The Northeast Racing Products Auction, Trade Show & Swap Meet Had Something For Everyone
Column By: JOHN ZACHARY / RPW – SYRACUSE, NY – With the racing season winding down, and Thanksgiving less than a week away, race fans flocked to the New York State Fairgrounds for the first annual Northeast Racing Products Auction, Trade Show & Swap Meet. The Center of Progress was full of motorsports vendors, and beautiful race cars.
Cars builders were on hand displaying their latest creations for next year’s racing season. Troyer Race Cars, Teo Pro Car, and Bicknell Racing Products were a few of the popular car builders with new products displayed at NRP. The industries leading brands of wheels, axles, helmets, and all things racing took part in the two-day show to wrap up the 2017 season.
Troyer Race Cars had a great cutaway car of Peter Britten’s on display as guests walked through the front doors. Half of Britten’s Car was clear Lexan with the other half cut away to show the wonderful craftsmanship that has made them one of the top car builders Dirt Modified racing.
Fox Shocks had a very cool pull down machine with Charlie Tibbett’s car perched on it, drawing a lot of attention through out the show. Engine builders, header manufacturers, and driver safety gear were all well represented for all interested.
Not only was there a ton of racing eye candy on display, but, also a room full of used race car parts in the swap meet section of the show. So if a team’s budget wasn’t saying “buy new,” they could pick up some good used parts to help with their 2018 campaign.
Used cars, new cars, bodies, and other parts were on hand for the show’s race auction. New racers or teams looking to upgrade could get some good deals by bidding on the products displayed during the auction part of the show.
It was fun walking around the show taking in the nice new shiny parts, and running into friends that you normally see at the track. I did see a few drivers walking around the show in their street clothes, talking to fans and fellow racers. Frank Cozze, Kenny Tremont, Peter Britten, and DIRTcar Sportsman Champion Dave Marcuccilli were all spotted on the show floor.
I picked up a Winter Bennie hat from Race Pro Weekly marketing partner White Knuckle Clothing. After walking around the show for a few hours I decided on another cool hat from WKC as well. Trust me. It was not easy choosing what hat to buy. Show goers had a lot of options when it came to T-shirts, hats and diecast cars. We all love a good racing shirt for our collection.
With all of this going on during the two-day show, there were seminars as well for interested attendees. I myself sat in on the Journalism Seminar giving by Dirt Track Digest. I enjoyed the discussion about the way Motorsports are being covered in today’s social media markets. Not only is motorsports changing, but also the way fans follow their favorite drivers on Social Media. We, as journalist, need to give them (the fans) the news the way they want it.
I really enjoyed this show. I think it will become a show in the Northeast that fans and racers will not want to miss.
Take care, John