NY STATE FAIRGROUNDS
SPEEDWAY
SYRACUSE, NY.
HOME OF THE "NY STATE FAIR CHAMPIONSHIP"
These photo's are ones I've collectecd over the years through
researching drivers, as well as our own escapades at the NYS Fair.
Labor Day was THE day for many (including us), the New York State
Fair Championship race was the equivalent of the Super Bowl,
Daytona 500 and Indy 500 all wrapped up in one for competitors of
the Flathead Era. Everyone looked forward to it, and coveted the win
above all others. Especially if your name was Kotary... So, here goes -
some interesting shots through the years of the NYS Fair races,
including some from our club...
They didn't call him Suicide Al for nothing..the only injury from this crash in the late 50's was a bruised shin when Al Sanders was running away from the wreck and whacked the guardrail with his leg..
Willie Wust's 'Mouseville Monster' in 1963 - timed within a second of Kotary and lost a rod bearing doing it, my father related is was the teams best chance..
Timed well enough to start on pole for the heat, Moose finished 8th with the sick engine, Larry Nye on the outside pole. Bob Hunter Photo.
Moose slugs a cold one afterward, my father in the foreground with crew cut. Don Phoenix photo, 1963.
1963. Cliff Kotary claims the 4th of his 6 consecutive NYS Fair wins with the #90.
1964. Cliff with the Reville trophy is interviewed by Jack Burgess.
'Pop' Enders #150 piloted by Larry Nye in the pits, 1964. Larry Nye collection.
Moose hustles the 43, 1963. Don Phoenix photo.
Midstater Ray Bunzey wheels Joe Norton's 3X down the frontstraight. 1963, Don Phoenix photo.
Jerry Wisnoski has the Laying down 8 full bore. 1963, Don Phoenix photo.
1966 through the fence, Mike Miller 55 and Larry Nye 67 go for green. Don Phoenix photo.
1965. Can you hear these Flatheads Screaming? Cliff Kotary, Sammy Reakes, Larry Nye, John McArdell battle for the lead. Bob Hunter gem.
1966. Miller 55 with a Wayne head, Cliff hadn't run at all this year and made a 'race day decision' to bring out the 60X. Gunning it with 5 to go, Cliff caught Miller and blew his sick engine trying, Miller blew a tire at the same time and lurched to the right. Cliff related they 'never touched'. Bob Hunter photo.
Larry Nye was 3rd at the time and inherited the good luck, and the win. The only Midstate registered car to win the fair. Bob Hunter photo.
Ray Kennedy left and Larry Nye shake after the 1966 win. Don Phoenix photo. Two firsts on this day, a Midstate car won and Larry was the first to win in an actual drivers suit. Anyone know the boy in the hat? Larry Nye collection.
Our club returned the Flatheads to the Fair, Richard Ackerman 43A, Tom Witter 55, 1995.
Turn 2 1995, Flyin' 90, Tom Witter and Sammy Reakes gettin' after it..
Still my favorite memory of racing, 1995 with Cliff and the trophy. I turned Old Faithfull 5800 this day..
We didn't get them all, but tried..1996.
Nothing like running at Syracuse..
Truly a nice sight..
Dad copped a win too, here with Phil Clussen and Randy McGlynn.
2001. Otto Graham photo.
GMC's and Flathead's, 2001. Tough company, Bill Kisslestein, Tom Traynor, B29 and Dad. Otto Graham photo.
Just lucky. Blew the engine 'testing' the day before, threw in 'Old Faithfull' and won the heat and feature, that engine owes me nothing.
Gotta admit, I miss Syracuse on Labor Day....