New England Antique Racers August 27, 2014 |
New England Antique Racers took northern New England by storm on August 14th and the 15th, 2014.
With two (2) shows back to back the journey to Thunder Road International Speedbowl and Devil's Bowl Speedway was a great success and drew many active drivers.
Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vermont, on Thursday, August 14th, provided track time from 11:30am to 3pm; even with a brief shower that slowed the action, there was plenty of time on the track. In attendance were George Silsby in the #92, Darragh Hoyt in #199 NH, Paul Zampieri in the #30, David Wright in the #198, Bill Kemp in the #199 and Alson Perry in the #44. They were accompanied to the track by Rich Macdowell in the #99, Barry Roy in the #0, Lloyd Hutchins in the #176, Scott Haskell in the #27, Wes Mooney in the #79, Gerry Blanchette in the #49 and Jim Torok in the #04.
Two twelve lap features were conducted. Bill Kemp in the #199 won the modified division while Scott Haskell in the #27 came home first in the sportsman group.
On August 15th the drivers traveled to Devil's Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vermont. There NEAR was represented by Jim Torok in the #04, Gerry Blanchette in the #49, Joe Keefner in the #99, Lloyd Hutchins in the #176, Barry Roy in the #0. Also appearing Alan Davis in the #5 Aces, Darragh Hoyt in the #199 NH, Bill Kemp in the #199, Spanky Bancroft in the #15, David Wright in the #198, and Paul Zampieri in the #30. Again we had two features, Barry Roy in the #0 took the Sportsman event while Joe Keefner in the #99 won the Modified feature.
On Saturday, August 16th NEAR attended the Touch a Truck Car Show for the Berlin Fire Department at Sage Park in Berlin, CT. Representing NEAR at this event were Ron Carlson with his #85 modified coupe and Jim Splettstoeszer with his modified #87.
The well attended event exposed many former racing fans to our existence and had many talking about when they went to the races with their children.
On August 20th, NEAR attended the car show at "Colchester on the Green" in CT. Representing NEAR were Jim Splettstoeszer with the #87, Ron Carlson with the #85, Scott Poirier with the #73, George Cleveland in the #5 and Gerry Blanchette in the #49. The NEAR Mobile Hall of Fame was there as well. Sponsored by the Good Times Motoring Club of Colchester the Green was covered by many restorations, some wonderful original cars and trucks. Conversations with the owners provided a rich history of their cars and a passion for the automobile. "Thank you" to Good Times Motoring Club for the nice trophy and the hard work by those who put the show together, especially NEAR member Ted Grey.
By Bill Henry