The National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show

The National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show – the premier Indy 500 collectibles event in the USA – will celebrate its 33rd gathering this May 27 and 28 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. A long-time fixture on the calendar of events associated with the running of the World’s Most Famous Race, the event can brag that it is America’s second-oldest sports memorabilia show. This is the Original!

In this, the Centennial Year of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, what better way to celebrate the history and tradition than a trip down Memory Lane? You’ll find it all here, in one trip, one stop, under one roof. Three of the Show’s biggest fans have been Andy Granatelli, Chris Economacki and Robin Miller.

Any long-standing show such as this offers three key elements to the attendee: the opportunities to Buy, Sell and Trade.

BUY: You’ll be able to find mementoes and souvenirs, or additions to your collection, that you’ll find nowhere else in town. Want a race crew-used shirt or a ticket stub from the race the year you were born? How about a photo of the winning driver from your first Indy 500? The Show also features programs, ticket stubs, pit badges, advertising signs, driver suits, helmets, original Speedway bricks, intricate die-cast cars, autographed pictures, pins, and anything else racing-related you can think of. Exhibitors flock to this event from across the United States and several foreign countries to offer their collectibles for sale.

Margaret Stempel, of Maryland, a Show regular, commented, “My family likes the Show. The relatives we bring with us enjoy it, and I absolutely love it. There’s something here for everyone.”

SELL: For any true aficionado of racing collectibles, there is always the possibility that you will be holding items that you either have duplicates of, or items you no longer wish to collect. Perhaps a death in the family has left you with a loved-one’s collection, or a friend has asked you if there’s a place you know of where these items could bring a good and fair price. Free appraisals (up to 3 items) are available on Saturday only. The Show has ready and willing vendors who all sport one thing- cash- if you should decide to sell!

John Douglas of Lebanon, Indiana, one of the Show’s owners states, “I buy Indy 500 memorabilia all year long. But, in the two days of the Show, I buy as many items as I do in the other 363.” The current economy has contributed to the increased supply of items being sold, for sure.

There are few better places to sell racing-related collectibles than the NARM Show.

TRADE: Trading is definitely an option for the collector. While you may not come out ahead, most vendors at the Show will consider trades if they can diversify their inventory, or monetarily, the transaction is to their advantage. That’s not a bad scenario, either, in this economy.

Mike Reeves, a long-time attendee from Ohio, added, “I bring stuff to trade every year. Sometimes it all works out and I get a few things I really want without laying out cash I really don’t have. Other times I happen to stumble across another collector who’s looking for what I threw in to my attaché. I’m seldom disappointed.”

The Show hours are Friday, May 27 from 2:00-8:00. (Hoosier Hundred starts at 8:00 adjacent to the Show’s Our Land Pavilion location); and Saturday from 9:30 until 5:00. Admission is $10.00 on Friday and $7.00 on Saturday. Young people, ages 7-14 are $3 each day. Former Indy 500 race drivers and personalities will be present both days to meet fans, take photos and sign autographs.

More details can be accessed at: www.NARMShow.com

Article contributed by: John Douglas

Fans Rule at Thunderhill Raceway Park

Located around seven miles west of Willows in California, Thunderhill Raceway Park is a popular racing venue for both cars and motorcycles and is used by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) for its events. The three mile track has a total of fifteen turns, but is designed to allow event organizers to reconfigure the course to suit their needs. Thunderhill hosts the longest race in the United States – the annual 25 Hours of Thunderhill – a National Auto Sport Association event supported by the US Air Force.

Fans play an important role in the sport of auto racing. Not only do they bump up the excitement level with their enthusiasm, entrance fees help towards the many expenses incurred in keeping a racing track in peak condition. Following a three week break from racing action, Thunderhill Raceway Park reopened on 23 April, and racing fans no doubt noticed the changes that have been introduced, specifically with them in mind. Improvements made to the facilities at Thunderhill include the expansion of the Midway area under the grandstands, with more kiosk options including a souvenir shop. Families will no doubt appreciate the new play area, complete with inflatable bouncers to keep the children occupied. “Meet the Drivers” sessions will become a regular feature of racing at Thunderhill, where fans will have the opportunity to chat with the drivers and obtain autographs, as well as to find out more about their favorite drivers through live interviews by the announcing team.

Thunderhill owner, Mary Ann Naumann, noted that keeping the fans entertained was a priority, and she wanted people to have a good time from the moment they arrived until it was time to leave. To this end Naumann has appointed Ryan Conine as the track’s production director. With years of experience in the entertainment business, including working on The Longhorn Sports Network; Texas Music Series (KVET 98.1 FM); and Texas Radio 2.0 (live365.com), Conine knows what it takes to keep a crowd happy, and visitors to Thunderhill can look forward to a memorable occasion at every racing event. Thunderhill Raceway Park is gearing up for months of summer entertainment and action, so be sure to keep an eye on their events calendar and enjoy the vibe at the track where fans rule.