THE HUDSON RIVER SPEEDWAY    

       Also known as the Fort Hardy Park, this early 1950's stock car track was located beside the Hudson River, almost on top of the abandoned animal - powered canal that ran through
the Schuylerville area as part of the early Erie Canal network. The area, steeped in tradition and history, was also the site of the pivotal Battle of Saratoga, fought in 1777. The Paul Garnsey family owned the land upon which the track was located and they apparently ran the speedway, as well. Starting out with roadsters, it did not last out of the decade.

Google Earth Photo
The oval is where the track was, according to Zene Garnsey, third generation owner of the business. The spot, today,
is partly US Route 4 and partly buildings from the Garnsey business. The arrow indicates the family airstrip.

All Paul Garnsey Photos via Danny Ody
These are views taken by track owner Paul Garnsey, around 1951. from his own plane. Supposedly, the road beside the
venue is US Route 4, but it is not where the road runs today. The Garnsey airfield is visible in the lower righthand corner.

This view shows the proximity of the track to the Hudson River. Supposedly, acccording to Zene Garnsey,
there was enough water left in the old horse canal, nearer the track, to claim one of the race cars.

The best shot of the three. The old half-filled -in canal might be seen by the middle of the extreme lefthand edge of
the photo [above the white building. Cars are seen in action in turn four. Parking for the track would be right
about where the Garnsey office is now.

Bob Hoffer Family Photo Collection This is reportedly a view of some cars in the infield pit area at Hudson River Speedway	Bob Hoffer Family Photo Collection Fred Winchell's #11 car at Schuylerville. Note the wild exhaust pipe system. Bob Hoffer drove this car at least once.	Bob Hoffer Family Photo Collection The Frank Petty F40 Car in the Schuylerville pits. It was driven by Hank Schmidt, from Gansevoort.	Bob Hoffer Family Photo Collection Bob Hoffer's car #3, with Eddie Porter aboard, lines up with car 88.
Bob Hoffer Family Photo Collection Charlie Morse was a big name in early 1950's racing with the car 467.	Bob Hoffer Family Photo Collection This is reportedly a view of some cars lining up at Schuylerville. If not, the car 3 definitely ran there.	Bob Hoffer Family Photo Collection Leo Nadeau's Rocket 88 car. he ran with the same group as many who did race at Hu. River.	Bob Hoffer Family Photo Collection Another likely Schuylerville entry.

           
Photos by Zene Garnsey
This is a jacket made especially for the wife of one of the track officials at Schuylerville.

A FEW PHOTOS FROM  DAN ODY AND OTHERS
These are mostly blurred due to poor light conditions when I took them

Courtesy of Dan Ody Action, with some very early - looking cars. Nice cage !	Courtesy of Dan Ody A car 8, at Schuylerville. It could be the same as the one above.	Courtesy of Dan Ody Likely, the P38 of Bob "Radar" Kudlate.	Courtesy of Schuylerville Hist. Society Somebody went in the old canal beside the track..	Courtesy of Ronnie Caisse Hunt Come one, come all !.
	Courtesy of Joe Staiger Joe Staiger, at speed.  Staiger particiaption at Schuyler led to the building of McGregor Speedway in Wilton.	Courtesy of Joe Staiger Joe Staiger, at work on car at Schuylerville.

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