MEMORIES

SANFORD SPEEDWAY

 

 

 

Sanford Speedway operated from 1950 - 1954. Built and owned by Tom Guillemette, the track was slightly less than one-third mile oval. Unique for tracks of the early 1950's, Sanford had an asphalt racing surface - liquid tar poured over a gravel base with a fine gravel coating. The outline of the speedway is still visible as evident by the satellite photo below. The track was closed due to a lawsuit from the widow of race fan who was fatally injured from a wheel off a race car. 

 

The above satellite photo showing the remains of Sanford Speedway was taken on May 12, 1998.

 

A cover view of a Sanford Speedway program from the 1953 season. Note the attention getting description: "SPEED - THRILLS - PLENTY OF ACCIDENTS". Courtesy of Fred Nash, Jr.

 

All of the pages in the above program were filled with ads, except this page. Under the photo of Ernie Gahan, the following is written: "Ernie Gahan, a veteran driver of five years experience, has driven on most of the tracks around New England. On the track, Ernie is one of the most popular drivers in this vicinity. He is known as being a very determined driver, fighting his way to the leading positions in every race without driving recklessly. Off the track, Ernie lives the quiet life of a married man with his beautiful blond haired wife and their two children."

 

This is an enhanced photo of Ernie Gahan from the Sanford Speedway program. Ernie's #50 was one of five red and white team race cars sponsored by Stoney's Diner of Dover, New Hampshire.

 

Phil Libby after winning a race at Sanford in 1953. The newspaper article on Phil's win is below. Photo courtesy of Phil Libby.

 

According to this newspaper article dated May 30, 1953, the race program at Sanford Speedway consisted of 4 heat races, 2 semi-finals and a 20-lap feature won by Phil Libby. Third place finisher Charley Zipp (short for Zippanoppolis) drove a Stoney's Diner team car to Ernie Gahan. Article courtesy of Phil Libby.