07.18.03_001_HAR_ALC_0050

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Date:	Visitor's Name:	Comment:
09/25/04	Tom Mihalov Jr	Otto Harwi was the track champion three years running in this car at the orange county fairgrounds in middletown n.y. Don't know the exact years but he was my idol at 14 years old. He ran my dads tires consistantly (tom major). We were the tire source back then major racing tires bridgeport,ct. I myself have honored Otto by building a replica 37 ford sedan dwarf car with the same paint job that Otto ran in this picture. I am now 57 years old and love my Otto Harwi replica. My brother is still to this day is still manufacturing retreaded race tires back in ct. My dad is in good health retired in fla. I race in california and ran into a guy from jersey who turned me on to this website.. I have pictures of Otto's car and my own and will submit them soon thanks Tom Mihalov Jr. - Oceanside CA
02/12/05	Jim Penney	Otto Harwi was killed in May 16, 1964 at Middletown , N.Y. His stock car went over the wall and flipped . I have the article out of the May 20 issue of National Speed Sport News, page 3.
09/14/05	Hemi Andersen.	Sadly, I was there that evening in 1964. It was in the closing laps of the feature race. Otto was driving the #10 car (Jimmy Metzler car) not the 999. Otto had been driving this car for some time as Bob Malzahn had taken over driving the #1 for Harold's Garage. They wrecked on the backstretch and as I remember it, Otto's car flipped and then struck one of the lamp poles. It was a dark night at Middletown and for local racing in general. I was in the Marine Corps at the time and home in Bergen County on a weekend pass. I use to come home whenever I could which was almost every weekend, traveling nearly 1,200 miles round trip from Cherry Point, NC to include a drive to Middletown NY. Thank goodness gas was cheap in those days. I am enclosing a picture of a painting by artist Joe Curtin of Englewood, NJ. [Credits to him, please] The photo of the car was taken at Langhorne Speedway while Otto was still driving it, (indicatted by carb air cleaner instead of usual fuel injection stacks) but the painting was updated to Bob Malzahn's name on the door as he was driving it by the time of the painting. I was sad to see Otto out of the #1 car as he would likely not have had the accident with the #1 car which was a front running car. Not so the #10.
10/22/06	Ray Brown Jr	I was there when Otto Harwi was killed.I was only 4 or 5 but I believe the accident did not happen in the backstretch but coming out of the 4th corner when he went over the wall. My Dad Ray Brown Sr raced stocks with Otto. My dad later switched to midgets. I am told by my sister that Middletown was his favorite track. Anybody remember my Dad? My folks divorced when I was very young and I did not see him race much and have very little information. Great sight! Great photos! Thank you so much for the memories. Ray Brown Jr
03/25/07	Dick the Welder Yelsits	I have to disagree with Herni Andersen as to the car Otto was driving that illfated nite at Middletown NY. It was the 999 owned by John Cramer from Boundbrook NJ with a Sonny Dornberger power plant. I worked for Otto as the welder at both Nazareth Speedway and Dorney Park. Dick the Welder Yelsits
05/08/08	Bonnie Collins	To Ray Brown Jr. I do remember your dad so very vividly as I as a youngster went to Orange County Speedway then (VICTORY SPEEDWAY) every Saturday night with my father and brother.. My brother 4 years my jouner, was an avid Ray Brown fan as a little boy and his desire to race stemed that far back... Back in the day I can remember when your dad did switch to Midgets, as my father would show me different articles in the Ilustrated Speedway News..... I actually remember the whole era of the 50's pretty much, as my uncle raced with your dad, Otto, Sonny Strupp, Dee Dee Harris, Bud Marl Joe Romer and so on, my memorie takes me back far... There is a book called ORANGE COUNTY CLAY, I am sure it is still obtainable, was written by Ray Martian who since has deceased, but they are still around a lot of good info in there...... Take care Bonnie Collins
06.09.15	Joe Romer	Your dad and mine were good friends. I have 1 nice photo of him ,if you want to contact me I'll get you a copy. Find me on Facebook or call me 914-489-938 four.

Photo ID #	07.18.03_001_HAR_ALC_0050_1
Car #:	#Otto Harwi
Driver (s) :	#1
Location:	Alcyon
Date:	1958
Photographer:	Bob Sweeten
Photo provided by:	Bill Skinner
Comments:	Comment provided by Bill Skinner: Otto Harwi was the winner of the third heat race at Alcyon on May 9th, 1958 (at a time of 3:47:6). This car was owned by Harold Cope of Easton, PA.