News

Seasons greetings from the North East Motor Sports Museum team. It was great to regain a sense of normalcy this year after a very challenging previous year. It was wonderful to see familiar faces and meet many first time visitors at the museum this year. It was equally satisfying to see the return of our most important event, Legends Day. During this holiday season we ask that you consider making a supporting donation to help us continue to honor our regional racing heroes and preserve the past for the future.

 

 

   The museum remains open every Saturday during the winter from 10am to 4pm and will resume expanded public open hours starting in the spring of 2022. The following is a short recap of some of the major activities of 2021.

 

• The Bob Bahre Memorial Garden was created to honor the New Hampshire Motor Speedway founder and friend to many. 
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• Our featured exhibit of New England midget cars culminated with the return of our Legends Day celebration which honored the living and historic legends of regional midget car racing. Drew Fornoro, Russ Stoehr, Rollie Lindblad and the Seymour Family represented by Bobby Seymour were honored. A banner commemorating historical legends Johnny Thomson, Joe Sostillio, Bob Blair, Dave Humphrey, Bill Eldridge and Joe Csiki was also raised.
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• A display honoring the late great 12 time Beech Ridge Motor Speedway champion and track owner Ralph Cusack was built.
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• The “Swinger” 34’ Ford hot rod originally raced by Jere Sheehan arrived this spring and represents the earliest days of organized drag racing in New England at tracks such as Sanford. We thank Dave Pritchard for loaning us the car for display.
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• Outdoor events returned in a big way. The museum hosted NH Muscle Cars, Nor’Eastern Pontiac Club and the USCRA Gypsy Tour ride. In addition the museum held its first rally in association with Nick Grewal’s Vintage Racing Stables weekend. 
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• For the first time the Parker-Coraine Best of Show Trophy was awarded at our annual car show fundraiser. The trophy honors museum benefactor, racer Ted Parker and museum contributor and emeritus board member Gil Coraine. 
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• Our annual car show fundraiser Hot Rods, Muscle and More produced the largest single day crowd ever to visit the museum. The 2nd running of the Historic Motor Sports Expo showcased a variety of historical race cars from across the region.
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• The library was permanently named the Joe Freeman Racemaker Press Library in honor of his contributors to the museum.
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• Bill Binnie’s LMP2 B2K40 Lola is now on display. The 490HP road racer was highly successful with Binnie at the controls. He navigated the car to multiple class victories, including a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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• Shelburne Vermont stock car ace Kevin Lepage has donated his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win helmet for display. 
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• A beautiful 1916 Stanley Steamer on loan from the Stanley Museum has recently rolled onto the museum floor. We look forward to celebrating the Stanley brothers motorsports heritage with our guests and showing them this working exhibit. 

 

 

   If you value the preservation and public education of the rich history of motorsports within the New England region we ask for your continued support with your year-end giving plan. Help us continue to forever honor the region's motorsports heroes and inspire the next generation of fans, drivers, mechanics, car owners, media and enthusiasts of the sport we all cherish. 

 

 

The North East Motor Sports Museum is the result of the collective effort of the entire regional motorsports community. We are a NH 501-c-3 nonprofit. Every dollar counts no matter the amount. Thank you and Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to you all.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Thomas Netishen

Executive Director