Blog: Exploring the Thrills of New England Motorized Racing at the New England Racing Museum
On Wednesday, January 17th, a group of Granite State Ambassador welcome center volunteers toured the New England Racing Museum so they could better refer guests and as a new volunteer opportunity for them. You can view all of our photos HERE.
If you’re a fan of motorized racing and have a penchant for history, the New England Racing Museum is a must-visit destination. Situated at 922 NH Rt 106 N., Loudon, NH, on the grounds of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, this museum stands as a tribute to the rich legacy of New England motorsports.
The core mission of the New England Racing Museum is threefold: to discover, preserve, and educate the public on the history of New England motorized racing. The museum, sprawling across 10,000 square feet, is a treasure trove of race cars and motorcycles from various disciplines, all with a New England background.
Visitors are treated to a diverse collection that spans from the early 1900s to the modern day. Race win trophies, championship awards, and driver helmets are proudly displayed, each accompanied by a short story explaining its significance. The exhibits include both meticulously restored vehicles and those preserved in the exact condition they came off the race track.
The museum offers more than just static displays; it provides an interactive experience. Among the attractions are stunning photography, unique New England racing artifacts, a Soap Box Derby display, and interactive fun such as a working slot car track and an iRacing Simulator.
What sets the New England Racing Museum apart is its commitment to keeping things fresh. Approximately 80% of the exhibits are on loan, allowing for a rotation of displays on an annual basis. This ensures that every visit unveils something new and exciting for racing enthusiasts.
Beyond its regular exhibits, the museum is a hub of activity throughout the year. It hosts a variety of events, including the New England Racers Reunion, AMA Gypsy Tour Motorcycle Ride Fundraiser, Hot Rods, Muscle and More Car Show, Honoring Bentley Warren Event, car brand-specific shows, Legends Day, and an event dedicated to honoring New England Broadcaster legends.
The New England Racing Museum welcomes visitors on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer and every Saturday during the winter, from 10 am to 4 pm. Extended hours are offered during NHMS race weekends. Admission is a reasonable $10 for general visitors, and children under 12 are admitted free.
Our Granite State Ambassador volunteers that toured the New England Racing Museum have left glowing testimonials, highlighting various aspects of their experience. Here is a sampling of what they had to say.
Alan was particularly impressed with the cleanliness and organization of the showroom. He praised the depth of history on display, especially in the library, making it a treasure trove for researchers.
Charlotte expressed her admiration for the museum’s variety, including racing vehicles, memorabilia, educational books, and the racing track/simulator. She found the information on “side car racing” particularly fascinating.
Russ commended the factual knowledge, upbeat presentation, and excellent teamwork of the museum staff. He left with a wealth of knowledge about individual cars, drivers, sidecar racing, and the evolution of racing over the decades.
Pam said that she was immediately taken with this great facility and all it has to offer. There was so much, she didn’t know where to start in digging deeper, and loved climbing into the old 1940’s race car and trying the simulator…hands on is a very effective way to share!
The New England Racing Museum stands as a beacon for enthusiasts and curious minds alike, offering a dynamic and educational experience that celebrates the vibrant history of New England’s motorized racing legacy. Whether you’re a seasoned racing aficionado or a newcomer, this museum promises an unforgettable journey through the thrilling world of motorsports.
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Volunteers are a vital part of operating the museum . As a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit it is essential the museum be open to the public regularly. Our mission is to discover, preserve and educate the public on the history of New England motor racing. Volunteers must be friendly, work well with others and are comfortable interacting with the public and children. To operate we need a cashier and a minimum of 2 docents during our 10am to 4pm open hours . The docent position can be split into two 3 hour shifts to accommodate volunteers that cannot stay for 6 hours. The cashier is required to work a 6 hours shift unless special permission is granted by the executive director. You will receive a unique maroon polo which indicates you as a volunteer on day 1. A sweatshirt and hat are provided after you volunteer a minimum of five times . GSAs wear their uniform and OUR badge. More information on volunteering here can be found on their Volunteer Registration and information Sheet (pdf).
Front desk cashier: During public open hours the two main jobs are cashier and docent. The cashier is the first person a visi tor se es . This person should like to interact with the public and be comfortable handling customer cash and credit cards for museum entries and gif t shop purchases. Training will be provided for at least the first two times a person volunteers at the front desk.
Docent: Once a visitor leaves the cashier the next person they will interact with is a docent. A docent welcomes visitors and asks if they have any specific questions about the museum or its exhibits. A docent should have general knowledge about th e museum and be educated enough to provide a guided tour for visitors in which they will talk about the museums most important exhibits. Volunteers seeking to be a docent will work with a current docent a minimum of two times.
Events: Each year the museu m runs car show events on the grounds of the museum. Additional volunteers are needed to operate these events. These event jobs include entry gate volunteers, show car parkers, spectator car parkers and miscellaneous help such as event setup, breakdown and trash cleanup
Days & Hours Volunteers are needed: The museum is open both Saturday and Sunday from the first weekend in June to mid October. From  id October until the last Saturday in May the museum is open Saturday’s only. All hours are 10am to 4pm unless an event has special hours.Â
