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Syracuse Mile History, Future Nov. 14 At IMRRC
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The Syracuse Mile, one of the most historic tracks in the nation, will be the focus of a daylong program at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen on Saturday, November 14.
Also known as the “Moody Mile,” the one-mile dirt track at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse has been hosting car races since 1903. It is considered to be the second or third oldest race track in the country. Since 1972, the track has been the hub of the hugely popular Super DIRT Week, a five-day racing extravaganza now underway.
The Syracuse 200 on Sunday, October 11, will be the final race on the famed track. A large field of big-block modified series competitors from across the US and Canada is expected.
The November 14 program at the Racing Research Center, free and open to all, will highlight the history of the Syracuse Mile and look at the future of Super DIRT Week in Central New York. The Center is located at 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen.
“While we’re saddened that our program about the Syracuse Mile comes just weeks after the last checkered flag falls there,” Center President J.C. Argetsinger said, “gathering Syracuse Mile experts together to tell the track’s story and share their own memories is a fitting tribute.”
The day will begin at 9 a.m. with radio personality and track announcer Joe Marotta doing a live broadcast from the Center of his radio show “Around the Tracks.”
At 10:30 a.m., drivers from all eras will share their stories in an informal roundtable setting.
Marotta returns at 1 p.m. to moderate a panel of speakers that will include:
- Brett Hearn, multi-time winner of Super DIRT Week races.
- Glenn Donnelly, originator of the DIRT sanctioning body and Super DIRT Week and owner of Central New York Raceway Park, which has been awarded the contract for future Super DIRT Week events.
- Jeff Hachmann, DIRT Car Northeast director with World Racing Group.
- Dr. Gary George, author and race historian.
“Anybody who has been a fan of the Syracuse Mile ought to be there because a lot of stories and memories will be shared,” Marotta said. “It’s going to be like visiting an old friend.
“As my good friend Jack Burgess always said, ‘You’ve got to have a favorite out there,’ and Syracuse is my favorite.”
The program will include cars on display that have raced at the Syracuse Mile. The star will be the Gary Balough “Batmobile” modified racer that dominated Super DIRT Week in 1980. The car will be on loan from the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame and Classic Car Museum in Weedsport, N.Y.
Also known as the “Moody Mile,” the one-mile dirt track at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse has been hosting car races since 1903. It is considered to be the second or third oldest race track in the country. Since 1972, the track has been the hub of the hugely popular Super DIRT Week, a five-day racing extravaganza now underway.
The Syracuse 200 on Sunday, October 11, will be the final race on the famed track. A large field of big-block modified series competitors from across the US and Canada is expected.
The November 14 program at the Racing Research Center, free and open to all, will highlight the history of the Syracuse Mile and look at the future of Super DIRT Week in Central New York. The Center is located at 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen.
“While we’re saddened that our program about the Syracuse Mile comes just weeks after the last checkered flag falls there,” Center President J.C. Argetsinger said, “gathering Syracuse Mile experts together to tell the track’s story and share their own memories is a fitting tribute.”
The day will begin at 9 a.m. with radio personality and track announcer Joe Marotta doing a live broadcast from the Center of his radio show “Around the Tracks.”
At 10:30 a.m., drivers from all eras will share their stories in an informal roundtable setting.
Marotta returns at 1 p.m. to moderate a panel of speakers that will include:
- Brett Hearn, multi-time winner of Super DIRT Week races.
- Glenn Donnelly, originator of the DIRT sanctioning body and Super DIRT Week and owner of Central New York Raceway Park, which has been awarded the contract for future Super DIRT Week events.
- Jeff Hachmann, DIRT Car Northeast director with World Racing Group.
- Dr. Gary George, author and race historian.
“Anybody who has been a fan of the Syracuse Mile ought to be there because a lot of stories and memories will be shared,” Marotta said. “It’s going to be like visiting an old friend.
“As my good friend Jack Burgess always said, ‘You’ve got to have a favorite out there,’ and Syracuse is my favorite.”
The program will include cars on display that have raced at the Syracuse Mile. The star will be the Gary Balough “Batmobile” modified racer that dominated Super DIRT Week in 1980. The car will be on loan from the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame and Classic Car Museum in Weedsport, N.Y.
