THE OPENING PAGE FOR AIRBORNE PARK SPEEDWAY, ADIRONDACK RACEWAY,
AIRBORNE INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, AND PLATTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

The Beginning Years

             Perhaps taking cues from regional tracks like St. Lawrence Valley Speedway [Canton, NY], Moffitts Park and Border Speedways [Plattsburgh], and numerous tracks in Vermont, the combo of Maurice Broderick, Lyman Burnell, and Burt Blake decided to build a race track on land in South Plattsburgh - off Route 22. The track was originally dirt and the partners learned quickly that their entrance ticket booths could not be right on Rte 22, as there were tremendous traffic jams the opening week.
             The track operated successfully during the 1950's - often featuring some of the top drivers in this entire region of New York state.

Bucko Branham via Outside Groove This shows a field of coupes racing on the oldest version of Airborne. A little help with who they are maybe ?	Bucko Branham via Outside Groove This shows a field of coupes being started by a brave flagger right on the track.	Bucko Branham via Outside Groove Racing family patriarch Bill Guynup's 33 after an apparent crash with  the #9 sedan.	Catamount Yearbook Shorty Carmichael, Plattsburgh, New York	Bucko Branham via Outside Groove Legendary Jackie Peterson, Plattsburgh, NY	Bucko Branham via Outside Groove Jackie Peterson, on the way to Airborne.	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Ernie Barcomb, Winooski, VT The 71VT is wrecked.
Bucko Branham via Outside Groove The photo is labeled Dick Gadelle.	Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of Mike Watts Jr. Bruno's car.	Catamount Yr Book George Bridges, S. Plattsburgh, NY	Catamount YrBook Rex Shattuck Burlington, VT	Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock Unknown early cars in a pickle.	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Henry Jarvis, Morrisonville, NY	Courtesy of Gary Nephew A very early photo of Airborne legend Bob Bruno
Courtesy of Yves LaDouceur Dick Goodell, Mooers, NY The Gaylord Rowe T-800, formerly driven by Bill Wimble to an Airborne championship CLICK HERE to go to a  page on that car.	Catamount Yearbook ACT Office Archives Ernie Reid, Massena, NY	Courtesy of Nephew Family Ernie Ried, Massena, NY Mose Suprenant car 99.	Catamount YrBook Photo Ben Keys, Plattsburgh, NY	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Mackie Miller, Ellenburg Depot, NY His 1st car looks a lot like the two Rowe cars from the same town. That's Jackie Peterson in the background.	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Dick Gushlaw, Plattsburgh, NY	Courtesy of Chris Companion Earlier Wimble, with one of the Gaylord Rowe cars - the red and white #26. After Wimble, Bobby Trombley, brother of Charlie, would drive the car.
Catamount Yearbook Jackie Peterson, Plattsburgh, NY	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Bunn Reed, Plattsburgh, NY	Bob Mackey Photo, via Jack Anderson Rusty Reed, Plattsburgh, NY	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Rod Ritchie, Wilmington, NY Ritchie mechanic Bob Lucia with wife, Maria	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Sherwood Holliday, Waddington, NY Floyd Geary and John Bacon's GM-6	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Dick Nephew, Mooers Fks, NY Just bought car from George Palmetier	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Dick Nephew, Mooers Fks, NY Said to be his first car.

Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock
Bill Wimble would come off the farm in Lison, NY, win the Airborne title in 1955 with this Gaylord Rowe car, and
win two national sportsman titles in 1960 and 61 with Dave McCredy's cars.

Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Bill Wimble, Lisbon, NY New ad on Gaylord Rowe's 26. He said he Liked the T-800 better than this one .	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Bill Wimble, in Victory Lane at Airborne around 1955.	INVADERS FROM OUTSIDE THE NORTH COUNTRY	Photo Courtesy of Otto Graham Bill Wimble, Lisbon, NY  Bill was local, but the Hal Kempeny 113 was not.	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Jim Luke, Utica, NY The Burns & Wilson 100 NY	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Earl Maille, Glens Falls, NY Henry Caputo's 11NY	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Jeep Herbert, Rotterdam, NY Henry Caputo's 11NY
Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock George Baumgardner, Saratoga, NY Henry Caputo's 11NY	Bob Mackey Photo, via John Rock Steve Danish, Cropseyville, NY	Ray Williams Collection Johnny Perry, Troy NY Bob Whitbeck's 22	Bob Farlee Photo, via Joe Cryan and Chas hertica Ken Shoemaker, Whitehall, NY Henry Caputo's 111NY	From Dan Ody's 8MM Old Speedways DVD's Hank Schmidt, Gansevoort, NY	BACK TO THE LOCALS	Ray Williams Collection Bob Bushey, Burlington, VT Ralph Bushey's Spud 19. The team still holds the Airborne record for wins in a season.
Otto Graham Collection Buck Holliday, Waddington,  NY Floyd Geary and John Bacon's C38	Bob Mackey Photo via Jarvis Family Carl Gorman, Keeseville, NY	Bob Mackey Photo via Jarvis Family Howard Rock, Ellenbug, NY	Harty Photo via Arnie Hill Frank Hart, Alburg, VT	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Bud Besor, Plattsburgh, NY	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Harlan "Red" Dooley, Burlington, VT	Owen Family Photo via Cliff Owen Gordy Owen Williston, VT
Bob Mackey Photo via Jarvis Family Dick Manning, Chateaugay, NY	Bob Mackey Photo via Jarvis Family Shorty Carmichael, Plattsburgh, NY Wes Moody's first real race car.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Al Pike, Massena, NY In  Darryl Cloce's 21	Bob Mackey Photo via Jarvis Family Bucky Bousquet	Trombley Family Photo via Rob Trombley Charlie Trombley, Mooers Forks, NY	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Howard Spring, Keeseville, NY	Trombley Family Photo via Rob Trombley Bob Trombley, Mooers Forks, NY

Trombley Family Photo via
Rob Trombley
Don Hayes,
Plattsburgh, NY

Bob Mackey Photo via CJ RIchards Dick Nephew, Mooers Forks, NY Owner George Palmetier in the car	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Dick Goodelle, Ellenburg Depot, NY	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock George Bridges, Plattsburgh, NY	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Shorty Carmichael, Plattsburgh, NY	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Wally Russell Plattsburgh, NY	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Bob Bushey, Burlington, VT	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock UNK hobby entry.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Hanging it all out coming  out of turn four.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock A field that includes Len Barcomb's 000 and Jr. Bruno's 11.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock  Jr. Bruno's 11 leads the way.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock An early hobby field that includes Dick Nephew, 7.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Don Hayes' 88 leads the Rowe T7 of Dick Goodelle.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Flagger Art Prairie bravely [or foolishly] starts the hobby field from right on the track.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock The 00 lines up in front of Henry Jarvis' 77.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Bud Besor with a later car.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Grainy photo of an early wreck.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock A field that includes Len Barcomb's 000, Charlie Trombley's 5 7/8, and the unlettered 6 7/8 of Dick Nephew.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock The Ratigan - owned 88 Studebaker leads the Royce Tucker - owned 99VT.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock The B1 of Bob Trombley is in on a terrible accident.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Carl Gorman gets a trophy from possibly Mrs. Maurice Broderick.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Bud Besor [D7] bides his time as the guys in front struggle through the dust.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Fran Kane, Wilmington, NY.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock A field of hobbies including Len Barcomb's 000.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Wayne Chandler, Colchester, VT.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock One of two men in this era named Len Barcom.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Paul Stevenson, Mooers, NY	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Two Mose Surprenant cars and the 6 7/8 of Dick Nephew are seen here.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Bob Trombley with one of the Mose Surprenant cars.

 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
An excellent 1956 field photo that shows Sherwood Holliday, GM6 [18th in 1955]; Dick Goodelle, T800
 [7th in Hobby in 1955]; Bill Wimble, 26 [1st in 1955]; George Baumgardner, beside Wimble [9th in 1955];
and Buck Holliday, C38.

Bob Mackey Photo via Rob Trombley An early hobby race. Bob Trombley chases car 101.	Bob Mackey Photo via G. Rowe Jr and G. Nephew  1955 win for Wimble with the Rowe T-800.	Bob Mackey Photo via Rob Trombley Lining up an early field.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Capital District invader Jeep Herbert wins one with the Henry Caputo 11 out of Hudson Falls.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Rod Ritchie, Wilmington, NY.	Bob Mackey Collection via John Rock Fames photographer Bob Mackey.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Dick Nephew is seen in his own car 6, a rare Ford [for him].
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock The 88 team.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Rod Ritchie leads Howard Rock.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock An early field in action.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Early officials - I can't read the writing.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Rod Ritchie. Look at those feature win stickers !	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Probably Henry Jarvis, with flagger Paul Demers.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Bob Bushey sails to a win with the #586 LaSalle.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock George Bridges. His son Danny would go on to be a star, as well.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Ernie Reid takes to the inside.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Car 6 7/8. with whichever driver lines up with car 88.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Hosing off a wreck.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Winner Howard Rock gets a PAFB honor guard.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock A win for somebody with a pretty ugly Hudson.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Lining up an early field in front of the stands.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock An early UNK hobby car #25.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock An early UNK hobby car #C33.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Balls to the wall.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock An early hobby field in full song.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Airborne annoouncer and publicist Red O'Connor in 1958.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Going into turn 2.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock A pit meeting with Chiewf Pit Steward Kay Hanson.

 
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
An early lineup that includes 777, Carl Gorman.

Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Lee Begor.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Bud Besor shaking hands with UNK official.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Bob Bushey with the car he used to set the feaute wins record in 1954..	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Johnny Johnson. Every track had one of these or a Pete Peterson.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Backstretch foour - wide action. I can see Bushey, and the T800. 88 is likely Don Hayes.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Pit work on Henry Jarvis' Hudson.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Busy pits. 27, Dick Bruce; Red Dooley [right], and the Barcomb 000.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Late models line up in 1957.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Late Model 1A.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock The car Fran Kane and Denrton Dow built for use by Rod Ritchie and Dick Nephew.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Moments before the race.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Henry Jarvis, with Shorty Carmichael.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Righting a capsized flat top coupe in theearly days.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Congregating at the payoff booth.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. The Rowe cars, Jackie Peterson [V1], and Dick Nephew.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Henry Caputo's crew hard at work.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. 1956 - Wally Russell [13] and Bill Wimble wait for the next race.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. 1956 - Bill Wimble wait for the next race on the roof his 26. The 21 is the Darryl Cloce car of Al Pike [a former Wimble ride].	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. 1956 - The next race roills out.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Frank Hart [8], Jim Patten D9 Dutcher Construction car], and Gordy Owen [31].	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. A lineup inclding:.the T800, Jackie Peterson, the Suprenant 99, and the Ratigan 88.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. A lineup of well - used hobby cars.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. 1958 - Jr. Bruno [foreground], Henry Jarvis [77], Geor. Bridges [G1], and Rod Ritchie [32].	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. One car laying down a smoke screen in front of the stands.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. The track had the ticket booths right on Rte 22 for the first week only. The traffic jams were unbelievable.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Colchester, VT's Ernie Barcomb leads the way in 71.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. The Moody Livery 66 in the background was Wes Moody's 1st car; but he was too young to drive it.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Mack Miller's M1, and two other cars..

Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
The Mooers Mafia - Dick Goodelle [left] and the Nephews. All that is missing are the Trombleys.

Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Kay Hanson directs things on the track.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Car 88 waits for action.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Shorty Carmichael.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Mack Miller and his crewman Roland Trombley talk to an official.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. Jeep Herbert wins a race with the Caputo 11.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. So. Burlington, VT's Royce Tucker built several sportsman cars that spanned the end of the dirt and the beginning of the pavement eras.	Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr. A good look at the gorgeous Lasalle of Bob Bushey.
Trombley Familyy Photo Bob Trombley with a Mose Suprenant coupe.	Bob Mackey Photo via Rob Trombley Bob Trombley letting it rip with the Rowe 26 after Wimble had had enough of it. He'd put it out of its misery at Bouvrette Speedway.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Jim Hoyt's flashy Plymouth leads Junior Bruno.	Bob Mackey Photo via Bruce Jarvis Earlier 1950's lineup including Carl Gorman in Ralph Jarvis' 777.	Trombley Family Photo Bob Trombley's new car, 1950's.	Bob Mackey Photo via G ary Nephew Dick Nephew is hurt driving the Palmetier 6 7/8. It took a lot for Dick to admit he was hurt.	Bob Mackey Photo via G ary Nephew Dick Nephew with his first red #6 [the only one that was ever a Ford].
Bob Mackey Photo via Rob Trombley Another Bob Trombley with maybe  the earliest Suprenant 99.	Bob Mackey Photo via Gary Nephew Buck Holliday and Dick Nephew having a "discussion".	Bob Mackey Photo via Gary Nephew The Dick Nephew crew looking over the Ford.It is possible this was the old Palmetier car, repainted.	Bob Mackey Photo via Gary Nephew  Dick Nephew with the unique Kane/Dow Studebaker he and Rod Ritchie shared.	Photo via Gary Nephew This probably is that red #6 - before painting and lettering.	Bob Mackey Photo via Gary Nephew Bill Wimble, in 1956, with the much - disliked Rowe 26.	Bob Mackey Photo via Rob Trombley Rare photo of Mose Suprenant with Rob and Charlie Trombley.
Bob Mackey Photo via Eddie Walker Likely the earliest Charlie Trombley  5 7/8.	Bob Mackey Photo via Eddie Walker This early Charlie car may have run on he dirt at Airborne.	Bob Mackey Photo via Rob Trombley Bob Trombley in his first season of racing.	Bob Mackey Photo via Rob Trombley Dick Gushlaw.	Bob Mackey Photo via Gary Nephew Another Dick Nephew 6 7/8 photo.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ron Trombley A Pres Republican shot of Mose Suprenant's car. It explains to me that Mose got Paul Conover into the sport. [Paul was Charlie T's ace wrench for years].	Bob Mackey Photo Rick Rheome Jim Patten - Dutcher Constr. D9.

THE ICE RACES FROM THE EARLY AIRBORNE YEARS

Bob Mackey Photo via Bucko Branham 1958 - the first ice race at Airborne. Called The World Ice Racing Championship.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock A flagger looks over a field of ice racers.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Blohm WInner Rod Ritchie [ctr]. From left - Dick Gushlaw, Carl Gorman, Bob Bruno, and Rusty Reid.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Blohm 1958 ice race standouts, labeled.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Blohm Labeled as "Jerri, Al Spokes, and Charlie Guynup".	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1958 winner George Bridges.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Blohm 1959 race action sees Don Hayes go off the track.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1959 - Dick Nephew gets the checkers.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1959 - Art Prairie flags off a race.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. A 1959 winner Bill Guynup [rt].	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Ritchie Blohm A mixed field goes through a snowy turn at the ice racing.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Ritchie Blohm This article says Rod Ritchie won the 1960 ice races.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1960 - Vermont driver Mickey Cross is pulled out the snowbank.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1960 - a field of regular Airborne cars and special ice race cars.
Bob Mackey Photo via Bridges Family 1960 - another George Bridges victory shot. Question is - is it the main event ?	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1960 - another Rod Ritchie Vic Lane shot.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1960 - Bob Bruno, in a special ice car, leads Rod Ritchie.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1960 - Don Hayes gets by as Nephew spins.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1960 - Off they go.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1960 - Famous radio personality Paul Harvey was Grand Marshall.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1960 - Paul Harvery would flag off a race or  two. His nice white coat got filthy.
Bob Mackey Photo via Bridges Family 1960 - another George Bridges victory shot.	Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock. 1960 - putting chains on one of the cars.	Bob Mackey Photo via Bridges Family 1960 - Art Prairie looks over the field with  George Bridges on the pole.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Ritchie Blohm Bob Bruno leads Rod Ritchie at the ice racing.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Ritchie Blohm Dick Nephew wins one of the earlier races in George Palmetier's 6 7/8 .	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Ritchie Blohm Ernie Reid at the ice racing.

Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
Henry Jarvis' 77 is all set, chained tires and all. Most of the men around were appropriately bundled up

Bob Mackey Photo via Gary Nephew
Dick Nephew leads the pack in 1960 .

      AIRBORNE'S GRAND NATIONAL RACE      

Mark's Ephemera.com

 
Left - Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock                                               Right - Courtesy of Tom Neff
The Helzafire Oldsmobile team. Jim Paschal [right] was the main driver. The cars sat, unused in the infield that night.

  
Both via Mark's Ephemera.com

Bob Mackey Collection via John Rock

Florida Stock Car.com Lee Petty ruled the day with his Mopar.

Florida Stock Car.com Buck Baker had to roll out his last year's car and still nearly took the event.

aplning.com Bob Flock had to borrow a Hubert Westmoreland Chevy to run AIrborne. This is the team's car the following year.

Old School NASCAR.com Fonty Flock had a disappointing finish at Airborne.

Return to the Main Catamount Page
Return to the Main News Page
Return to the All-Links Page
Return to the Opening Airborne Page