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By Dave Dykes/NEAR
Hundreds of victories and untold contributions to the sport of auto
racing during its earliest era in New England will be celebrated
next month at the NEAR Inaugural Pioneers Hall of Fame Induction
Ceremony.
Slated for Sunday, November 18 at the Speedway Clubhouse located on
the grounds of the Thompson International Speedway in Thompson,
Connecticut an impressive class consisting of twenty of the regions
auto racing pioneers will be inducted into the New England Auto
Racing Hall of Fame.
Ticket purchase deadline is November 1.
The selection follows a lengthy voting process administered by a
committee of New England’s foremost auto racing historians.
Scheduled for induction are stock car drivers Tony Mordino, Sparky
Belmont, Hank Stevens, “Big Ed” Patnode, Johnny Georgiades, Wally
Silva, and Ray Brown.
Midget racing standouts Eddie Casterline, George Rice, Al Pillion,
Billy Tibbert, Frank Simonetti, Charlie Ethier, and George Monson
round-out the open-wheel inductees.
Completing the list of inductees are car owners Anthony “Beebe”
Zalenski, Ed Stone, Wen Kelley, Bob Oliver, Gordon Ross, and owner &
promoter of Connecticut’s former Plainville Stadium, Joe Tinty.
Many past HOF inductees have confirmed that they’ll be attending.
Also among the day’s activities will be a good-natured “Roast” of
several Hall of Fame members administered by some of the region’s
top racing media figures.
Several memorabilia exhibits will be part of the celebration along
with the popular NEAR Mobile Museum. Veteran eastern racing
photographer John Grady is attending, and with him he’ll bring his
vast file of racing photographs. Lew Boyd’s Coastal 181 Publishing
will set-up shop for those looking to add to their personal auto
racing libraries. Also expected to be present is a selection of
vintage race cars.
Doors open at 10:00 am, with dinner to be served at 1:00. Tickets
are economically-priced at $35.00. Order forms may be downloaded
from the NEAR website at www.near1.com. Again, ticket purchase
deadline is November 1. No tickets will be available at the door.
Payment is to be sent to NEAR Pioneer Banquet, Box 172, Milldale,
Connecticut, 06467.
For additional information, contact NEAR President Val LeSieur at
508.238.7797 or email vallesieur@aol.com
Since 1998, NEAR has inducted over one-hundred individuals into the
New England Auto Racers Hall Of Fame, which is administered by the
New England Antique Racers. Notable inductees include Richie Evans,
Ron Bouchard, Bugs Stevens, Rene Charland, Pete Hamilton, Fred
DeSarro, Ed Flemke, Sr. and Billy Greco among others. |
