Skid Sorterup To Be Honored in Seekonk Speedway’s Wall of Fame

In the early 1940s, even before Seekonk Speedway was built, Skid Sorterup spent time with D. Anthony Venditti. Together, with Rusty Rushton, Anthony made his dream a reality. Anthony would use them both for a sounding board, but more importantly, they were by his side each step of the way, 

When the speedway was opened in 1946, Skid made sure he was there to support his friend. He competed briefly, but it was as a car owner that he found more success. 

When the speedway transitioned from the open cockpit midgets to the jalopies of the early 50’s, Skid was running his car with drivers such as Don Hall behind the wheel. 

Fords were at the forefront, and his was one of the quickest around the ¼ oval. But he wanted more. 

The Fords at the time were running a single front axle beam. Skid had an idea. He built a Ford coach with an independent front suspension. After a couple of races, and some adjustments and tweaks, he found his coach among the best cars. 

He was the first to try the independent front suspension when everyone else was utilizing the single front axle setup. 

It was that type of innovation, and his close ties with D Anthony, that helped set him apart from his peers. 

A mechanic by trade, his innovations and ideas over the years made him one of the early pioneers of the sport outside of the cockpit. His devotion to the sport and the speedway made his name legendary at Seekonk. 

On Saturday, September 21st, we will honor the legendary Skid Sorterup and induct him onto the Seekonk Speedway Wall of Fame.