News Director 
Story By: TOM COUGHLIN / NYSSCA – ROTTERDAM, NY – Two organizations that are dedicated to supporting the racing community, will be in attendance at the 2017 Annual Northeast Auto Racing Expo at the Via/Port in Rotterdam, N.Y. (The former Rotterdam Mall) this weekend. Friday, March 17 through Sunday March 19.
The New York State Stock Car Association and the North East Stock Car Old Timers will have volunteers all weekend at this season opening kick off event for the capital region area of upstate New York.
The NYSSCA will have memberships available for anyone that would like to get a head start on the upcoming season. The NYSSCA offer it’s members a benefit fund in case of injury during a sanctioned racing event, but there is more. The NYSSCA has it’s own Hall of Fame to preserve the rich racing history of New York state. The NYSSCA Hall of Fame has a permanent exhibit at the Saratoga Automobile Museum.
Safety Award nights are another part of NYSSCA membership, when member drivers are eligible to receive a prize package at one of the NYSSCA member tracks. The annual awards banquet is one of the largest in the northeast where yearly track award winners, specialty awards, and again the Hall of Fame inductees are honored.
An annual yearbook is published highlighting the previous seasons activities and events. As an incentive to encourage higher education the NYSSCA offers a scholarship fund. Some of the FUN raisers that are conducted through out the year include bowling tournaments and golf outings.
The organization is always looking for volunteers to help out with the banquet, yearbook, fundraisers, and at the speedways. Membership is only $25. per year and will be available at the Bobco Video table of Bob James who is celebrating 25 years of video taping racing events at Fonda Speedway. For more information about the NYSSCA please check out their web page at www.nyssca.com and like their facebook page.
As you travel the Via/Port in Rotterdam NYSSCA Hall of Fame members are everywhere whether they are there with their own car or a family member. Dave Lape has his fully restored Tobias chassis #44B from 1977 on hand. Which was in part restored with the help of the late Bruce Dostal another HoF member. HoF member Nick Ronca is on hand with his son Rich, in front of the Jewels Jewelry store by the center fountain. Bobby Hackel IV has a modified and a winged sprint car on display, surely the pride of his grandfather HoF member Bob Hackel.
History is on display with the vintage cars from the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series. NYSSCA HoF member Maynard Forrette is honored by the Buck Gasner replica of the famed #78M Queen’s Machine. Doug Mathewson and John (Dancing Bear) Constantino offer another view of the good old days, with their classic racers.
Joe Millington Sr. and Laudy Hoyenga present a different view as they have their street legal open wheeled modifieds on display.
Due to the recent snow storm the monthly meeting for the NYSSCA has been moved to 7 pm. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Boulevard Bowl located at 1315 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady, N.Y. 12305. All are invited to attend, with pizza and soda being served in the meeting room.
The North East Stock Car Old Timers will be on hand offering memberships and also their always popular Historical Lottery Calendar.
Both of these prestigious organizations are well respected in the racing community as they continue to work for the betterment of the sport through the efforts of their all volunteer staff.
