Located in Algona, north central/northwest Iowa on the Kossuth County Fairgrounds. Expanded space - new building, more displays, more cars. Not everything there is O/T, but it does sorta roll over into that territory. Most of what's there is circle track stuff; there are some drag racing exhibits too. Very interesting for any race fan, especially someone like me who's "somewhat" in the region and familiar with a lot of the names. Admission was just 7 bucks which included the ag machinery and exhibit portion and the rest of the Kossuth County museum as well. If you're in the area it's worth a stop. The #34 car on the end is the actual car that was used in the movie "Greased Lightning", based on the career of early NASCAR driver Wendell Scott. This restored midget racer was powered by a Harley Davidson motorcycle engine.
Some drag racers on display too. Had to pick up some swag! In an adjacent building, there was this operational scale train layout. Filled the whole building. You can see the operators in the center. You can walk around the perimeter of the entire layout and watch it as it's running. Yes it's super O/T but it is absolutely amazing. If there's a downside, it's that at present the museum is only open from 1 to 4 PM Saturday and Sunday. I was only there for around an hour so I do plan to make another stop! Here's the museum website: https://www.iowaracingmuseum.com/
What's not to like......vintage race cars and vintage tractors.....with an awesome model railroad thrown in !! Thanks for reminding me that I really need to put together a winter trip to the museum with my young grandson. I met some folks several yrs ago at the Slaymaker auction in NW Iowa. One of the older guys was one of the farmers who originally helped put the museum together. Since I have had several long gone midget projects, I really enjoyed the discussion of the Harley engined rail frame midget.....always wanted to do one with an extra Indian engine I had. Old age and medical crap has unfortunately gotten in the way. I was also glad to see how instrumental Marty Pringle was in supporting the museum with lots and lots of his stuff. I stumble across him back in the late 1970's when all those old coupes were selling for scrap metal prices !! I you have some spare time.....find the segment of American Pickers that was done with a visit to his woods full of rusty iron to his shop and collecting activities. Having built and raced stock cars in the area in the mid late 1960's to mid 1970's.....Monticello....Dubuque.....Farley....Tunis.....Davenport.....Hawkeye Downs....Tipton ....Maquoketa.I really hope that something can be done to branch out to the eastern.....southern......central areas of Iowa besides NW Iowa to truly represent the entire state of Iowa. Again......congrats and thanks to the tireless efforts of all the people who have made this happen. Have fun
Jim Volgarino, in my area of Iowa, wrote a book on the history of Tunis Spedway and donated his notes and referance materials to this Museum. I need to get there and see it. Gary
If you do plan a trip later this year you might want to check on their winter hours before you hit the road. Or you could attend the Hall of Fame Banquet Nov 1. as I think the museum will be open extended hours that weekend? Contact them for info. I think @racer-x from the H.A.M.B. has said he will be at the banquet as his friend drag racer Roger Lechtenberg is one of this year's Hall of Fame inductees. Marty Pringle was there when I stopped. He gave me a short guided tour of the new area, had a nice talk with him and the other folks who were there. From what I have read and been told, you're right in saying how instrumental Marty Pringle has been in the development of the museum. Projects like that always need a kick-starter with a passion and he certainly is one. Cool guy. At any rate, there's a lot to see there and yes you should make the trip. And bring friends!
According to what I was told, many of the records and documents, photos etc. that the museum has received are not necessarily on display. And displays are rotated too, so what you see in a few months may be different than what's currently there. The displays are very well done, well notated and of course the ones in the new expansion building are a work in progress. Even if what you want to see isn't out on display I'd bet if you contact them or talk to someone there they'd gladly provide access. So again, yeah, go see it! And bring friends!
I've bought some vintage race car parts from Marty as well as visited his home shop. Super nice guy. This place has been on my radar to visit. Now that my son races Hobby Stocks, we'll have to go check it out in the off season.
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