Robby Douglas the Ice Cream Bandit

DSC_379012 year-old Robby Douglas from Derry, NH is one of the young drivers who races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) in the Gifford’s Ice Cream Bandolero Series. Halfway through the race season, Robby is second in points behind Casey Call.

Making the move from Tiger Sprint karts, racing at Route 106, to Bandoleros was a logical step towards Robby’s future racing in NASCAR: “I had a lot of fun at the arrive and drive and I really wanted to drive on NHMS and I wanted to learn how to drive a stock car so this is a good stepping stone.”

(more…)

“V” for Vorrilas

DSC_3702story by Chris Roy

Alex Vorrilas of North Reading, MA is racing Legends in the Moat Mountain Road Course Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS). This past weekend, Alex raced a double header on the road course at NHMS, getting his fourth podium finish this season.  Before the race, I sat down and spoke with Alex about his racing career: “Throughout my childhood, there had always been racecars in my life, and for some reason I never seemed to express any interest in the sport. I competitively ski raced from the age to three to about eighteen, and loved playing soccer as a kid. Instead of helping my dad work on his 700 horsepower GT Endurance car, I would kick a soccer ball against our barn door while he tweaked and adjusted the engine. It seemed to be a tradition in my family to begin racing, since both my grandfather and my dad both attained their auto racing licenses when they were eighteen years old.

(more…)

Taylor Martin making some Magic at NHMS

taylor20story by Chris Roy

One of the familiar Legends drivers at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) is Taylor Martin. This is Taylor’s third season racing in a Legends Car at NHMS and this young veteran driver is also the first female driver to ever compete in a Legends Car at NHMS. Last weekend, the Legends Cars raced a triple header; one race on the oval and two races on the road course. Taylor came away with her sixth straight top three in the Granite State Legends Series, and two more top ten finishes in the MOAT Mountain Road Course Series. This weekend, Taylor is heading back to NHMS for another triple header: “Yeah! I’m really excited for this weekend’s triple header at NHMS. We’re just doing a few final touches on the cars before we load them up.”

The road course at NHMS has left and right turns long straight aways, paperclip turns, and rolling hills.  The Mini Magic Mile also has a flat front stretch and a banked back stretch, setting up some close side by side racing keeping the driver constantly busy. So which race track at NHMS is Taylor’s favorite?  “To be honest, I’m more of an oval fan. I like racing on the road course because all the shifting keeps you busy but it does take a toll on you physically. And, I have been racing ovals all my life so it’s what I’m best at.”

(more…)

Magic Mile Ready for Vintage Racing

nhms_tag_11Hot Import Nights added to six-day docket of on- and off-track events

LOUDON, N.H. – No longer scheduled in the doldrums of a rainy, cool May, the 23rd annual Vintage Racing Celebration returns to the Magic Mile this week for six days of hot, intense on-track action. The midsummer classic, which has added two more days from its 2012 schedule, will run from Tuesday, July 30 through Sunday, Aug. 4.

 

 

 

This is New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s opportunity to make history come alive once again as it brings back vehicles that, while they may be old in appearance and date, still offer excitement and entertainment when it comes to on-track racing. The Vintage Racing Celebration includes oval and road course track days; the Classic & Custom Car Show; and, for the very first time, Hot Import Nights, an auto show featuring compact and tuner import cars.

 

(more…)

Oh Yeah! Better Get Macko 99

DSC_3293One of this season rising stars in the Giffords Ice Cream Bandolero Series is 8 year old Charles Macko, from Chester, Vermont.

Charlie first felt the need for speed when on vacation with his family, “I went to Phoenix Arizona with my family on vacation. While we were there, we went to an amusement park. They had a kart track there. I was really small (3 years old), but there was nobody there, and the guy let me into the kart. I have loved driving and going fast ever since.”

This season Charlie is racing the number 99 The Killarney Pub bandolero at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. There is quite difference from the quarter midgets that Charlie raced in the past compared to the bandoleros cars now. “The bandolero car is very different from the form of karts I was in before. It is enclosed, much faster, and really big. I have to steer it with more force. It is much more work.”
(more…)

Non-profits share July victory

nhms_tag_11Volunteers, SCC combine to generate over $289,000 during weekend

LOUDON, N.H. (July 26, 2013) – Brian Vickers capped off a thrilling weekend of racing by taking the checkered flag in the Camping World RV Sales 301, but New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s first big racing weekend of 2013 also provided a huge win for local non-profit organizations.

Between the help of volunteer organizations and the events put on by the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a total of $289,507 was generated over the four-day race weekend.
(more…)