ESS: Little Valley "Open Cockpit Reunion"

Little Valley to Host "Open Cockpit Reunion"

Little Valley Speedway, former home to open cockpit racing for many years, primarily in the 40s, and 50s, where the daring pioneers of today's sophisticated high speed machinery competed with little more than a roll bar and a leather helmet, will be honored on Friday, June 14th, at the "Open Cockpit Reunion." Gary Montgomery, promoter of Little Valley Speedway, is working with Louis Ensworth of Allegany, NY, to document the rich history of LVS. "Big Cars," as they were called then, raced at LVS until the early 50's when Midgets became the "hot ticket" for county fair barnstorming.

It is interesting to note that when LVS was reopened in 1997 the scheduled headline division was Sprint Cars. It is this background of open cockpit cars that has sparked the program. An array of vintage race cars will be on display and heroes of the open cockpit era will be guests of the Speedway for what will become an annual tradition. Vern Harriman from Cheektowaga, long time "Big Car" runner at the Erie County Fair, as well as Little Valley and many other tracks, and Harry Macy from Buffalo, a pioneer in sprint car racing as both a driver and a promoter, are two of the confirmed guests who will be on hand for the festivities.

The Empire Super Sprints, led by seven time champion and all time win leader, Mike Woodring from Eden, and his protégé and teammate Erin Crocker, will headline the racing for the evening, along with special purses for the other classes. The always exciting Super Stocks, led by first race victor, Andy Miller from Wellsville, will be gunning for a $1,000 winner's check, and the Street Stock winner will receive $500. Wayne Mohawk from Irving prevailed in the first event of the season in that division. Rounding out the racing part of the program will be the ever-popular school buses, led by first race winner, Kenny Foster from Great Valley.

Gates open at 4:00 PM, with the first race scheduled for 7:00 PM. Tickets are $12 for adults, with those under 12 years old admitted FREE. There is free camping available on the grounds. Little Valley Speedway is located on the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds in Little Valley, New York. Little Valley is on State Route 353 eight miles north of Interstate 86 Exit #20 [Salamanca] westbound and twelve miles northeast of Interstate 86 Exit #16 [Randolph] eastbound. From the Buffalo area LVS is accessed off State Route 242 10 miles southwest of Ellicottville / Route 219. The Speedway office phone is 315-536-3728 or 716-938-9146 [race day]. The World Wide Web address is www.littlevalleyspeedway.com

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