Racing History in the Southern Tier of New York

[blackjackracing]

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!

[woodhullfan39]

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.

[dan dan]

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.

[Fireball]

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

  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.

[woodhullfan39]

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.

[dan dan]

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.

[Oldracing_fan]

http://www.alleganycountynylocalhistory.com/Racing%20History-AllegCo/Auto%20Racing/AutoRacingHome.htm

[blackjackracing]

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.

[woodhullfan39]

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.

[blackjackracing]

Someone mentioned a track today... by Elmira on Doty Hill/Doty Hill Road...anyone have any info? 

[ridecar]

Bath Speedway. Hope this works, if not I'll keep trying. I also have a 1957-1958 Cohocton Valley Racing Association rule book.

[ridecar]

Bath Speedway - Trying again.

[T20won]

Addison Hill Raceway

Cty Rt 85

[thedoebes]

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.

[Jay Mooney]

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.