Early Microd History

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The Sport of Microding began in Skaneateles NY, in 1955 as the number of Microds exceeded 25, village officials approached the cars designer Bob Robinson, about creating a “safe place” for the kids to drive their Microds. Bob designed a 1/10^th mile oval track for the kids to race on. (see Drawing Below) It was dirt & built in Austin Park. (Where the Welch-Allen Ice Arena is now) Skaneateles Microds Inc. (as the club was called) lasted 11 Seasons till 1965. See Chart at bottom of Page for all past & current club dates.

For More on the Beginning of Microding see “The Bob Robinson Story” Click Here

Microding’s first Track, (Austin Park, Skaneateles New York 1955)

As the 1956 season arrived three new Microd Clubs were formed and started racing. They were located in Auburn, Camillus, & Syracuse at the NY State Fair Grounds. The New York State Microd Association (NYSMA) also began in 1956, it’s sole purpose was to co-ordinate efforts between the four clubs for their appearance during the NY State Fair with the “New” State Championship Race being held on Labor Day each year. Later NYSMA became the sport’s sanctioning body when the founder Bob Robinson left the sport. Chester Copes Won the First ever NY State Championship at age 12. (See Picture Below). 1957 brought the addition of the Homer Microd Club, bringing the total to five. Racing’s third season also included the dimension of driving on an asphalt track when the Syracuse State Fair track was paved. Two more clubs were added bringing the total to 7 in 1958 with the addition of the Fulton & Wolcott Microd Clubs. Then in 1959 (Lyons and Williamson) both in Wayne County NY were added bringing the total to 9. It would be 17 Years before another Club would be added (Southern Tier) in 1976.

In 1966 the car’s design was changed so that the axels were on top of the frame instead of below. This lowered the center of gravity and reduced the number of flips especially on the blacktop tracks. This 2^nd verision of Original “woodframe” design called the ‘Special’ was tested during the 1965 season, before going “State Wide” in 1966. The “Special” is still in use at The Finger Lakes Microd Club today.

(1) (2)

Photo’s (1) - Tom Morrison with his “Original Special”(Note: NYS {New York

State} after the number, Photo taken in 1965 {the test year} at Lyons NY)

(2) - Chester Copes Receiving the 1956 NY State Championship Trophy

from TV Star Leo Carillo (Poncho). NY State Fair Grounds

In 1976 the Metal frame era began when Square metal tubing was permitted to replace the wood 2 x2’s that have been in microds for so long.

Change continued as the Syracuse Microd Club added “Open Wheels” in 1980 these are metal framed & metal bodied cars. (these are currently run at 4 of the 6 Clubs)

Today there are 1 Dirt & 5 Asphalt Microd Tracks in New York. **Click Here for a Map of the 6 current N.Y. Microd Tracks.

A List of Past & Current Microd Clubs as of 2008

		# of Seasons	Years
Year Started	*Club {Original}* Name**	of Existence	of Existence	Other & Current Names
1955	Skaneateles Microds Inc.	11	1955-1965
1956	Syracuse-Geddes Microd Club	53	1956- Present
1956	New York State Microd Assoc.	53	1956- Present
1956	Camillis Microd Club		1956-?
1956	Auburn Elks Microd Club	14	1956-1969
1957	Homer Microd Club	52	1957- Present	Cortland County, Midstate
1958	Wolcott Microd Club	9	1958- 1966
1958	Fulton Microd Club	3	1958-1960
1959	Lyons Jr. Racing Association	27 + 5 = 32	1959-1985, 1990-1994
1959	Williamson Microd Club	50	1959- Present	Sodus
1976	Southern Tier Microd Club	33	1976- Present
1983	Finger Lakes Microd Club	26	1983- Present
1992	Classic Microd Club	4	1992-1995
1993	Tri-County Microd Club	16	1993- Present
1995	Groton Microds {part of Flmc}	14	1995- Present
1997	Starlite Racing Club	10	1997- 2006

	Current Clubs

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