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Rhode Island native R.A. Silvia is one of New England’s leading motor racing historians and preservationists. A native of Tiverton, RI his father took him to his first auto race in 1946 at Ponta Delgada Speedway. The track was located only three blocks from his childhood home. That same year five year old R.A. and his parents went to Seekonk Speedway’s inaugural race. A passion for auto racing was born.

From 1962 to 1964 he drove Class B stock cars at Seekonk Speedway, but his greatest contribution to the sport has been his preservation efforts. For the past 50+ years he has amassed one of the largest photo archives in the region with thousands of photos and negatives of New England motor racing. Photos date all the way back to images of New England’s first auto race which took place in 1896 at Narragansett Park in Cranston, RI. Along with his photo collection he has collected, programs, posters, trophies and other memorabilia that tells the story of New England motor racing. Silvia is still adding to his massive photo collection.

R.A. is pictured in the attached photo (with his cat penny) with a poster he recently donated to the New England Racing Museum and is now proudly displayed in the museums library. The poster is from Northampton Speedway a fairgrounds track located in Northampton, MA. The half mile dirt oval held sprint car races in 1933 and then again from 1936 until 1941. Take note of the 55 cents admission price on the poster.

The museum’s executive director Tom Netishen recently made a trip to R.A.’s home in Warwick RI to pick up the Northampton poster. Silvia who recently turned 84 on September 5th wanted to convey how important it is to continue to support our local short tracks to keep the sport vibrant in the region. All those who value the preservation of New England motor racing should be grateful of the efforts of R.A. Silvia. Next time you see him at your local short track, say thanks.