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LOUDON, NH: The annual New England Racers Reunion Presented by Autopac Gallery is set to feature a variety of race cars and race motorcycles for outdoor display at the New England Racing Museum (922 NH Route 106, Loudon, NH) on Saturday May 6th. The event will also showcase racing exhibits from the Ron Bouchard Museum, ProNyne Motorsports Museum, Ollie Silva Museum and the Maine Vintage Race Car Association. Senior Tour of Auto Racers and ACOT will have car corrals. The event is the season opening fundraiser for the nonprofit museum.
New for 2023 is the Jim Martel Trophy. The trophy will serve as the best of show trophy for the event. “Gentleman Jim” Martel raced across New England for four decades in cutdowns, supermodifieds, sprint cars and stock cars. In 1970 he captured 21 wins at Star Speedway in the late model division. He won feature races across the region from the quarter mile Hudson Speedway to the ultra-fast Thompson Speedway. He also captured checkered flags with his son Scott as a car owner at iconic venues such as Oswego Speedway.
When the competition days concluded for Jim and son Scott, they transitioned to restoration. Martel Motorsports Restorations has restored historically significant cars such as Nance Spirit of 76 sprint car, Bentley Warren #44 coupe, Shampine-Booth #89 Supermodified and many more. We are pleased to name the best of show trophy in memory of local racing standout, hall of famer, restorer and former board member Jim Martel.
Three historically significant Joe Sostilio raced midget cars will be on display during the event. It’s the first time the cars will be displayed together. Cars featured will be the long wheel base #54 Sostilio Leader Card Offy which Joe ran from 1948 to 1962, the short wheel base #54 Sostilio Leader Card Offy he ran in 1947 to a Bay State Midget Championship and the #17 Koopman Offy which he raced in 1946. We are excited to celebrate the Natick, Massachusetts native and his Hall of Fame career with this event display.
Best appearing awards sponsored by Autopac Gallery of Laconia, NH will be presented at 1:30pm to close out the show. The awards will be the Jim Martel Trophy for best of show, best appearing open wheel race car, Mary Lima best appearing modified, best appearing stock car race car, best appearing drag race car, best appearing race motorcycle and best appearing road race car. Vehicle owners may arrive starting at 7:30am with the show opening to the public at 9am. The cost to enter a race car or race motorcycle in the event is $20 per entrant, which also provides you two tickets to view the museum.
The museum will be open for viewing from 9am till 4pm the day of the event. The New England Racing Museum is the largest motor racing museum in New England and displays 30+ historic race cars and motorcycles. Admission to view the outdoor fundraising event is $5 per adult. Admission to view the indoor museum is $10 for adults with kids under 12 free to view both outdoors and indoors. As always museum members view the museum for free. An onsite food truck will be available and a 50/50 raffle will take place. The event is a fundraiser for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Racing Museum. A rain date is set for Sunday May 7th.
