The Orange County Fair Speedway celebrates its centennial

TOWN OF WALLKILL — Orange County is home to one of racing’s hidden gems and a true historic site, a 5/8-mile dirt track located in the heart of the Town of Wallkill that has been continuously operated since 1919.
That makes the track one of the oldest in the world.
While New York state plays host to a number of dirt short tracks, none have as rich or interesting a history as what has long been known as “The Orange County Fair Speedway.”
Then: The Harry Clay Oval At the time of the first automobile race on Aug. 16, 1919, “OCFS” was known as “The Harry Clay Oval.”
It had been constructed in 1857 at the Orange County Fairgrounds as a horse racing track.
Despite the existence of older horse tracks, The Harry Clay Oval/OCFS may be the oldest continuously operated racing facility in the world.
Starting in 1913, auto racing enthusiast, George Martin lobbied to bring cars to the track, eventually succeeding in 1919 assembling a field of drivers for a crowd of 5,000.
That first race, run mostly by cars with Duesenberg motors, was won by James Benedict of Katonah, driving the “Benedict Special.”
To Martin’s relief, the races were a huge success, with fair directors admitting that by next year, they’d need to accommodate a much larger crowd.
Today: Orange Motorsports and EntertainmentFlash forward to 2019, and the track referred to by some as “The Hard Clay” or “The House of Power” still features the most exciting racing action you’ll see in the country.
Since 2018, Orange Motorsports and Entertainment, a company formed by Orange County native Chris Larsen, has assumed management of this historic facility and has brought the track and fairgrounds on which it resides to new heights.
This year will feature newly upgraded seating areas, weekly live music at events, free souvenir programs at regular events and the highest competitor payouts ever in the sport of dirt racing.
Healthy purses for drivers mean fans in 2019 will get a chance to see the biggest and best names in the sport.
For instance, $100,000 will be awarded to the winner of Aug. 15, 16 and 17's Centennial Race Weekend, landing on the actual 100th anniversary of that historic first race in 1919.
EssentialsFor the full Motorsports Show schedule and more speedway events and news, visit the official OCFS site at orangecountyfairspeedway.net and follow @ocfsracing on Instagram and Facebook for daily posts, giveaways, breaking news and exciting video content.
If you would like more information about the Orange County Fair Speedway or Orange Motorsports and Entertainment, call Jake Meier at 845-587-0836 or email jmeier@omeevents.com.