R.A. Silvia

Racing Historian
CLASS OF 2014

A proud Rhode Islander, Bob Silvia is known by “R.A.” throughout racing circles. He had a brief career in the Seekonk Speedway Class B division, but it was his years as a collector of nostalgia that led him to become New England’s premier auto-racing historian and preservationist, the result of 25-plus years of gathering and compiling.

Silvia involvement dates back to when he attended the first-post war race at Ponta Del Gada Speedway in North Tiverton, Rhode Island in 1946. That same year he was also at Seekonk Speedway’s inaugural opening day as a 5 year-old with this parents. It’s this exposure to the sport at such a young age that Silvia attributes his lifelong passion for New England’s racing scene.

After years of being acquaintances, he & Ric Mariscal created the ProNyne Motorsports Group as a means to store their equally growing collections of nostalgic racing memorabilia. Their facility in Pawtucket, R.I. has become a non-profit museum type of operation that relies on donations & contributions overseen by the two to keep operating.

Sylvia’s dedication to that endeavor is surpassed only by his willingness to share his collection and knowledge. He was part of documentaries on both Norwood Arena and fellow Rhode Island native Fred DeSarro‘s life & racing career.

As a member of NEAR, he was instrumental in the formation of the Veteran Selection Committee to ensure racing stars from long ago generations do not get overlooked for Hall of Fame consideration.

Silvia was the recipient of the 1999 Frank Maratta Award for his contributions to auto racing history in New England, the Charlie Stebbins Award in 2006 for his contributions to NEAR and the Dan Pardi Award in 2009 for his contributions to the NEAR Hall of Fame.