geoff Bodine guided the Lamphear No. 23 (Casterline's Owego mount) from 15th starting spot to grab third behind Daune Ellis. Geoff was running fifth and putting some inside moves on Bob Frisbie and Tom Gush when they both spun out with three laps to go. Stan Clark made a last lap pass at Bodine but was a half length back in fourth. Frisbie's misfortune was offset somewhat by his winning the Most Popular Driver honors, determined by month-long balloting by the fans. Denny Shipman won his sixth feature in the wild street stock action.
   Bodine's workout at Chemung must have put him in peak condition as he returned to New England and defeated a powerhouse field of modified hot shoes in the $22,000 Winston 150 at Stafford Speedway Sunday afternoon. S.J. Evonsion, Satch Worley, Ed Flemke, Richie Evans and Jerry Cook trained Bodine in that order.
   Before the headers had cooled on the Armstrong No. 1, Bodine was back on the track at the Thompson Speedway Sunday evening show. Geoff was still hot too and he romped to his third in a row and fourth of the year on the Thompson high banks. Finishing behind him were Fred DeSarro, Bob Santos, Bugs Stevens and Ron Bouchard.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 11, 2012, 08:59:04 AM
from the Elmira Star Gazette
7/10/1976

   Around the Tracks by Joe Amentler

   Based on the possibility of it happening for a race driver with local connections, my opening today was tentively formulated to read: So and So copped feature victories on the last day of the second century AD (After Declaration) and on the first day of the Third Century.
   When the results of the events regulary covered in this column were in, it seemed I'd have to scrap that angle.

   Shangri-La's program was cut short by rain after the running of the first scheduled twin 25-lap modified mains. The winner in that race was Jim Armstrong, and to my knowledge that was his first-ever feature win. Armstrong wasn't seriously challenged by anyone although Dave Nichols followed closely in second. Point leader and four-time winner Sonny Seamon got hung up behind third place finisher Dick Clark, while another potential winner, Richie Evans, had a tire go flat under caution and the race was green-flagged  before he could get it changed and rejoin the fray. Evans was perturbed at not getting  one more caution lap to change the tire and he loaded up to leave before the rains came.
   Promoter Mike Spak stated afterwards that in the future, on such yellow flag occurrences, drivers in contention will be given two laps to effect minor repairs. In regard to the rained out portion of the show, the program was called complete, as is customary, since over half the events had been run. The washed  out Modified, Limited and Street Class features will become part of the July 17 card, offering double features in each class for the regular admission price.

   Newcomer Armstrong didn't seem a likely possibility to win at Fulton Raceway Sunday, and he didn't. Evans took that test followed by George Kent and Seamon.

   The United Racing Club ran at Flemington N.J., and got in double features at Weedsport Speedway, but there were three different winners in those contests.
   Buck Buckley won the Flemington feature while Bill Wentz Jr. and 19-year old rookie Randy Wolfe copped the Weedsport honors. Bill Schroth held on to the URC point lead with a fifth place Saturday and second and sixth place finishes Sunday. The URC sprinters will churn up the clay at Orange County Speedway, Middletown, N.Y., tonight.

   A call to New England early revealed that Geoff Bodine had taken his third straight and fourth of the season at Stafford. Geoff got by Dale Holdridge on the White flag lap to score the win. Eddie Flemke was third.
   Bodine's  win streak at Thompson Speedway made him the likely canidate for the Bicentenial honors, but Ron Bouchard had his new modified dialed in and Geoff took the flag on Bouchard's bumper in second. Bodine had a place showing at Westboro, Mass., Speedway Friday and his 1976 record to date shows nine wins, six seconds and three.
   So, as of Tuesday (the day I usually put this column together) I was stumped for a local connection between racing and the Bicentenial weekend.
   Then a chance meeting with auto parts magnate and racing fan Tom Holleran disclosed the fact that Art Clark of West Seneca, a frequent competitor and twice winner of Chemung Speedrome, had accomplished the first day-last day feat. Clark took the 76-lap, $1000 to win special at Holland Speedway Saturday and was victorious at Perry Speedway on the first day of 201 AD
   Congratulations Art and thank-you, Tom.     
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: oldguy on April 11, 2012, 01:23:28 PM
Bob,  Is that a photo of writer Joe Amentler?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: MOD27NY on April 11, 2012, 06:15:11 PM
Maybe I'm wrong.. Dale, correct me if I am. Didn't Bill Schroth drive a number 89 mod at 5 Mile Point? I believe it was the Kneisel coupe dale drove later.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 12, 2012, 09:12:54 AM
Sorry..yes it is a picture of Joe Amentler. I got the chance to talk with him. He is alive and well residing in the Elmira area. A very humble guy! He told me that he was hired part time as a proof reader for the Star Gazette and was always pestering them about more coverage for racing...the powers that be finally told him if he wanted to see coverage on it...write it. So he did!   I'll be looking for more of his stuff when I get a chance. When I do. I'll get it on here.
Mod27ny....I don't mean to speak out of turn, bnut Yes Bill did drive an old coupe at 5Mile...somewhere on oldies but goodies Dale had posted a photo...maybe we can talk him into re-posting it here with a little history...seems like I remember it being an ex Beagle car (maybe I'm confusing it 'cause it looked so long!)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on April 12, 2012, 11:10:16 AM
I remember the night Jim Armstrong won that race.He started on the pole and got the lead from the start.The engine in the car was a 302ci small block that he ran at Evans Mills.All the other cars in that race had big blocks.Most of the cars in that race went no where as they almost finished where they started.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 12, 2012, 08:43:32 PM
I was in Corning today and stopped into the library to do a little research on something...ended up looking up info on Corning Stadium....I have some photos of photos that are honestly pretty terrible but what the hey.....
This first one is of Eddie Lenz at Corning Stadium
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 12, 2012, 08:44:10 PM
Roy Graham at Corning Stadium..
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on April 12, 2012, 11:43:08 PM
Thank you Bob.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 15, 2012, 11:34:32 AM
I'm posting a column from the Binghamton Press circa Apr. 1968. Forgive me on this as some of the type was un-readable so I guessed (and placed [sp] by it). If anyone has any corrections for spellings feel free to interject...Also, I am including the header.

Checkered Flag
by Bill Dowd

   The closing of Glen Aubrey Raceway and a mass exodus from Chemung Speedrome will have quite an influence on racing in the four immediate Press-area tracks.
   Shangri-La Speedway, which again leads the pack by opening this Saturday night, has inherited Chemung champion Bryan Osgood of Elmira as well as half a dozen other Chemung drivers to go with the regular crew which includes Press "Driver of theYear" Don Diffendorf.
   GAR's shutdown should help flood Five Mile Point's modern division for the Saturday, May 4, opener and may even add a few cars at Penn-Can Speedway (opening Friday, May 17), and  Mid-State Speedway (opening Sunday, May 5).
   
   In contrast to other seasons, most of the top point-earners will return to the scenes of their 1967 successes. And increasing purses at some tracks are sure to inhance turnouts.
   Shangri-La, which pays $500 to the sportsman feature winner and $125 to the modern winner, is thinking of increasing the number of cars, and consequently the payoff, in the features. Last season the sportsman feature was limited to 13 cars with a $45 payoff for the tailender.

   Five Mile, seeking to polish an image that has been tarnished a bit in the last few years, is now boasting a $250 winners purse for sportsmen, an increase of $100 or so over last year. The ante for second place has been upped to $175, third to $150, fourth to $125 and fifth to $100.

The track by track rundown:
Five Mile Point:
   The track has been re-surfaced and facilities given a thorough cleanup.... Southern Tier Racing Club president Art Bonicer [sp]  said the track will put up a $1750 purse, paying in prelims too. New specifications will allow 355 c.i. engines (American-made only) and will allow "bugs"... Safety inspections will be stricter with the higher-powered cars running. A penalty system will also be insituted in handicapping, aimed at cars missing race nights... No dates set yet but Southern Tier 100 and Rubin [sp] Nield Memorial will be run. To be eligible for special events, car and/or driver must have run two of three previuos weeks or 50 per cent of total races... Defending champion DeForest Chalker returning along with veterans Pete Cordes, Red Harrington, Bob McGeorge (new car). Charles Akulis, Ed Rafferty, a possible returnee from Shangri-La... Figure 8 class is out but Don Beagll, defending champ, heads modern class which began late last year.

Mid-State Speedway:
    Only missing driver among the top ones is Sydney's Bill Northrop. He was leading point race until suffering back injury in accident and still has not fully recovered... Joe Donahue, who has perhaps the winningest record in the areain the last ten years and was virtually untouchable at Mid-State, returns as defending sportsman champ along with vets Pete Cordes, Moose Carey, Rudy Schlappfer, etc... 50-lappers slated for Memorial Day and Fourth of July... Sunday afternoon racing set until early June when track switches to Friday nights.  Late modern class expected to include 1967 models... Payoff maximum for sportsmen still based on percentage of gate with $250 maximum.

Shangri-La:
   Diffendorf, sportsman runnerup Bill Strosahl, Jerry Hayes, Mike Zopp, Graham Bolia, Ben Stepens, etc. back in red-hot division. Diffendorf planning to run whole pro-circuit... Chemung defectors Dick Reagan, Chubby Chandler, Jerry Townsend and Larry Edwards, ex-Five Mile Pointer Bud Rhodes, New Milford's Jack Treobold [sp] all newcomers... Dave Olfneck [sp], who left for a year at rugged Islip L.I. Speedway, is back and driving car that won Islip title last year... Langhorne Qualifier, possibly increased from 50-laps of the past, set for Aug. 10. Horne National Open is in early October, a $22,500 purse for  [200?] miles... New lap indicator will be used.

Penn-Can Speedway:
   Track has several improvements. Spectator walkway, lap indicator, new traffic flow for parking area... Carl (Bud) Nagle, Stevens [sp], Point veteran who won sportsman title last three years as well as '67 crown  at Lemon Speedway, back again. He'll run Penn-Can, Lemon and possibly make a few trips north of the border to Five Mile... Usual pack of veterans- Stub Stevens, Fuzzy Fossenden[sp], Eddie Rafferty, Stew Potter- returns. Two Nagle, brother-in-law Butch Barton and Joe Stim [sp] will drive...Penn Can 100, won by Nagle last year, set for July 4... Novice class already packed with newcomers and may have to close registration.

   A pre-Indy 500 race, Sunday's annual Trenton 200, should prove to be a battle among Indy hopefuls who are out to challange turbine-powered cars if they end up legalized).
   Recent tests at Indy proved disappointing for turbos from Studebaker-STP and General-Electric. The late Jim Clark pushed a Lotus-Turbo to 160.7, far off the '67 qualifying plateau.
   When the pack descends on Trenton for the 150-mile event, they'll be shooting for Mario Andretti's track records and the $25,000 minimum purse. Andretti holds marks for the mile (116.403 m.p.h.) and 150 miles (109.837). Among those entered are 3-time Trenton winner A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Gordy Johncock, Mel Kenyon, Larry Dickson, Jim McElreath, Bobby and Al Unser. Starting time is 1:15  for time trials.

   Other opening dates: Orange County Speedway, Middletown, opens Saturday with modified class opened up to 427 engines... Skyline Speedway, Cortland, opens Saturday, May 4, 8:30 with sportsmen and moderns... Lemon (Pa.) Speedway, tentatively Sunday, May 4... Fonda Speedway, Saturday, again sanctioned by NASCAR... Lebanon Valley, Saturday, Apr. 27 with monthly 100-lap opens on first Sunday of each month and $1500 to win... Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Friday, May 3, with new "Charger" class involving cars up to 1960 models which run strictly stock for beginners... Utica-Rome Speedway, Sunday, May 5... Watkins Glen, July 13, annual 200-mile USRRC race... Lime Rock, Conn., Saturday, April 27, SCCA New York Region-sponsored sports cars.   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 19, 2012, 05:49:19 PM
From the Binghamton Press.  Apr. 20, 1965

Checkered Flags by Bill Dowd

   Since the weather man is persistent in his claim that balmy breezes are just around the corner no matter how the temperatures have been fluctuating, the auto racing fraternity will be packing it's snow shovels and mittens and breaking out the crash helmets and driving gloves for another whirl.
   Action will pick up around the area beginning Saturday night when Shangri-La Speedway opens its gates. The Owego race plant, which works in conjunction with Oswego  Speedway to "import" name drivers, will have to wait for Oswego's opening sometime around Memorial Day before big cards will be advertised but indications are that Saturday night programs will still be good. Starting time is 7:30.
   Glen Aubrey Speedway has run into some problems due to adverse weather which has slowed work on the track. The surface of the oval was re-clayed after last season and still needs a lot of work. Saturday, May 1, has been set aside as a practice day for all drivers who plan to compete at GA. The following Saturday will mark the official opening, weather permitting.

   Other area tracks setting opening dates are Penn Can at Susquehanna, Pa., on Friday, May 7, and Mid-State at Sidney which has names a May 16 opener. The new Southern Tier Racing Association, which runs Five-Mile Point, had planned to announce an opening date this week but so far has been completely silent on the subject.
   For those leadfeet who prefer not to run around in circles, the Tri-Cities Dragstrip opens this Saturday evening with the usual slate of events.

   Despite the fact that the temperatures will soon soar, a lot of the heat will be off Sidney's Earl Halaquist when he opens defense of his United Racing Club sprint title at Fonda Speedway on Thursday, April 29.
   Red Riegel, who finished second to Halaquist in the URC point scramble last time around, has decided that he may have to cut down on his URC appearances and hit the larger tracks with the U.S. Auto Club in order to attract the attention of someone who will back him in the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day.
   Johnson City's Ben Stevens, who turned to sprint cars after competing in stockers for some time, will be back for his second full season when the group convenes at Fonda near Johnstown in Montgomery County.
   Stevens had planned to start his Chevy-powered sprint in the combined URC-USAC-IMCA affair at Reading (Pa.) Fairgrounds several weeks ago but pulled out. Halaquist did run his new Nesler Special (with a big No.1 emblazoned on the side to denote his title) but limped home 10th, making ti apparent he still had a few bugs to get rid of. Earl earlier reported some difficulties with the new mount, built under the supervision of mechanic Ronnie Ward, brother of 1962 Indy 500 winner Rodger Ward.

   It is seldom a good idea to become involved in a family hassle but it looks as if Stan Lupka of Johnson City has little choice in the matter.
   The family "feud" is between Oxford's Gordie Smith and Hal Oliver who finished 2-3 behind Lupka in the Mid-State point scramble last season. Being brothers-in-law, there is naturally a certain degree of friendly rivalry but when money is at stake, Lupka is the one who could come out on the short end of the deal.
   Lupka, who runs a JC garage, has been on the racing circuit for 13 years but never won a title until '64. He competed at Five-Mile Point until last season. Stan drives a Chevy-powered Hudson in which he won 16 races last year, five in match events.

   On The National Scene:  Prize money for the NASCAR "Rebel 300" at Darlington (S.C.) Speedway is now up to $48,060 but should climb even higher by the May 5 race date... Among the 60-plus tracks sanctioned by NASCAR this season are the Utica-Rome Speedway at Vernon, the Monroe County Fairgrounds track at Rochester and the Islip Speedway on Long Island.... The Joe Weatherly Memorial Speed Museum at Darlington has a new display. It's the Ii'l Traveler," the red-and-black car Joe drove in most of his races.... The Trenton (N.J.) Speedway's annual 100-lap grind will be staged Sunday afternoon. Since the '58 inaugural of the event, the driver who went on to win the Indy 500 has always been included in the Trenton field.... The Alleghany Valley Sports Car Association will host the 5th annual Southern Tier SCCA Tour on May 8. The starting point is at Salamanca for the 250-mile event.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on April 21, 2012, 11:21:09 AM
Too bad the Star Gazette or Corning leader doesn't have race coverage like that now-days!!! Yes Bill schroth drove a #89 coupe owned by Skip Nueman at Five mile point. I drove it one night Bill was sick and then another time when Bill had moved on to something else. It was the ex-frankie mears vega. I think it was originally built by Dave Kneisel on a scout frame. Norm Norton and Dave both had cars that were nearly identical. My cousin Jim King bought it from Mears and Mears drove it for him a number of times including the fateful night that he flipped it down the front straight at Rolling Wheels Schaefer qualifier, huge pile up that included a raging alcohol fire that burned Jackie Wilson badly. The cage failed in the Mears car causing him back injuries that pretty much ended his driving. The car was slugged and rebuilt to be driven by "NASCAR" Johnny Podolak as the #Ox and one time by Geoff Bodine at Canadaguia. It was sold to Skip Nueman who had Chuck Kennison and Bill Schroth drive for him at different times. Skip put the coupe body on it and I drove it at the Southern Tier 100 in my first year of driving but was one spot out in the second consi. It was later sold to Dale Reynolds of Odessa NY and I drove it once more at Rolling Wheels when it was hopping out of gear and Reynolds didn't want the tranny to explode between his legs. I, always up for a little excitement, said "sure I'll drive it" as my mount was already broken for the night. I drove one handed holding it in gear and came from last in a 15 car consi to third before the tranny did indeed explode between my legs. No worse for wear just oily sneakers and the car disssapeared from history at that point. I will post pics from home at a later date. I'm screwing off during saturday work-day waiting for people to come in to buy tires.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on April 21, 2012, 11:27:27 AM
I also want to say it's our great honor to often give Bill Schroth a ride to Woodhull on Saturday's in the Precision Racing and Fabrication 9X hauler driven by Larry Kennison. Bill has a wealth of experience and a great memory and regales us with stories of the old days. His humor and frankness is always a welcome addition to our routine ride to the track!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on April 22, 2012, 10:46:57 AM
Here's the car that was originally driven by Frankie Mears that we beleive was built by Dave Kneisel that eventually became the #89 Coupe that Bill Schroth and I drove at Five Mile Point. That's my Cousin Jim King with the car. Jim didn't drive it much and hired Johnny Podolak to drive it. This photo was taken at Five Mile Point probably by Russ Mills. The car is Black and Gold #Ox. We called it "THE OX" (as in oxen). At this point it had already been flipped at Rolling Wheels and repaired. Geoff Bodine drove it once at Canandaguia in a heat and I bumped wheels with him in my own blue #2 in the only race I was ever in that also had Bodine in it! My cousin Jim now leaves in Arizona and unfortunately is not in very good health. He worked for Dave Kneisel for a number of years and bought his parts truck business running parts trucks to Weedsport, Rolling Wheels,Five Mile Point and Orange County in Middletown.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 22, 2012, 10:51:13 AM
Bill is indeed a great guy...The first time I meet him was at Woodhull and he came up to me and started talking about his days in the sprints...I kind of blew him off as I was really busy. Subsequently, I did stop working the next time he visited and actually took the time to get to know him...I am so glad i did. I know I've said this before but it bears repeating. If you are blessed to have the opportunity to talk with  these old timers take the time to get to know them. The insight and wisdom they posses is priceless...more stuff w/ Bill...
Bill Schroth, in the Bauer #75 battles with his nemeses Harry Benjamin in the Fiore #8 @ Middletown (?)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 22, 2012, 10:56:23 AM
A picture of the URC guys circa 1975...Bill Schroth is in the back row  miiddle wearing a cowboy hat and Harry Benjamin is in the front row center w/ the baseball cap...can anyone out there I.D. anybody else? 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on April 22, 2012, 10:57:18 AM
Here's the car fitted with the Coupe body by Skip Neuman as it looked when Bill Schroth and I drove it at FMP. I took this picture from our front step as we were getting ready to head to FMP for the Southern Tier Open. Notice the huge engine set back in this car. It was built for forward drive and didn't turn real great but it got off the corners good. It was also extremely narrow in the rear which gave it great side bite! You had to drive this baby super hard and pitch it into the corners or you'd go straight off the top of the bank or into the wall. Probably why Frankie Mears did so well with it as he always drove wild and fearlessly! As I said before I think Norm Norton and Kneisel both had pretty much identical chassis. Does anyone have pics of those cars or of this car when it was the #26 Vega with Frankie Mears? Another thing you might notice is at this point the front of the car was clipped and they replace the scout frame front with the kick-up with straight 2X4 like a tube chassis would have been at the time.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 22, 2012, 11:17:19 AM
One more..Bill in the Osgood sponsored Hillegass...this car was later purchased and driven by Don Buchanan..What I'd give to have this car!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 22, 2012, 11:19:03 AM
That's one Longgggg car!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ole bones on April 22, 2012, 11:53:40 PM
Blackjack, Harry is next to the man with the baseball cap, can't forget that look
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 23, 2012, 05:04:22 PM
First off, my bad on the Harry Benjamin ID and thanks ole Bones...
another article by Bill Dowd.....

From the Binghamton Press  7/12/1966 

Checkered Flag by Bill Dowd

   The battle for the sportsman division championship at Shangri-La Speedway has taken a new

look in the past few weeks. The way 1965 winner Dutch Hoag was running at the start of the season, it

looked as if the remainder of the year would just be a formality. Now a veteran driver from Candor has

made the difference, winning whether Hoag is in the field or not.

   "Bullet" Bill Strosahl, the 43-year-old driver who was among the top point-earners at the track

last year, won his fourth consecutive feature Saturday night to pad his lead over Hoag in the point

standings while Hoag watched from the sidelines. Hoag, winner of five of the first seven races before

Strosahl's hot streak, raked up his car at Lebanon Valley and could not make repairs in time for Shangri-
La.
   Strosahl wrested the point lead from Hoag the previous week by a margin of five points. Now

Hoag also has to watch Don Diffendorf and Bill Blum who have passed him in points.

   One begins to wonder if Pocono International Speedway will ever open. According to a press

release, "... frequent rain periods since the last week in April have forced postponement of the (Aug. 28)

Pocono 300." Pocono president David Montgomery Jr. stated when construction began that the

multifaceted track would be ready for some sort of racing by August, 1965. Unless the construction

workers have been secretly drag racing with dump trucks, there has been no racing at all. Could it be that

the idea of the track is just a front for a government missile project?

   The U.S. Auto Club has signed a contract, agreeing to put on a sprint show at the 5/8-mile

Oswego Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 28. The race is scheduled for 100 laps with the payoff determined by

a percentage of the gate. Mario Andretti, Jim Hurtubise and other big-name drivers have said they will

participate in the race and a total of 30 entries is expected.

   Sports Car Corner: Frank Kovarick, Corvette driver who teamed with navigator Harley Wage to

win the annual SCCA "Photo Rally" Sunday, deserves an extra bit of praise for his continually fine sports

car achievements. Kovarick does not have the use of his legs and operates gas, clutch, brakes and

headlight dimmer with manual controls in addition to all the usual things that must be done by hand. But

the handicap fails to slow him and good performances in rugged gymkhanas that tax all drivers' abilities

to corner and brake show him to be an exceptional driver.... The Susquehanna Trails Auto Rallies (STAR)

club will hold it's chairman's rally Sunday, July 31 and the Southern New York Region SCCA its annual

Pennsylvania Tour on Aug. 7. 

   On The National Scene: David Pearson, winner of Sunday's NASCAR Grand National race at

Bridgehampton, now has 10 GN victories to his credit, closing in on the record- 18 by Fonty Flock.... Ferrari

Motor Co. has suspended racing activity because of a mechanics strike at it's Modena, Italy plant. That

means factory Ferraris will be missing from the English Grand Prix Sunday, but company officials hope to

make the Aug. 7 German GP.... The latest NASCAR statistics have Albany's Ken Shoemaker first in

points at Albany-Troy and Fonda speedways and 18th in national modified standings.... The Aug. 14

USRRC date at Castle Rock, Colo., has been called off. The 204-mile Buckeye Cup in Ohio Aug. 28

replaces it.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Fireball on April 23, 2012, 07:22:15 PM
(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg717.imageshack.us%2Fimg717%2F3923%2Fdonwoodedited.jpg&hash=2a44d7310ebd7103a0454f0e643596bb4c0c051b) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/donwoodedited.jpg/)
(Paul Amidon collection)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Don Wood and the #203 in victory lane at Hornell Raceway - 1959.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: youngblood on April 23, 2012, 11:17:50 PM
A picture of the URC guys circa 1975...Bill Schroth is in the back row  miiddle wearing a cowboy hat and Harry Benjamin is in the front row center w/ the baseball cap...can anyone out there I.D. anybody else? 
   4 from Bill's right is The Hippy Jan Opperman, the big guy is Bucky Baker, The official with the hat in his hand is Bill's and my Dad Carl Schroth, and bhind him is Mickey Magooh.
   the old Osggod owned sprint was sold to a guy in saracuse NY and rebuilt back to original then put in a museum
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on April 24, 2012, 12:02:40 AM
A picture of the URC guys circa 1975...Bill Schroth is in the back row  miiddle wearing a cowboy hat and Harry Benjamin is in the front row center w/ the baseball cap...can anyone out there I.D. anybody else?
Top Row L-R: 1.-? I thought that might be URC Pres Louis Kunz?, 2.-Mickey McGrough (URC official), 3- ?, 4-? , 5-?, 6-Pete Johnston, 7-Bill Wentz Sr., 8-Alan Purdy, 9- Bill Force?, 10-Bill Schroth, 11-?, 12- Charlie Svetec?  13- ?, 14-Bucky Barker, 15-Buck Buckley, 16-Charles Duma (URC official)

Bottom Row (kneeling) L-R: 17-Joe Schbachian?, 18-Larry Haas (with glasses)?, 19-that's Harry Benjamin (no cap), 20-Ed Wylie (with the cap), 21-?, 22-Buzzie Reutimann. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on April 25, 2012, 10:23:43 PM
The only ones I knew besides Billie and Harry was the big man Barker and Buzzie.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on April 25, 2012, 10:30:43 PM
Bob, Do you know where the pic of Bill in the Hillegas was shot? and what year was it?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: BigFeet13 on April 26, 2012, 12:02:46 PM
Here's the car that was originally driven by Frankie Mears that we beleive was built by Dave Kneisel that eventually became the #89 Coupe that Bill Schroth and I drove at Five Mile Point. That's my Cousin Jim King with the car. Jim didn't drive it much and hired Johnny Podolak to drive it. This photo was taken at Five Mile Point probably by Russ Mills. The car is Black and Gold #Ox. We called it "THE OX" (as in oxen). At this point it had already been flipped at Rolling Wheels and repaired. Geoff Bodine drove it once at Canandaguia in a heat and I bumped wheels with him in my own blue #2 in the only race I was ever in that also had Bodine in it! My cousin Jim now leaves in Arizona and unfortunately is not in very good health. He worked for Dave Kneisel for a number of years and bought his parts truck business running parts trucks to Weedsport, Rolling Wheels,Five Mile Point and Orange County in Middletown.

According to Frank Mears driver profile in a Weedsport program, he was asked to drive Jim King's car after wrecking his at Flemington. The King car was a sister car to his Vega, and was originally built and driven by Norm Norton. I'll look for the program tonight.

I also have a Weedsport program that lists Geoff Bodine in the driver roster as the driver of the 0x. I don't believe he ever did drive it at Weedsport though. BTW, I don't know why I remember most of this stuff. I can't even remember to tie my own shoes half the time.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: BigFeet13 on April 26, 2012, 01:25:43 PM
(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg269.imageshack.us%2Fimg269%2F6113%2Fmears75profile.jpg&hash=1edf759e17c34afef9972cd12d8ae5b65411b554)

Driver profile, Weedsport program, 1975. You may have to click on it to view it full size.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on April 26, 2012, 05:48:38 PM
Hi Dale...Bill was fuzzy on dates and places, so I can't help you there. No wing, so it was early....

another article by Bill Dowd....

From the Binghamton Press Apr. 25, 1967

Checkered Flag by Bill Dowd

   A stretch of active duty with the Army last year must have sharpened young Lee Osborne's reflexes to a razor edge. In Shangri-La Speedway's opening sportsman feature race nine days ago the 21-year-old  Spencerport driver beat back a rugged field to take first place. Then on Sunday he followed it up with a win in the prestigious 100-lapper at Fulton Speedway.
   Osborne was Shangri-La's "Rookie of the Year" in 1965 and last year got in enough competition time on weekend passes from the Army to win three features, place second four times and third once.
   Sunday the little driver took the lead on the 12th lap of the $1000 Fulton race after winning a qualifying heat and never lost the lead. And to take home the big purse he had to beat the brilliant veteran Dutch Hoag.
   Just as in the Shangri-La opener Osborne had to face former NASCAR champion Bill Wimble (who finished eighth), Utica's Lou Lazzaro (who finished sixth), another NASCAR veteran and one of the top drivers in the state, and such battle-hardened drivers as Graham Bolyea (third), Sammy Reakes (seventh), who burned up his car in the Shangri-La opener, and Bob Merz (10th). Syracusan Sam Carista, who was thrown from his car in an  accident, is reported in fair condition with internal injuries in Fulton's Lee Memorial Hospital.
   Osborne didn't begin actual competitive driving until 1965 at Shangri-La but his favorite hobby as a 12 and 13-year old was racing a jalopy in the fields near his home. He now works for  Turner Excavation which operates in Monroe County and "Tubby" Turner supplied Lee's first body and frame which he drove at Owego and in the annual Langhorne 100.
   Lee recently purchased the Wimble sedan and has rebuilt it. He plans to compete at Reading Fairgrounds, Fulton and as many other tracks as possible this year. At his age and with his intensity for driving, there's no time for dating and he can usually be found working on his car until the wee hours of the morning.

   POCONO PROGRESS REPORT: In answer to numerous questions about the opening of Pocono International Raceway, David Montgomery, Pres. of Racing Inc., the owner, says to look for a full program next year.
   PIR already has a lucrative brake-testing contract with Raybestos, is sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association and is on good terms with the U.S. Auto Club and Sports Car Club of America which could provide programs with immense spectator-appeal.
   The tight money situation that has slowed construction of all sorts throughout the country put the clamps on quicker construction at the Pocono Mountains track but when a suitable mortgage is obtained it will take only 95 construction days to complete the facilities. Additional lab facilities are a possibility because the Pennsylvania Traffic Safety Bureau's commissioner, Harry Brainard, is interested in establishing a traffic safety center at Pocono and using the track as a testing area between race dates.
   At the moment the site is completely graded, the 2 1/2-mile track is finished and the 3/4-mile track is nearly finished. The two auto tunnels and pedestrian tunnel are complete and the road course is substantially under way. The possibility of some sort of fall program is strong, especially in the drag racing area due to the ease with which the proposed drag strip can be finished.

ON THE NATIONAL SCENE: Bobby Allison, one of stock car racing's top independents, has replaced former NASCAR champ David Pearson as driver for the Cotton Owens Dodge stable. Allison, 29, left his job with the Mercury factory team yesterday. Owens and Pearson split up last week.... Fred Lorenzen, biggest money winner in the history of professional stock car racing, announced yesterday he was retiring. The 33-year-old Illinois driver has earned close to $500,000 since 1960 including $113,570 in 1963. Ford has not announced a replacement.... Australian Chris Amon drove a P-4 factory Ferrari to victory in today's 1,000-kilometer Monza race at an average speed of 122 m.p.h.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on April 26, 2012, 08:55:46 PM
If you look in the background of the Jim King Ox picture one of the white sister cars is right behind the #Ox. I was always told that was Franks old car so I'll have to ask Jim when I talk to him! I remember seeing Frank haulin' around Weedsport and jacking furiously on the porta-power weight jack adjuster that was in the cockpit. The car continued to handle badly but he drove the wheels off it anyway!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 01, 2012, 04:47:50 PM
Bill Dowd article....

From the Binghamton Press  June 27, 1967

Checkered Flag by Bill Dowd

   If anyone can keep the area stock car racing picture in focus this year. that person must be
clairvoyant. First there was the usual switching of tracks by some veteran drivers. Then bad weather
killed any chance of getting all cars running well because of the lapses between racing programs. Then
the modern division went on strike at Shangri-La Speedway.
   Now Joe Donahue, the Kirkwood driver whose four feature wins make him No. 1 in the race
for The Press "Driver of the Year" trophy, has quit Five-Mile Point where he was one of the old standbys
and will run at Shangri-La.
   Donahue signed on at the Owego track two weeks ago but a rainout postponed his debut. Last
Saturday he had car trouble and didn't race. Red Harrington moved into the winner's spot at Five-Mile.
   Donahue will probably have his car ready for the "Firecracker 50" at Shangri-La Saturday and
there are doubts whether he'll be successful in the hot sportsman-modified pack, especially after
switching from a dirt track to paving.
   The 40-ish Donahue has had some knocks against him for rough driving in the past but has
been quoted as saying, "As far as I'm concerned, I'd just as soon have it wide open... everything goes."
   He appeared to be headed for oblivion two years ago when the younger Five-Mile drivers
started to grab the headlines and 16 weeks went by with the old pro still lacking a win. Then he began a
brilliant late-season charge. In the next five weeks he won just about everything in sight including the
Rubin Neild Memorial, the Southern Tier 100, two thirty-lap features and another win at Mid-State
Speedway.
   Last year it was the same story at Five-Mile, Joe winning the opener but getting shut out of the
winner's circle until the final night of competition. So in between he made the Friday night races at Mid-
State for some shenanigans and won three features, finished second three times and won six heats.

   HOSPITAL REPORT: Jim Croft, assistant flagger at Glen Aubrey Raceway who was struck by
one of the cars last week, is already out of the hospital and eager to get back to work.... Bill Northrop of
Sidney, sportsman division point leader at Mid-State Speedway, was injured Saturday at Lebanon Valley
and is in Pittsfield Hospital with a back injury... Jack Gill of Sidney Center, sportsman driver at Five-Mile
Point and Mid-State last season, is getting around with the aid of crutches at The Hospital in Sidney. He
was injured in a March Auto accident.

   PIT STOPS: Penn-Can Speedway will hold a 100-lap sportsman race July 4th. The field will be
limited to 35 cars, three starting spots guaranteed to cars from Penn-Can, Reading, Grand View, Lake
Mocatek, Honesdale and possibly Glen Aubrey... Five-Mile Point is holding its annual Old Timers Night
July 8th with all old time drivers guests of the management and a possible special race thrown in. The
Mustang Auto daredevils are there Friday and Johnny King's Chevelle Daredevils coming in July 27th...
At Glen Aubrey the figure-8 cars that are moving over from Five-Mile will begin racing in their own class
July 3rd along with the sportsmen and will run all the regular Friday programs says promoter Dick Gle-
(at this point the article is cut off)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 01, 2012, 04:55:13 PM
 few Bill Schroth pictures...
This is Bill in a "Glamor Shot" at the wheel of the FIORE #8 (WOW, right?). Picture was taken at Essex Junction (NJ?) photo by Les King
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 01, 2012, 04:58:33 PM
Bill in the Bauers car. This was taken at Harrington Del.  The cars pitted on the front stretch. photo by Arnie DeBriar
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 01, 2012, 05:04:08 PM
Bill at Hamburg NY...Bill's wife said to the trophy queen, "here...you hold the trophy...I'm holding the driver!". I can date this one...1973 (Bob Hunter Gator Photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 01, 2012, 05:15:03 PM
This is for you Dale Welty....I have to apologize ahead of time as I have no photo credits for these pictures. I can't even remember where I "borrowed" them from.  I'm very envious of Dale in that I grew up 15 minutes away from Waterloo and for whatever reason, we never went there (which astonishes me now as we went to a lot of race tracks...)  The only race I ever saw there was a street stock race they held in the early eighties during the fair. But enough of my whinning............
Wild Bill Dudley
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ole bones on May 01, 2012, 10:28:31 PM
Essex junction VT, I believe,  my dad raced with urc up there
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on May 22, 2012, 10:34:16 PM
My new friend Herm sent me this clipping from the 1970 Gator racing news. My cousin Jim King flipped his coach at Waterloo pretty much destroying it. He didn't rebuild he took a torch and cut it up. He didn't drive again for a number of years and decided it was better being a car owner than a driver and had John Podolak drive his 0x car on the CNY dirt circuit. Pic by L.M.Ridgeo.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: herm on May 23, 2012, 01:20:09 PM
I am glad you have it.If your going to wreck your car, you might as well have a picture of it.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 30, 2012, 12:06:39 PM
Bill Dowd article.....As always, lots of history in a few paragraphs!

from the Binghamton Press   May 22, 1968

Checkered Flag by Bill Dowd

   Success brings on imitation. In  Upstate New York stock car circles, the "special event" 100-
lappers have been so successful that they've become standard Sunday fare.
   Shangri-La Speedway will join the trend sat by Fulton, Lebanon Valley and others when it
holds it's first 100-lap special Sunday, June 9.
   "We expect to have about 75 cars for the race" said track boss Fran Githchell, "and if it goes
well we'd like to make it a regular thing. We had 50 sign up from our regular pack and we'll be getting busy
with the entry list for drivers from all over."
   The program, which offers a $1000 first-prize, has already drawn champ Don Diffendorf and
such veteran campaigners as Bill Stroshal and Dutch Hoag. Diff has won three races at Shangri-La this
year and two 100-lappers, worth a cool grand apiece, at Lebanon Valley.
   Starting time for the inaugural is 2 p.m., barring rain, with a makeup date the following Sunday.
Normal Saturday night racing will continue.

   Mark Donahue and his Penske-prepared Camaro own the Trans-American Sedan series once
again this year. But a newcomer to racing is making a surprisingly strong push.
   The Javelin Racing Team, American Motors' way of trying to erase the memory of the short
lived Marlin, it's first attempt at making a sports car, entered the 2-4 finishers in the recent War Bonnett,
Okla. Trans-Am race and only Donahue could beat the Javelin piloted by George Follmer.
   We had an opportunity to extensively road test an AMX, the showpiece of the Javelin family.
Aside from its bumpy ride, no problem for the true sports car buff who cringes at the mention of a smooth
ride, we had no complaints.
   The AMX is powered by a 390 cubic inch V-8 which hits 315 horsepower at 4,600 rpm's. The
racing Javelin, in accordance with the Sports Car Club of America's power restrictions of 305 c.i., uses a
290 c.i. Traco-prepared engine bored out to 304.3.
   Handling, acceleration, braking and driving comfort the Javelin has plenty. The automatic-stick
shift transmission,  which can be shifted from first gear to second and then to drive without a clutch, give
true stick-shift acceleration. The car corners well at high speeds, thanks in part to wide-track tires, and it's
disc brakes make deceleration no problem, even on wet roads.

   PIT STOPS- Mid-State Speedway has a 100-lap open competition sportsman race planned for
Memorial Day with a $500 check waiting for the winner. Enteries are now open... Owego's Wally Bell, who
helps run the Pocono Drag Lodge where 450 cars and over 7,000 fans took part in the season-opener last
Sunday, got even for his match-race loss at Tri-Cities Dragway earlier in the season. His Gault Chevrolet
-backed Camaro beat a similar car, backed by  Botnick Chevy and driven by Binghamton's Chuck Hibler,
at Pocono... Jungle Jim Lieberman, the Californian who holds the Pocono drag records of 7.89 seconds
and 190 m.p.h., drove his Chevy to a two-straight win in a match race with California's Clare Sanders and
his "Lime Fire" Barracuda. Lieberman hit 170 and 173.6 in the wins... Ard Hollister's new engine caught
fire in a semi-final, ready this week... Five-Mile Point Speedway, after three straight rainouts, has
scheduled three racing dates within a 8-day period: Saturday night; Wednesday (Memorial day Eve) and
Saturday agian. All will be full programs. 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 31, 2012, 05:10:23 PM
I had a chance to get back to the library to do more research and found four more Joe Amentler articles....I'll get them on in the next few days. This first on has an interesting paragraph on the old Chemung Speedrome........

From the Elmira Star-Gazette  Aug. 6, 1976
 
Around the Tracks by Joe Amentler

   I will tell of setbacks, comebacks, an old track and a new.   
   Bill Schroth of Lowman, the United Racing Club mid-season point leader, experienced a jolting setback last weekend at Flemington Speedway.A broken wheel sent Schroth's sprinter into a wall-smacking series of flips and rolls that demolished the race car and inflicted serious lacerations on his body.
                Car-owner Bill Bauer pronounced the damage to the machine as irreparable. Schroth appraised his wounds as temporarily annoying, and is presently seeking a ride for this Saturday's show at the Orange
County Speedway, Middletown, N.Y. Bauer is also negotiating the purchase of another sprinter for Schroth's title-chasing effort. The pair deserve an award for perserverance.

   On July 25 at the Thompson, Conn. race track Geoff Bodine suffered a reversal that damaged his and car-owner Dick Armstrong's reputations.
   Following Geoff's victory in the feature event, runnerup Fred DeSarro's boss Len Boehler protested the win and posted a fee to have the motor in Armstrong's modified torn down. The stroke was found to be slightly over the class limit and Bodine was disqualified with first place money going to the Boehler team. The critics were pleased.
   Last Sunday morning, following a third place finish at Stafford Speedway where the car is well within the rules and where Bodine has scored six wins, the Armstrong crew installed another small block in the racer. That evening Geoff romped to his sixth victory at Thompson, beating DeSarro easily. A post-race inspection found the new motor comfortably legal and the Armstrong team was vindicated.

   Regarding the closing of Chemung Speedrome after twenty four and a half seasons, my observations tell me there are enough race fans in the area with enough extra coins to support a racing show at Chemung. it may require new management or new classes, a new time slot, a new admission price or even a new track surface. Based on 25 years of tradition the potential for success is there if the right combination can be found. I'm optimistic, but then I also root for the St. Louis Cardinals.

   George Kent of Horseheads has expanded his racing schedule to include a weekly trek to the Wednesday night shows at Capitol City Speedway, Ottawa, Canada.
A decent payoff structure at the Canadian oval is the attraction and more and more modified teams are crossing the border.
   Richie Evans and Jerry Cook make frequent appearances and Cook has several feature wins there. It's the only track he's won at since his victories at Martinsville early this year, but he's still leading in NASCAR modified points due to his consistant top-ten finishes and his ambitious four and five night-a-week schedule.
   Kent's efforts last week gained him a second at Ottawa behind Cook; a third in the 100-lap Trenton Qualifier at Spencer Speedway; a shower at Shangri-La; and a DNF at Fulton, where he led until mechanical problems forced him out on the 38th lap of the 40 lap contest.
   Evans won the Spencer biggie and at Fulton. And the beat goes on.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 14, 2012, 07:18:14 PM
Still another on of Joe Amentler's interesting articles......

From the Elmira Star-Gazette  Aug. 20, 1976

Around the Tracks by Joe Amentler

   Here are some riddles, readers.
   What's black and white and read all over?
   Answer: This column, by race fans, I hope.
   What's red with the black and white over all?
   Answer: The Armstrong No. 1 modified taking the checkered flag ahead of the rest of the New England Mod Squad.
   That familiar scene was repeated thrice more last week as the rains relented but Geoff Bodine didn't. Bodine was victorious in the Yankee All-Star League 50-lap, $1000-to-win contest at Thompson Speedway last Wednesday.
   Friday the 13th worked its hex on him at Westboro where he finished fourth, but Saturday at his "home" track of Stafford Speedway, Bodine racked up his seventh of the season, taking the Ferrara 100 special event. Geoff returned to Thompson for the regular Sunday small block show and copped his second consecutive and eighth of the year there.
   Bodine's arch rival Fred DeSarro was second at Stafford, where he holds the point lead, and third behind Eddie Flemke at Thompson.
   Saturday's show at Stafford will be the last point race for the track championship. Bodine is defending titleholder, but due to several non-finishes he trails DeSarro in points. Should Geoff win this week and DeSarro log a DNF, Geoff would retain the crown.

   Here's one more riddle.
   What's orange and black and flies?
   No, it's not the Great Pumpkin. It's the DeWitt Pinto driven by Richie Evans. The "Rapid Roman" flew by the competition to score four feature wins this last week.
   Evans won at Lancaster Speedway in a special mid-week event; took a double at Shangri-La, winning the holdover feature from July 31 and the 100-lap Trenton Qualifier; and capped his week with another victory at Fulton Raceway on Sunday.
   George Kent watched Evans take the checkers at Lancaster from fifth spot. He got a closer view by finishing third behind Ben Stephens in the first Shangri-La main, then finished right behind Richie in the 100-lap contest. Kent's runnerup showing makes him the Shangri-La representative for the Race of Champions since Evans will be representing Spencer Speedway. Kent also scored a third at Fulton with Maynard Troyer runnerup there.

   Bill Schroth was back in action last Saturday at the Jennerstown, Pa., race track, but the newly-purchased Bill Bauer sprinter wasn't quite race-worthy and he finished near the back. Harry Benjamin had problems and didn't finish at all.
   Defending URC champ Gary Gallub has moved in on Schroth and Benjamin in a three-way battle for the point lead. There is no URC racing this weekend so Bauer will have time to get the bugs out of the new racer to keep Schroth in contention. Benjamin has taken the URC crown twice, in 1972 and 1974, and he is due for some better showings. He has experienced a dry spell after two early season wins.

   The fate of Chemung Speedrome remains uncertain. Owner Eli Bodine says a couple of people are interested but it's likely too late in the season for any commitment to regular scheduling. There's still time for special events, though.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 14, 2012, 07:28:22 PM
Here are a few pictures to give a visual to the above article.
The first is of Bill Schroth in the Bill Bauer #75. Bill wasn't positive about where it was taken or who he was racing. My notes say @Middletown? against Weirtz?  Maybe someone out there can shed some light. (Arnie deBrier photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 14, 2012, 07:33:00 PM
Forgive for this as i have no info on the photo and I'm not sure where I found it.....
The Armstrong crew thrashes on Geoff Bodine's #1...GREAT photo!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 19, 2012, 04:25:45 PM
One more Joe Amentler article...I've got to get back to the library and see if I can find anymore of these gems!

From the Elmira Star-Gazette  Aug. 27, 1976

Around the Tracks  by Joe Amentler

   My Apologies to Bill Bitterman. In gathering information for last weeks column, I misunderstood
one source and Evans with a win at Lancaster Speedway two weeks ago.
   In fact, an unfamiliar driver named Bill Bitterman scored the wire-to-wire, 40-lap victory.
Impressively, he fought off the challenge of Maynard Troyer to take the win, apparently his first ever in
modified competition.
   Troyer wasn't to be denied last weekend, though. With a new small block Chevy motor in his
Nagle Ford racer, Troyer took two features at Spencer Speedway Friday night and another at Fulton last
Sunday. George Kent was runnerup in both Spencer mains and finished third at Fulton.
   Kent shed the bridesmaid role at Shangri-La's Saturday program. He moved smartly from 12th
starting spot to lead at the half way point, then held off Richie Evans the rest of the 30-lap distance. Evans
used every maneuver in his repertoire trying to get by, but Kent drove a perfect race in his new modified
and chalked up his second Shangri-La victory.
   Point leader Sonny Seamon was third in a borrowed car, having blown the motor in his regular
mount in warmups. Consistent Wayne Edwards was fourth and Dean Hoag fifth.

   Masterful Mike Casterline romped to his seventh Late Model feature win.  A. J. Michaels
celebrated his 19th birthday with a second place finish ahead of Daune Ellis, Bob Frisbee and Tom Gush.
Lyle Williams took the street stock feature.
   Evans was shut out last weekend after racking up wins , two and three a clip, in previous
weeks. When Richie's hot, he's hot; when he's not, Troyer, Kent and Seamon are ready and able.
   Geoff Bodine was hot, competitvely, at Stafford Motor Speedway last Saturday as he scored
his eighth triumph there. Fred DeSarro once again was runnerup.
   Bodine was hot, emotionally, at Thompson Sunday. He led from mid-point in the feature until a
mishap halted the race with two laps to go. Eddie Flemke got the jump on him on the restart and as the
two battled side by side on the white flag lap they locked together and slid off the track and out of the
race, giving the win to Ron Bouchard.
   This week's show at Stafford will be the last for season points, not last week's as I had
thought. Geoff still needs a win and a DeSarro non-finish to repeat as Stafford champ.
   
               Bodine and many other New England hot shoes will be at Oswego Sept. 4 for the annual
Modified 200. Reciprocally, a New York modified contingent will be at Stafford Labor Day for the 200-lap
special there. Fans will pick three representatives form each area and the team with the best finishes in
the two events earns some extra loot.
   The United Racing Club broad-sliders will be back in action this weekend with races scheduled
at Rolling Wheels, Elbridge, N.Y., tonight and at the Orange County Speedway, Middletown, Saturday
night. These events wil be critical in the tight URC point race as the season nears completion. Bill
Schroth, Harry Benjamin and Gary Gollub are contenders for the title.
   The USAC "Thunder and Lightning" division (sprint cars) will be featured tonight at the Erie
County Fair and Exposition, Hamburg N.Y. This will be the first appearance for USAC's dirt specialists like
Dickson, Carter, Bettenhausen and Opperman in this area this year. Only one other is scheduled, the Dirt
Championship 100 mile contest at Syracuse Oct. 2.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 22, 2012, 10:22:48 AM
Pirated some pictures...these are from old International motor Sports News.
 Don Gillette @ Shangri-La
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 22, 2012, 10:24:57 AM
Perry Cone and Norm MacKereth tangle in Super Modified action @ Shangri-La (Gater Photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 22, 2012, 10:27:17 AM
Ten -car pile up @ 5 Mile Point (Fabreezio Photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 22, 2012, 10:29:27 AM
One more for today...A great head shot of Sydney N.Y. native Earl Halaquist...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: oldguy on June 22, 2012, 12:20:22 PM
Earl flashes a great smile.  When the green came out, he only sought victory.  I only had the chance to see him race two or three times.  Notice the double left rear shocks?  They all had their tricks then.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on June 25, 2012, 10:30:06 PM
Bob, I think that Armstrong-Bodine Pinto is the Super-Speedway / Road-race Modified. Since the cars parked the opposite way on the pit road I would say this is the Road Course race at Watkins Glen that Merv Triechler won. I didn't go and don't know any of the details of that race except the winner. Love him or hate him Merv has to be ranked as one of the best Modified drivers ever as the proof is in his record. Pavement wins, dirt wins and road-course wins. He won the big ones, Langhorne, Syracuse, Daytona and Watkins Glen. Of course he always had some good tires with the help of his friend and sponsor "RED". Here's a pic from J&H Photo of Merv with the Sandman #12.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 26, 2012, 05:42:46 PM
Hey Dale...good eye. That makes sense. I don't know what the seating was like over pit road then, but that would explain the angle of the shot.
More stuff from International Motor Sports News...   Johnny Roberts (#513) and Bob Cain (#36) mix it up on the fence @ Maple Grove Speedway (Waterloo) Gater photo
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 26, 2012, 05:45:12 PM
The aftermath of a shunt involving Darb Lane (#196) and Dick Farr @ Chemung
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 26, 2012, 05:48:55 PM
Bob Achley (#92), Bill Houseworth (#04) and Reed Bixlee (#141) tangle up @ the Ithaca-Dryden Speedway.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 26, 2012, 05:52:30 PM
Jeff King (#16) catches some air as Sam Crista (#30) and Les Buck (#99) scoot by. @ Maple Grove. (If I'm not mistaken, the #99 was Rolee Velte's car)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 26, 2012, 05:54:41 PM
One more from this batch...Whitey Gorsuch throws the green as the field thunders down on him...I would have loved to have seen this guy in action!!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 26, 2012, 06:12:11 PM
So.....I had the most incredible day Friday as I spent a large part of it hanging out with Howard Boyce. Howard was the main architect of South Seneca Speedway. We went tramping through the woods and stood on the hallowed ground that was South Seneca. It was very moving. Howard transported me back in time with his vivid descriptions and memories. I felt most honored! I asked him if he could hear the engines. His reponse was "just about."
          He lent me his pictures and said to me that there wasn't much there. I beg to differ and I will share them with you. There is stuff from South Seneca and stuff from the NASCAR race in Syracuse in '56 plus other assorted treasures. I'll post the local stuff here and the other stuff on "Oldies but Goodies".  Bear with me...There's a lot!
 here's a little tease... This is Howards brother Gordon (Gordy) with the checkers after winning an officials race @ South Seneca. How serious were these guys about their "officials" races you might ask?  They all built there own cars to compete in them! I should add that they wereVERY competitive cars.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 27, 2012, 09:00:44 PM
Some pictures from the Howard Boyce collection. This is a series of shots taken from the grandstand @ South Seneca Speedway.
The first one looks to be cars staging in turn four.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 27, 2012, 09:03:08 PM
The field rolls by on a Sunday afternoon. The #10 car is Red Beardslee of Interlaken
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 27, 2012, 09:05:49 PM
Looking south towards turn one...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 27, 2012, 09:07:39 PM
Looking towards the pits and turn 1
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 27, 2012, 09:12:15 PM
One more for tonight...Cars at speed on the super-fast 3/8ths mile...Ronnie Narduci (enshrined in the New England Racing Hall of Fame) is in the #5n with Glenn Rieners taking up the rear in the #193
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 29, 2012, 08:28:07 AM
From the Howard Boyce collection...Some photos from a "officials race" @ South Seneca Speedway
Howard Boyce in the #1
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 29, 2012, 08:31:00 AM
Line-up of cars for officials race...Far left is Gordy Boyce w/ the #3. Far right is Howard Boyce w/ the #1.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 29, 2012, 08:32:17 AM
Cars get set for start of officials race...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 30, 2012, 03:55:37 PM
I've got a few more pictures from Howard Boyce's collection.
This first one is of the water truck heading down the track towards turn 1
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 30, 2012, 04:02:03 PM
Great shot looking at the pits which were situated on the south side of the track.
Billy Shroth pointed out to me that his car is in this picture (it is white...actually light pink as he mixed a bunch of paint together that he got at the hardware store and thats what came out. It is parked behind a convertible)
Also through a couple strokes of good fortune I am able to identify the #7 as being driven by Rollie Velte.
This picture would have been from 1952.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 30, 2012, 04:05:19 PM
Gordy Boyce with the black and white silk at the old Maple Grove Speedway in Waterloo, N.Y.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 30, 2012, 04:07:53 PM
Howard Boyce proudly poses with the #1
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 30, 2012, 04:09:29 PM
One more for today...this one, for whatever reason, was my favorite in this collection.........
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 04, 2012, 10:15:33 AM
Pictures from Howard Boyce... The pits @ Tioga
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 04, 2012, 10:16:20 AM
Pits @ Tioga  (H. Boyce photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 04, 2012, 10:18:22 AM
Cars line-up @ Tioga  (H. Boyce photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 04, 2012, 10:19:28 AM
pace lap @ Tioga  (H. Boyce photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 04, 2012, 10:21:18 AM
Patti Hanbury (Pruett) @ Tioga w/ her "B" mod   (Rita Church photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 04, 2012, 10:22:36 AM
Lee Sherwood in Victory Lane @ Tioga  1993 (Rita Church photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 04, 2012, 10:28:20 AM
Last but not least... Chris Aman of Interlaken, N.Y. (my old stomping grounds) w/ what I believe was his first Modified win.   @ Tioga 1993  (Rita Church photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 06, 2012, 04:37:11 PM
I had a chance to get to the library again and scrounged up some more stuff from Joe Amentler. I had the chance to talk to him and he had indicated that he wrote the column for a short time. He also said that it had started as writting short bilps (like the one I'll post today) and morphed into a pretty neat feature of the paper. It's kind of interesting to see the gestation of "Around the Tracks"....

From the Elmira Star-Gazette May 2, 1976

Chemung Tries Again Today
By Joe Amentler

   Auto  racing's big winner last weekend was A.J. Pluvis as the Sizzler fizzled, the 'Drome was
deluged and Janet Gutherie's Indy car debut- or debacle- at Trenton's USAC race was washed away.
   Chemung will try again this afternoon to kickoff 1976.
   Last weekend wasn't completely a lost weekend, though.  Long Island's Islip and Freeport
speedways ran off Saturday night shows and several degrees of latitude south, Martinsville, Va.,
Speedway completed its two-day schedule of Grand National and modified competition.

   Darrell Waltrip of Franklin, Tenn., won his second career Grand National victory (both short
track wins) in the Virginia 500 on Sunday. Saturday's 150-lap modified race had four-time and reigning
NASCAR modified champ Jerry Cook of Rome N.Y., making it two in-a-row on the .525-mile asphalt oval.
   Bobby Allison, making a rare appearance in a modified, had fast time in trials and led most of
the race until sidelined by mechanical problems with less than ten laps to go.
   After the victory ceremonies, Cook flew to Islip Speedway and picked up a third place finish
there. he is currently leading the 1976 modified point standings.
   George Kent made the Freeport show but wreaked with two laps to go in the feature. Kent is a
listed entrant in the 200-lap NASCAR sanctioned race at New Egypt, N.J., Speedway today.

   No firm rain date has been set for Stafford Speedway's  twice-postponed Spring Siizzler event.
Stafford's weekly schedule begins next week with 1975 point champ Geoff Bodine of Chemung set to
defend his crown. Bodine will be running in a small block race at Thompson, Conn., today.
   Locally, this weekend will have seen the grand openings of Chemung, Shangri-La and Five-
Mile Point speedways. Chemung will present its Coca-Cola 400 event this afternoon at 2:30 weather
permitting.
   An upcoming event of major interest to modified fans is the 300-mile, $75,000 NASAR modified
race at Charlotte, N.C., Motor Speedwway, May 29. This will be the first time for the modifieds on a
southern high-banked super speedway and the highest paying event ever. All the stars and cars will be
there with the Dick Armstrong No. 1 Racing team of Geoff Bodine and Ray Dendrick {sp} likely favorites
based on there successes in last years major contests.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 12, 2012, 04:32:50 PM
Another one of Joe Amentler's columns...

From  the Elmira Star-Gazette  May 23, 1976.

Around the Race Tracks
 by Joe Amentler

   The wet weather and the early season profusion of modified special events are crowding the
racing calander and posing a logistics problem for some competitors.
   The Oswego Port City 150 rainout last Sunday resulted in that raindate being sandwiched
between the lucrative Patriot 300 at Charlotte, N.C. on May 29 and the May 31 Spring Sizzler show at
Stafford Springs, Conn.
   A shot at all the big money races Memorial Day weekend will require logging 386.875 miles of
competition and about 2,000 miles of travel between tracks.
   Racing teams with backup cars will have a decided advantage with the drivers able to fly to the
next event and with fresh equipment waiting for them. Some of the one-car operations may have to skip
one or two of the biggies.
   The United Racing Club super sprint throttle-jockeys will have a busy holiday schedule also.
   The itinerant sprinters will be running night shows at Fonda, N.Y., May 29 and Weedsport
Speedway May 30, then down the pike to Flemington, N.J., for an afternoon affair on Monday, May 31.
   Harry Benjamin of Wysox captured the URC feature at the Orange County Speedway,
Middletown, N.Y., last Saturday. Benjamin guided his Fiore mount from 15th starting spot and took the
checkers ahead of modified star Wayne Reutimann and 1975 URC champ Gary Gollub. Bill Schroth
encountered mechanical problems while running sixth and did not finish.
   Other results from last week:
   Gail Barber took his second Chemung Speedrome late model feature and now has, as of this
writing, four victories at NEARA sanctioned tracks (two at Fulton) plus one at Holland, N.Y., Speedway.
Lyle Williams edged Waverly's Denny Shipman in the street stock feature.
   Tom Gush of Elmira got his act together at Shangri-La, winning the late model main from pole
starting spot. Opening night winner Bob Frisbie made an impressive charge from 14th to third mid-way in
the race but a two car tangle in front of him dropped him back in the pack and he ran out of laps in his
effort to regain lost ground. He finished fourth.
   Sonny Seamon held off a bid by Richie Evans and copped the 30-lap modified go. For the
second week in a row Billy (the Kid) Griffin of Elmira took a competitive fifth place finish.
   Stafford Speedway champ Geoff Bodine got dialed in at that Connecticut oval's second regular
season offering. Geoff tooled the new Armstrong modified to his second win in two tries with the small
block, Pinto-bodied machine.
   Chemung's holiday program calls for a Friday night Pre-Memorial Day Classic late model race
of 50-laps, paying $400 to win. The rain date will be Monday afternoon, in which case it becomes the
Memorial Day Classic.
   Several new late models are expected at the 'Drome, including one to be driven by sports car
ace Fred Kepler of Elmira. The street stocks will also be featured.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 12, 2012, 04:55:13 PM
Some photos to go with this article...a picture is worth a thousand words!
Sonny Seamon (photo from"frasson" on another site no photog info)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 12, 2012, 04:57:29 PM
Geoff Bodine w/ what I'm assuming is the Armstrong Pinto when they were just starting out? I'm sure one of you guys can elaborate. (John Grady photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 12, 2012, 04:59:43 PM
Harry Benjamin battling with Billy Schroth in URC action.  Not a very good picture, but it tells the story. Benjamin is in the Fiore #8 and Shroth is wheeling the Bauer #75.  Fierce rivals with a lot of respect for each other! (Bill Schroth collection)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on July 12, 2012, 08:02:31 PM
Yes, that is a Armstrong Pinto.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 13, 2012, 05:11:04 PM
Another Joe Amentler article...

From the Elmira Star-Gazette   May 27, 1976

Track Talk
by Joe Amentler

   A couple of long haired race drivers have gained considerable national attention this past month.
   Jan Opperman, whose reputation as a top ranking driver and a rugged individualist was established on the Central Pennsylvania sprint car circuit a few years ago, is one of the shoulder length chauffeurs.
   Opperman's nationally televised USAC sprint car victory at Terre Haute, Ind., several weeks ago and his dramatic, last minute qualifying run at Indianapolis last Sunday have accorded him a share of the spotlight that lady driver Janet Gutherie has been enjoying -- or enduring. They've both earned the recognition with their cool competence under pressure.
   The pressure will be on the modified hot shoes this weekend with a passel of events to pick from.
   The Kent racing team, driver George and car owner Ron of Horseheads, will skip the Patriot 300 at Charlotte, N.C., in favor of a full Northeast schedule of competition. They'll be running at Spencer Speedway, Williamson, N.Y., on Friday night, Shangri-La on Saturday night, Oswego Speedway Sunday afternoon, Fulton Raceway Sunday night and Stafford Springs, Conn. Speedway Memorial Day afternoon.
   Dean Hoag of Bath will see action at the Saturday Charlotte race and plans on making the long trek north to Oswego's Port City 150 contest Sunday. Dean wreaked at Lancaster Speedway Saturday night but has his mount ready for the big money tests.
   Dean's illustrious father, Dutch Hoag, will be entering the hospital for a knee operation so his future racing plans are uncertain.

   Richie Evans went to Lancaster last week and stopped Maynard Troyer's win streak at two. Evans literally blew the doors off Troyer as early-race contact between the two resulted in extensive sheet metal damage to Troyer's Nagle racer.

   Other Weekend Results:
   Sonny Seamon of Vernon Center was a double winner, copping his second in a row at Shangri-La and edging out runnerup George Kent at Fulton. Kent was fourth at Owego behind Seamon, Dick Clark and Ben Stephens of Newark Valley.
   A local leadfoot took the late model feature for the first time this year at Chemung Speedrome. Elmiran Bob Frisbie stopped the domination of Western New York drivers, winning handily from his 10th starting spot. Two-time winner Gail Barber had to settle for fifth behind smooth-running Duane Ellis of Waverly. Gordy Smith was third and Stan Clark of Corning, second. Waverly's Denny Shipman copped his third rough and tumble street stock main.
   Geoff Bodine's try for two in a row at Stafford Speedway was rained out Saturday night. He took second behind Fred  DeSarro at Thompson, Conn., Sunday making it two wins and a place in three outings with his new modified. Bodine's holiday weekend itinerary will be Charlotte, Oswego and Stafford.
   Think sun!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 13, 2012, 05:12:20 PM
Some photos to go along with this article....
Dick Clark in the Hedger #16 @ Shangri-La
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 13, 2012, 05:13:41 PM
George Kent @ Shangri-La (Fred Smith photo)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 13, 2012, 05:15:35 PM
Bob Frisbie (C. Green collection)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 17, 2012, 05:21:55 PM
Another article by Joe Amentler...

From the Elmira Star-Gazette  June 3, 1976

Track Talk
By Joe Amentler

   The full drama and excitement of a long distance auto race is dependent on its completion, with
the variables of pre-race strategy, pit stops, changing track conditions, accidents and mechanical attrition
coming into play over the scheduled distance.
   Last weekend's rain-shortened major events were frustrating to most save the winners and
their fans.
   The Indy "225" spectacle was unable to fulfill its potential and fell short of the month long
practice and time trial buildup.  Ironically, the disappointment of 350,000 spectators at Indianapolis might
have been allayed somewhat by the presence of a driver who helped send 100,000-plus fans home
satisfied from the World 600 NASCAR Grand National event at Charlotte, N.C.
   Janet Gutherie was Indy's loss and Charlotte's gain. David Pearson's seven-second victory
over Richard Petty was almost overshadowed by Miss Gutherie's 14th place finish in the gruelling, 600-
mile contest-- her first ever stock car race.
   Charlotte also experienced the rain plague in Saturday's Patriot 300 modified event. Geoff
Bodine was possibly more victim than beneficiary of the elements in that race. Bodine was running a
strong second when rain brought out the caution flag as he pitted for fuel, dropping him to to third behind
teammate Ray Hendrick and leader Darrell Waltrip. Geoff was unable to regain second or challange
Waltrip under caution and the scheduled 200-lap race was ended on lap 132.

   Bodine's pursuit of leader Maynard Troyer at the Oswego Speedway Port City 150 Sunday was
also halted by rain after 45 laps and he had to settle for second. Dean Hoag in sixth and Billy Griffin in
eighth may well have improved their positions had the race gone the distance.
   On Memorial Day, Bodine copped another runnerup finish behind Richie Evans who led all the
way in the 80-lap, Spring Sizzler race at Stafford Speedway. Hendrick was third giving the Armstrong No. 1
Racing Team three seconds and two thirds in the big money races. Not as good as winning but it pays for
the gas.
   Evan's Stafford win gave him three for the weekend. He scored at Spencer Speedway Friday
night and Shangri-La Saturday. George Kent was second at Spencer, wrecked at Owego and was forced
out with tranny trouble while running sixth at Oswego. The Kent brothers expect to have their new Pinto-
bodied modified ready for this weekend's racing.
   
   Harry Benjamin's batting average was cut to .500 as the United Racing Club got in shows at
Fonda, N.Y., and Flemington, N.J.  Versatile Jimmy Winks of Cicero won at Fonda with Bill Schroth fourth
and Benjamin out of contention. Flemington modified champ Glen Fitzcharles took the New Jersey test
with Benjamin fifth and Schroth eighth.
   Ken Townsend towed his new Edmunds chassis sprinter to Selingsgrove, Pa., and
Hagerstown, Md., only to be rained out each time just before race time.
   Denny Shipman took his fourth street stock win at Chemung Speedrome's Friday night show.
In the torrid late model feature, Art Clark of West Seneca, N.Y., fought to his second win, equaling the total
of Gail Barber of Bliss, N.Y., and making the score, Visitors 4 - Locals 1. Elmira's Bob Frisbie has the other
victory.
   Sports car ace Fred Kepler of Elmira turned in a sparkling "rookie" performance, finishing third
and showing promise of contributing to the home teams cause. The 'Drome's new 80-20 payoff schedule
should give the drivers even more incentive to let it all hang out.
   This weekend let's try to fool Mother Nature. Think rain!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 17, 2012, 05:27:01 PM
Some pictures to go along with this article.....
Art Clark with one of his beautiful rides. I got the chance to meet Mr. Clark at the last Cuba Lake reunion...super nice guy. He had brought along a "B" modified that was fully restored and in his words,"way nicer than it was when I was racing it'.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 17, 2012, 05:34:13 PM
A shot of Jimmy Winks...not in his famous #221 modifieds but in the Purdy Duece @ Oswego
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 17, 2012, 05:36:16 PM
And one for Dale Welty...I don't know...I think she's kinda cute.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 17, 2012, 05:43:23 PM
One more... Harry Benjamin of Wysox, Pa.   URC champ in 1972 and 74.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ole bones on July 17, 2012, 11:00:04 PM
awesome pic of Harry, I believe that is the Shaw sprinter, not a day goes by that I don't think of him, a true racer.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 18, 2012, 05:40:53 PM
I looked high and low for this picture...I'm standing with Bill Schroth at the Cuba Lake Reunion, admiring the Art Clark "B" mod...if you look close there is a trail of drool all the way around the car (picture from Ford Easton)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: modcrew18 on July 18, 2012, 07:11:30 PM
  Oh how i miss the days when racers built their own cars. That car is awesome.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 23, 2012, 06:45:16 PM
Joe Amentler article...

From the Elmira Star-Gazette  June 17, 1976

Around the Twin Tiers Tracks
by Joe Amentler

   George Kent of Horseheads, Mike Castertline of Waverly, Elmira's Fred Kepler and a former
Chemung resident were big winners last weekend.
   Kent copped a couple of victories at Shangri-La Saturday night, where he broke the Evans-
Seamon control; and at Fulton Raceway Sunday, his second of the season at that high banked, one-third
mile oval. Fulton's was a double feature show including the rained out main from the week previous.
Kent was third in that one behind- guess who?- Richie Evans and Sonny Seamon.
   Billy Griffin of Elmira also had a hand in stopping Sonny and Richie at Owego. After Kent took
the lead, Griffin settled into second and thwarted every effort by Seamon to get by. Evans, in fourth, made
several outside maneuvers on the tightly bunched trio but couldn't make the pass. It was a five car
blanket finish with Evans half a length behind Seamon on the outside and Dave Nichols on Sonney's
bumper in fifth.
   In the late model main, Mike Casterline made a bold inside move on the last lap, passing Dave
Machuga and Chet Bennrtt Jr. and capturing his third win in a row. Machuga was runner-up and Bennett
third. 
   
   Fred Kepler's phenominal progress as a newcomer to late model sportsman racing was
enhanced at Chemung Speedrome Friday night. Kepler took his Ed Howe built Chevelle to his first ever
feature win. He'll score more.
   The street stock main was marred by the misconduct of one of the contestants. His
shenanigan's gained him a year's suspension. Lyle Williams earned his second street class win of the
season.
   The "Bellingham Blaze" (formerly the Chemung Comet) Geoff Bodine doubled his win total as
he guided his small-block modified to decisive victories at Connecticut's Stafford and Thompson
Speedway's. Bodine now has two wins at each oval as well as several place and show efforts.
   Regarding the Bellingham blaze tag, geoff has recently become a full-time resident of
Bellingham, Mass. I hope he is able to handle the cultural shock of moving from the deep Southern Tier
to Yankee country. He's certainly shown himself able to handle the competition. An article in the latest
Stock Car magazine about Geoff's car owner Dick Armstrong tells of Geoff's on and off track difficulties in
establishing himself in taht tough and talented circuit.
   Geoff is scheduled to make an appearence in the late model class at the Speedrome, June 25.
   Super sprint chauffeurs Harry Benjamin and Bill Schroth maintained their one-two standing in
United Racing Club points although neither was victorious last weekend. At Rolling Wheels Friday night,
Bobby Brooks led Bill Wentz and Benjamin to the checkers with Schroth sixth. Saturday at the Orange
County Speedway, modified hot shoes Wayne and Buzzie Reutimann finished win-place with Schroth in
show and Benjamin sidelined. The URC will be at the Jennerstown, Pa., Speedway this Saturday night.
   The Woodhull Raceway, a third-mile, clay oval 20 miles west of Corning, will be presenting a
100 lap- $1,000 to win modified race on Wednesday, June 23. This will be a qualifying race for the annual
Schaefer 100 at Syracuse and many of the East's top dirt modified talents are expected to appear.
   The NASCAR Grand National race at Riverside, Calif., was changed from a 500-miler to a 400-
kilometer contest. The 250 mile difference didn't deter David Pearson as the Grey Fox chalked up another
major win, his sixth this year. The "Good Old Boys" of NASCAR will be at the Daytona Speedway July for
the Firecracker 400.
   The USAC championship cars and stars will be at Pocono International Raceway June 27 for
the Schaefer 500, or whatever distance
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 23, 2012, 06:48:31 PM
One picture to go with this article...Bill Wentz in 1975 (photo from Selingsgrove board)
Somewhere I have an awesome photo of Mike Casterline...I'll post it when I dig it up.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on July 23, 2012, 10:55:40 PM
It would be neat to find the results of that 100 lapper at woohull in 76, I went to a big mid week show in 83 and one of the lane bros, (cal or mal ) started on the pole-- I bettcha mr colgrove  can anwser !!!!! 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 24, 2012, 07:29:14 PM
I couldn't find the picture I was looking for but....There is a neat picture Dale Welty posted on "Oldies but Goodies" of Casterline battling Secord @ Chemung and I found this on the HAMB.  Mike Casterline @ Trenton. Maybe someone can shed some more light on this one.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 24, 2012, 09:02:16 PM
I was looking for one thing and found another... This web site is chuck full of everything Bodine. Among the things I found on it were: pictures of Geoff in his micro sprint @ Chemung in the mid fifties (that's when he was Jeffery by the way), pictures of the Bodine clan through their careers and the ONLY picture I've ever seen of Brett @ Chemung  (w/ the checkers I might add).
use this;    http://yahni.tripod.com/ (http://yahni.tripod.com/)
if it doesn't work just type in "POPPY' "BODINE" you'll be golden....Enjoy!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2012, 09:55:41 PM
went to the Cuba Lake today for the old timers reunion...sat at a table w/ guys like Dick Hurd, Art Clark and Cal Lane. Life is Good!
took a couple of pics...not the best, but what the heck...
The keynote speaker was Bill Green from the International Motorsports Museum in Watkins....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2012, 09:56:45 PM
Squirt Johns told a story...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2012, 09:58:09 PM
Dick Close chatting with Cal Lane
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2012, 09:58:45 PM
One of the greats...Bucky Dew
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2012, 10:01:29 PM
This is Howard Boyce who built South Seneca Speedway in Ovid N.Y. Howard brought the original flag set he had used at the speedway in the mid-fifties....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 25, 2012, 10:03:04 PM
Great crowd...Great People...Great stories! You should all put it on you to-do list for next year.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on July 27, 2012, 11:20:09 PM
here's that pic of Casterline you were looking for. Pic by L.O. Duncan.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 31, 2012, 05:30:31 PM
Another one of the Joe Amentler articles from 1976.....

From the Elmira Star-Gazette  June 25, 1976

Around the Tracks
by Joe Amentler

   The reign of King Richard the somnolent is threatened. Richard Petty's control of the NASCAR Grand National domain is under seige by "Prince" David Pearson, whose victory in the battle of Michigan International Speedway last Sunday added to his stature and his treasury. It was Pearson's seventh triumph in eight major tests this year.

   In the realm of modified sportsmen, Sonny Seamon displayed his power at Shangri-La as he captured his fourth feature of the season. Richie Evans was campaigning elsewhere and after contenders George Kent and Wayne Edwards were forced to the rear in seperate mishaps, Seamon coasted unchallanged to the win. Dean Hoag had his best finish of the year, taking the runnerup spot. Kent and Edwards came back to finish three and four. Larry Groover was fifth.
   Mike Casterline continued his winning ways in the Shangri-La late model action, copping his fourth in a row. Duane Ellis had a comfortable lead late in the event but handling problems caused him to spin out allowing Casterline to maintain his win skein. Frontrunners Bob Frisbee and Chet Bennett Jr. had difficulties, with Bennett wiping out in a first lap wreck and Frisbee suffering a flat tire while in contention. Dave Machuga took his second consecutive place finish and Jim Zacharias was show.

   Maynard Troyer picked up his second Spencer Speedway feature Friday night. Evans followed him across the line, with Seamon third and Kent fourth. Fulton's Sunday card was rained out.
   Another late model rookie entered the winner's circle at Chemung Speedrome Friday night. Stan Clark of Corning, who has been a contender since his debut, charged from fourth to the front in the opening laps and cruised to his first feature win. Gail Barber worked his way up to second from eighth and Tom Gush, Chet Bennett Jr. and Bob Frisbie rounded out the top five.

   The Shipman brothers took the street stock cash, with Denny winning (his sixth) and Jerry second.
   Geoff Bodine will be competing at the Speedrome this Friday night, probably behind the wheel of the Frisbie Deuce.
   Last Friday, Bodine traveled to a double feature show at the Monadnock, N.H., Speedway and after wrecking in the first main event, he came back to win the second. Geoff's regular stop at Stafford Speedway Saturday night was rained out. Sunday's Thompson Speedway contest found Geoff winning his second in a row and third of the year at that high-banked oval. Fred DeSarro, another three time winner, was second and Bob Santos third.

   Stafford will present the Winston 150 NASCAR Championship modified race this Sunday afternoon. Most of the Mod Squad heavies will be at that one.
   The URC sprinters were rained out at Jennerstown, Pa., Speedway last Saturday. They'll make an appearance at the Beckley, W. Va., Speedway this Saturday night. It will be a twin-25 lap format with lots of loot up for grabs.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 31, 2012, 05:32:44 PM
So....there I was looking for some photos to go with this article when I stumbled upon this.....

http://www.racinghistorian.com/Galleries/Other-Exhibits/Vintage-Local-Track-Images/5472854_JNhSwJ# (http://www.racinghistorian.com/Galleries/Other-Exhibits/Vintage-Local-Track-Images/5472854_JNhSwJ#)!i=334686389&k=eV5M5

I almost fell out of my chair....enjoy!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: MODiFried on August 04, 2012, 10:29:51 PM
So....there I was looking for some photos to go with this article when I stumbled upon this.....

[url]http://www.racinghistorian.com/Galleries/Other-Exhibits/Vintage-Local-Track-Images/5472854_JNhSwJ#[/url] ([url]http://www.racinghistorian.com/Galleries/Other-Exhibits/Vintage-Local-Track-Images/5472854_JNhSwJ#[/url])!i=334686389&k=eV5M5

I almost fell out of my chair....enjoy!

SWEET !   ;D nice pics/link Thanks Bob
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 15, 2012, 05:17:29 PM
Another fine article from Joe Amentler...

From the Elmira Star-Gazette   Sept. 3, 1976

Around the Tracks
By Joe Amentler

   The mettle and the metal of the modified men and machines will be put to the test this weekend as racing's second season of long distance special events begins.
   The big money chase starts tonight at the Riverhead, L.I., Raceway with an extra-distance race on the quarter-mile asphalt.
   The 10th Modified-Sportsman 200 at Oswego Saturday is half of a holiday weekend double bill at the ultra fast oval. Sunday will see the 20th renewal of the International Classic 200 for Super Modifieds. A total purse of $75,000 for the two events will be contested for by drivers from across the U.S. and Canada.
   The Mod Squad skirmishing continues on Labor Day with the 200-lap NASCAR National Championship race at Stafford Motor Speedway, with $20,000 in posted awards.

   The Dirt Modifieds will be at the Syracuse Fairgrounds Monday afternoon for a 30-lap, $12,000 tuneup for the Schaefer 100 at the Syracuse mile Oct. 3. Following the daylight action most of the contestants will haul to Rolling Wheels, Elbridge, N.Y., for an evening 100-lap special.
   The macadam modifieds return to Long Island next Saturday for the Freeport Speedway's $20,000 Bicentenial 200. Succeeding weeks will offer the $30,000 Thompson 300 on Sept. 19: the 26th 300 mile Race of Champions at Trenton International Speedway, Oct. 10: and the Cardinal 500 at Martinsville, Va., a week later.

   Based on accomplishments so far this season, the favorites in the big blacktop races have to be Richie Evans, Maynard Troyer and Geoff Bodine.
   Evans was hot again last weekend, scoring wins at Spencer, Shangri-La and Fulton, while George Kent was runnerup at Oswego.
   Mike Casterline won his eighth Late Model feature at Shangri-La and wrapped up the season championship in that division.
   Evans and Troyer, sporting wings on their modifieds, finished one-two at Stafford's "anything goes" Modified Madness special Tuesday night.
   Geoff Bodine ran off with his 10th and 11th Thompson Speedway features last week. Nine of the wins have been in the regular Sunday races and two in mid-week Yankee All-Star League events. The two All-Star victories along with a second and seventh in that six-race series have gained him the League point title.
   Fred DeSarro won Stafford's last regular season show Saturday and took the point crown from Bodine. Geoff finished third in the race and second in the points, while his car owner, Dick Armstrong, was tops in owners points for the second year in a row. Bodine won at Westboro Speedway Friday night, his second triumph at that oval.

   Jerry Cook copped an extra point race at Islip Speedway last Saturday and appears headed for his fifth NASCAR National Modified title.
   The United Racing Club crown is still up for grabs. Contenders Gary Gollub, Bill Schroth and Harry Benjamin were shut out last weekend. Bill Buckley won at Rolling Wheels and Bill Wentz Jr. took the Orange County Speedway feature.
   Races at Flemington, N.J., Fair Saturday and Sunday could decide the point race. Only a couple of contests in Canada remain on the URC schedule.      
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 15, 2012, 05:18:45 PM
Some photos to go with the article....Jerry Cook (Getty image)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 15, 2012, 05:19:37 PM
Fred DeSarro
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 17, 2012, 11:48:14 PM
Another picture to go with the above article...I had to dig through my old flash drive to find this. It was "borrowed" from the HAMB and there wasn't any photog info on the pic, but there was at least one other picture on that thread showing Richie Evans car w/ wings....This is Geoff Bodine's #99 ride w/ Troyer's #6 right behind. I don't think it was from 1976, but you get the idea.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on August 18, 2012, 07:12:59 AM
The photo of the #99 is from 1980 at New Smryna Speedway in Florida.The other car is Brett Bodine in the #4 car.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Nate Pickering on August 23, 2012, 02:42:15 PM
All photos in this collection are photos of the Woodhull Raceway taken back in the '80s and one in the early '60s. 

1st Photo: Lin Hough, who later went on to promote the Dundee Raceway, which is now known as the Black Rock Speedway.

2nd Photo: A Canadian named Bill Sheldon raced his modified at the Woodhull Raceway, during what I call the "Canadian Invasion." From 1979 to 1981, Canadians were regular competitors at Woodhull. This particular man was one of the fastest.

3rd Photo: Donald Lawson Sr.'s modified at Woodhull. This particular modified was lettered by Sean Lias.

4th Photo: Larry Robbins posing beside his modified at the Woodhull Raceway, which was also lettered by a legend of the sport, Sean Lias.

5th Photo: Bob Fidler at the Woodhull Raceway. During this time, I believe his son was piloting this car as well.

6th Photo: Moose Crowell's amateur/street stock at Woodhull Raceway. It was lettered by Sean Lias and Moose eventually moved to the southern United States.

7th Photo: Joe Rice's amateur/street stock outside of his home. He was a regular competitor at Woodhull as well.

8th Photo: Tom Taber's sprint car, who was a competitor at Woodhull in the modifieds back in the day. He was another great competitor.

9th Photo: A picture of John Moravec's modified in the pitting area at Woodhull. He was from Penn Yan, I do believe.

10th Photo: Greg Church posing for his much-wanted victory at Woodhull. -Tim Deebs' Photo

11th Photo: Quite possibly one of the greatest to ever compete at Woodhull, is none other than Don Kio. He was the man to beat! Call him the "Billy Van Pelt of Yesteryear." -Todd Burgess Photo

***I have hundreds more of Woodhull photos from back in the day that I will post as time permits. I hope everybody enjoys them!***
***A big thank you goes out to Ron and Sean Lias for "supplying" me with a bunch of vintage Woodhull photos!***
(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-snc6%2F260589_472382609447580_1486841335_n.jpg&hash=090939f74909361bb3c471d869b83968fc01629b)
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Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: thewackyracer on August 23, 2012, 06:53:35 PM
Thank you, them were the days!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 26, 2012, 10:34:37 AM
Hey Nate Pickering..I just looked at your Facebook page...You need to share more of that over here and on the "oldies but goodies" thread. AWESOME stuff!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Nate Pickering on August 26, 2012, 09:53:44 PM
Bob, I added more historical photos of the Woodhull Raceway at the top of the hour. I'm glad to see that everyone is appreciating the hard work I've put in locating the photos that people oh so want to see. Like I just said in the "Oldies but Goodies" thread, after posting more photos, Morgan Colegrove and I have decided to sit down and generously add the photos to RaceNY and my very own personal collection. As always, feel free to add me on Facebook and we can chat on there on occasion. I'm always seen at Woodhull, if you haven't seen me there before. And once again, thank you for your compliment and have a great night.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 03, 2012, 12:26:12 PM
This was the last one of Joe Amentler's articles I could find...I will look for more this fall. The one thing that I noticed from this article was how much we've lost...Richie Evans; Islip and Freeport; the Labor Day race at the Syracuse Mile.
This one is also timely as it dealt with the labor day weekend...Enjoy!

From the Elmira Star-Gazette   Sept. 10, 1976

Around the Tracks
by Joe Amentler

   Maynard Troyer won first prize at the Oswego Speedway Modified 200, while Geoff Bodine and
Richie Evans shared the hard luck award.
   A contest that was shaping up as a classic battle between modified racing's three winningest
warriors turned into a runaway for Troyer as his prime antagonists fell victim to brushes with lapped cars
and the wall.
   Bodine exited on the 76th lap after getting belted from behind and shoved into the retaining
wall on a restart situation. Evans and Troyer engaged in a lead-swapping duel from that point until the
158th circuit when heavy traffic forced Richie wide and into the backstretch wall, bending the front end of
his potent Pinto. Troyer then coasted to the win ahead of Satch Worley, Roger Treichler and Wayne
Edwards.
   Evan's wipeout was his second of the weekend.
   During a heat race at Spencer Speedway last Friday a collision sent him flipping onto the fence,
demolishing his other modified. Troyer was the Spebcer winner also, with George Kent runnerup.

   Kent skipped the Oswego race for a double-point show at Lancaster Speedway. He copped the
feature there and now has a commanding lead in NEARA modified season points. Kent also leads in
points for the Fulton Raceway championship. He finished third at Fulton Sunday. Hasty repairs on Evan's
machine enabled him to rebound with another Fulton victory. Sonney Seamon was second.
   Bodine and the Armstrong crew hauled back to New England from Oswego and ironed out the
wrinkles in the Big Red Machine in time for the Thompson Sunday evening fracas. Bodine blasted to his
12th feature triumph there, once again leading Fred DeSarro to the checkers.
   Geoff then capped his weekend by winning the Stafford National Championship 200 on Labor Day.

   I was unable to find out the outcome of the Riverhead Raceway 200 as neither of the big three
nor any of the local talent made the scene.
   They'll all be on Long Island this weekend though, for the Islip All-Star 300 Saturday night and
the Freeport Speedway Bicentenial 200 Sunday afternoon. The Freeport time trials are scheduled for
Saturday afternoon with free admission to the fans. I hope to attend one or both of those bullring battles
and will provide a blow-by blow account next week.

   The dirt doings last week found Wayne Reutimann of Zepherhills, Fla., victorious in the Labor
Day modified race at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Jack Johnson of Schenectady won the After
the Fair 100 at Rolling Wheels Monday night.
   The Flemington Fair URC sprint contests went to Buck Buckley who edged Harry Benjamin in
the Saturday feature; and to Bill Wentz Sr. ahead of Bill Wentz Jr. and Benjamin in the Sunday go.
   Bill Schroth once again had problems with his new mount and slipped further back in season
points, while Benjamin has a outside chance to unseat current leader Gary Gollub. Two races in Canada
next week will end the URC season.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 03, 2012, 12:30:44 PM
A few photos to go with the above article...The first is of a young Wayne Reutimann at Golden Gate Speedway in Florida  (no photog info..from a web page on GGS)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 03, 2012, 12:35:34 PM
Buck Buckley and crew. The caption stated it was complete with plywood wing....those were the days!  (photo from facebook page for Flemington Speedway Historical Society)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 03, 2012, 12:39:02 PM
Last but not least...Gary Gollub (who did indeed go on to win the '76 URC championship) has a fiery wreck at Big Diamond PA. (Joe Kromer photo from 181 Coastal...buy the book!)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: MOD27NY on September 03, 2012, 03:24:16 PM
Buck Buckley and crew. The caption stated it was complete with plywood wing....those were the days!  (photo from facebook page for Flemington Speedway Historical Society)

This is a picture of Bucky Barker not Buck Buckley
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 03, 2012, 03:42:59 PM
You are %100 correct sir...sorry about that! How's about I try again! (From the Flemington Speedway Historical Society Facebook page)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: ole bones on September 03, 2012, 08:48:00 PM
ask Steady Eddie McGUIRE about racing with Bucky Barker , They took quite a tumble at Flemington in a URC race . made a full page spread in the race paper.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Loudspeaker on September 08, 2012, 05:14:27 PM
RED HARRINGTON: Hails out of Binghamton, N.Y. and started his racing career at the age of 16 in 1956. Inspired by Don Beagell, his first race car was a 1936 Chevy coupe with a straight 8 Buick in it. He has raced on both dirt and asphalt and retired from driving in 1973 after winning the Southern tier 500. He has claim to a Twin Valley Championship and has raced with the best of them. He states that one of his most memorable moment on the track was winning the Irv Heath Memorial race @5 Mile Point in 1965. He fondly recalls changing a motor in Richie Evans’ car at Daytona at the Royal Arms Hotel with a hay rope under the archway to the entrance of the hotel!
 
LARRY SMITH: This Mount Upton, N.Y. driver was influenced by his mother to drive after saying that his brother was going kill himself in that car, so next year you drive! Larry started racing in 1968 in a 1961 Chevy -#61.at the age of 34.He has raced at Mid-state Skyline, Weedsport and Rolling Wheels. His recollects one of his most memorable moments on the track was when Wayne King took the front right A-frame off his car, rolled over and  ended up in the parking lot during the County Fair. Larry retired form racing in 1979 but is still active helping out  his  son and a few local guys and building motors.
 DOUG RUNDELL: Sherburne, N.Y. is where this master mechanic and car builder has lived and has had his hands on so many cars that he can even count. He was most influenced by Freddie DeCarr to get into racing. He started his racing career in 1969 at 25 years old. Driving for himself in a  1957 Chevy. After claiming 2 Asphalt track championships, Chemung and Utica-Rome he decided he liked building  cars better than racing them .His memorable moment was his very first win at Chemung and his son Bob’s first win at Oswego with a car they built with DeCarr power under the hood. Long hours were spend building and re-building McCredy cars and being associated with Bill Wimble will be a lifelong memory.
 GLEN HAWLEY: Maryland, N.Y. is where this small businessman running a salvage yard got the pieces and parts to build his cars and it was always with Pontiac’s He tried his luck at racing but found himself being elected President of the Mid-State Speedway. As a successful businessman, he found  the ways to keep the speedway alive and brought the first Schaefer qualifier and the first pace car to Morris with the partnership of the Utica Club Brewery, Promoting races and whatever he could do to help anyone out would be the things he would be remembered for. Today with his rightful place in the Hall of fame, we remember a man who’s hard work will not be forgotten.
 WILLIE WIGHTMAN: Schuyler Lake, N.Y. is where this pioneer of racing has called home. He was most inspired by Frank Trinkus. When he was 15 years old he owned his first race car, a 35 Ford coupe - Ralph Schultz drove for him until he turned 19 in 1958. He ran under the number 22 and the number 6 in the late model class. He recalls many great moments but beating his mentor and friend, Moose Carey in a heat race will always stick-out. Willie retired in 1969 to raise his family. We were just a low budget deal, but we had a lot of fun and have no regrets and made a lot of friends. His greatest accomplishment is being inducted into this Hall of Fame.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 09, 2012, 08:25:37 PM
I take it these are the guys that were inducted into the Mid-State Hall of Fame today?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Loudspeaker on September 09, 2012, 08:43:26 PM
yes that is correct and it was an awesome day just got back good times had by all
plan on next years event!!!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 72beep on September 14, 2012, 12:24:31 PM
The picture of John Moravecs Water Wagon was from 1984.  That was a Flagg chassis.  We ran that from 1983 thru 1985,  then switched to Show Car chassis's until 1992, then Troyers until 1999, then TEO.  His brother Bill built the engines.  Them where fun days ;D
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 19, 2012, 04:16:48 PM
It's two for one night...belly up to the bar boys!
I found another "Checkered Flag" article by Bill Dowd, this one from 1968. I was getting ready to delete it when I noticed another write-up next to it. As always...Enjoy!

From the Binghamton Press   July 5, 1968

Checkered Flag
by Bill Dowd

   The list of drivers for the 200-mile U.S. Road Racing Championship event at Watkins Glen July 13 is an impressive one. But one particular car may draw more attention than Mark Donahue, Skip Scott, Chuck Parsons and Lothar Motschenbacher combined.
   The Howmet TX, powered by an experimental turbine engine is tentively scheduled to be competing with the Group 7 racers in the $20,000 race, seventh of nine on the USRRC circuit.
   We had an opportunity to inspect the Howmet TX at Langhorne International Speedway two weeks ago. Dick Suchy, one of the crew members, rates it as better than a possible challenger to the red-hot McLarens.
   "We've only benn running this car since the first of the year and we've gotten to the point where most of the bugs are worked out," he said.
   "The McLarens they're racing in the USRRC now are relatively new but they've still had more time to work on their cars. In England we crashed once and burned once and we had a couple of DNFs earlier. But after winning at Marlboro the other week we're pretty sure we're going to be running strong."

   THE HOWMET CAR is a light one, barely above USRRC minimum. The engine weighs only 150 pounds with a ZF limited-slip Halibrand rear, the lack of weight doesn't hurt its acceleration.
   The sleek, white racer, usually driven by Ray Heppenstall, idles at 74 per cent throttle, giving it full power while most Group 7 cars are still winding through intermediate gears. The turbine engine is rated at 183 c.c. but as far as usable power is concerned, it is rated equivalent to 350-400 cubic inch mills.
   "We like to run in damp weather when the air is heavier, just like Granitellei's turbines," said Suchty. "In mud we can go up against a 4-wheel drive dune buggy and win. But even if it's warm, we'll run well."
   The Howmet team will have to run well at the Glen. Donahue, in his Chevy-powered McLaren, is running away toward his second straight USRRC title. Motcshenbacher has driven a McLaren to two seconds, a fourth and a sixth after finishing second to Donahue in last years point scramble.
   The 3-4 pointmen, teammates Scott and Parsons, are entered in a pair of Lolas powered by Bartz Chevy engines. Scott took second in the initial USRRC at Mexico City and won the Vanderbilt Cup at Bridgehampton. Parsons, the 1966 USRRC champ, has two fourths, a second and a sixth. And young Sam Posey, third in points last year, adds still more variety in a Caldwell D-F-B Chevy. He was second to Donahue at the Glen last year.
   Following the USRRC race on Sunday is the first Six Hours of Endurance for the World Championship of Manufacturers.

   PIT STOPS: Ithaca-Dryden Speedway will reopen tonight at 7:30 under former driver Johnny Wood. The quarter-mile dirt track, located 2 1/2 miles west of Dryden, ran into financial  problems the last few years and last season ran only two or three events. Wood is trying to get it going again with sportsman and modern divisions but at this point can only offer a percentage of the gate instead of a guaranteed purse.... Shangri-La Speedway will hold it's second 100-lapper of the season a week from Sunday with Don Diffendorf, who has won at Spencer and Lebanon Valley in addition to seven victories at the Owego track, out to take his second 100-lap purse there this season.

TOWNLEY, STUB TURN 100 Into $600 DAY
 
   Before Wednesday night's Southern Tier Open 100 at Five-Mile Point Speedway, Pete Cordes said he was interested in seeing how well Dave Kneisel would be running.
   Kneisel had been impressive at Mid-State Speedway, Cordes' home track, but had over-driven his powerful sportsman on the short track. Cordes felt Kneisel would do better at Five-Mile.
   As it turned out, Kneisel won the first heat handily and ran well enough in the 100-lap feature to place fourth, but Cordes ran even better, finishing two spots ahead of Kneisel, but not strong enough to top Jerry Townley.
   Townley, No. 2 man in the sportsman point race at Lebanon Valley, had been edged out by Cordes in the 100-lap race at Mid-State three days earlier. This time he finished 11 seconds to the good to claim the $600 winner's share of the big purse before a crowd of about 3,000.
   The cars with less power dominated the action, the first three powered by 327 cubic inch engines, the 427s taking the next four spots. Thirty-five were entered.
   In Penn-Can Speedway's second annual Fourth of July 100, veteran Stub Stephens of Clifford Pa., grabbed the $600 prize after Paul Zedar of Forest City led the 35-car pack for nearly 89 laps.
   Once Stephens got in front he gradually opened the gap until he took the checkered flag 10 lengths in front of Zedar with Russ Smith, runnerup to Carl Nagel last year, finishing third before 2,200 fans.
   Nagel went out with a flat tire yesterday. Brian Dubois, driving his "Airfoil Special", went over the bank after being one of the favorites with Nagel.  Stephens, although a Penn-Can regular, qualified at Harvey's Speedway in Lemon, Pa. Penn-Can does not run tonight.

Southern Tier 100
1-Jerry Townley; 2-Pete Cordes; 3-Les Green; 4-Dave Kneisel; 5-Ray Bunzey; 6-Larry Catlin; 7-Wayne Meade; 8-Bill Leonard; 9-Mike Zopp; 10-Chuck Brady.

Penn-Can 100
1-Stub Stephens; 2-Paul Zedar; 3-Russ Smith; 4-Red Graff; 5-Dick Miller; 6-Rich Latwinski; 7-Jim Zacharias; 8-Ron Board; 9-Joe Winterstein; 10-George Herold
                  BILL DOWD

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 19, 2012, 04:26:30 PM
Here are acouple of pictures to go with the Dowd article...The first is of the Howmet TX. I have to be honest. I had never heard of it. There are some neat things to look at on the net in regards to this car. One is the Wikapedia article on it. There is also a mega-cool video on youtube of someone firing one up...just type in Howmet TX and voila. The picture posted was taken by Roy Des Ruisseaux at Marlboro in 1968.
The second picture is of Jerry Townley w/ Pop Wilcox @ Victoria Speedway in Duanesburg  out by Albany. I found the pic on Fuelfed.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 22, 2012, 11:55:53 AM
A really interesting article dated 1968 on a young lady from the Binghamton area. It would be interesting to hear from anybody who has insight into this. What struck me was, given the time frame, that this was a young women who was really ahead of her time as it was truly a man's world back then. 

from the Binghamton Press   July 12, 1968

An Owner Today, A Driver Tomorrow
(from "On the Teen Scene" series)
by Ann Connery

   Every Saturday, you can find Debra Weldy in the pits at Five-Mile Point Speedway.
   She's not hard to spot, either, since she's the only girl allowed in the pits. She's also the only
14-year-old who owns and services a stock car.
   Debbie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn H. Weldy of 9 Thompson Street, has attended local
races for four years. After she received her '53 Chevrolet from her father last Christmas, she bought an
engine, began working on the car, and started taking it up to the track, where her father or a friend, Doug
Brown, races it.

   During the week, she spends her spare time in the back yard, fixing up her car. "It has a '54
engine," said Debbie, "and I'm putting in a 411 differential, which will make it go faster."
   This is the first car Debbie has "put together." She learned about the parts of a car from
automotive books and magazines, and from her dad. But she learned the most from assembling small
models.
   Mr. Weldy said: "She does the work on the car herself. I only act as a third hand, now and then.
I do all the welding for her." Mr. Weldy used to build and drive sprint cars, which first interested Debbie in
cars.
   She works on her car "all the time," according to her father. Debbie said that she wasn't at all
afraid to start tinkering with it, confident that she knew what she was doing.
   For a fuel tank, she recently substituted a beer keg, but made one big mistake- she left a little
beer in it. "the fuel pump and the carburetor were clogged with beer," she said. "That's why I'm cleaning
them out now." With her hand she indicated some parts she was washing out with a rag.
   Debbie works in an old shirt and shorts, which her mother says she must throw out after they
are real dirty. They're uncleanable. Debbie's long black hair and lightly painted fingernails are a striking
contrast to the grease marks on her arms, legs and clothing.
   Debbie also likes art, when it's too dark to work on her car she "sits around the house drawing
pictures." Her artistic touch is visable on her car. With Fluorescent paint, Debbie has drawn designs in 
green, red, orange, yellow and blue. Her silver helmet is painted with fluorescent colors to match.

   Debbie is allowed to drive the car on the track and likes to warm it up sometimes before a race.
"Officials would let me drive in races now, but I'd like to have more experience," she said.   
   "Last week I drove into the wall and backed into the inner field. I have a little trouble balancing
the clutch and the accelerator: you have to feel it out."
   Debbie and her father, who is a pilot, have traveled to different races this year, such as the
Daytona 500, as spectators only. But pretty soon she may be racing herself!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 22, 2012, 12:06:11 PM
Photos and captions from the previous article....
First pic... Debbie and her car- Debbie Weldy, 14, smiles under her silver helmet, while seated in her '53 Chevy stock car, number 2-7. the car has no doors, but has metal bars to reinforce the car's protection.
Second pic... Elbow grease- Elbows aren't the only things that get dirty when Debbie works on her car. "Kerosene takes it right off," Debbie says. Debbie said her mother worries a little when she sees the car "jacked up with me underneath it." (photos by John Bolas)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 01, 2012, 05:58:24 PM
Another Bill Dowd article from 1969. Also included is the advertisment from the same page for the opener @ Shangri-La (check out the crowd!)

from the Binghamton Press   April 25, 1969

Checkered Flag
by Bill Dowd

   Four former sportsman-modified champions head the list of drivers for the Shangri-La Speedway's season opener tomorrow night. But it wouldn't surprise the aficionados to see some relative newcomers make a strong bid for top honors at the Owego track this year.
   Gary Reddick and Binghamton's Wayne Meade and Larry Grover, who ran well in the S-M feature at Fulton Speedway Sunday, 1967 Chemung Speedrome champ Bryan Osgood, Maine's Bill Marean, who drove on the United Racing Club sprint car circuit the last few years, and experienced Graeme Bolia in a new car appear to be the best of the crop of young drivers.

   The old standbys shoot for the big cut of the $2,600 S-M purse when tomorrow's program begins at 7:30 p.m. Defending S-M champ Jerry Hayes of Castle Creek, two-time Press "Driver of the Year" Don Diffendorf of Kirkwood, Bath's Dutch Hoag and Candor's "Bullet Bill" Strosahl have all won titles at Shangri-La.

   Hayes will be in action despite doctor's orders not to race. He's had two operations on his left leg that was mangled in a Lancaster Speedway crackup last season. Hoag may have a new Dodge-powered car ready and Diff is already driving a new rig.

   In the late model class, a cut better than the former modern class which included just about everything from Model A Fords to jazzed-up Henry J's, perennial champ Jim Zacharias of Endicott is the man to watch in his new Buick. The late model regulations rule out cars with bodies manufactured before 1955 or after '62. Overhead engines are also out.

   Two safety factors have been made mandatory in both classes this season- fuel cells to eliminate the danger of spillled, flaming gasoline from a ruptured tank, and 3 safety bar minimum on the driver's side. Haye's injury came about when  another car's bumper crashed through the weak area that the bar rule will strengthen.

   Three qualifying races for guaranteed starting spots in big-track extravaganzas will be held- the May 17 Pocono International Raceway qualifier, the Aug. 9 Langhorne qualifier and an unscheduled-as-yet Trenton qualifier, all at 50 laps.

   Area Sports Car drivers get into racing action tomorrow at Lime Rock, Conn., site of a Sports Car Club of America regional race meet.

   Binghamton's Fran Larkin and harold Lindsay of Vestal, the Southern New York Region-SCCA "Driver of the Year" in 1968, will both be in action. Larkin is entered in an SR Cooper-Ford, reworked from his previous outing in the car in which he won a Watkins Glen race last October.

   Lindsay, who will have to burn the midnight oil to get his KLT Special ready for the DSR running after late delivery of new parts, has a Jabro Mark 4-bodied car which he was driven to the SCCA's Southwest (Texas area) Division title in 1967.

   Doug March of Vestal, who ran 12 races last year, has tentative plans to run at Lime Rock next month after completing work on his Formula Vee. March holds the FV lap record at Watkins Glen.

   Pit Stops: Bentley Waren, the Massachusetts hotshot who made such an early splash at Shangri-La last season, has been running with the ARDC midgets at Freeport Stadium on Long Island. He took third in a consi race there last Sunday... Upstate track openings- Albany-Saratoga Speedway (NASCAR stockers), Friday, May 2; Oswego Speedway (super modifieds), Saturday, May 31; Chemung Speedrome (stocks), Saturday, May 3; Five-Mile Point (stocks), Saturday, May 10; Lebanon Valley Speedway (stocks), tomorrow night; Pennsy track openings- Penn Can Speedway (stocks), Friday, May 16; Pocono International (super modifieds for first week), Sunday, May 4; Dorney Park Speedway (stocks), near Allentown, tomorrow night... Bill Wimble of Rome, former NASCAR sportsman champion, has decided to retire from competition... Trenton Speedway beat Sunday's checkered flag and completed its track rebuilding early this week. The 1 1/2- mile banked, paved track was to be the site of the 8th annual Trenton 200 Sunday but rain forced postponement until Saturday, May 3... Chris Amon and Mario Andretti won the pole position for today's Monza 1,000-kilometer race in their Ferrari 312-P.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 01, 2012, 06:03:06 PM
A little something to go with the above article...
This is a link to a very good article on Gary Reddick-
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20090419/SPORTS01/304199974/ (http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20090419/SPORTS01/304199974/)
The following photos are from that article and are from the Gary Reddick collection
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: thedoebes on October 02, 2012, 11:42:36 AM
The miss spelled name in the article above,it should be Larry Groover.He is Chuck Akulis's Brother in Law.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 03, 2012, 08:52:54 PM
For some reason stuff isn't uploading...Here are the other two pictures from that article on Garry Reddick
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: bakes on October 05, 2012, 11:14:10 PM
For some reason stuff isn't uploading...Here are the other two pictures from that article on Garry Reddick

Nice article on Gary.  Always liked watching him run, and he was great to us kids when we wnet over to the pits after the races on the times he ran at Shangri-La.  Very friendly dude, let us 9 year olds sit in his car. :)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 06, 2012, 03:02:25 PM
Another article by Bill Dowd...

from the Binghamton Press   May 1, 1969

Checkered Flag
by Bill Dowd

   There will be a couple of merry souls in the Cole family if the hot streak that began in the waning stages of the 1968 stock car racing season hasn't suffered through the winter layoff.
   After several years of disheartening performances, including a 1 1/2-year dip into the figure-8 carnival when brother Walter was ill and couldn't work on the car, Al Cole finally hit his stride last season.
   In the space of four weeks he picked up a pair of sportsman features at Five-Mile Point Speedway as well as one at Penn-Can, the first main event victories the Cole Brother's Chevy-powered No. 24 ever earned.
   Al, a 33-year-old veteran of seven years on the dirt tracks who runs a Conklin Avenue service station with his brother, squeaked into the top 10 in points at Five-Mile the last two years. This time he's hoping for a move into the first division.

   "We fixed the handling problems that bothered us all year," Al said of his late spurt. "We've got the same car (a metallic blue "39 Ford coupe) and we hope we can keep it running as well as we did at the enfd of last season."
   Cole's competition for Saturday night's Five-Mile opener will be the same pack that waged such a tight battle that a post-season auditing of the point list was needed to determine the championship.
   Pete Cordes, the 6-foot-8 Sidney Center driver who won the title, Binghamton's Don Beagell, who thought he won it until the recount, Norm Norton of Clarks Summit and DeForest Chalker of Montrose will all run Saturday. They swept the top four places in the final standings.
   Modern division champ Buzzy Barton moves up to the sportsmen and Beagell's brother Roger, the "Most Improved Driver" in the sportsmen are among the newcomers to watch. Old reliables Chuck Akulis, Red Harrington, Ray Bunzey, Carl Nagle and Lester Greene are also expected to shoot for the $350 winner's share of the $1,600 feature purse. The program begins at 7:30 p.m.

   Pocono International Speedway has drawn a crew of Upstate drivers to its Twin 50's, the Sunday event that will inaugurate the Mt. Pocono, Pa., track after four years of construction.
   Binghamton's Red Barnhart, Bill Hughes of Greene, Elmira's Bill Schroth and Jim Leonard and Dieter Mundwiler of Norwich head the list of super-modified drivers. Also in the field is Troy Ruttman, Jr., teenaged son of the 1952 Indy 500 winner who will be driving the same car his dad drove at Indy. This time it'll be powered by a 350-Chevy aluminum block engine.
   Barnhart had a shakedown run at Stafford Springs, Conn., a few weeks ago. He was leading a heat race until spinning out, then won the consie. He was in contention in the featue until rammed from the rear, splitting his gas tank. Hughes won last Saturday's United Racing Club sprint car feature at Hightstown, N.J.

PIT STOPS: Dave Diekow of Binghamton and Dave Warren of Endwell are entered in the 100-car Southern Tier Tour, a 250-mile rally starting in Olean Sunday and held by the Allegheny Valley Sports Car  association... The 17th annual Cumberland (Md.) National Sports Car Races are slated for May 16-18 with defending champion Bob Nagel of Bethel Park, a Pittsburgh suburb, coming off a similar race win at Virginia International Raceway in a Lola T-70 last Sunday... Former Sahngri-La Speedway driver Jerry Cook of Rome finished fourth in a 50-mile NASCAR sportsman race at Martinsville, Va., Saturday... Utica's Lou Lazzaro won $1,000 and the 50-mile season-opener at Fonda Speedway Saturday... Trenton Speedway unveils its newly redesigned layout Saturday in the Trenton 500, rescheduled from last week... The famed Targa Floria road race is slated Sunday in Sicily with the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix the same day... Still no decision announced on the opening date for the Mid-State Speedway in Morris. Penn-Can in Susquehanna, Pa., opens Friday, May 16... Shangri-La Speedway will hold a 50-lap spring championship for sportsman-modified stockers Saturday night, $750 going to the winner... Chemung Speedrome opens Saturday night with several changes- $300 to feature winner the most-important. Super-modern class is now late model (1960-69 bodies) and slower stock sportsman class now pays $75 to feature winner.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 06, 2012, 03:11:38 PM
Some pictures tying in to the above article...
First one is Al Cole's # 24. picture was posted on  "oldies" by argonrcn. @ Five-Mile Point in 1968 (Cecil King photo)..some one had mentioned that it had a Beer-Keg for a "fuel cell".
second photo: Carl Nagle w/ the 7-up car (Fred Smith photo)
third photo: Deforrest Chalker
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 06, 2012, 03:21:50 PM
A few more photos...
First photo: Dick "Buzzy" Barton
second photo: Red Barnhart at speed @ Oswego
third photo: Red Harrington
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 24KC on October 12, 2012, 07:56:49 PM
Thanks BlackJack you made my nite.  I had seen that photo before but never the Press article.  And yes the car did sport a beer keg for a gas tank. I remember my father bitchin abou t having to buy a fuel cell.
   KC Cole
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: JC124 on October 12, 2012, 08:25:06 PM
Yes, thanks for posting the article I have never seen that.
Joe Cole
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Rockin52 on October 18, 2012, 04:09:07 PM
I cant remember the Cole car ever being at the track that early. That car also had the shifter mounted along side the seat, great memories.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: mikeman on October 24, 2012, 11:45:40 AM
Great Memories!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 11, 2012, 10:58:58 AM
from the Binghamton Press  Aug. 22, 1967

Checkered Flag
by Bill Dowd

   The young chargers may be interested to watch on some occasions and temporarily capture
the interest of the crowd. But all the world loves a winner.  No. 1 on the winner chart  at Shangri-La
Speedway this year is Candor veteran Bill Strosahl.
   Strosahl, who won the sportsman-modified crown at age 44 last season, is zeroing in on
another point title despite a lot of static from Don Diffendorf who leads him by a scant 12 points.
Strosahl's latest winning streak is four and he has taken eight S-M features this year.

   One reason for his continued success some people point out is the absence of the standout
team of Dutch Hoag and Lee Osborne. But even during their heyday at Shangri-La Strosahl was one of
the top men. Hoag took the S-M championship in '65, but Strosahl won six features, was second three
times and third three times. Last year, his feature-win  total dropped to five, but he was runnerup six times
to keep his point gathering at a high level.

   The records say Bill's best year was 1958 when he won 11 of 12 races at Five-Mile Point
Speedway. In 1951, he won the New York State Championship race held at Shangri-La. But this could be
his best year yet. Besides being No. 1 at Shangri-La, he won the Langhorne Qualifier there and is one of
the leading canidates for the Press Driver of the Year Trophy.


   Sports Car Corner-  Press-area drivers didn't fare too well in the Sports Car Club of America
races at Watkins Glen Saturday. All finished well behind the leaders or were non-finishers... The 3rd
annual Challange Gymkhana between the Southern New York and Central New York SCCA regions will
be held at Shangri-La Speedway Labor Day, Sept. 4. A team of drivers will represent each region in 10
classes, driving one at a time through a twisting course against the clock. SNYR has won the last two
events... SNYR and Susquehanna Trials Auto Rally (STAR) club will hold a joint rally Sunday. Sign-in is at
12:30 p.m. at Stanton's Body Shop, Sanford St., Binghamton... SCCA's New England Region has moved
its Labor Day races from Thompson (Conn.) Raceway to Lime Rock, Conn., due to contractual
difficulties... The Canadian-American Challange Cup Series opens Sept. 3 at Elkhart Lake, Wis., with a
$40,000 race. A bonus of $31,500 goes to the top point driver at the end of the 6-race series.


   Pit Stops-  Penn-Can Speedway has lost it's AMA motorcycle programs which have run for
four weeks on Sturday nights. Promoter Gordon Nolan couldn't make a go of it after likewise running into
trouble at Afton Fairgrounds. He will run a Northeast District cycle championship Sept. 3, however... The
second annual "Crazy Days," a program of novelty races and other events, will begin at Penn-Can Labor
Day at 1 p.m. ... Another Athletic Institute of Chicago survey agin proves motor racing the No. 2 spectator
sport in the country, trailing only horse racing. That still puts motorsports ahead of the exhalted "Big Three"
of  baseball, football and basketball (which are ranked in that order in the survey). And even
greyhound racing is sneaking up on basketball...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 11, 2012, 11:05:57 AM
Some photos for the last article...first one is from Langhorne in 1966...a bad day for the McClure team and driver Bill Strosahl, (from threewides vault. Stan Tomosko photo)
second one is of "Wild" Bill Strosahl leading Don Diffendorf over the stripe @ Shangri-La (George Barrs photo from Shangri-La Racing News)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Shamrock 3x on November 12, 2012, 07:09:04 AM
Bob,
Thanks for the latest story and pic.  Does anyone know or remember why Dutch and the Turner Bros weren't regulars at Shangri-la in 1967? I don't doubt the truth of the article, but it seems odd to me that they wouldn't have been at Shangri-la most weeks.  I do know that they won Langhorne that year, so maybe they were more focused on that and only ran 1-2 nights per week.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on November 12, 2012, 05:35:50 PM
Bob,
Thanks for the latest story and pic.  Does anyone know or remember why Dutch and the Turner Bros weren't regulars at Shangri-la in 1967? I don't doubt the truth of the article, but it seems odd to me that they wouldn't have been at Shangri-la most weeks.  I do know that they won Langhorne that year, so maybe they were more focused on that and only ran 1-2 nights per week.
From looking at old results, Dutch raced Fulton alot on Saturday nights in 1967 instead of Shangri-la.  Fulton started running some Saturday night shows that year with an occassional Sunday night 100 lapper placed into the schedule.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: argonrcn on November 12, 2012, 09:11:47 PM
Bob,
Thanks for the latest story and pic.  Does anyone know or remember why Dutch and the Turner Bros weren't regulars at Shangri-la in 1967? I don't doubt the truth of the article, but it seems odd to me that they wouldn't have been at Shangri-la most weeks.  I do know that they won Langhorne that year, so maybe they were more focused on that and only ran 1-2 nights per week.
From looking at old results, Dutch raced Fulton alot on Saturday nights in 1967 instead of Shangri-la.  Fulton started running some Saturday night shows that year with an occassional Sunday night 100 lapper placed into the schedule.


I think FULTON had a better PURSE. Don't quote me on that, but correct me if I am wrong.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Shamrock 3x on November 13, 2012, 01:02:50 PM
Thanks, guys....I never remembered Fulton running on Saturdays (just Sundays), but that might just be the explanation, especially since Fulton was a tiny bit closer to the Turner's Scottsville base.  It might have been the next year (1968) when NEARA was formed and the tracks started cooperating more. What a great era to have been following the Mods. We were so lucky and didn't even realize it at the time!
 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 13, 2012, 04:14:28 PM
Here's the other picture...for some reason I have been having trouble downloading more than one picture...gotta love the interweb!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on November 13, 2012, 06:22:26 PM
Here's the other picture...for some reason I have been having trouble downloading more than one picture...gotta love the interweb!
The stars and stripes coach of Diff would date this 1971 or '72.  That would mean Graeme Bolia is in the 15.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on November 13, 2012, 10:30:40 PM
Thanks, guys....I never remembered Fulton running on Saturdays (just Sundays), but that might just be the explanation, especially since Fulton was a tiny bit closer to the Turner's Scottsville base.  It might have been the next year (1968) when NEARA was formed and the tracks started cooperating more. What a great era to have been following the Mods. We were so lucky and didn't even realize it at the time!
Fulton actually ran Saturday’s in ’68 too.  At least until August of that year.  Then came the switch to Sunday’s every week. 

NEARA didn’t come on to the scene until ’76.

Bub always seemed to be the odd man out when Fulton was a paved track.  Saturday he was up against Oswego and Shangri-la.  Even the Saturday dirt tracks nearby like Waterloo and Watertown were competition in an era when drivers ran both surfaces with the same car.  With the switch to Sunday he was up against Utica-Rome.   Then Sunday's got tougher and tougher as the 70’s wore on and the pavement scene waned.  For those who weren’t broke come Sunday, Glenn Donnelly's Weedsport became the  track of choice for many in central NY.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on November 13, 2012, 10:31:16 PM
duplicate post.  sorry
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Rich J on November 16, 2012, 08:51:11 PM
I remember back in 1968 my father took me to Fulton after Lancaster rained out. Danny Knoll and Chuck Boos were added to the rear for the late model and mod features since they had missed the heats. Kenny Cassell headed for Fulton but the hauler broke down on the thruway. Man, those were the days!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 18, 2012, 11:56:59 AM
I thought this was interesting in that it gave a run down into the pay structure of a big money race in '69....

from the Binghamton Press   Sept. 12, 1969


MOTORAMA

Shangri-La Consolation Lots of  $

   What is believed to be the biggest single purse for a stock car race in Southern Tier history will be on the line in the 100-lap feature at Shangri-La Speedway tomorrow night at 7:30.
Payoffs will total $7,500.
   What is definitely one of the biggest conplaints has been registered by Kirkwood's Don Diffendorf over the end of the sportsman-modified championship battle over there.
   Rain washed out the final scheduled week of point-raising activity at the Owego track last Saturday and Bath's Dutch Hoag was awarded the S-M title by an 11-point margin over Diffendorf who had been gaining ground each week.

   "THERE'S PROBABLY $1,000 in point-fund cash to be given to the champion," said Diffendorf, "and I don't think you can declare a champion without a championship race, which is what the rained-out race would have been."
   "I know Don is unhappy but the season was scheduled to end the week before the 100 as far as points are concerned and that's the way we kept it," said Shangri-La promoter Fran Gitchell.
   The 100-lapper has drawn not only Hoag and Diffendorf for one of there patented battles but other "name" Upstate drivers. One of the best is Richie Evans, a former NASCAR sportsman driver whose 12 feature wins at various tracks is second only to Hoags 17. Other guaranteed entries, in addition to Owego regulars, are Bentley Warren (who won $11,000 during a Labor Day Weekend hot streak), Maynard Troyer of Rochester and the Treichler cousins, Merv and Roger.
   The Shangri-La winner tomorrow gets $1,000 with $100 drops down to $300 for the next seven finishers and $25 drops down to $200 for the next four. Starting spots for the heats will be by blind draw with first heat winner on the pole, second heat winner outside on the pole, and so on. The 100-lap starting field is limited to 24 cars.

   THE POINT RACE is still on at Five-Mile Point Speedway until the Oct. 4 Southern Tier 100. Only 20 points seperate first through seventh places in the S-M standings with Larry Catlin four up on DeForest Chalker in the top two spots. Pete Kozak leads Dave Miller by a mere two points in modern division action.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 18, 2012, 12:01:36 PM
Some photos to tie into the above article
1) Richie Evans (no photo info)
2) Dutch Hoag in 1969 posing with the car he finished 2nd with in the Permatex 300 (Ray Masser photo)
3) Dutch Hoag @ Bath Speedway (no photo info)
I love the interweb!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on November 18, 2012, 02:09:51 PM
Dutch went on to win the 100 lapper at Shangri-la on 9/13/69.  Benny Stephens walloped the turn one dirt bank in Ralph Held's car during warm-ups that night and took it out of the ballpark.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 22, 2012, 11:40:51 AM
First off....Happy Thanksgiving!
I found this while looking for something else (that seems to happen alot!) I found it interesting in that it tied into the last article I posted...disagreements with management. It's nothing new. We see it all the time here on raceny. What is amazing about it is that it wasn't published on the internet. It was published in a mainstream newspaper. Could you imagine this happening in this day and age...I think not. There's too much fear of litigation.
The pictures with it are of Eddie Gallione. The first one accompioned the article. the second one is from the interweb...Enjoy!

from the Binghamton Press   Nov. 11, 1948

Driver Attacks Promoter
Gallione Says Owen Caused Disputed Race
by Charley Peet    Binghamton Press Sports Editor

   Eddie Gallione of Schenectady, leading driver in the Eastern States Racing
Association, wants us to print his version of the disputed race at Oswego's Shangri-La
Speedway Oct. 24.
   That was the race, you may recall, in which officials couldn't decide on the winner.
Earl Horn won the event according to Bill Owen of Johnson City, promoter and owner of the
track. According to E.S.R.A. officials, George (Boots) Bouley was the victor.
   Here is what Gallione writes in a letter to us:
   "I recently read in your Binghamton paper about the controversy between 'Wing'
Bouley (George's brother who said Horn was disqualified and therefore not eligable to be
declared the victor), Earl Horn and Bill Owen.
   "I want to say I stand behind 'Wing' Bouley 100 per cent.
   "As to Earl Horn, I can only say That I have the highest praise for him in regards as a
driver and a gentleman and a competitor. I like Earl very much and we are very good friends.
   "About Bill Owen, he started all the trouble. That statement would probably surprise
a lot of the fans, but it is true. A promoter should never butt in during any race. The starter on
the track is the boss and his decisions are to be followed.
   " When Earl Horn and Harry Eckert slid out to the fence on the second lap, the race
should have never been stopped as the track was clear and no one was hurt.
   "The race was stopped anyway by a starter who has demonstrated time and again he
is not fit for the job. This Owen came in and tried running the show. His decision was to restart
the race with Earl and Harry in their original positions and that is definitely against the rules of
the club and he knew it.
   "The starter who was being paid by Owen, was afraid of losing his job, so he turned
around and sided with him. When the drivers, including myself, saw what they were trying to
pull with the starter himself laying down on the job, we let them know what we thought in no
uncertain terms.
   "I know a majority of the fans that day were misled in thinking where the cause of the
trouble was. It stands to reason in a case like that, that we have to look out for ourselves.
   "With that resistance, Owen countered with starting them in the rear and whatever
positions they finished he would pay out of his pocket. That was all right with us even though
they were out of the race.
   "While waiting for the payoff, George Bouley told me Owen refused to pay him his First
position as he considered Earl won and also first money. Well, that was eventually
straightened out.
   "I won the spring championship race and the midseason championship race (both at
Owego) and never received a trophy for either of them. I hold the track record of 22.49 seconds
for one lap and not Horn as Owen claims. That also calls for a trophy but I have yet to see it.
   "I won the New York State championship race, and Don Strong, the promoter whom I
enjoy riding for, presented me with a beautiful trophy which I am proud to own.
   "Auto racing in that area would be much better off without men of Owen's type. 

                  "Yours Truly,
                           

                                 Eddie Gallione."   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 16, 2012, 10:54:58 PM
From the Binghamton Press   July 25, 1967   

Checkered Flag
by Bill Dowd

   Penn-Can Speedway is just about the liveliest track in the area with its constant
promotions of fireworks, car "beauty" contests, novice races, powder puff and roll over derbies
and the like.
   Now the motorcycles will be making regular stops at the Susquehanna, Pa., track
beginning Saturday night when promoter Gordon Nolan plans to unveil his American
Motorcycle Association-sanctioned events at 7:30.
   "The only stock car track that has really shown marked improvement in attendence
this year is Shangri-La," said Nolan, a former professional rider. "I feel that the area is ready for
motorcycle races again."
   "We should have a good show because people know about Penn-Can and the
motorcycle races don't conflict with the Friday night stock car races. Motorcycles used to be
very popular in New York State and we think, with the AMA sanctioning us, that we can revive
the interest."

   The cycles that will be running at Penn-Can are the 250 c.c. variety. George Roder,
one of the top riders in the country, set the world record of 177 m.p.h. on a 250 c.c. at Bonneville
Salt Flats two years ago.
   "I hope to run Saturday night programs until the second Saturday in October and
then switch to afternoon races when the weather gets colder. We have some of our drivers who
ran Afton Fairgrounds last year and did as well as some from several states who are among the
better ones."
   Nolan promoted cycle races at Afton on Saturday nights last year but didn't fare as
well as he had hoped. He has a possible partnership set up which could bolster his finances
and make a larger purse which in turn would attract even better riders.
   
   The Varnes, Ed and Jim, and Tom and Dave Robinson are two brother combos
Nolan thinks will spark up the Penn-Can program as well as Harley-Davidson riders Harry
Williams of Poughkeepsie and Don Elder of Williamsport, Pa.: Ducati rider Dean Alexander of
West Chester, Pa., and Hellertown, Pa., veteran Dick Weiss on a Bultaca.
   "The image of motorcycle riders has been improving more every year now that so
many men and women have been buying cycles for everyday use. The beatnik element is still
there but it is very small and police get rid of them in a hurry at the various motorcycle race
meets. We want ot emphasize that this is a family spectator sport and everyone should enjoy
the races quite a bit."

PIT STOPS:  Penn-Can is holding its annual "Beautiful Car" contest, finals set for Friday night
when spectators will vote for the best looking car among the 10 finalists, trophies going to the
top three... Bill Strosahl has his car repaired after being knocked out of the running at Shangri-
La Speedway last Saturday but Don Diffendorf, whose car has been running to perfection, may
be stubborn about relinquishing his point lead. The Langhorne Qualifier for the annual August
sportsman championship at the Pennsylvannia track will be held at Shangri-La Saturday, Aug.
12... Only one point seperates Fred Harbach of Islip, L.I., and Fonda's Ernie Gahan in the All-Star
Stock Car Racing League point charts, 75-74. Dutch Hoag is tied for 27th with 19... Bill Yuma, the
Melbourne, Fla., ace who cracked up in his debut at Shangri-La last week, plans to repair his No.
79 Chevy sportsman and stay in the area this summer to continue his racing there... Time trials
begin at 12:30 and the race at 2:30 when Langhorne International Speedway holds its 150-mile
portion of the International Challange Trophy race Sunday.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: thedoebes on December 17, 2012, 11:40:02 AM
I remember that wreck of Billy Yuma,The car was black and it caught on fire.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: argonrcn on December 17, 2012, 08:33:46 PM
I thought I had a picture of the YUMA car after the fire, but could only find this one before the fire. GEORGE BARR PHOTO

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg515%2F8273%2Fsrnpicturesbillyyumageo.jpg&hash=a30bfefde24738aabd48741b3a249f6b722b8a26) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/515/srnpicturesbillyyumageo.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 23, 2012, 10:45:45 AM
I ran across this article written by Bernie Foster. Foster was the owner of Bernie's Diner in Elmira Heights, N.Y. which was a popular meeting spot for the area drivers. He also was an officer with the various racing clubs that sprung up in the region ie: the Atlantic Stock Car Racing Assoc. On top of this he owned a stock car at one point and wrote articles for the local sporting news... the Elmira Sportsman-Herald. From what I gather, he was quite the character.  Enjoy!

 from the Elmira Sportsman-Herald   Oct. 8,1956

REFLECTIONS OF A PITMAN
Foster Views Racing Night From Inside The Pit Area
by Bernie Foster

   The most lonely spot in the world, about 6 any Saturday evening during the stock car racing season, is an empty race track without a car in the pits or roaring around the track. The bleachers, empty of fans rooting for their favorites, add to the desolate scene.
   However, in the distance- just rounding  No. 4 turn- you can see the water truck jockeyed by Junior Bodine moving very, very slowly as thousands of gallons of water is poured on the track to insure the fans of a dust-free evening of racing.
   We enter the sign-in booth and start to lay out the many forms, tickets and list of eligible drivers and cars. We hook up the inter-com system with which we keep in contact with the judge's stand during the program.
   We pause every so often and take a quick look at the sky. We know that Old Man Weather can raise cain with our program. He is one of our biggest headaches.
   As the cars arrive at the track, the drivers are signed in and checked to see that they are members of the Atlantic Stock Car Racing Association. The cars are checked by the technical committee to see that they have a firewall in front of the gas tanks, safety belts are fastened securely, no sharp edges to cut tires, that fire extinguishers are in each car and undergo a mandatory brake check.
   After a general safety check by Alan Pulkinen and "Hosey" Knowles, the pitmen and mechanics take over. They unload gas, oil, tires, wheels and other spare parts as well as their tools. The towing wheels are removed and running wheels and tires are put on the cars. The size of the tires is usually dictated by the condition of the track.
   Soon the pit area is full of cars getting ready to roll. The growing volume of motor noises soon make you give up trying to talk and sign language takes over.
   You can feel the tension growing with each minute and soon it sweeps over all in the pit area. Race time is near and the final minutes are just plain hard work and sweat for everyone connected to the show.
   We look around just as Bob Fuller, our flagman, comes through the gate with the colored flags in his hands. It won't be long before a big, shiny ambulance will be parked in the area reserved for it. This is manned by a staff of doctors and internes who are ready for immediate action.
   Most of the cars have now been signed in and it is getting near the time to line up according to their point standings. Freddy Myers, our handicapper, soon gets this done and the cars are listed on a big blackboard.
   The owners, drivers and pitmen jam around the board to see where they will run. Some smile, some cry and most of them put up a beef- some serious and others in jest.
   A flash in the sky tells us that Cliff Georgia, our welder, is fixing one of the boy's car so that he can run. Cliff's job is a toughy as he has to do a whale of a welding job to get some of the cars on the track.
   Race time is getting nearer. The wreckers move into position. Everyone is working together to insure a fast, smooth program of racing. When nine or 10 events are run each evening, cooperation is the keyword.
   The loudspeakers start to drone out the car numbers and drivers in the first event. Fuller whips down the green flag and the first race is underway.   
   From this point on it is a battle with the clock to keep the show moving. We have to find helmets, water pumps, distributors and almost every other part of a car that you can think of to help keep as many cars on the track as possible.
   Two drivers who will battle each other down to the last lap on the track can be seen helping to get each other's cars ready to continue the battle in the next event.
   Standing at the track as the car gets paid, you can look up the road and see the running lights on the on the back of the towed stock car fading away into the night, going home to lick its wounds and come back to do battle the next Saturday night.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 27, 2012, 12:56:56 PM
I've found some more interesting articles that I'll get on when time permits. I found a few of Bob Fuller's older articles. To refresh your memories, Fuller was a noted flagman in the Elmira area, waving the silks at such tracks as Chemung Speedrome and Glider City. He also did a pretty good job of writting.......

Circling The Oval   Nov. 5, 1956
by Bob Fuller

   During the past season several articles have been written telling of the
running and results of the stock car races at Chemung Speedway. During these
same seasons little, if any, has been written about the before and after activities
around the cars and the people who are then in action.
   To every winner goes the cheers, trophies and pats on the back for a job
well done. But to the people behind the winners goes only the satisfaction of
knowing that without their help the win would not have been possible.
   Seldom is any mention made of these people behind the scenes... the car
owners, the mechanics, the pit men, sponsors, promoters and many others who
work in the rear, doing all they can to help their drivers win.
   And, let us not forget all the wives of these men- for without the
cooperation and understanding of their wives many of them would not be at the
track.
   To insure spectators of good racing and the competitors an equal chance
to win is the task of the promoter and track officials. Club officials draw up the
regulations and rules under which the cars operate at regular meetings. All club
members are allowed to voice their opinions on bettering the club and track at
these meetings.
   There are also many plans being carried out by car owners and
mechanics concerning what is to be run at the track during these off months. It's
during these months that many of next season's races will be won.
   Anyone who has attended the track will have noticed the many safety
devices used to help prevent accidents. For instance, no races or fast warm up laps
are allowed until an ambulance and doctor is in attendance.
   Also noted is the efficiently-equipped fire truck available at a moments
notice. A relay system of lights enabling the starter to stop a race on either side of
the track and assistant flaggers on all four turns during feature races are all
important safety factors.
   Another safety measure is the upkeep of the dirt track. Most drivers take
pride in boasting of Chemung as the best kept and fastest track in the surrounding
area. The promoter and management encourage the speed we all enjoy by keeping
the track well-groomed.
   The concession stand, a department run for spectator pleasure, has a
entirety of it's own.
   So to the unsung heroes of the racing game, the people behind the 
scenes, I offer this small tribute to pay the respects of all and give you thanks foe
contributing so much to make stock car racing the grand sport that it is
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 02, 2013, 05:36:02 PM
Another in a long series of articles about the world in which we live.......

from the Oswego Valley News   Sept. 20, 1979

Shampine Wins at Shangri-La
by Linda Stanley

   More than three dozen supermodifieds were on hand for the 100 lap Southern Tier race at Shangri-La Speedway last weekend. It was the first time in nearly 15 years that supers had raced on the Owego, N.Y. half-mile track, and the show was one of the finest put on at any track this year.
   The priliminary events consisted of three heat races and a consi. The heats were won by Jim Shampine, Chuck Ciprich and Mike Schoeberlein. It was Schoeberlein's first supermodified win, and he turned in some of the fastest lap times of the day in the process. Ron Matteson of Fulton earned the win in the consi.
   The feature race started with Jamie Moore and Doug Heveron in the front row, and Moore took off with the early lead. By the tenth lap Steve Gioia moved by Heveron into second spot, and a lap later he took the lead from Moore.
   One-quarter of the way through the race the running order was Gioia, Heveron, Ciprich, Shampine, Moore, Fillip, Allbritain, and Bellinger. Fillip, running one of his finest supermodified races in the north this summer, began moving up through the pack and just past the mid-point of the race he passed Shampine to take over fourth place.
   On lap 61 the lead belonged to Gioia with Ciprich in second, when the two cars tangled going into the third turn and both spun out. Neither car was able to restart immediately, and both went to the pits, giving the lead to Heveron. Fillip maintained the second spot, with Shampine third, followed by Allbritain and Bellinger.
   When the race was restarted on lap 77, Shampine moved by Fillip and began working on the Heveron machine, passing him on the outside a lap later. Shampine's car had been plagued by a number of problems all night, including an oil leak and a skip in the engine, but late in the race the skip seemed to disappear, and Shampine was able to take the lead and hold it to the end.
   The final order of finish was Shampine, Heveron, Bellinger, Fillip, Allbritain, and Paeno. Fillip, who had been running in the third spot, ran out of fuel with just one lap to go, but only lost one position because of it.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 02, 2013, 08:13:45 PM
Another in a long series of articles about the world in which we live.......

from the Oswego Valley News   Sept. 20, 1979

Shampine Wins at Shangri-La
by Linda Stanley

   More than three dozen supermodifieds were on hand for the 100 lap Southern Tier race at Shangri-La Speedway last weekend. It was the first time in nearly 15 years that supers had raced on the Owego, N.Y. half-mile track, and the show was one of the finest put on at any track this year.
   The priliminary events consisted of three heat races and a consi. The heats were won by Jim Shampine, Chuck Ciprich and Mike Schoeberlein. It was Schoeberlein's first supermodified win, and he turned in some of the fastest lap times of the day in the process. Ron Matteson of Fulton earned the win in the consi.
   The feature race started with Jamie Moore and Doug Heveron in the front row, and Moore took off with the early lead. By the tenth lap Steve Gioia moved by Heveron into second spot, and a lap later he took the lead from Moore.
   One-quarter of the way through the race the running order was Gioia, Heveron, Ciprich, Shampine, Moore, Fillip, Allbritain, and Bellinger. Fillip, running one of his finest supermodified races in the north this summer, began moving up through the pack and just past the mid-point of the race he passed Shampine to take over fourth place.
   On lap 61 the lead belonged to Gioia with Ciprich in second, when the two cars tangled going into the third turn and both spun out. Neither car was able to restart immediately, and both went to the pits, giving the lead to Heveron. Fillip maintained the second spot, with Shampine third, followed by Allbritain and Bellinger.
   When the race was restarted on lap 77, Shampine moved by Fillip and began working on the Heveron machine, passing him on the outside a lap later. Shampine's car had been plagued by a number of problems all night, including an oil leak and a skip in the engine, but late in the race the skip seemed to disappear, and Shampine was able to take the lead and hold it to the end.
   The final order of finish was Shampine, Heveron, Bellinger, Fillip, Allbritain, and Paeno. Fillip, who had been running in the third spot, ran out of fuel with just one lap to go, but only lost one position because of it.
The event was the Southern Tier 200.  A 100 lap NASCAR modified feature shared the bill with the supers on this night.  It was probably the most anticipated event of the '79 season (for me anyway).  The track put out a nice program for the show which I still have:
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 02, 2013, 08:17:53 PM
Below are supermodified pics from the Shangri-la Souther Tier 200 on 9/15/79:

1. A view of the pit area that night
2. Second heat winner Mike Schoberline #14
3. Third heat winner Chuck Ciprich #36
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 02, 2013, 08:24:40 PM
More pics from the Shangri-la supermodified show on 9/15/79:

1. Heveron, Fillip and Shampine
2. Richie Evans, winner of the modified portion of the Southern Tier 200, congratulates Jim Shampine on his supermodified victory. 
3. Chet Fillip races to the outside of Steve Gioia #9

USELESS TRIVIA: Fourth place finisher Chet Fillip had the only rear-engine supermodified in the field that night.  Fillip, who was from San Angelo TX, would later go on to race in both the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500.  He garnered even more fame in the 1980’s when he became the boyfriend of TV actress Morgan Fairchild.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: argonrcn on January 02, 2013, 09:23:20 PM
Supers at Shangri-la, "WHAT A CONCEPT". This thread beats RACE Discussion, all over the place. missed the Late 70s and early 80s.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jay Mooney on January 03, 2013, 11:55:51 AM
The ’79 Southern Tier 200 was the supers first time back to Shangri-la Speedway after 15 years. Supers were a staple at the track from ’62-’65.  I’ve spent years trying to find results from those shows.  Below is what I have.  If anyone out there could fill in the blanks, I’d owe you a debt of gratitude:

1962
DATE     FEATURE WINNER
06/24/62: *Nolan Swift
07/01/62: *Nolan Swift
07/08/62: *Bill Vess
09/09/62: Ed Kingsley
09/30/62: Ron Wallace
10/07/62: RESULTS NEEDED
10/14/62: Lee Bliss
10/21/62: RAIN
10/28/62: Peppy Cone
* When Shangri-la re-opened in 1962, the first three shows were “Open Competition”, possibly with supers and stock cars mixed together.  09/09/62 was the first advertised “Supermodified” show

1963
DATE     FEATURE WINNER
05/05/63: Peppy Cone
05/19/63: Ken Fisher
06/09/63: Bud Johnson
06/16/63: Art Bennett
06/23/63: Ron Wallace
06/30/63: Dave Paul (Last Sunday afternoon Super show)
07/26/63: Jack Murphy (Lights installed - First Friday night show)
08/02/63: Nolan Swift
08/09/63: RAIN
08/16/63: Nolan Swift
08/23/63: CANCELLED (Nelson Ward killed)
08/30/63: RESULTS NEEDED
09/06/63: Sam Sessions
09/13/63: Ron Wallace
09/27/63: RESULTS NEEDED

1964
DATE     FEATURE WINNER
05/29/64: Art Bennett
07/03/64: RESULTS NEEDED
07/10/64: RESULTS NEEDED
07/17/64: RESULTS NEEDED
07/31/64: Sam Sessions
08/21/64: RESULTS NEEDED
08/28/64: RESULTS NEEDED
09/11/64: Wayne Landon

1965
06/25/65: RESULTS NEEDED
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 03, 2013, 03:57:25 PM
Wow Jay! It is so cool to see the pictures as they bring that article to life.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 05, 2013, 03:14:16 PM
I went to the International Motor Sports Research Center today to do some digging and found this.....
URC Champion...Harry Benjamin of Wysox, Pa. posed in the sleek Jim Shaw Chevrolet that he drove to the honored 1972 high point title. Harry battled with Leroy Felty in the point race until August, when Harry took over the point race. The super sprinter also claimed twelve impressive feature wins.   Photo by Arnie DeBrier   Gater 1-19-73
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: gregsy32 on January 10, 2013, 03:50:06 PM
some neat stuff here

http://gallery.alleganyhistory.org/album/Racing%20History/Allegany%20County%20Stock%20Car%20Photo%20Gallery/?page=1 (http://gallery.alleganyhistory.org/album/Racing%20History/Allegany%20County%20Stock%20Car%20Photo%20Gallery/?page=1)

http://www.alleganyhistory.org/culture/racing-history/auto-racing-history/the-folks-of-racing/1890-stock-car-race-announcers-and-photographers (http://www.alleganyhistory.org/culture/racing-history/auto-racing-history/the-folks-of-racing/1890-stock-car-race-announcers-and-photographers)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: gregsy32 on January 11, 2013, 08:22:01 AM
go to youtube and search for "vintage allendale101"

Lot's of racing videos from southwestern NY from the 1950's.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: gregsy32 on February 06, 2013, 12:37:26 PM
not sure if you guys ever ironed out the Doty Hill Rd track, but it was actually on Ridge Rd.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: gregsy32 on February 06, 2013, 12:53:26 PM
I finally answered my question as to the layout of the track in Bath.  Below is Bath Speedway in 1952, the cattle auction in 2006, and an overlay of both photos.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: gregsy32 on February 06, 2013, 01:04:50 PM
same deal with Glider City Speedway and South Port Correctional.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on February 07, 2013, 01:06:34 AM
You're starting to get good at this, Greg.  :)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: gregsy32 on February 07, 2013, 08:39:02 AM
it's addicting!   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 09, 2013, 10:38:43 AM
Greg...where in the world did you find the aerial photo of Glider City? Very Very cool! Can you send me a bigger copy of the photo of the Glider City aerial?  Thanks   Bob J.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on February 10, 2013, 03:07:56 PM
I'm thinking this was written by Bill Dowd...no byline given
From the Binghamton Press   August 20, 1969

Once-Used Car In Stock

   Bryan Osgood's victory in the 150-lap modified-sportsman race at Pocono International Raceway last Sunday may have signaled the beginning of a heated battle at Shangri-La Speedway.
   The Elmira used car dealer, now in his 10th year of stock car competition, was using a  new aluminum ZL1 Camaro engine set up by mechanic Maynard Bodine. He started 15th, old pro Dutch Hoag on the ploe and the leader until Osgood passed him about 20 laps from the finish, and showed enough endurance and over-all speed in the untested car to nail down first prize.
   Hoag has won the last four modified feature events at Shangri-La (he was 15 feature wins in Empire State Racing Association competition this year) while Osgood has yet to win. But unless Bodine has guessed wrong on the type of cam he installed, Osgood will be able to get enough speed up on the shorter Owego track to challenge.
   "The ZL1 is aluminum but that doesn't give me any advantage except a very slight one in weight," said Osgood. "A lot of the top drivers are using steel-block L-58 Chevy engines with aluminum heads (such as Geoff Bodine, Maynard's nephew, who finished behind Osgood and Hoag Sunday), so the weight difference doesn't amount to much."
   Osgood has proven his engine is good over a long haul and Saturday's extra-distance 50-lap Shaeffer Circle of Sports feature at Owego may be just the spot for him to crack Hoag's win streak.
   At Five-Mile Point Speedway, New York drivers will have to do some fancy driving to end Pennsylvannia drivers' dominance. The last win by a homestate pilot was 10 weeks back when Binghamton's Roger Beagell turned the trick.
   Six different drivers have won the modified main event since then, all from below the border -- Jerry Chamberlain, Dave Kneisel Larry Catlin, Norm Norton (twice), Carl Nagle and Lester Green -- until last week's rainout gave the embattled New Yorker's a breather.

   DRAG RACING at Pocono Drag Lodge, which has been plagued by rain almost every week since early July, is scheduled for Sunday. Despite rain last weekend, a full program was run. Among $75 eliminator award winners were Dick Drotak, Paul Wilson and John Lindsley, all of Binghamton. Class trophy winners included Walton's Ed Roberts (J/PS), Johnson City's Bill Hyrck (M/PS) and Vestal's Dick Watrous (D/MP)

   TWO PRESS-AREA drivers are still in the top five United Racing Club sprint car point-winners. Five-time champion Earl Halquist of Sidney ranks first and Conklin's Bryant Ingalls, in his best season ever, is fifth.

   SPORTS CAR RALLYISTS will be on the road this Sunday in STAR's "Turn-On Rally", a 130-mile event beginning at 1 o'clock at the old Loblaw parking lot on the Vestal Parkway. Registration begins at 12 noon.   

photos:1) Bryan Osgood
            2) Dave Kneisel  Mark Terry collection
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: gregsy32 on February 11, 2013, 08:43:47 AM
sent you the link Bob.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: highrevs on February 17, 2013, 10:04:58 PM
Im looking for a picture of a Mickey Dunbar from Fivemile point around 1961 or so if anyone can help me out thanks.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 03, 2013, 12:27:36 AM
Another Bill Dowd article and some photos that tie into it.......

from the Binghamton Press   May 15, 1969

Checkered Flag
by Bill Dowd

   Sidney's Earl Halquist, the only 5-time champion in the history of the
United Racing Club, has won the last three URC features at Fonda Speedway. No. 4
may be a bit of a problem if Bill Hughes has his way.
   Hughes, the Greene driver who won the first two features this season, is
recuperating at home from an assortment of injuries (worst among them a fractured
knee, pulled muscles in the rib cage, a brain concussion and an ankle injury)
suffered in a Sunday flip in Hagerstown, Md. But he plans to run at Fonda a week
from Saturday.
   "Right now he's hobbling around like Chester on Gunsmoke and holding
his ribs like Napolean," said his wife. "But George Nester (the car owner who is also
part owner of the Venezia Chevy Halquist drives) is having the car completely
reworked. And the doctor said Bill will be able to race by then."

   THE U.R.C. PROGRAM at Five-Mile Point on Friday, May 30, will be only
part of a busy holiday weekend in the area. Fulton, Spencer and Shangri-La are
planning a 4-day stock car slate that will have prize money of close to $10,000.
      
   On Thursday, May 29, Fulton will hold a 100-lapper with $1,000 to the
winner. Spencer has a  30-lapper worth $500 the next day, Shangri-La plans a 
Saturday 100 for another $1,000 and Fulton a Sunday 30-lap, $500 event. If a driver
can win all four races, he'll have himself a $3,000 weekend.
   
   It still isn't clear whether the three tracks constitute the entire makeup of
the Empire State Racing Association or if the suburban-Buffalo Lancaster
Speedway is also in on the action.
   
   According to Spencer promoter Jim Vollertson, all four are in the group.
According to Shangri-La promoter Fran Gritchell, whose track runs on Saturday
nights opposite Lancaster, the Buffalo track is an outsider.   
   "We had an agreement among the three of us that didn't include
Lancaster," said Gitchell. "Spencer , Fulton and Lancaster used to work together
until Lancaster started running some Sunday races and cutting into Fulton.
   
   "We finished working out a system for overall point standings (which
Vollertsen claims will be used on a four track basis) and we haven't worked out the
conflict of specifications for the late model division." said Gitchell.
   Spencer, not in the Tioga County village but west of Rochester, opens
tomorrow night. The other three tracks have been open for several weeks.

   Penn-Can Speedway opens tomorrow night. The Susquehanna, Pa.,
track will have defending champion Stub Stephens back along with 3-time champ
Carl Nagel. And if Jim Zacharias, who won Shangri-La's modern title in '68, returns,
the resulting races should be good ones... Fran Larkin of Binghamton, in a Copper
-Ford, will be among the horde of drivers descending on Cumberland, Md., this
weekend for the National Sports Car Championships. The big attraction will come
Sunday in the A and B racing classes with such name drivers as Bob Tullis, Bob
Nagle and Jerry Crawford entered... Vestal's Harold Linsay will drive his Jabro in a
Sunday race ay Bridgehampton, L.I. ... Lou Lazzaro of Utica has now won $3,000
with three straight Fonda Speedway victories... Ron Rivero of Haverford, Pa., set a
Pocono Drag Lodge record in his Ford funny car Sunday, hitting 198.67 m.p.h. in
7.74 seconds for the quarter mile. Triple Cities class winners were Endicott's John
McLain ('68 GTO in C/MP) and Vestal's Dick Watrous ('61 Corvette in R/S)...
Kirkwood's Don Diffendorf, currently 9th in Shangri-La sportsman-modified points,
thinks a switch in tires will put him back on top of the heap this weekend at Shangri
-La where last weekends rained-out feature will be rerun from the 9th lap, and at
Fulton where the whole program was rained out last Sunday...

   Doug March of Vestal had his Formula Vee racer out for a shakedown
trial at Lime Rock, Conn., in a regional SCCA race and reports a good bit of work
still ahead. He'll probably run June 7 at watkins Glen... Increased engine sizes at
Five-Mile Point aren't creating any excessive speed hazards. In fact, it's possible
speed hasn't increased at all. The advantage is that drivers don't have to come out
of the turns as fast, having plenty of horsepower to shoot them into any openings
on the straightaways. The other plus is that more drivers who previously were
scared off by the small engine spec are now ready to run regularly- chief among
them Nichol's Larry Catlin and Port Byron's Wee Willie Allen who are 1-2 in points.
Allen is the only top 10 driver using a big engine. He's running a 427 Chevy that is
about twice as big as he is... Pocono International Speedway will run another
super-modified program Sunday. It's once again for $1,500 and 100 points toward its
Canadian-American Racing Society (CARS) championship which Clay's Jim
Shampine leads after winnning the first race in which Troy Ruttman, Jr. was killed.
PIR officials told Shangri-La's Fran Gitchell that they're widening the 3/4 mile oval
and changing the gaurd rails, lowering them to ground level. Ruttman was killed
when he went through the bottom of a 2-rail gaurd fence...

photos:
            1) Wee Willie Allen
            2) Larry Catlin @ Five-Mile Point
            3) Lou Lazzaro @ Fonda (Lou Lazzaro collection)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 09, 2013, 11:40:37 PM
Some photos from a 1995 Woodhull program...
Photo 1 Billy Vanpelt (#2) Steve Hartman (#Z8) and Todd McManus (#77)
Photo 2 Don Campbell (#31) Dave Machuga (#78) Steve McGregor(#67) Darrell Campbell(#84) and Bruce Ross(#75)
Photo 3 Don Tuthill (#8) Bill Brewer(#17) Barry Payne(#3) and Floyd Spicer(#69)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 09, 2013, 11:48:09 PM
a couple more from Woodhull '95.....
Photo 1 Mike Jackson (19j) and Ray McClure
Photo 2 Buddy Morseman (#44) and Terry Hough. Hough was a wildman...whatever happened to him?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 10, 2013, 10:57:01 AM
From a 1977 Shangri-La program....
Tom Whitney
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Shamrock 3x on March 11, 2013, 10:03:48 AM
Who's the driver of the #39 at Shangri-La, Bob?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on March 11, 2013, 06:40:10 PM
Tom Whitney
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Shamrock 3x on March 12, 2013, 04:28:20 PM
Thanks, Larry!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on March 17, 2013, 02:54:39 AM
hello blackjack ! can you post the driver rosters , from woodhull in 1995 ?  i kinda helped brian & dave scouten on  I think there super stock that they bought from dennis dixon outa painted post ny--I ill in the marines then , It wouldda been neet to so who they ran against! P.S. -I was home on leave in 88 when dave scouten ran 3 rd at dundee with a woodhull amiture(sp) car agaist dunndee pro stocks !! thanks for this awsome thread
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 23, 2013, 11:36:49 AM
Hey railbird-steve...I tried scanning the roster but honestly it wouldn't come out. e-mail me @ blackjackracin21@aol.com and I will forward them to you.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Nate Pickering on March 26, 2013, 04:30:55 PM
1st Photo: In this "staged" shot at Woodhull, you can clearly see Don Kio (61), Walt Mitchell (24), and Donald Lawson Sr. (11jr). According to Morgan Colegrove, this may have been a champion year for the "Magic Man" Mitchell; in addition, all of the Sherwood cars were in the top ten for points that year as well.
-Photo courtesy of Bobby Sherwood

2nd Photo: Taken in turn three at Woodhull, that is Gary King piloting his modified.
-Photo courtesy of Bobby Sherwood

3rd Photo: When Parkie displaying the checkered flag at Woodhull in the '70s; in addition, when the car had the 427 Ford in it, it was unbeatable, literally smoking the competition.
-Photo courtesy of Bobby Sherwood

4th Photo: Bill Layfield pictured at the Woodhull Raceway with the checkered flag.
-Photo courtesy of Red Allen

5th Photo: Basil Shutt pictured with a crowd of people at Woodhull.
-Photo courtesy of Red Allen

6th Photo: Ron Baker in victory lane with his modified at Woodhull.
 -Photo courtesy of Donald Greene

7th Photo: This is Arnie "Bulldozer" Flint at Woodhull.
-Photo courtesy of Donald Greene

8th Photo: Arnie Flint later went on to showcase his talent in the modified division at the Woodhull Raceway after being successful in the late model class.
-Photo courtesy of Donald Greene

9th Photo: Ron Baker displaying the checkered flag at Woodhull with his Mopar late model.
-Photo courtesy of Donald Greene

10th Photo: Tommy Kull in victory lane with his modified. This is a blue Vega body, and it also held the lap time record at Woodhull for many years.
-Photo courtesy of Tim Deebs



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Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Willie41 on March 27, 2013, 01:37:06 AM
In reply #732 there's a picture of Tom Whitney. I remember when Dad raced @ Shangri-la & I was in the pits with him & we were pitted next to Tom. I happened over to Toms car & & was looking @ his rear suspension & remember noticing that the rear suspension was an inboard leaf spring set up with the shocks mounted out board leaning way in @ the top. I was young then so that may be why, but I had never seen such a set up. Nor have I ever seen 1 like again. I often wondered how that particular set up effected the handling charecteristics of his car. Just an anecdote from years gone by I wanted to share.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Nate Pickering on March 27, 2013, 01:58:11 PM
This will conclude my posting for a while most likely. I had a gentleman a while ago ask me for information about the first ever race held at the Woodhull Raceway; however, because I did not know the details, I did some research and asked Morgan Colegrove (the information would not be possible without the aid of him). Since I just got back with this fellow, I decided I might as well share it with everyone else who might be curious and who loves history as much as myself.

Here's what I got: the first event at Woodhull Raceway was actually a daytime show. It officially opened on Sunday, June 13, 1964, and we ran on Sundays right through to the end of the 1965 racing season.

The very first checkered flag of the night went to Wayne Meliman from Cuba, New York. He was driving Joe Love's '49 Ford, which was number 04 in the amateur division class. The first modern stock heat went to Phil Pipe in car number 16, which was also a Ford. I (according to Morgan) believe the car was owned by the Giles family from Tioga, Pennsylvania.The modern feature was won by Harold Sherwood of Ulysess, Pennsylvania, in a ’64 Chevy Impala number 11 that was blue and white. There were 14 moderns in attendance, and the Sherwood Team (“The Blue Angels”) entered four cars, taking three of the top four spots in the feature.

Jackie Soper won the “B” modified feature with Gil Frisbie's white number 2. As for the first ”modern era” amateur champion at that time, the points went to the car, not the driver. Roger, Bill, and Joe Williams shared the trophy. Kevin and Betty Young of Westfield, Pennsylvania, was the undisputed powderpuff queen in the early days.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on March 30, 2013, 01:12:01 AM
A little side bar to Nate's last post...I had the pleasure of talking to Jackie Soper before he passed away and one of the things that we talked about was Woodhull. He told me about how he had gone to Woodhull to race and lapped the field. He went back the next week and repeated the feat. When he went to the pay window he was slid his envelope and told, while it was nothing personal, please don't come back. He abided them.  He also told me he loved the place....I believe the #2 may have been a Frisbie car.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on April 07, 2013, 08:28:41 PM
nate-- can you get morgan to talk or share photos of the hooligan class at woodhull ? P.S. blackjack - as soon as I get my computer fixed  Ill fire an e-mail  thanks for this thead!!! keep up the good work!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Nate Pickering on April 14, 2013, 04:47:13 PM
1st Photo: This is opening night at Woodhull in 1992. The #11JR Mexican Mobile was driven by Don Lawson. "Big Bird" in the #61 was none other than Woodhull's legend, Don Kio. Lastly, the #24 Bee-osch was wheeled by Walt Mitchell!

2nd Photo: Another photo of opening night at Woodhull in 1982. This is the mount that John Burgess and Ron Baker entered in the Big Block Mod class in 1976. In 1977-1978, John Burgess and Don Kio ran it in the Big Block Mod Class. Middle to late 1979, John and Don entered it in the Small Block 320 Class at Woodhull. In 1980, Mark Richmond and Tom Kio ran it in the 320 Small Block class. And in 1982, it became the 58W of Chuck Wright.

3rd Photo: Dick Hess's modified was ready for opening day in 1982.

4th Photo: This is Bobby Sherwood debuting in the 1993 racing season at Woodhull with a 1987 Troyer modified. As a matter of fact, this was also Lyle's debut on the dirt circuit as well.

5th Photo: According to Bobby Sherwood, this was taken on opening day in 1982. As for the driver, the driver's name is Colin Slide, but it's believed the driver's family sold racing goodies at the track as well.

6th Photo: Dick Hess making adjustments to his famed #7A modified.

*All photos are courtesy of Bobby Sherwood.*
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/525410_363280633789314_278104331_n.jpg)

(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/544193_361650973952280_487433058_n.jpg)

(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/537835_361650967285614_591458532_n.jpg)

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/46643_361650947285616_332909429_n.jpg)

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/733940_361650923952285_192154746_n.jpg)

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/575723_361650883952289_1637262109_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: oldguy on April 15, 2013, 12:51:33 AM
I believe the #27 car was driven by Canadian Colin Slade.  He ran Friday nights at Brewerton, and split early season shows between Woodhull and Fulton.  I don't remember any of his family selling  parts.

Thanks for posting these photos - they are surely appreciated!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Nate Pickering on April 15, 2013, 06:47:01 PM
Thanks for the compliments back, John. I appreciate your time in viewing my recent posts; in fact, when I first took over the "job" of "locating" Woodhull's history, I would have never imagined the pictures and stories that continue to fly in at full speed.

As for Colin Slide, a good friend of mine, David Charczuk, who races Bob Malzahn's (sp. ?) vintage car throughout New York, told me his name and recognized the car. Bobby couldn't recall his exact name, but he thought that the family was involved with parts distribution. If not, well, we all learn something new everyday!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on May 02, 2013, 12:18:06 AM
thanks for the photos!!! this brings back alot of memories when  I grew up ! my dream as a kid was to race at woodhull & dundee , like my uncle ed,- I was luckey to be able to work with some awsome people after the marine corps to make memoies (sp)!!!!! But money+ time ended it.  THANKS AGAIN !!!!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 04, 2013, 12:13:52 PM
As anybody who knows me will attest, I'm a pirate (AAAAARGHH) through and through(LOL)...This amazing photos from Shangri-La popped up on my computer via Facebook...I gots to share........
The first few are unknowns. Perhaps someone can help out. Also all these are from a "Mosher" collection. Seems like I remember seeing something somewhere in regards to a Bob Mosher being the photog at Shang back in the day...once again, maybe someone can help out with that too.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: thedoebes on May 05, 2013, 11:02:20 AM
171 Amos Fanchuli
154 Archie Harvey.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 10, 2013, 05:54:43 PM
Some more photos from Shangri-La via facebook...
Eldon Schrader in the #17 "Super"
Jim Zacharias in the #71
Ray Blaisure in the #63
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 12, 2013, 10:24:43 AM
more Shangri-La photos from facebook...
Tom Straley with the #21
Bob Sweeney in the #42
Ernie and Bob June with their super-modifieid. This was their first super which they had brought to Shangri-La to shake down. The Buick powered car was driven by the legendary Bucky Dew...circa 1963   
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 22, 2013, 03:59:10 PM
more photos from Shangri-La via Facebook. Super modified style....
Don Diffendorf w/ the 10/10
Ronnie Wallace w/ the Gioia #9
Bryan Osgood with the #9
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 16, 2013, 10:07:44 PM
I was rooting through a box at a yard sale and came across these two gems. I seems that the guy who had them had purchased the property that this race show was on (Foster's in Addison?). I raced with some of these cats so I got a big chuckle when I scooped the photo's up...can you name some of these Woodhull racers?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on July 06, 2013, 07:38:09 AM
#87 was Scott Brown and that car was fast. Probably the only car with a wider roll cage than my old girl #123. One night I got a wild hair and decided to run my SuperStock at Woodhull. I had only raced there once before when I was 18 in my Modified. Because it was a handicap track I had to start 18th in the feature right behind Scott Brown. Of course we both went right to the bottom at the green. He turned 20 perfect laps never coming off the bottom and I followed him all the way up through the pack. He finished 3rd and I got fourth. I was as fast or faster but there was no way around him. I tried the outside once and lost about four car lengths. He was a very consistent driver and his boys are coming along well in the Crate class at Woodhull. Here's a photo of an old car that raced a bit in NY.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: PEEWEE on July 06, 2013, 08:38:15 AM
DO U NO WHO'S CAR IS UNDER THE WHITE CANOPE?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Larry756 on July 06, 2013, 11:51:40 AM
Looks like the #16 of JR Kent, with Gorge right behind him.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 09, 2013, 06:43:40 PM
I'm thinking the yellow car behind the canopy is Earl Harp....I remember the orange car but i can't recall who had it. Dale is right on with the call on Scott Brown. I've got to get him this photo!
 
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: gregsy32 on August 06, 2013, 04:29:25 PM
PEE WEE - I was thinking the orange car was Mikes???  Could be Rich Marlatt?  I think the yellow one is Earl Harp.  Who was the green and white 33?  I don't remember that car.

Boy I sure miss those old superstocks.  They put on some great races back then.

Bob - you asked about Terry Hough.  I think he got kicked out of Woodhull for the stunt he pulled when he got blackflagged - wouldn't leave the track and they had to chase him down with the push truck.  He showed up at Redline a while after that when they were racing latemodels down there weekly.  I think he had some trouble with the law and then moved to one of the Carolina's I had heard.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on August 06, 2013, 11:40:46 PM
greg we bought his amature(sp?) from him in 90, he wasa good guy when his head was right. we were neibors in gang mills at the time.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: gregsy32 on August 20, 2013, 03:53:24 PM
you are right he was a good guy when his head was on right.  I always liked the guy.  Not trying to take anything away from him and he had a pretty good amount of talent too.   His modified was always kept in a garage next to where my wife lived when I first started dating her.  He had his problems, but who doesn't.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: race8777 on August 21, 2013, 07:39:29 AM
car under Canope I think is Mike Carpela's them super stocks sure where lots of fun .Dale do u remember the ride u took at red line with the ole 123 ?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on August 27, 2013, 10:05:22 AM
Somemore photo's via facebook. Old Shangri-La pics that I'm guessing were taken by Bob Mosher...
photo 1) Nolan "Stretch" Johncock w/ Max Dowker#7
photo 2) Johnny Cederborg w/ the Eight -ball
photo 3) Fred DeGraff w/ the #1
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on September 26, 2013, 09:56:18 AM
Jeff Ackerman at the Mid-State Antique Stock Car Club graciously posted articles that I had written for the Gater Racing News. The first is about the early days of Chemung and the other is about the Atlantic Women's Racing Association that ran at Chemung and Towanda VFW Speedway in 1957.....Hope you can find the time to read them...they were a labor of love!
 http://midstateantiquestockcarclub.com/chemung_speedrome_bob_johnson.html (http://midstateantiquestockcarclub.com/chemung_speedrome_bob_johnson.html)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 25, 2013, 03:23:41 PM
I just ran in to Jim Brink and he had been planning on posting some photos of his uncle, Fred Brink, but couldn't get them on. So...I'm going to post them and Jim will be adding commentary. They are numbered for easy reference
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 25, 2013, 03:36:26 PM
The other three photos. Picture #5 is of Ernie and Betty June's Rig which at the time was the "cat's pajamas"! According to Bobby June (Ernie's son) the truck was brand spanking new and when they pulled in to the track the first time, jaws dropped. Considering the fact that at this point in time most folks were bringing the car to the track on a tow bar, I can see how there would have been a sense of awe!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on October 28, 2013, 10:36:08 PM
I remember that cartwheel down the back straight at Redline. People were saying that's the end of that car.....two weeks later I came within a few laps of winning the Street Stock portion of Five Mile Points National Quarter Mile Championships in the same car. Got second down there. After that the car won the Spooktacular at Afton  so it doesn't matter if your frame is tweeked as long as it stays in place! As for Terry Hough he was driving his old Modified at Black Rock last Saturday!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on November 20, 2013, 01:19:39 PM
Looking for one thing...found another!  A great write-up on Dutch Hoag from Feb. / 2009 in Stock Car Racing Magazine.
http://www.stockcarracing.com/thehistoryof/1560_donald_hoag/ (http://www.stockcarracing.com/thehistoryof/1560_donald_hoag/)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 01, 2013, 10:53:08 AM
Found a great photo of the Ernie June #59 @ Oswego. Talked to Bob June who shared this.... The driver at that time was Eldon Schrader from Sturgis, Michigan. He was about the wildest driver we had. He also made us the most money. 2nd on july 4th 1971=$1600, 4th in classic 200= $4000 in1971. The picture is of our 1st Oswego car and is dated 1970.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 01, 2013, 10:54:42 AM
GREAT article on Dutch Hoag....
Donald Hoag: The King of Lang
Ray Masser

Stock Car Racing Magazine February 24, 2009 
If he'd never won the Race of Champions on the famed Langhorne mile in Pennsylvania, Donald "Dutch" Hoag would still be a legendary stock car driver, deserving of membership in the numerous halls of fame he's in. A weekend racer who always held a full-time job, the Bath, New York, resident pegs his win total at "about 400," then adds, "We counted up 100 just with the Turner Brothers car. But I never felt like a big deal. We picked on everybody, raised Cain after the races, and just had fun."
Hoag is best known for conquering Langhorne's treacherous near-circle and the brave men who raced there 5 of the 21 times the National Open/Race of Champions was held in the Philadelphia suburb. "Dutch owned Langhorne," says rival Kenny Shoemaker. "Before you could win there, you had to get his permission. When it was dirt, we could run with him, but when they paved it, it was a whole different story. "All that aside, he was also a classy guy. I can remember going to Rochester for a race at the Monroe County Fair when I was driving the 24 car. It came down to a shootout between Dutch and I. Neither of us gave an inch and when the white flag came out, I was leading. We caught a lapped car on the back, so I went high, but Dutch knew the guy always went high in the corners so he took the bottom and won it when the guy stuck me way out there. After he got his trophy, Dutch went over and chewed that guy out for costing me a race. That's the kind of guy he was."
Hoag, who retired and came back more times than any other driver, claimed the Race of Champions in 1956, 1960, and 1963 on dirt and twice more, 1967 and 1968, after the oval was paved. "We should have had two more wins," Hoag says matter of factly. "Twice we were ahead at the advertised distance, but they went yellow and at the end caution laps didn’t count. Both times we dropped out in the added laps before the race could be finished under green."
Not surprisingly, Hoag’s memories of Langhorne go back to the very first National Open, in 1951. "That was the race where they had the big fire. The car right behind me was the last one to get through. He hit a car and when it spun, the track was blocked. When we came around, there were 15 or 20 cars in there and Wally Campbell got burned really bad. They finally cleaned it up and we went on." Hoag’s first triumph came, like two later wins, in cars he didn’t normally run. "I won in 1956 driving Hal Kempeny’s car. It was a 1937 Ford coupe he’d bought from Pete Corey’s car owner. It had a Ford overhead V-8 and Bob Burns was the mechanic. As I remember, it wasn’t a very fancy car, but it was the same as everybody else had in those days."
The next two wins came in Dave McCredy's famed red, white, and black No. 33 coupes, renumbered No. 13 to avoid scoring conflicts with the team's primary car. "Dutch was one of the very best," says Bill Wimble, himself a two-time national NASCAR champion. "He was like Jeff Gordon. Things seemed to go his way, things you can't explain, plus he got around Langhorne just about as good as you could get around there. I can remember one year that he drove my team car where I lapped him and then broke the steering on my car. I went in, they welded it, and I went back out and passed Dutch again. Then the steering broke again and I dropped out. He won it."
When asked to describe a lap around the Langhorne mile, Hoag first explains how something that seems easy to one driver is sometimes hard for another, no matter how talented the driver might be. "I'll never forget Eddie Flemke. He wasn't getting around at all, so he came over and asked if I could tell him how to get around there. I said 'No, but if you're ready to go out, I can take you around. I'm going to practice a little, so follow me. And I'll tell you, I will not take you anyplace you'll be in trouble.' "We went out and when we came back in, he said 'I can see how you do it, but I'm still not sure I can do it by myself.' He went out and would have won the consy if the air cleaner didn't come off and short out the distributor, so I guess he remembered most of what I showed him." Warming to the task at hand, Hoag qualifies his description of a quick lap by saying, "I didn't drive it any different on the asphalt than I did on the dirt. I was never one to broadslide. The only time I got sideways was when there was trouble.
"Going past the flagstand, you knew there'd be holes down in one and two, where the water problem was. You just had to keep moving out as the holes got bigger. When it got too bad, then you had to keep the car straight and go through them. Then you had a little dogleg up around the back and you had to let the car go. It may have looked like a circle, but you didn't drive it that way. You had to hit three on the inside, then by the time you got over the tunnel turn you wanted to be back on the outside again. "It was an oiled, sandy surface. There was dirt in the air, but it never got really dusty. You could see OK and there was no problem knowing where you were. We had plastic sheets on the windshield to tear off, but I always ran a 3/4 windshield that I could see over if I had to. Normally, all you had to do was wipe your goggles off once in a while. "Besides running in the right place, the biggest factor at Langhorne was strategy. I never ran a car flat out if I didn't have to. I always tried to save it. People probably won't believe it, but I ran just as hard as I had to, no harder."
In 1967 Hoag parked the orange Turner Brothers coupe in Victory Lane for his fourth Langhorne win, one that didn't come as easily as it appeared. "I couldn't get around at all. It was just awful. We were in the motel that night and Donnie Turner got the idea to put a little wing on the back of the roof. So we built it and lettered 'Dutch's Restaurant' on the back of it and went back for the race. Al Tasnady had put something similar on the Piscopo car and he ended up second to us. The next year, the little wings weren't allowed." Hoag's final Langhorne win came in his own car with sponsorship from Gene DeWitt, who in later years would be nationally known for his support of perennial NASCAR Modified champion Richie Evans. "I didn't leave the Turners for any particular reason," recalls Hoag. "We're still good friends to this day. Lee was driving his own car at the time, so he got into the No. 18 for them."
For the uninitiated, "Lee" is Lee Osborne, the famed Sprint Car driver and fabricator who in his youth was Hoag's protege and today is his son-in-law. It's the years in between that make the story significant, a tale that unfolds after Hoag proudly displays a photo of his car on the pole at Langhorne with Ozzie's next to it, awaiting the start. "Lee and my daughter went together, years and years ago, when he was racing with us. Then each went their own way. Each got married and had their own lives and Lee ended up out in Indiana. After Donna lost her husband to cancer, they got together again after 30 years and got married. "I went out to Indiana with one of my tractor trailers and moved his shop equipment here and it's going great. He's got as much or more bull as I have and it's great having him around again." Hoag's final Langhorne win saw him take the checkers a full lap ahead of Bobby Gerhart. The most interesting momento of that race is a photo of his pit stop, with young Geoff Bodine holding the overflow can. "The first Modified Geoff ever drove was mine," recalls Dutch. "He'd been running out at his dad's track in Chemung and came to Shangri-La one night. I let him into my car and now he says it's all my fault, that he probably would have been a brain surgeon or something if I hadn't gotten him started.
"In 1969, Geoff handed the wrong tire over the wall on our stop and we had to come in again and change it. We laugh about that now too." In 1972, Bodine would win the first Race of Champions to be run at Trenton, New Jersey. While he was proud of Bodine, Hoag was also sad. "The Race of Champions was never the same after they dug up Langhorne. It never drew the crowd and never had the prestige it did then." Hoag’s memories of the final Langhorne event in 1971, won by Roger Treichler, are of a double-barreled struggle. He had Osborne in his new Valiant bodied creation and central Pennsylvania Sprint Car ace Mitch Smith in his coupe. "Lee got tapped from the rear and spun out and he flipped going into turn one. Mitch had problems from the day he started warming up. He just never did get going. He spun it, he stalled it, everything. I guess the problem was that he couldn’t let it hang out like he did his Sprint Car. "That’s my last memory of Langhorne, Ozzie down there in the ditch." Running well at the Race of Champions, never mind winning it, made you famous in the stock car world. It’s a good thing, because money alone wasn’t the attraction. "It was the final race of the year and it was a good time. You’d go down there with tents or a camper, because there weren’t many motels around then, and it was a get together. Everybody was there--Ray Tilley, Dick Tobias, Will Cagle, Budd Olsen, Wally Campbell, Wally Dallenbach--everybody.
"I guess the big thing about Langhorne was the satisfaction. When you won, you knew you’d beaten the best. Sometimes you had to have some luck to do it, same as you do today. It seemed like most years we’d either win or fall out. The only wreck I remember was when I got into the wall with my Camaro when Ray Hendrick blew a transmission right in front of me and I got into the gear oil, but it wasn’t bad." The affection for the long-gone speedway is obvious. But how about bad tracks, places he didn’t like to race? "I never had a bad race track. I can tell you the easiest track I ever drove: Daytona. We went on a shoestring, with an ex-Ray Fox 1965 Dodge that Gene DeWitt and I owned together. We blew an engine so I called Jim Delaney, who was shop foreman for Ray Nichols Engineering out in Indiana. He said to get a hold of Paul Goldsmith’s mechanic and have him look in the truck and find us an engine. We got one and it was a good one. Donnie Allison and Pete Hamilton kept talking to me and helped a lot. Donnie said ’Don’t lift quick and don’t jerk the wheel’ and Pete told me ’You will not have any trouble here, the way you ran Langhorne,’ and I didn’t." Dutch Hoag had come a long ways from his first race, which he still remembers like it was yesterday.
"Don Cleveland opened a track up here in Naples. I thought I wanted to try it and Bob Ratcliffe had a car. He'd had a falling out with his driver, Wendy Clauson, so I asked if I could drive it. He said 'No, if you want to drive it, own it.' So I went to my wife and said 'Give me $175' and we went up with a chain, paid for it, and towed it down to the track. That was it. And it was the cheapest race car I ever had. "That was 1949 and it was later that year, at the Civic Stadium in Corning, that I got my first win."
Four decades and all those wins later, Dutch still goes to work at his trucking company every day and he and Doris are still going to the racetrack. Grandson Alex runs at nearby Black Rock Speedway Friday nights and until the 1999 season, son Dean, Alex’s father, competed each Saturday at the Oswego Speedway, where he was among the top drivers in the Limited Supermodified division. "Alex started in the four cylinder Bandit class, for kids 13 to 16 years old," says the proud grandfather. "He won a handful of races before moving up, which is pretty good considering that when he started, he didn’t know what a clutch was for."
"I called him 'Alexander the Great' when he won the Super Stock feature the second time he ran in the division," says Black Rock announcer Gary Montgomery. "Here's a kid that still has to ride his bike to soccer practice because, at 15, he doesn't have a driver's license, and he beat all these 40-year-old guys that dominate the class. His Bully Hill Vineyards Taurus is a good car with a Larry Shaw chassis, but the reason he passes so many cars is that he's smooth, just like his grandfather."
If Alex pursues his dream to "go all the way in racing" and collects even a tiny portion of the respect and golden memories his grandfather has amassed, he'll be a rich man.
"I met worlds and worlds of people I wouldn't have met if I hadn't raced," says Hoag. "Back then, outsiders said there weren't any good people in racing, but they were wrong."
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 05, 2013, 02:03:45 PM
Some more Facebook photo finds...These are all from Shangri-La and, upon going through my old notes, turn out to be Richard Mosher photos....
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 06, 2013, 03:54:32 PM
VIDEO from  the SVRA Trans-Am race @ Watkins Glen in Sept.   Neat Stuff!
http://www.sportscardigest.com/historic-trans-am-at-watkins-glen-video/ (http://www.sportscardigest.com/historic-trans-am-at-watkins-glen-video/)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Jilly on December 08, 2013, 11:59:54 PM
Chemung Officials late 60's
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on January 02, 2014, 01:36:24 PM
I know several of the folks on here are always looking for info on defunct racetracks and I found a gem in my collection. Here's something I knew I had but didn't find it until today. This is an aerial photo of Addison Hill Speedway that the Addison Hill Racing Assoc. sent out as a postcard to invite racers to their meeting. If you look closely there's two cars racing around the track. The one on the backstraight blends in so it's hard to see. No idea on photo credit except that it was obviously commisioned by AHRA. The post mark on the back is obscured but it ends in a "3" so I'm thinking 1963. I also scanned the back with the invite to my Father to attend their meeting and to bring a "friend"....lunch will be served...they knew how to get people to an event in those days!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Claychamp123 on January 02, 2014, 01:39:29 PM
Apparently the secretary of the association was "Maxine'. Actually photo credit goes to American Sky Views now that I read the card. 2 Cent postage...and it probably got there in a day!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 02, 2014, 03:47:52 PM
Wow Dale...that is so COOL!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: YetAnotherDW on January 02, 2014, 08:37:30 PM
I like the simple address.  Can you imagine today sending a card with no street address and it actually getting delivered.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 08, 2014, 03:18:47 PM
I've been meaning to post this for a couple weeks. A discussion sprang up on Facebook in regards to an Elmira track and one thing led to another. Brian South posted an aerial photo from 1938 which shows Tri-City Speedway's location. It was located EXACTLY where the Warplane museum was (the circular drive is right in front of that building). The amazing thing is that it sat within a hundred yards or so from the race track that was built in the early fifties (Airport Speedway). The second photo is from 1944 and by this time the track was vacant. You can see part of a run way on the southern part of the photo.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 09, 2014, 02:52:48 PM
There have been discussions about these tracks, and I agree that the bigger one is under the war plane museum. But the track that was built in the 50's is pretty much still there according to these pictures.

Here is a 1968 aerial photo showing Airport Speedway...

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FVintage%2520Speedway%2520Aerials%2FAirportCorning1968_zpsb37f556a.png&hash=a44fe19740eac09ec01895391558fd411ce737f8) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/Halffastvideo/media/Vintage%20Speedway%20Aerials/AirportCorning1968_zpsb37f556a.png.html)

This photo is a split view of 1968 and 2006 to see where on the property it sat...

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FVintage%2520Speedway%2520Aerials%2FAirportCorning19682006_zpsa4a60fd4.png&hash=4071a1f34910ce4b2e5b84a6b6c004362eaefd18) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/Halffastvideo/media/Vintage%20Speedway%20Aerials/AirportCorning19682006_zpsa4a60fd4.png.html)

And finally, the 2006 photo alone...

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FVintage%2520Speedway%2520Aerials%2FAirportCorning2006_zpsd4ee0dc7.png&hash=4d9e68fb466e8332e06d4d22de1e8d5e3b1b33bc) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/Halffastvideo/media/Vintage%20Speedway%20Aerials/AirportCorning2006_zpsd4ee0dc7.png.html)

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 14, 2014, 10:41:32 AM
Very cool Bob. They have built more stuff in that area in the past couple of years. That area is off limits as it is on either Sikorsky property or airport property so it's not possible to go "dig in the dirt" if you will. Nice to be able to finally pin-point Tri-City (the 1/2 mile track)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 20, 2014, 11:24:11 AM
Malcom Lane post accident...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 20, 2014, 11:26:41 AM
Chuck Akulis (#40) Larry Groover (#144) Lloyd Tevyain (#55) @ Shangri-La in '62 or '63
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: thedoebes on January 21, 2014, 11:56:57 AM
Fall of 63.They ran 4 or 5 Sunday Afternoon shows in the fall..Then went weekly on Saturday Nights in 64.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on March 24, 2014, 01:07:31 PM
Just because Woodhull kicked off their 50th year of racing with the Arnot Mall car show this past weekend: George Williams' Woodhull Raceway opened it's gates for the first time on June 13, 1965 for a 2:00 afternoon show, Running "Moderns" (16 cars) and "Amateurs", plus there were three B-Mods (Bugs) in attendance. The first ever checkered flag at Woodhull went to Wayne Melliman from Cuba, N.Y. in Joe Love's dark red '49 Ford Business Coupe, numbered 04. Melliman backed it up with the win in the Amateur Feature. It was Melliman's only visit to Woodhull, but Bill Layfield put the "Love Machine" back in Victory Lane on August 8th. Current Woodhull Pit Steward, Earl Eccleston was third in the first feature in a '55 Ford numbered 363. There were eleven different winners out of 14 events in the Amateur division in the '65 season. The Ulysess, Pa. based, Sherwood Auto Parts sponsored, "Blue Angels" swept the top three spots in the Modern main event. Harold Sherwood led Lyle Cornelius and Gabe Haynes to the flag in matching powder blue with white top Chevy hardtops. Sherwood and Cornelius were in 1964 Impalas (remember, this was 1965), and they duplicated the finish the following week, with George Schenk breaking the Blue Angels' domination by snagging third. Jim Hakes put his yellow 1958 Ford into Victory Lane the following week, with Paul Hidek from Bath, N.Y. making his Woodhull debut and finishing second in a maroon and white '61 Chevy sedan numbered 6 7/8. Hidek won 10 of the next 11 Modern features, on his way to the first Woodhull Championship with Bill Layfield winning the August 29th feature... Hidek was second.
Lots more, but it's a start.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on March 26, 2014, 11:36:17 AM
Was the car that George Schenk a '56 Ford #67x?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on March 26, 2014, 06:11:41 PM
Was the car that George Schenk a '56 Ford #67x?
I know it was 67x, trying to confirm make and model but that sounds right. I'm thinking light blue?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on March 26, 2014, 06:16:03 PM
Malcom Lane post accident...
Back straight at Woodhull... I'm thinking on his first trip there... 427c.i. Chevy coach. I've got a pic of it right side up somewhere.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: 112SMW on March 26, 2014, 06:48:33 PM
I am thinking red body and white roof on the 67X.Mert Bellnap had a team car #66X.I was only 8yo. at the time but I do remember those 6cyl. moderns.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on March 27, 2014, 06:47:53 AM
I am thinking red body and white roof on the 67X.Mert Bellnap had a team car #66X.I was only 8yo. at the time but I do remember those 6cyl. moderns.
Light bulb just came on... How about one was a '54 Ford and the other a '55. One in a stake body truck and the other tow bar behind the truck? I was 11 at the time but foggy memory says we followed them to the track one night and it was one of a very few that hauled two cars with one vehicle.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on March 28, 2014, 06:33:30 PM
tangletouge please keep posting old woodhull history !!! 1 question from the peanut gallery - who has more mod (or any class) feature wins, don kio or billy van pelt?
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on March 30, 2014, 05:39:03 PM
tangletouge please keep posting old woodhull history !!! 1 question from the peanut gallery - who has more mod (or any class) feature wins, don kio or billy van pelt?
My first reaction is that Billy has more Modified wins, simply because Billy's career has been pretty much Modifieds. Don spent a number of years in the Moderns and Late Models, where he did his early winning. When Stock Car Racing Magazine did the Woodhull article, Kio claimed a career "200 or so" wins. I've not been able to confirm that, and Don admitted not keeping good records. He also didn't specify heats/features, and didn't say all were at Woodhull. I know Billy really added to his total during the TWR days. I'm not going to predict how it will turn out, but I'm trying to gather up the history. As for best seasonal record, I'll go with Billy, but Paul Hidek (11 for 15), and Joe Tomes (16 for 20) are right up there in the batting average.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: railbird steve on April 10, 2014, 07:03:14 PM
when I was growing up( 70s)-joe tomes was the man at woodhull , wwhat about arnie flint ? didnt he win alot of races?  I went in the marines in 82 - lin hough @ curt vanpelt were the hotshoes, -seemes to me there were mod drivers that came from canada?  WE LOVE WOODHULL HISTORY  !!!!
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 27, 2014, 02:23:08 PM
A couple of old Chemung Speedrome photos to share with you...
1) Harry "Flipper" Carlyle
2) Jackie Soper
3) Dick Regan with flagger Al Dillon
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 03, 2014, 10:02:07 AM
Some more Chemung Speedrome "bugs"...
1) "Stub" Crane
2) "Chubby" Chandler
3) Frank Chapman
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on July 13, 2014, 10:51:48 AM
More Chemung photos...
1) Vern Coyle w/ a "bug"
2) Larry Catlin w/ a "bug"
3) "Big" Herbie Green
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 27, 2014, 10:07:06 AM
Beenthere posted this on Oldies but Goodies....
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205008173789258&set=gm.726933477386640&type=1&theater (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205008173789258&set=gm.726933477386640&type=1&theater)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on October 27, 2014, 10:15:32 AM
The more I look at it the more I'm inclined to think this was from the late thirties. The font is the type they were using at that point in time. The year they ran as Tri-Cities (1938) they only ran on holidays. I saw a blip somewhere in regards to someone talking about running there for a season. Unfortunately there isn't anything in print about the later stuff. Just a gut feeling that this is from 1939. The last ad I could find was for 1940 (a Jalpoy race). Of course, I have been totally wrong before..........
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on November 15, 2014, 05:40:48 PM
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=739173882802303&set=pcb.784710191591301&type=1&theater (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=739173882802303&set=pcb.784710191591301&type=1&theater)

Some old VFW photos. Click on "Back to Album" to see the handful of photos here.

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on December 19, 2014, 03:15:01 PM
Hey Beenthere...you didn't happen to copy those photos, did you? The facebook page is kaput.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 03, 2015, 04:06:08 PM
1938...

(https://www.raceny.com/smf2/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi108.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn13%2FHalffastvideo%2FVintage%2520-%2520new%2FBigFlatsTriCities1938.jpg&hash=bc5512cf7b83227be4da0a2481d2be5688481f24) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/Halffastvideo/media/Vintage%20-%20new/BigFlatsTriCities1938.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 15, 2015, 02:04:50 PM
An article from the Elmira Star-Gazette in 1956. Al Mallette was the premier Elmira sports writer in his day.....

 Elmira Star-Gazette   Sept. 28,1956
Change of Pace by Al Mallette
Stock Racers In Big Show

Chemung stock car racers Saturday night will put on the biggest show of their greatest season at the Speedrome. Chemung stages its championship races Saturday and with a break in the weather, flagman Bob Fuller looks for the best crowd of a season blessed with outstanding attendance.
Fuller, who is one of the big men behind the Atlantic Stock Car Racing Assn. program as well as No. 1 flagman at the track, reports that this is the best season attendance-wise since Chemung opened four years ago. "We've been averaging about 1,800 each week," said Fuller, "It's our best record. Maybe it's because there's no baseball in Elmira..."

FULLER CONTINUED, "You know we've got a pretty good battle for the points at Chemung this season. The championship races Saturday may decide the point champ."
He went on to explain that Art (Chubby) Chandler of Chemung is leading 19- year-old Jackie Baldwin of Ithaca by four points in the A Class. Chandler was champ in 1954 and again last year.
Some of the other top A Class drivers are Lucky Cornish, Bucky Buchanan, Percy Brown, Hank Clark and Cecil Keister.
In the B  the leaders are Hal Green, Pete Schaeffer, Cliff Pierce, Bob DePew, Earl Bodine and Tex Owen. Schaeffer and Pierce are now racing in A.

THAT RAISED the question as to the difference in A and B racing. "The A cars have dual carburetors and different piston sizes," explained Fuller. "The B cars have single carburetors. And there's a difference in the cost of the cars too."
Whats the difference in speed between A and B on the one-quarter mile Chemung track?
"That's a pretty good question for an average fan," replied Fuller. "Perhaps it's not too noticeable but the A cars 'pick up and go' much faster down the straight stretches. Our average speed is 38 miles an hour which means about 60 or 65 on those straightaways."

IT WAS NOTED that most of the cars at Chemung were coupes and that led to another  question. Which is better for stock car racing, coupes or sedans: and how much do the cars cost?
"The coupe is better suited," answered Fuller. "The drivers put most of their money in the engine and pick up most of the bodies in junk yards. For instance, Chandler's car has a '55 Thunderbird motor. Baldwin's car has a Mercury motor and Buchanan's car has a Ford 'flathead'.
"I'd guess that Keister has the most money tied up in a Chemung car. I think it's about $3,000. You know, another interesting feature about our drivers is that most own their racers. I think the ratio is about 75-25 in favor of ownership."

WHAT ARE SOME of safety precautions drivers use? "First," replied Fuller, "is the safety belt. Safety belts in our cars go down through and under the body frame. Generally these belts go under the seats. We find, however, our idea is far better.
"Of course, all drivers wear helmets and each car has roll-over bars installed. Another important safety device is the fire wall between gas tank and driver. This has prevented many serious accidents."

WHO ARE THE favorites with the fans? "Practically every driver has his own fan club," answered Fuller. " But probably the most poular in a general sense are the kids, Baldwin and Bodine. Among the others are Chandler, Green, Brown, Buchanan and Cornish.
"You know Cornish's nickname used to be 'Crash' because of the many pileups and mishaps he had at tracks in Wellsville and Corning. he was lucky to escape serious injury in some and thus the tag 'Lucky' "

WHAT ABOUT THE flagman's job? Isn't there a bit of danger in this? Suppose you hit an oil slick or trip as you jump away from those on-roaring cars after waving that green flag? "To me the job's a lot of fun," said Fulle
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 17, 2015, 11:59:06 AM
The ad that Bob Miller posted correlates with the poster that Beenthere shared. I went back through my notes and found this similar ad for the same race. I have to say that I might be getting oldheimers as I had been thinking that Tri-Cities ran on holidays but I looked back and that would have been at Maple Avenue Park. Looking through my notes, it looks like the race on July 24th at Tri-cities never happened as there wasn't a write up for the results (there had been considerable press given to it up to that point). I would love to find the real story as to what happened to the track at that point as it (the management) seemed to go poof...it's my "holy grail"
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Half Fast Bob on January 18, 2015, 12:07:56 PM
I can't swear to this, but I THINK I remember reading that the show was postponed because of rain and was run the following weekend. Tri-Cities is also a personal favorite of mine because of the way they advertised. Give me a little time to see what I can dig up.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 18, 2015, 12:50:58 PM
Hey Bob...I'd love to see what you find. The track seemed to go away 'just like that'. I looked through all the local papers but to no avail.
The only other ad I was able to find was for a jalopy race in 1940.
I don't think I've ever posted these, but it seems like an opportune moment. This picture is the ONLY photo I have found of racing activity at Tri-Cities. Joseph Bourgeois of Herkimer was injured in a three-car accident causing Bourgois' to sustain a fractured skull.  The photo is of his car on the hook.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on January 18, 2015, 01:06:51 PM
This photo relates to the races at Tri-Cities in that the car pictured is the Smullens Special. Smullens was a former driver who, at this point in time, had Hank Bruning, a bank teller from Carbondale, Pa. driving his car. Bruning cleaned up at Tri-Cities. This photo is from Campville near Binghamton. On a sad note, Hank Bruning went on to win the STRA championship in 1938 but lost his life the next season at Tunkhannock, Pa. in a racing mishap.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: trivia99 on May 02, 2015, 12:39:39 AM
Last year there was a photo of cars on the track in 1963 at Shangri-La and TheDobes replied they had 4 or 5 show at the end of 1963 season. I remember going to those shows but cannot for the life of me find out who won those shows. I did find results for one of them in the local paper on September 1st stating that Bob McGeorge and Jim Zacharias won the previous day. None of the other shows had reported winners. I am trying to compile an accurate win list for the track and this is the only blemish I have from the 60's to the June 1st 1991 where I am at now. Also missing are some of the jalopy races from the 1955-1956 seasons. Even the son of the promoter at the time doesn't have the information. That photo that was published is one of only two or three photos from those shows and they were all taken from the grandstands. I can't believe there were no flag shots taken at those races. As for some of the drivers that raced in those shows, the memories are vague at best. For the most part those shows were for the Five Mile Point and Glen Aubrey cars but I distinctly remember Huey Perreau who raced at Fulton and had a five window turquoise #21 with a six cylinder Chevy or GMC motor and John Pawlicki who ran at Waterloo with a brown Flathead #5B both being there. If anybody has any accurate results or even a flag shot to show who won, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and if by some miracle anything from those Jalopy races in '55 & '56 is around...BTW the first two stock car races ever held at Shangri-La in 1949 were won by Al Keller and Wally Campbell and a Keller flag shot of that event exists but to my knowledge has never been posted.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Walt171128 on May 04, 2015, 08:10:18 PM
Hey blackjack, this is Walt Sherwood; I always love reading and catching up of the old Al Mallette racing stories from the good old days and I was intrigued with one of Al's column from '56 about Lucky Cornish that you posted, Al was a friend of my Dad's and me back in the old Angelica Fairground days. It was always great reading Al back in the old Star Gazette days, paper would always be delivered by 2:00 in the afternoon and we couldn't wait to see who Al would be commenting about and where he had been the week before.

I have a picture in my old collection from Angelica of Lucky that I took of him in the pits during the '62 season and Al's comment about Lucky was spot on......he wasn't much of a up front competitor at times but dammit, he gave it his all and he sure was lucky a few times at Angelica as well......one hell of a nice guy and with any luck someday I'll get all these old pics of mine out and post them and give the ol history buffs something to reminisce about

Thanks for keeping these great ol' memories alive blackjack

Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 07, 2015, 09:55:18 PM
Hey Walt Sherwood...I can't wait to see the photos you have. Lucky Cornish is a very interesting character. I was always under the impression that he had a hot hand in the early fifties and won a lot of races at places like South Seneca and Chemung. One of the things that I remember seeing written about him was that he had a diner that burnt down in Ithaca. I have a bunch of stuff that Bernie Foster wrote in the mid-fifties that I would like to share. I'm thinking that is where I might have seen that tidbit.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Walt171128 on May 08, 2015, 06:47:05 PM
Lucky was an interesting character indeed, it always puzzled me why a lot of those guys in the Elmira, Ithaca area came clear over to Angelica on Friday nights to race but I always assumed it was because of the fact that Angelica was a super fast well groomed horse track :), but Lucky, Soper, Curly Wilson, Bill Schafrath, sorry if I misspelled Bill's name but its been more than 50 years ya' know :) and a host of others always seemed to make the trek to race over here. It was my favorite place to be on weekends when I was a boy, takin pictures of all I could in the least amount of time as they came through the gates.

I'll be gathering up what pics I can in the near future because I had them put on discs years ago so we'll see how things turn out but I do know I have a real good one of Lucky in a white T-shirt standing next to his hot rod.

And yeah, I never knew of Bernie Foster but maybe he can shine some light on why, like I said, a lot of those guys came over to Angelica on Friday nights in the early 60's to race when the Chemung, Elmira, Ithaca area had tracks of their own like you said in South Seneca and the aforementioned Chemung. It sure would be interesting reading indeed
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on May 08, 2015, 08:22:45 PM
Cornish ran quite a few times (maybe, or at least a few times) at the VFW Speedway in Towanda in the late 50s and maybe(?) early 60s. As I recall, and my memory may be faulty, he drove either a number 75 or 76. I seem to recall them being team cars, maybe painted red and black? Maybe with some gold trim. "A" cars, I think. Maybe Ed Fish (?) drove the other. I always thought (presumed?) he had something to do with Cornish Auto Sales in Corning? All this "recollectin'" reminds me of a time 20 or so years ago that I went to Syracuse with Racin' Ron Arnold, another who was at the VFW regularly so long ago. I was amazed that I remembered so much with perfect clarity, and so did he, except that our memories were almost exactly opposite. Funny how time melts the things were are certain of into a murky mush of maybe's and fog.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 09, 2015, 12:29:24 AM
I can tell you that a lot of the big shoes started racing in western ny because the pay-out was much better. Just like today, it was worth the longer tow for the extra scratch.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: trivia99 on May 09, 2015, 01:19:20 AM
Hope you guys don't mind me jumping in here but I grew up at Glen Aubrey and Five Mile Point in the 50's and 60's and am in the process of trying to do the dauntless task of doing a feature win list for each track. The Finger Lakes Club of which the aforementioned Lucky Cornish was a member of was on it's way out at Glen Aubrey (actual last race sanctioned by FLRA was in August of 1957) in 1956. Records show that Cornish won a feature on July 4th 1956 and had at least three other top five finishes from records I accumulated for that year, I have at least one other feature win logged in 1954 and have flag shot pictures of at least three distinctly different #44's taken at GAR. Lucky also did drive as a team car to Mr. Fish in the car that Jackie Baldwin of Trumansburg drove prior to that. In the photos I have the#77 that Baldwin drove was powered by an overhead Ford motor. I can tell you this Bucky Dew and Bill Strosahl were the big winners at Glen Aubrey in the ten years that they raced stock cars there and it was not uncommon to have sixty or so cars in the pits on any given Friday night in the mid fifties where an "A' and "B" mains were commonly held with the "A" paying at least $125 to the winner. It was a good time back then. Enjoy this thread.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Beenthere on May 09, 2015, 09:33:59 AM
Yup, those team cars were 77 and 76, instead of 75 and 76. First thing when I awoke this morning I knew my recollection was off. Funny how the fog clears at times.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Walt171128 on May 09, 2015, 06:02:34 PM
You hit the nail squarely on the head there Blackjack, the money was better at Angelica back in the early 60's because my Dad won three features there in 1962 and they paid 150 to win for two of them and 200 for the Labor Day race, I still have those envelopes somewhere, of course, if I can dig them out someday :)

All the classes from the B's to the Modern class paid better than most tracks at Angelica, but they got hellacious crowds at the Fairgrounds back fifty plus years go so I presume they could afford it

I know Soper always told me that Angelica paid a lot better, and like you said blackjack, the scratch was why he came west in those days. And besides, the competition was top notch and Soper always loved a challenge

I miss that crazy 'ol sidewinder Soper, not only was he the best I ever watched in those days along with Dean Layfield, but one hell of a hunter as well ! The man could do almost anything he put his mind to !
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 27, 2015, 09:49:03 PM
I had a gentleman come knocking on the door last week and he asked me if  I was the Bob Johnson that posts stuff on RaceNY. I told him I was indeed. He said he had been meaning to look me up and that, if I was interested, he had old racing pictures he would like to share. I told him I was very interested in seeing them. That fellows name is Ken Burnside and yesterday he dropped off two boxes of old pictures and programs. I am floored by someof the stuff in this collection. I will be posting southern tier content on this thread and other stuff on the "oldies but goodies" thread. This first one is of Pat Judson in the B13 at Chemung Speedrome in 1965 (Ken Burnside collection)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 28, 2015, 08:45:52 PM
Frank Chapman's #89 at Chemung Speedrome in 1972 (Ken Burside collection)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on May 31, 2015, 11:57:47 AM
From the Ken Burnside collection...I have a copy of the BOB-CAT Sporting News which I have never seen before. It featuered photos form Chemung, Dundee, and Canandaigua. This first one is from Chemung Speedrome: Cy Sander (#707) passes Don Post (#99) to take the lead in sportsman feature. Maybe someone out there can shed some light on this publication...
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 03, 2015, 08:46:15 AM
Jerry Gilbert standing proud with his #222. This photo was shared by his daughter Mary Updike
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: YetAnotherDW on June 03, 2015, 09:13:30 AM
Lucky was an interesting character indeed, it always puzzled me why a lot of those guys in the Elmira, Ithaca area came clear over to Angelica on Friday nights to race but I always assumed it was because of the fact that Angelica was a super fast well groomed horse track :), but Lucky, Soper, Curly Wilson, Bill Schafrath, sorry if I misspelled Bill's name but its been more than 50 years ya' know :) and a host of others always seemed to make the trek to race over here. It was my favorite place to be on weekends when I was a boy, takin pictures of all I could in the least amount of time as they came through the gates.

I'll be gathering up what pics I can in the near future because I had them put on discs years ago so we'll see how things turn out but I do know I have a real good one of Lucky in a white T-shirt standing next to his hot rod.

And yeah, I never knew of Bernie Foster but maybe he can shine some light on why, like I said, a lot of those guys came over to Angelica on Friday nights in the early 60's to race when the Chemung, Elmira, Ithaca area had tracks of their own like you said in South Seneca and the aforementioned Chemung. It sure would be interesting reading indeed

Hi Walt,
I'll bet the name you're trying to remember is Bill Schroth.  He still lives in Elmira, comes to races a few times a year with Kennison's 9x.  He went on to race in URC where he had success in (I think) the Bower car.  He has some interesting stories that's for sure.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on June 05, 2015, 04:34:03 PM
From the Ken Burnside collection...I have a copy of the BOB-CAT Sporting News which I have never seen before. It featuered photos form Chemung, Dundee, and Canandaigua. This first one is from Chemung Speedrome: Cy Sander (#707) passes Don Post (#99) to take the lead in sportsman feature. Maybe someone out there can shed some light on this publication...

I've got a few BOB-CATs. Was a short lived little newspaper that was published weekly. I'm thinking early, maybe middle, seventies, and featured Chemung, Canandaigua, Dundee, and Woodhull plus wherever else they could get ahold of for photos or info. If memory serves, I think it was based near Watkins Glen, but I may be wrong about that. I don't think it lasted more than a year or two. Cy Saunders was a Chemung hot shoe from Pa., and Don Post was (I think) from the Penn Yan area. Don worked for Dundee Raceway Park (Black Rock) for a number of years and had a column in Gator Racing News for awhile.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 05, 2015, 10:42:41 PM
That's interesting info... This copy is getting pretty fragile. Here is another photo from the Bob-Cat. Harold Secord of Burdett was the winner in the sportsman division at Chemung Speedrome. (photo by Jack Igoe)...Ken Burnside collection
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: blackjackracing on June 19, 2015, 10:11:06 PM
Al Baldwin with the silks in the Butch Horton and Ken Fuller #66. Photo by L.O. Duncan (Ken Burnside collection)
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: Tangletongue on August 10, 2015, 02:23:13 PM
Bob, that orange Dodge was one of my all time favorite cars. They replaced it with a '68 Dart, which actually ended up racing at Woodhull on the dirt a couple of years later. Sparling Northside Esso was the hot spot for race cars, Loren Oakden ran a #77 '61 Chevy bubbletop as a teammate to Al, and I remember a white and orange #4Q '65 Chevelle that maybe Fred Quail ran. I believe there was a Formula Vee in the shop on occasion too. When J&J Auto Parts was still in business on Market Street, you could tell them you wanted a gallon of SNERT orange and they knew exactly what you wanted.
Title: Re: Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York
Post by: dirttrackrocker on April 12, 2018, 04:07:54 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/klv8lm/IMG_20180412_080038_zpsjawg7jvi.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/klv8lm/IMG_20180412_080038_zpsjawg7jvi.jpg)


Found a whole stack of these in some stuff my dad gave me. His uncle was the promoter or co promoter from what I was told.