The Motorcycle Track at Granny Road.
The Suffolk County
Motorcycle Club was formed around 1916 and performed in races at the
Riverhead County Fair. The organization saw its greatest growth after
World War II, and at its peak the club numbered 65 members in 1946.
At that time a motorcycle track was built in Medford, on the north side
of Granny Road (1/4 mile east of RTE. 112). For the next eight years,
competitive races were held. The track was a half mile in length and
consisted of hairpin turns and a hill. Races took place on Sunday
afternoon in all conditions.
The track was sanctioned by the
American Motorcycle Association, and the AMA classified the ½ mile
dirt track as “T T “ , or tough tourist track . This Medford track was
one of five in a circuit with the others being in Pa., Ct, .Rhode
Island, NJ, and upstate NY. The contestants from all of the above
tracks would tour the other tracks and race. The Medford track was
considered the toughest track of all.
There were a number of
categories ranging from Expert to Novice, and a typical race would
consist of six laps in whatever condition the track was in. Based on the
number of contestants, race heats were held, culminating in a
championship race.
Frequent local winners were Patchogue
residents; Everett Wright, Roger Miskoskey, Jake Parris, and Donald Pink
of the Bronx.. Racers came from as far as New Jersey Rhode Island,
Pennsylvania, and Connecticut to participate. Winners in each category
received cash prizes and trophies. The local favorite was Roger Miskosky
of Patchogue, who won enough races to receive $1000 in prize money in
1947.
The season consisted of a six race series, and the total point winner received the coveted Tourist Trophy
Very popular with the locals, up to 500 spectators viewed these
daredevils race on this challenging dirt track, including a hill where
the bikes would leave the ground and not touch down until more than half
way down the hill. Usually an ambulance was stationed at the bottom of
this hill.
It is believed that the races ceased in 1953, as the
owner of the property became aware of the potential liability he faced
if either a rider or spectator was hurt. While the races officially
ended around 1953, the locals would still run motorcycles and cars on
the track.
Interest in this story was revived by Steve Nolan, who
witnessed these races as a young boy. He has contacted people and
created an artifact archive. Additionally, Steve, has walked the track
and marked out the trail. It is hard to distinguish the track as years
of growth has obscured much of the original track. Efforts are underway
to create a bicycle trail on the old track and connecting it to the
existing bicycle trail in the Overton Preserve.
The club held meetings at the Brau House in Medford, where they would watch movies of the old races.