​The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing

Jan/Feb 2023 edition
Issue #26 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
​By Leigh Knudson

The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR), York Springs, PA, probably has more automobilia per square foot then any museum in the country. Packed into about 30,000 sq. ft., there is a broad range of auto racing items: jackets, helmets, trophies, posters, track layouts, photos, letters and historical records filling nearly every nook and crevice surrounding the 50 or so race cars on display. I have visited at least five major race car museums, but none compare when it comes to automobilia.
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    EMMR includes not only the museum, but also the historic Latimore County Fairgrounds, which the non-profit has purchased. The site now covers about 60 acres, including a half-mile dirt oval track. They have a comprehensive research library on racing literature, a great selection of racing-related books in their gift store, and very enthusiastic members eager to discuss their favorite subject.

The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing, 100 Baltimore Rd • York Springs, PA, 717-528-8279 • EMMR.org

The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing

Near the entrance there are a couple of great vintage midget race advertising posters. Apologies for the glare; they are covered for protection.

Probably the ultimate sign to own for any dirt track enthusiast would be the original sign for Williams Grove, with a track model displayed beneath it.

In the NHRA section there are more race crew jackets then I’ve ever seen in one place.

Hey, soap box racing is a form of auto racing!

Below: How about a banner for the National Auto Racing Assoc. (NARA)? Not only have I never heard of it, but Wikipedia has nothing on it as well. That has to be a rare piece!

In the foreground are many of the awards won by Tommy Hinnershitz during his domination of early-1950s sprint car racing. Behind the display case is a faithful replication of his home workshop, where he prepped his race car. The machines are the actual ones he used and are placed as they were when in use.

Possibly the most unusual pieces of automobilia I’ve ever seen are the Hiram Hillegas 1950s sprint car body bucks, drawings, and tools used to form his aluminum race car bodies.

Leigh Knudson

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