Once a year, on an old dirt race track in Auburn, Pa, a gathering of Vintage Race Cars takes place. This 1/4 mile dirt Oval, The Circle M Ranch Speedway, opened its doors in 1955 and had good success for a few years before closing in 1958. In 2008, over 50 years later, the Mates Family reopened the track for a few of the “old Timers’ to reminisce while a single vintage stock car took a few laps around the track. Word grew and now this annual event has grown to 61 Vintage Race Cars attending and more then 800 spectators witnessing these beautiful cars cruising around the track in 2017. Motor House Media friends EJ Kowalski from Kowalski Customs and Jim Loughlin of Rays Hotrods were part of those racers.

EJ Kowalski from Kowalski Customs  “All the cars were built for fun and to hammer on by my friends that help us out at Bonneville. Locally in the late 40’s the Keystone Roadster Racing Association was formed to get all the Jalopies together. Lots of guys got hurt and by 1951 the roadsters were gone and the boys ran 30’s coupes and coaches as jalopy stock cars.”

EJ Kowalski. #23- 23 T body built from parts w/ 13 turtle deck, flathead V8 w/Edmunds speed equip #100- Old hand made roadster body, built from elec conduit and sheet metal, that bounced around between friends. 1930 A chassis with 4 banger. #3 – 1931 model A body built from scabs of other projects. Stock A chassis, with rub rails, grill guard, and bumpers. Alum seat. Nothing fancy, alum decklid, just built to be solid and safe for whoever drives it.
EJ was driving the #23 Car in these photos.

Jim Loughlin of Rays Hotrods and the PVR (Pure Vintage Racing). -The Brown Boogie – narrowed T Coupster center steer powered by model A banger with dual carbs and aluminum Thomas head. 18″ motor setback. The 742 car is a 26 model T roadster on a model A chassis. Single downdraft carburetor and high compression head.
Jim was driving the Brown Boogie and EJ Zarnock is in the 742 car.

Next Race at the Circle M Ranch Speedway will be on May122, 2018