THE ANNUAL RACE OF 1933

Middletown Times Herald August 1933
By 1933, the Annual Race at the Orange County Fair had become a very big deal. The newspaper published short articles for a few weeks before the big event. As the date got closer, more details about the competitors emerged, and photos were published to add to the excitement. The 1933 race would be a truly historic event.

The existence of the Orange County Fair depended upon paying customers then, as it does now. When the weather turns sour, profits suffer. In 1933, it rained the first three days of the fair. 

In good economic times, financial losses could be absorbed. During the Great Depression, almost every person and every business hung by a thread. Because of this inclement weather, the future of the Orange County Fair hung in the balance...

Perhaps the rain, and postponement of the races, served to heighten curiosity and excitement for the event. Because of the inclement weather the fair was deep in the red. And, during a time of economic strife, this was just bad news on top of bad news.

What could save the fair???

Also from this week in Racing

It cost a dime to see a movie, but coming up with that dime was a challenge during the depression. If you would like to know more about our ten-year economic nightmare, feel free to visit "The Great Depression." The fair was only a week or so away, and folks from all over Orange County, and beyond, were making plans to attend…In 1933 a record would be set that is unbroken to this day.

The Next Day:

Text of the caption:
Here are most of the 25,000 people who watched the automobile racing events that brought the ninety-third Orange County Fair to a close yesterday. Spectators watched from every possible vantage point and saw what was considered by experts the best driving ever done on the Harry Clay Oval. On three occasions skillful driving averted mishaps. The photo was taken just as cars started in the final race. Left: Ralph A. Hankinson, director of the events; Bob Sall, winner of the feature event and of prize money estimated by Mr. Hankinson at $650.00; and Billy Winn, winner two years ago and a favorite with the crowd, who wanted to drive yesterday but was not permitted to do so because of injuries he received the previous week.

Finishing Order: First Bob Sall, Second Tee Linn, Third Vern Orenduff, Fourth: John
Gerber, Fifth: Harris Ensinger, Sixth: Jim Patterson, Seventh: Bob Riff

The 1933 The Orange County Fair was saved from financial ruin by Auto Racing. The record crowd of 25,000 has never been surpassed.

RAY MARTIN COMMENTARY:
The Annual Race at the Orange County Fair was in the history books, the Fair was in the black, and the Great Depression rolled on.

Ray Martin, in his book The Hard Clay in Orange County - Fifty Years of Speed, tells a funny story about his experience at these annual races:

"…(Fair) President George Martin noted that of the 25,000 spectators attending perhaps 5,000 were not cash customers! I would like to tell them that I was one of the 5,000. Nine years old at the time, I waited all summer long for that great event. Clarence Crist, a neighbor and farm machinery dealer, displayed his wares on the fairgrounds during the week. Early in the morning, on race date, he took the stake truck inside the gate to pick up the equipment. And under the canvas on the back of the truck, curled up in a ball and holding his breath was yours truly. I got away with this until after the big war in 1941, and I hope they never send me a bill for my free thrills."