As you know, I am a fan of the past. More specifically, I am a fan of modified racing of the Past. Since that is where my roots are, it's what I am most comfortable talking about. I do however; hold a place in my heart for all open wheeled, short track racers and their machinery. This "new" respect for old racing was fueled over the last three years by two distinct events.

The first event was meeting Stan Lobitz. For those of you who don't know Stan, he's the owner of Lobitz Catering in Hazelton, Pennsylvania (just down the road from me), and a staunch supporter of the ARDC. He is also a collector. Not a collector of die cast, or autographs or fine China. Stan collects racecars. Old race cars. And then he restores them. He has a gigantic collection of "stuff" from the 30's to the 70's, and I'm happy to say I've seen a lot of it. In fact, if you keep reading this column, in the future you'll see a description of what some time in "Stan's Barn" was like.

The second event was attending the Tommy Hinnershitz Memorial at the 2001 EMMR Convention in Latimore Valley. I detailed my feelings about that place in a column last year, but once again that visit gave me a view into open wheeled racing history that I never had. Even though I missed the track time last year, the sight of some of the most famous racecars in the world stuck with me, and I vowed that in 2002 I would make the trip for track time.

Well, I did. And I was once again mesmerized by what I saw. The day was hot, and I started out early, wanting to spend all the available time I could with the cars and people of the past. A change in the EMMR schedule, made because of the drought conditions in southeastern Pennsylvania ended up providing me with an experience that I've always wanted to have, but was never able to follow-up on. You see, track time for the vintage racers is normally held on the track at the Latimore Valley Fairgrounds, where the EMMR museum is and where they have a wonderfully restored dirt track. Because their water source was basically dried up, track time was moved to the Williams Grove Speedway, a place that I have longed to see for almost all of my life.

Well, the feeling I got as I pulled into this historic track is beyond explanation. It is all I imagined it would be. And to have several dozen historic race cars running around it...well let's just say that this middle-aged race fan (with his 19 year old son along as co-pilot) was a little misty eyed. I stood on the bridge and watched old midgets buzz around, seeming to want to be turned loose and race instead of exhibit. I stood on the bridge and watched cageless sprint cars sideways in the turns, and flying by me with gut rumbling sounds. I stood on the bridge and experienced for the first time the effect that a huge wing has on the air under it when the Walt Dyer 461 went by and even at ½ speed almost knocked me over. I stood on the bridge and watched old modifieds run around, with that same feeling that they should be racing, not just exhibiting.

I stood on that bridge and was firmly rooted in the past.

I somewhat reluctantly left the Grove, it felt about 100 degrees to head for the Latimore Fairgrounds and the EMMR museum. My reluctance to leave was quickly replaced by my anticipation of the Fairgrounds and all the treasures it holds. The museum has changed a little from last year, with some outstanding new cars in place. It all adds to the aura of the place, and has contributed a few more ghosts that talk to you as you walk around.

There's a Bruce Larson Corvette USA-1 Funny Car, last raced in 1980. Right next to it is a 50's vintage Indy Roadster, forgive me hear as I've forgotten whose it is, resplendent in a deep red color. It is an amazing looking car, and gives you a huge measure of respect for the guys who piloted those things around. There's a new sprint car in town; a Ray Tilley number 88 in fact. It's joined the "Pocket Rocket", Weikert's "Old Blue" driven by Paul Pitzer, a Mitch Smith car...so many in such a small place! The Hiram Hillegas car is still under construction, and Tommy Hinnershitz's garage is still busy. The cases are filled with pictures, autographs and pieces of history that are too many in number to mention. There is a great representation of evolution with a Jalopy, wooden floorboards and all on the same floor as a Winston Cup car. Midgets, pieces...and yes, the ghosts still talk to me. Outside sat "New Blue", another iteration of a Weikert sprinter, this time with a monster Chevy Big Block in it. And of course, the star of almost any classic show; the Miracle Power Special was in its customary parking spot.

From the museum I left for a short hop to the fairgrounds and a visit with some fellow model-building enthusiasts. I spent some time talking with them, comparing notes and admiring their amazing collection of historic modified, sprint, bug and late model cars. Their display was wonderful, and they're cars...NOT FOR SALE. They build much as I do, and that is out of their love of the cars. You can put no price on your love of history, you can only make it available in the present for others to enjoy. Great job guys.

Of course there were more cars to look at. Most intriguing to me was a Bobby Abel supermodified. Not the immaculately restored car that is in the museum, but rather the car that followed that one. It was on a trailer, towed by the truck that originally brought it to the track. The whole package, truck, trailer and car was completely unrestored. The car was as it was the last time it left the track. Caved in rear bumper, dented and torn sheet metal. Rust. Dirt... The only thing missing was Bobby Abel. You absolutely cannot be a race fan if a sight such as that does not touch you. Over into the infield we walked to the Bowling Green Speedway reunion. I looked at pictures and films of a track that up until a month or so ago never even new existed. There were some modifieds in the infield, sharing space with some sprint cars, some midgets and some parts for sale.

It was at one of the midget displays that I ran into my buddy Stan Lobitz. When I'm around Stan I become almost mute. I could listen to him weave a story, or tell a joke for hours at a time. It seemed of course, that everybody that came by knew him. Hugs for the women, jokes for the men, memories of hold time racing were the choices of the day. I talked to Stan a little about the past couple of years, and promised him I would stay in touch. As I left I got the most outstanding compliment from him that I could ask for. I don't wish to share it, but I will tell anyone who is reading this that it makes my small attempt at entertaining you with my writings worth more than anything else in racing. Thank you Stan.

I wanted to talk with so many more people, but as usual I was on a strict timeline. Lynn Paxton, Dizzy Dean, Joe Heisler, Dave Zortman and everyone else associated with the museum and this weekend; you guys do an outstanding job. I saw you all, but I know how busy you were and didn't want to bother you with some questions that I'm sure you've heard over and over again. Just understand that we are very proud as race fans that you find the time to maintain our views to the past, with this wonderful place existing in the present.

But what of the future?

While sitting around with Stan and the gang we were talking about some of the REAL old timers in racing. In particular, Chris Eckonomaki. We were talking about how sad it is to hear today's race fans, and by race fans I mean the "new" Winston Cup crowd talk about how bad Ken Squier is on TV. Or how they question us who grew up listening to Eckonomaki, as if we were subject to some kind of torture listening to them. One of the guys in the group mentioned how much we're going to lose when Chris Eckonomacki is no longer with us. How much history of the sport is going to be lost, and how it may never be looked upon so favorably by anyone else. I think the same goes for Ken Squier. These are guys that grew up in the bowels of motor racing, and because of their knowledge ended up as our conduits to a world that we might otherwise know so little about.

But it is weekends like those at EMMR that makes me feel that the future of our sport might me ok. I say lot's of people "my age" taking in the sights and commenting on the history that was present. Since I'm still "young", I think we can keep the fires burning a while and make sure that this history is preserved. With the museum firmly established, and with a strong base of "younger" people involved with it I think it will stand for some time as a strong reminder of racing history, and a strong teller of the stories of the folks who made racing what it is today. But most importantly, I saw a lot of kids. And I mean KIDS that were 10, 12 and early teenagers in age. They were there with their parents or grandparents and were having a great time. Their exposure to racing history is always important. It will make them better fans, no matter what type of racing they choose to follow, or become involved in.

It is them that will hopefully form the basis for the "next" generation of fan. The fan who will replace today's "TV" racing fan, who only knows Winston Cup because it's all they can see, and it's all that is pushed on them. No, these kids who watched the old Boop's Aluminum Special power around Williams Grove with the cageless cars, or who spent time looking at, in and under the Willard Battery Special in the museum that I hope will be the fans of the future.

A fan that respects the past, and understands what it means to the present.

I do have one sad story to tell about this year's convention. Last year, after talking a bit with some of the folks there, including Stan Lobitz I was directed to a truck with an enclosed trailer attached. When I went over there a voice from inside yelled out, "Hey, you're Sam's kid aren't you?" I couldn't figure out whom, in Latimore Valley Pennsylvania would know me by sight. I stuck my head in and was greeted by Bill Keimel, who pointed out that we had met some 18 years prior when he was helping my father build. I spent some time talking with Bill that day, and promised I'd come to his house in Rockaway, New Jersey and talk with him a bit. Because of time constraints, and time just slipping away from me I never made that trip. It was because of this that I was looking forward to this year's convention even more, as I'd get a chance to see him driving some of those classic cars.

Bill was killed in a highway accident on August 8th, and I'll never get to have that talk with him. Rest in peace Bill.

Reach Scott Pacich at pacich711@cs.com

Note: This article originally ran in Area Auto Racing News the week of 8/27/02