AUBURN — Officers of the Maine Vintage Race Car Association (MVRCA) are making final preparations for their annual Summerfest, a celebration of this state’s rich motor sports history.

The event is set for this Sunday, Aug. 3, at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough. Pit gates will open at 10 a.m., with a cookout planned from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Admission is $5 per person for adults, $3 for children ages 7-12, children age 6 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. 

A ticket includes lunch and the opportunity to enjoy nearly 100 restored race cars, a vast array of assorted memorabilia, and a host of former drivers. Several members of the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame will be on hand to meet fans.

As an added attraction, the MVRCA has invited the Wicked Good Vintage Racers to participate. The group will put on two races after the cookout has concluded.

This is the 11th annual edition of Summerfest, the state’s largest and most comprehensive vintage racing event. Fans will want to spend time in the “Mobile Museum,” a large enclosed trailer filled with photos and rare memorabilia.

According to MVRCA president and Hall of Fame member Bob Morris, this event offers race fans a unique opportunity to connect with Maine racing history. Morris, along with the late Allen Brann, co-founded the MVRCA in 2002. 

“Summerfest has grown every year since its inception,” Morris said. “Fans of vintage race cars and vintage racing should be excited about this gathering. We’ve had a lot of people comment on the number of beautiful cars at our event. This Sunday will showcase racing history in a way no other display can match. I hope fans can join us once again to mingle with some of Maine’s early stars.”  

Rowe joins second Hall of Fame

Last April, the MVRCA held its annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Augusta. Included in the Hall’s Class of 2014 was short track legend Mike Rowe, of Turner, a multi-time champion and three-time Oxford 250 winner. 

Earlier this week, Rowe was informed of another major honor. On Monday night, the still-winning driver learned he is one of eight voted into the prestigious New England Antique Racers (NEAR) Hall of Fame in its Class of 2014. 

Rowe joins drivers Deke Astle, Jim Martel, Fred Schulz, Ron Wykoff, drag racing icon Bob Tasca, historian R.A. Silvia and car builder/mechanic Dave Tourigny. 

NEAR has inducted 185 individuals since 1998, including Maine drivers Homer Drew, Ralph Cusack, Dick McCabe, brothers Bob and Phil Libby, Dick Wolstenhume, Dick Garrett, Russ Nutting, Stan Meserve, and Ralph Nason, along with track owners Jim McConnell and Bob Bahre. 

Rowe will be officially inducted into the NEAR Hall of Fame on Sunday, Nov. 16, in South Windsor, Connecticut. 

pwhipple@sunjournal.com