By Alexandra Pecci
Correspondent

If you still have visions of your favorite race car zooming around the track from when you were a kid, don’t miss New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s Annual Vintage Racing Celebration. The event brings together some of the most famous Sprint Cars, Champ Cars, Roadsters, Midgets, and NASCAR stock cars from the 1940s and onward.

“It’s one of the largest vintage celebrations in the country,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager for New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The almost week-long event combines racing, car shows, and a chance to actually see and touch the cars up close in what Gappens calls an “automotive extravaganza.”

Gappens himself said he loves to reminisce about the cars he watched with his dad as a 10-year-old kid growing up in Indiana.

“It’s really fun to go down and see race cars that I saw race in the 1970s,” he said. “Everyone has a story about a car, whether you remember the very first car you had or your parents’ car. You remember cars that you wished you had.”

From Tuesday, May 18 through Thursday, May 20, the speedway’s 1.058 mile oval will feature “race cars from yesteryear.”

From Friday, May 21 to Sunday, May 23, vintage sports cars, formula cars and motorcycles will compete on the speedway’s 1.6 mile road course.
Fans will also have the chance to meet and talk with the drivers and car owners and take photos with favorite cars.

The event will also feature a BBQ, autograph session, and Q&A with NASCAR legend Bobby Allison, the grand marshal for the Oval Days. David Hobbs, former Formula One competitor who’s now a racing commentator on the SPEED channel, will serve as the grand marshal for Road Course Days.

During the event’s Classic and Custom Car Show on Saturday, May 22, and the NHMS Automotive Flea Market on Sunday, May 23, there will be more than $30 million worth of cars on display, including the car from the movie “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”

“We’re really working hard to continue to build on the family atmosphere,” Gappens said.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway is also celebrating its 20th year, and aside from the marquee events such as the Loudon Classic motorcycle race and NASCAR weekend, there’s a lot going on at the speedway, like car clubs, races, and other events.

“What people don’t realize is that we have something on the track almost daily,” Gappens said.

Gappens said the Vintage Racing Celebration is especially sweet for people who’ve finally gotten the chance to fix up their dream car.

“It’s more than just a trophy,” he said. “It’s become part of their life.”

If you go:
What: Annual Vintage Racing Celebration
Where: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 1122 Route 106 North, Loudon, NH
When: Tuesday, May 18 through Sunday, May 23
Cost: Tickets include infield admission and cost $10 per day or $25 for the entire event. Tickets for children age 12-16 cost $5; children age 11 and under are admitted free. Tickets will be available at the Speedway Main Gate each day of the show. Gates will open every day at 9 a.m.
Learn more: www.nhms.com or the ticket hotline: 603-783-4931

Weekend Schedule
Tuesday, May 18
11:45 a.m.–noon: Orientation Laps
Noon-5 p.m.: Oval Track Time (15 – 20 minute sessions per group)

Wednesday, May 19
10:30 a.m.-noon: Oval Track Time (15 – 20 minute sessions per group)
1 p.m.-5 p.m.: Oval Track Time (15 – 20 minute sessions per group)
6:30 p.m.: Grand Marshal BBQ with special guest, Bobby Allison

Thursday, May 20
9 a.m.-noon: Oval Track Time (15 – 20 minute sessions per group)
12:45 p.m.-1:15 p.m.: Crew Laps
1:15 p.m.-4 p.m.: Oval Track Time (15 – 20 minute sessions per group)

Friday, May 21
8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Vintage Racing Group Practice (20 minute sessions per group)
1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m.: Vintage Racing Group Races
2:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m.: United States Classic Racing Association Motorcycle Practice
(15 minute sessions per group)
5:15 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: United States Classic Racing Association Rookie Race

Saturday, May 22
8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Classic and Custom Car Show
8:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: United States Classic Racing Association Practice (15 minute sessions per group)
10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Vintage Racing Group Races
1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: United States Classic Racing Association Races (8 laps per group)
2:45 p.m.: Classic and Custom Car Show Parade Lap
3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m.: Vintage Racing Group Races
3:30 p.m.: Classic and Custom Car Show Trophy Presentations
4:15 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: United States Classic Racing Association Races (8 laps per group)
6 p.m.: Grand Marshal BBQ with special guest, David Hobbs

Sunday, May 23
8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Classic and Custom Car Show
9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Vintage Racing Group Races
10:30 a.m.-noon: United States Classic Racing Association Races (8 laps per group)
Noon-12:30 p.m.: Vintage Racing Group All Comers Race
12:30 p.m.-12:50 p.m.: US Legends Group A Practice
1 p.m.-1:20 p.m.: US Legends Group B Practice
1:30 p.m.-5 p.m.: United States Classic Racing Association Races
5 p.m.: Classic and Custom Car Show Parade Lap
5:30 p.m.: US Legends Feature Race (15 laps)
— Source: nhms.com