Gater Motor Sports Expo Syracuse (14 Mar 2009)

0318f RICK @ the RACES ( 14 March 2009)

Sat 14 Mar       Gater Motor Sports Expo, Syracuse NY

This time last year I was digging out from a huge snow storm, the most severe of that winter. I returned late on Saturday night from the Motor Sports Expo in Syracuse NY to my home ( at the time) in Maxville with the blizzard in full force. The next morning I was ‘snowed in’ and had to be dug out by a guy with a mechanical back hoe.

0318a 0318bIn contrast, this year was totally different and it was a beautiful Springlike day for my annual visit to one of the North Easts most popular race car shows.

I joined my regular traveling companions for this trip, Roger Aubin and www.rickattheraces.com web master Craig Revelle.

The only hiccup on the journey was the long delay at the 1000 Island border crossing. We waited in the line for at least 45 minutes.

We conveniently arrived in Syracuse soon after midday , just right for hitting a local eatery for lunch. In the past we’ve made a B – line for ‘Hooters’ in the Carousel Center, but for some reason it’s now closed , so had to find somewhere else to eat. We found an excellent place in North Syracuse, called ‘Tully’s’. The food was superb and so was the service . The young waitress made ( 31 year old)  Craig’s day, after she asked for his ID when ordering a beer.

Following our lunch we moved on to the New York State Fairgrounds for the 2009 Motor Sports Expo.

It was in a different hall from previous years and was a two day event instead of the usual three. Both factors augured for a much improved show.

0318h 0318e 0318i 2009_0212Image0036 (Medium)There was plenty to see for both dirt and paved track fans. We got there as guest of honor NASCAR ace Mike Wallace ( brother of Rusty and Kenny) was being interviewed by Joe Marotta.

0318cThis was followed by an autograph session.

Roger gets Mike Wallace's autograph
Roger gets Mike Wallace’s autograph

One of the good things I like about the pre season Syracuse show is meeting up with so many friends from the racing world, and I found myself bumping into many of them.2009_0212Image0068 (Medium) 2009_0212Image0038 (Medium) 2009_0212Image0046 (Medium)

After spending the afternoon checking out the displays and vendor booths, we decided to hang around for the early evening entertainment.

Once again, the show was hosting the annual Ms DIRT MOTORSPORTS Pageant and as you’d expect, there were plenty of guys like us, wanting to watch.

0318jThe show was hosted by Aprill Gray , the 2008 Ms Parts Peddler and my good friend Doug Elkins of www.dougsdirtdiary.com. Also in attendance was MS Motorsports, Alyssa Sharman.2009_0212Image0102 (Medium)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The judges, which consisted of Mike Wallace, Joe Marotta, Chelsea Miller, Mike Sanchelli and Tana Robinson selected Allison Dopp of Nearby Fulton as the new Ms DIRT MOTORSPORTS.

0318l

 

 

0318kAfter the crowning ceremony it was time to leave and to make the three hour drive home. Oh how different it was to twelve months ago, instead of fighting white-outs and blizzards, this years return journey was plain sailing all the way, and not a snow flake in sight.