Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – In the early 70’s, legendary Orange County Fair Speedway announcer, Ray Martin, wrote a book covering the track’s history up to that point titled ‘The Hard Clay In Orange County, 50 Years Of Speed 1919-1969″.
It was well received as it was an excellent recap of the first 50 years of the speedway’s history. Over the years, it has become a valued collectible. On those rare occasions when it shows up on an auction site, you can bet that the bidding will move into 3 digit dollar territory.
In the social media age, whenever someone would post a photo of the book, you could count on someone commenting that they wished that there would be a follow up covering the track’s history beyond 1969.
Thanks to OCFS Historian and former racer Doug Dulgarian, there will now be a new book that will cover the track’s history from a great era of racing, 1970-79.
In fact, it’s Doug’s plan to produce a book for each succeeding decade.
“Being a huge fan of OCFS, Ray Martin and the book, I had always wanted to do a sequel to the book that would cover the next 50 years,” Doug said.
Doug began doing his research several years ago during the off season. As he went through the history year by year, it became apparent to him that this project was going to require more than one book.
“What I found out when I started was, with all the added races in the newer era, the next 50 years would not fit in one book,” Doug said. “It was going to require a series of books.”
As expected, this first book covering seasons that were 44 to 54 seasons ago, required lots of research.
“This is definitely the hardest of the decades that I’m planning on,” Doug said. “We did not have a track program until 1975. The information was difficult to obtain. And so were the photos. I had to rely on old issues of Area Auto Racing News, Cavalcade of Auto Racing, National Speed Sport, Gater Racing News and any other source I could lay my hands on. And then, to put it all in order. Not having much writing experience, it was challenging. But it has been truly a labor of love.”
In keeping with the Ray Martin edition, Doug has incorporated as much of the style of Ray’s book that he could.
“This new book covers the decade of the 70s and is appropriately named “The Hard Clay In Orange County II, 10 Years of Speed, 1970 – 1979” said Doug. “It begins with the first race of 1970 and ends with the 1979 Eastern States 200. The 11th chapter is 11 questions for 11 drivers that excelled in the 70s. I tried to keep the integrity of the original book in style, layout, format and size. The new book was even printed at the same print shop, Chester Printing, Middletown NY, as the original book 53 years later.”
Doug is expecting that as he moves forward through the decades, the job will become easier.
“I’m already working on the 80’s edition and it is noticeably easier to get some information that is somewhat more recent. I’m hoping to have the 80’s edition done by Christmas.”
A book launch is scheduled for 1 PM, Sunday, April 14th in the conference room at the Orange County Fair Speedway offices, 239 Wisner Avenue in Middletown.
Doug has lined up some of the big names from the 70’s to be in attendance and sign the book.
“I’m hoping race fans come out to pick up a copy. On hand to sign the book will be 70s stars Brett Hearn, Bill Wilson, Tighe Scott, Jeff Heotzler, Russ Meyer, Anthony Ferraiuolo IV, and Rich Eurich.”
A project of this size required Doug to get some assistance. And he is very grateful for the research help he received.
“Steve Barrick of Program Dynamics gave me everything he had. He drove them up and he was a great help. The forward in the book is written by Steve. I received other great help from Fred Voorhees from Auto Racing Research Associates (ARRA). He gave to me boxes of old racing newspapers. They were a valuable resource. And my buddy and right hand man for Nostalgia Night, Joe Mezanko, he was my go to guy. I would call him up every week to bounce ideas off of him and to confirm some of the recollections in the book.”
And being a ‘rookie’ at this kind of project, Doug was grateful for the assistance to put the final product together.
“Rachel Carr has had a lot of editing experience and she did the massive job of editing and she did a great job. I’m thinking that this second book will be much easier to edit.”
Regarding the upcoming 80’s book, Doug is requesting that anyone with any interesting tidbits or stories and photos from the 80’s to please contact him for possible use in the next book. The best way to contact Doug is on Facebook Messenger.
As OCFS is one of the oldest and continuous dirt tracks in existence, it’s a great job by Doug to take on the massive job to document the history of the 2nd 50 years of the life of the Orange County Fair Speedway. Undoubtedly, many race fans are going to enjoy the 70’s edition and the others to follow.
You know something Doug, Ray Martin is definitely looking down on you from the Heavens above with a big smile.