Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – GLOVERSVILLE, NY – Excitement is in the air for the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) in 2024.
Lots of historic speedways and new race tracks are on tap to showcase the Series’ mission, always looking to keep the racing’s past and drivers memories alive for the great fans, young and old, to enjoy. It’s important to learn and never forget the history of our great sport through MVVDMS racing.
Once again, the series will showcase five dynamic divisions with the dedicated stars and beautiful cars that represent several eras of our racing’s past. Taking to the track at each special event will be the Antique, Mystique, Late Model, Sportsman and Modified divisions.
It will all culminate with five titles being decided on Championship Night at Fonda Speedway in August.
The series’ ’24 season will not start at a race track but at the Viaport Mall in Rotterdam, NY during the Fonda Speedway Car Show. There will be 14 cars of the past on display down “Vintage Alley” March 22-24.
The start of the series point races and season opener will take place in April when the green flag drops at Fonda Speedway. The event will honor Frank Trinkaus, legendary car owner and Speed Shop supplier from Fly Creek, NY.
The Frank Trinkaus Memorial is set for April 27th.
Going into the month of May, the series will travel to the capital district, hitting the high banks of Lebanon Valley Speedway for the “Mohawk Valley “High Banks Explosion.” If you like speed, this is the place to be on May 4th.\
After that will be the series’ first stop to the Utica-Rome Speedway on Friday May 24th. This will be the fun “GottaGettaGater” night, kicking off the Memorial Day Weekend honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The series will roar into the month of June with three special events. June 8th will be a huge night as the series honors racing legend David Lape at the Fonda Speedway. It’ll also be New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) night.
June 15th will see the a trip north up Interstate 87 to Airborne Park Speedway, under the new management of Mike and Alayne Bruno, for the “Border Invasion.” It’s always a fun trip to this beautiful facility.
They’ll close out the month back at Utica-Rome June 21st for the “Home Of Heroes” event.
Now comes the month of July and what a special start that’s in store. That’ll be on Saturday, July 4th, and the series will back at Fonda for the track’s Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. Also, on that night, the series pays tribute to racing #1 fan, Don Gras, for the Don Gras Memorial.
This is a fun-filled day you don’t wanna miss that commences with the Series’ cars being on display at the historical Speedway Museum.
July 20th will see the series hit the Green Mountain state, visiting “New England’s Fastest Dirt Track” to be a part of Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s “Legend Night.”
Before you know it, it’ll be the month of August and a stop at the “Great Race Place” to honor a man that has given us so many memories behind the lens of his camera. This is the night the Series will remember one of the greatest to ever click a photo, photographer hero John Grady.
The John Grady Memorial will be part of Nostalgia Night at Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Friday, August 2nd.
Then, five Champions will be crowned on Saturday, August 10th at Fonda Speedway. They’ll also honor two of the series beloved drivers, paying tribute to Frank Blanchard and Tex Gorden.
Then comes some fun, and a huge first for the Series. Pack your race car and bags. They’re heading to Central New York, specifically, the Brewerton and Fulton Speedway, for a huge two-day weekend of racing and fun.
This will be a joint event with the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club along with The Vintage World, August 23-24. A truly great way to close out the month of August with a bang.
Saturday, September 7th is a date the series drivers has always looked forward to at one of New York’s oldest race tracks, the Brookfield Speedway. This special day of racing will also see non-competitive race cars and drivers have there fun touring around the historical speedplant.
A race car display show is also set to take place behind the historic grandstands.
One final race for the series’ driver will take place in September, where they will once again be a part of Brett Deyo’s Short Track SuperNationals 15. The event is on September 28th, this year taking place at the Utica-Rome Speedway.
Thank you to all of the promoters and everyone for helping the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series keep our racing heroes and memories of the past alive.