RPW Exclusive: Two Great Events Highlight A Busy Weekend For Vintage Racers

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – FONDA, NY – With excitement in the air of two prestigious dirt tracks having Hall of Fame inductions this week, there will also be action on the tracks that’ll get the vintage racing world buzzing.

On Saturday, drivers will be representing cars that has made the sport of dirt racing what it is today. Heats and features will be on the card at two historic racing venues in New York State…the Fonda Speedway in Fonda, NY and the Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, NY.

There’s a lot of history at both facilities and you gotta wonder, “if only these tracks could talk.” What better place to showcase these race cars for race fans, young and old alike.

For those that may have seen some of these machines race in their heyday, it will bring back great memories and allow them to tell the younger generation how special things were. For the young, they’ll be able to see what the cars looked like during yesteryear and appreciate the history of racing.

Fonda Speedway’s event will be having cars from different series and clubs in the Northeast such as the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series and the Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour. Supporting the activities will be the Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club along with Champlain Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Club.

Also on tap that night, several vintage cars will be on display in front of the Speedway’s Hall of Fame building starting at noon. Here is your chance to get a good up-close look of how the the cars looked in year’s gone by. Check out the driver’s cockpits in some of them…certainly nowhere near the comfort of today. They sure have come a long way.

When the Hall display is complete, it will be time to go to the infield and get ready for the night’s action. The drivers will give the fans thrilling side-by-side racing throughout the field. It’s surely going to be special.

Induction ceremonies will be held at 4:00 at the museum.

Weedsport Speedway, who will be hosting the Hall of Fame 100 Super DIRTcar Series event, will have the Classic On Dirt Vintage Club in action. This great group has made it a tradition to be a part of Induction day for the last four years, and they look forward to many years to come.

The exposure will be tremendous for vintage racing being at Weedsport. The drivers will also be able to show the fans their dedication in preserving the history along with putting on a great show for the fans in Central NY.

Inductions for the Dirt Hall Of Fame will be held tonight (Thursday, July 26th) with many greats will be getting recognized.

One has to ask. Why have two important events on the same day for the Vintage class? “Well, unfortunately there was a scheduling conflict with the powers to be. Things are already in the works to avoided next year.

The Vintage world already know this, but everyone involved should be commended in keeping our past alive and strong. Although at times it’s tough to do, and getting people involved is a must. Whether it’s competitive racing, displaying of cars, or clubs and series having their own philosophy, it everybody’s responsibility who loves dirt racing to keep it alive in some way, shape or form. The younger generation is our future of racing and they need to be educated on our history of Dirt Stock Car Racing.

If anybody wants to get involved in any parts of vintage racing there are many outlets on social media to contact. Be a part of something special. Let’s hope everybody gets out to see some vintage racing as the excitement in the air is on full tilt. Grab the family and get to the tracks. These two great speedway’s are ready to go. Get out and see the action…VINTAGE STYLE!