Greetings from Barrie, Vermont
From the travels and adventures of the “World’s #1 Trackchaser”
Thunder Road International Speedbowl
Lifetime track #149
The Thunder Road International Speedbowl is officially listed as my 149th lifetime racetrack to see. Thunder Road was the first track I ever saw in Vermont. It was a Thursday (because that’s the day Thunder Road races!), June 27, 1985. Chuck Beebe, driving car #54, was the feature winner. I was really impressed with the Thunder Car racing.
I didn’t begin writing my famous Trackchaser Reports until about track #400. Therefore all I have to go on is my memory of the night’s activity. I also didn’t begin doing much in the way of photos or videos at that time either. It was “pre-technology”.
I do remember the pack grandstand sitting into the side of a hill. As I entered the facility the grandstand was on the right and the asphalt oval track was to the left. The track is small just a quarter-mile in length. It’s owned by former NASCAR announcer Ken Squier and Tom Curley. In the Northeast these are storied racing names.
Truth be told I have been trying to make a return visit to Thunder Road for years. However, their weather is a bit squirrely and getting there isn’t all that easy either. Maybe this year will be the year I return to Thunder Road for the first time in nearly 30 seasons. I sure hope so.
The first Thursday night show of the 2014 season begins on June 5. I suspect that’s the first Thursday night after the kids get out of school. The last Thursday show is August 28. You can be on the lookout for me. I’ll be the one that “doesn’t look like he’s from around here” wearing cargo shorts and deck shoes.
You might have remembrances about the Thunder Road International Speedbowl. If so, please feel free to share in the comments section below. If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me at Ranlay@yahoo.com. I’ll try to include them here.