(Farmington, MN) — July 27th, 2024 — After years of increasing numbers of race fans coming to see the temporary display of motorsports memorabilia, and several years of planning, the IMCA Old-Timers have completed construction on their new permanent museum building, located at Dakota Heritage City on the fairgrounds August 5th through 11th . The museum will be home to a vast display of historic motorsports memorabilia from Minnesota and the Midwest. In order to fit the historic design of Dakota Heritage City and the vintage gas station the club adopted and maintains next to the museum, the building has the appearance of a 1940s auto repair garage and race shop.
In previous years, the IMCA Old-Timers would have to set up a huge tent, bring select items out of storage to display at the fair, and when completed would have to take it all down until different items would be selected for next year’s fair display. The new museum building will allow for the entire collection to be placed on permanent display year around.
Although not the largest, the museum will be one of the most extensive, showcasing a variety of auto racing memorabilia from IMCA history in addition to yearbooks, photographs, trophies, driving suits and helmets, advertising and promotional items from many local and regional tracks that have special memories with local racefans including North Star/Twin City Speedway in New Brighton, REX Speedway in Inver Grove Heights, Farmington Speedway, Raceway Park in Shakopee, Stillwater Speedway, Minnesota National/Elko Speedway, and a huge selection of racing items from the Minnesota State Fair Speedway.
Vintage racecars will be on display along with the opportunity to meet and talk with legendary drivers who raced throughout the Midwest and Nationally, competing against some of the biggest names in motorsports. There might be a few surprises thrown in as well at this year’s fair.
The IMCA (International Motor Contest Association) is the oldest racing organization in the United States, and in its prime was to the northern states what NASCAR was to the south. IMCA and NASCAR drivers regularly competed together throughout the United States.
A grand opening ribbon cutting is planned for 11am on August 5th, the start of the Dakota County Fair in Farmington, with the museum open daily throughout the fair. The IMCA Old-Timers would love to have you come and join us during this year’s fair, and to share the story with your readers.
