NEAR Releases 2012 Schedule, 15th Annual New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Inductions Go-Green This Sunday
NEAR Releases 2012 Schedule, 15th Annual New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Inductions Go-Green This SundayNEAR Releases 2012 Schedule, 15th Annual New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Inductions Go-Green This Sunday
The New England Antique Racers (NEAR) have mapped-out a busy 2012 schedule with events scheduled at a wide variety of the regions speedways. Also on the slate is the 15th Annual New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to take place this Sunday, January 29.
The season kicks-off on Saturday, March 31 at Connecticut’s famed Thompson Speedway, and concludes at the 3rd Annual Plainville Stadium Reunion to be held at the Berlin Fairgrounds in Berlin, Ct. on Saturday, October 13. Among other stops on the “NEAR 2012 Tour” are Seekonk, Stafford Springs, New Hampshire International Speedway, Monadnock, Lime Rock, Bear Ridge, Lee, Canaan Fair, Twin State, and White Mountain. Also included on the agenda are dates at The Norwood, Danbury, and Pines reunion events. More dates may be added in the near future. Access the full print-ready schedule including dates & times at www.near1.com
Drivers Reggie Ruggiero, Joey Kourafas, Moe Gherzi, Jerry Humiston, and Roland Lapierre Sr., owner/mechanics Mario Fiore and Jim Jorgensen and track operator Irene Venditti will be inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame on this Sunday, Jan. 29 at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall at 53 Prospect Hill Road in East Windsor, CT. For more detailed information, visit www.near1.com
Since 1998, NEAR has inducted over 100 individuals into the New England Auto Racers Hall Of Fame, which is administered by the New England Antique Racers. Some very notable inductees include Richie Evans, Ron Bouchard, Bugs Stevens, Bill Slater, Rene Charland, Pete Hamilton, Fred DeSarro, Ed Flemke, Sr. and Billy Greco.
In other NEAR news, New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame member Val LeSieur has been named club President. Formally the publisher of Speedway Scene, one of the Northeast region’s most-popular racing weekly’s, LeSieur brings a deep knowledge of New England auto racing history to NEAR. Filling the position of Vice President is the club’s Paul Masse.
Other members of the 2012 NEAR governing body include Mare Harlow (Secretary), and Rhonda Blanchette (Treasurer). Serving on the Board of Directors are Jim Splettstoezer, Brain Bancroft, Bill Henry, and Dave Dykes.
Serving as Board Advisors are New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame member Pete Zanardi and, Rod Seller.
The New England Antique Racers club is a non-profit organization that supports the history of New England auto racing. NEAR has been in existence since 1981 and has a growing membership of approx. 350-400 members and 80 antique race cars. Members live throughout New England and are available, on a no charge basis, for exhibition events at local race tracks in New England and several tracks in the New York area, with both original and historical replica race cars.
Sources: Dave Dykes/NEAR PR