What Exactly Is The New York State Stock Car Association?

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – GLOVERSVILLE, NY – What is the New York State Stock Car Association? What can NYSSCA do for you?

As everyone approaches the track for a night of racing, drivers have thought’s of how fast they can go and if they will be having a good finish…maybe pulling off the win. Crews will be doing there best to do what ever it takes to make sure the car is ready to perform for their driver. Family members will be supporting their loved ones, Safety crews will be hoping that nobody gets hurts. The tow truck crew will be trying to get the cars off the track as fast as possible. The media are looking for that story and the perfect picture and the fans in the stands will be rooting for their favorite drivers.

But, does anybody ever think about the possibility of getting injured bad enough that could put them out of work for a short or long period of time?

Weather its getting hurt in a bad accident driving the racecar or working on it, injured due to flying debris or just watching the racing, as history has proved, this is a great danger.

Anybody who is at the tracks on any given night is liable to get hurt. Dirt track racing is and can be very dangerous. At any time, something could go wrong at any moment and in the back of our minds, I think we all realize this. This is were NYSSC comes into play for everybody that is a member.

Originally it was the The New York State Stockcar Owners and Drivers Club that was formed in the early 60’s. The purpose was to get the local tracks to raise their purse and change track rules as it strives to keep in good standing with track promoters.

In 1969, NYSSCA was incorporated and its top priority was to express their concerns on safety and insurance matters at the tracks. This is when the benefits fund to help members who were injured in a race- related accident was established.

Also, the organization tries to educate the public of the importance of the positive effect racing has on a community and that all racing families sticks together to protect our sport. Now this is why it is so important for everybody to be a member…to get involved and help keep this sport thriving…to help each other in the racing community.

What does it take to be a member? The cost for a membership is only $25. With a membership that goes from April 1st to March 31 of the following year, if you’re injured during a racing accident, the group will give you $125 a week up to four weeks. It will then be reviewed by the benefit committee to receive that for up to 26 weeks. All claims, of course, must be accompanied by the injured members physician or employer. However, as the by law states, this does not include any members getting injured in any altercation or fights.

NYSSCA has helped many members. Personally talking to some of the, it was there only source of income from being out of work. The group helped them get by in some hard times.

There is also A very prestigious Awards Banquet each January where members are recognized for their accomplishments at there respective participating NYSSCA tracks.

A special event each year for the drivers is the Safety Awards night. This is where the highest-finishing member in the feature in each division is awarded $75, second- highest gets $25 along with a hat and yearbook. There is also a wildcard of $50 that one member on the night gets pulled out of a hat.

This is given to show the sportsmanship and dedication to the sport.

NYSSCA also has a Hall of Fame, which many of the great racers, car owners, official members of the media have been honored. Their names are on display at the Saratoga Automobile Museum.

There are many other things the organization does, like the Scholarship fund, which gives any members child $250 that is going to college. Just ask for an application. You’ll be required to write a 250-word essay “what racing means to me?”

So, as you can see, if you are part of the racing community, this is a must-join organization as we all can help one another in the sport that we eat, sleep and breath

Your $25 goes a long way. Representatives try to go around to each and every person at member tracks to see who wants to join and hand out applications.

The Associate Tracks that are currently participating are Fonda, Albany-Saratoga, Lebanon Valley, Glen Ridge, Afton, Utica-Rome, Orange County and Woodhull. The CRSA Sprint Car Series is also affiliated.

There are currently around 700 members and the group is always looking for more to keep this organization a valued one, They are always looking for volunteers as well…new faces along with the members are who have made this what it is today,

“It’s always great to see new members with new ideas, great enthusiasm or any way you feel you could assist in anyway to benefit the organization,” NYSSCA president said. “It would be great to see you at our meeting ma as well.”

Well, I hope each and everyone of you realize the importance of this organization and seriously take advantage. Remember what it is all about.

See you all at the track and BE SAFE!!!!