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ACOT History
The Atlantic Coast Old Timers Auto Racing Club (ACOT) was organized on February 6, 1983, at a meeting held at Paterson, New Jersey's Elk's Hall. The location was a fitting venue for the start of this prestigious club, as Paterson was the home of the original "Gasoline Alley"; whose car builders and automotive specialists supported all aspects of oval track racing on the U.S. East Coast from the 1920s through the early 1950s.
The gathering was attended by 123 individuals representing 127 vintage racecars. Roscoe "Pappy" Hough, the legendary race driver and midget racecar team owner in earlier years, was elected President; a position that he ably served until his death in 1996.
This small assembly, in 1983, was to result in the creation of what has become one of the country's largest and most repected organizations dedicated to the preservation of American oval track auto racing history.
ACOT's first public appearance was a March 1983 "still" show, when the Club displayed 12 magnificently restored racecars at the annual "Racearama" in Springfield, MA. The first time ACOT members heard the command to start their veteran engines was on Saturday, May 21, 1983, when 31 ACOT entries signed in for an exhibition racing program on the hard clay of the venerable Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway in Middletown, NY.
By the early 1990s, the Atlantic Coast Old Timers Auto Racing Club's membership had grown steadily to approximately 550 men and women, with more than half of the members owning a total of over 300 racecars. Today, the membership is over 600 enthusiasts with over 350 historic racecars.
ACOT members' "racing stables" include Midgets, Sprints, Indy/Champ cars and TQs. Some of the speedsters are impeccably restored and others are in "as raced" original condition - all are beautiful examples of the "Golden Age of Auto Racing in America".
During its twenty-two seasons, ACOT has run well over 300 exhibition race programs at more than 90 different tracks and fairgrounds in 9 states in the U.S. Northeast!
ACOT's motto is "Dedicated to the Preservation of Auto Racing History'".
The most visible manifestation of the Club's credo is bringing the sights, sounds and memories of years gone by to the Northeastern racing venues where auto racing recorded much of its early history. In addition, ACOT often appears on the racing programs of today's active speedways where tommorow's auto racing history is being made. Participation at these current venues is always welcomed by those fans that can "still remember when" and by the younger motorsports enthusiasts who are eager to learn more about its history.
Equally important, however, is the Club's participation in auto racing "still" shows, special events and classic car shows (most of which are held for the benefit of charities) which permit the fans to get "up close and personal" with both the ACOT members and their vintage speedsters. Also, ACOT has been a leader in gathering and preserving publications, records and photographs which document oval track racing's exciting history. This information has been made available to fans, historians, those restoring vintage racecars and even the Smithsonian Institution.
However, one does not have to own a racecar to participate in and enjoy ACOT's extensive activities. For many, involvement in ACOT's events simply brings back fond memories of more youthful days. For others, it provides the opportunity to rekindle old friendships and form new ones. The Club's newsletter, Pit Chatter, is published approximately 5 times per year and keeps all ACOT members "in the loop" on Club activities
Membership in the Atlantic Coast Old Timers Auto Racing Club is open to anyone interested in the preservation of the history of oval track racing in America and the restoration or preservation of the open cockpit, open-wheel racing cars which created that history.
Dues, which
include an associate membership for a spouse (or anyone
the member chooses) and a subscription to Pit Chatter, are only
$20.00
per year.
