SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A look back at speedways and drivers of the past are the focus of the day for participants in the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s popular Lost Speedways program on Nov. 30.
Since the program takes most of the day, lunch is a priority as well and one of Saratoga Springs’ finest caterers will be on hand to refuel attendees.
“Mama Mia’s Ristorante provided the meals for our volunteers at our recent Saratoga Auto Auction and the food was outstanding,” said Lost Speedways organizer Ron Hedger. “Before the auction was even complete, I’d asked Giuseppe to sell a variety of lunch items during the program and he readily agreed. He’s a major part of many of our events and I’m sure everyone will love his offerings.”
Set for Nov. 30, the look back at speedways that no longer exist and racing heroes who excited fans back in the day will open with Motorcycle Madness by longtime favorite Mark Supley, followed by newcomer Paul Malecki, who has done exhaustive research on the history of the long-defunct Altamont Fairgrounds Speedway, site of big car races featuring regional drivers, AAA events and even NASCAR’s top division over the years.
Host Hedger’s interviews with a pair of regional legends will round out the program. First up will be Dickie Larkin, who is known for his success on the Empire State’s small block scene early in his career driving the famed Yellow Banana Ford Falcon. Larkin went on to great success in the big blocks at Lebanon Valley Speedway, where he had a huge fan base. He also has great tales to tell of his exploits on the Syracuse mile, where he was always a contender.
The program will close out with another Lebanon Valley hero, John Flach Jr., who was both a steady winner and a track champion on the high banks before retiring at a relatively young age. This year found Flach back behind the wheel in vintage events and winning almost everywhere the vintage club went, all the time wearing a huge smile as he evoked memories of the past.
Other highlights of the Saturday after Thanksgiving program will include the traditional display of memorabilia and vintage photos that participants bring to share and a quick big screen look at vintage photos from western New York showing the rustic cars used long ago.
Additionally, a short home movie of Fonda time trials back in the 1960’s and a Billy Rafter win on the Syracuse mile will be run at noon, before the formal presentations start.
The Saratoga Automobile Museum will open at 10 a.m., memorabilia will be on display from 11 a.m. through the day and the formal presentations will kick off at 12:30 p.m. Regular admission rates will prevail, with museum members admitted free of charge.
The Saratoga Automobile Museum is located on the Avenue of the Pines in the Saratoga Spa State Park, just north of Exit 13 of the Adirondack Northway/I-87. More information about the museum and current exhibits can be found online at www.saratogaautomuseum.org.