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NEAR Hall of Fame Induction Banquet Tickets Now On Sale

Published at November 22, 2011 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction Banquet to be held on Sunday January 29, 2012 at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall Route 5, East Windsor, Connecticut (Exit 44 off Interstate 91, East Windsor, CT).

Doors open at 11:00 a.m. with dinner served at 12:00 p.m. There will be a cash bar. Dinner Choices are: Prime Rib, Chicken Supreme, Baked Scrod and Vegetarian Lasagna.

Priced at $45.00 per person, order forms are available for download by visiting the NEAR website at www.near1.com

Order deadline is January 16, 2012. No tickets will be sold at the door. Requests for reserved tables of 10 must be received by January 10, 2012.

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Gherzi, Humiston, Lapierre Hall of Fame Inductees

Published at November 17, 2011 in Keene, Lee USA, Lonsdale, Martinsville, Monadnock, NEAR, Norwood, Nostalgia, Plainville, Riverside Park, Seekonk, Stafford, Star, Thompson, Utica-Rome, W. Peabody, Wall and Waterford. 0 Comments

A trio of modified racing pioneers – Moe Gherzi, Jerry Humiston and Roland Lapierre – are the veterans committee selections to join the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame Class of 2012.

The trio will be inducted along with drivers Reggie Ruggiero and Joey Kourafas, owner/mechanics Mario Fiore and Jim Jorgensen and track operators/promoters Irene Venditti and Donald Hoenig at the 15th annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Sunday Jan. 29 at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.

Ticket information and order forms will be available soon on the NEAR website (www.NEAR1.com).

The colorful Gherzi was one of Southern New England’s first racing stars. Driving for a number of owners including the Scambato and Garuti families, Gherzi, who started in the Midgets, built an impressive stock car resume in the formative years at Plainville Stadium, Riverside Park and the Waterford Speedbowl. Following his 25-plus years in the cockpit, Gherzi was racing director at Plainville.

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Annual NEAR Movie Party Slated For November 12

Published at October 23, 2011 in Danbury, NEAR, Nostalgia, Plainville, Seekonk, Stafford, Thompson and Waterford. 0 Comments

W. Springfield, MA — Saturday evening November 12, the New England Antique Racers (NEAR), present their annual Movie Party at the Dante Club, 1198 Memorial Ave in West Springfield, Mass. (across from the Big E Fairgrounds).

Admission is just $15.00 with tickets available at the door. Things get underway at 6:00 PM.

The event is open to the public. Appetizers are up at 6:00, and a hot and cold buffet will be served at 6:30. There will be a cash bar throughout the evening.

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Preview Of Upcoming Plainville Stadium Reunion To Be Featured On Gary Danko’s Speedway Line Report Radio Show

Published at October 1, 2011 in NEAR, Nostalgia and Plainville. 0 Comments

Longtime local racing personality Gary Danko will present a unique preview of the upcoming 3rd Annual Plainville Stadium Reunion on the Monday, October 3 edition of his popular radio show, The Speedway Line Report.

Airing on WATR 1320 AM each week, and available live on Monday evenings at 6:00 via the Internet at www.garydanko.speedwaylinereport.com, the show is presented by Shaller Acura Of Manchester, CT. The Internet broadcast is courtesy of Tom Ormsby’s fine family of www.vintagemodifieds.com websites.

Both Danko and Ormsby have definitive ties to Plainville; Danko as a young fan getting his first-taste of the sport, and Ormsby as a former competitor in the modified division.

Listeners are encouraged to call-in to the show during the live Internet broadcast at 203.757.1320.

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Ruggiero, Fiore Atop NEAR Hall of Fame List

Published at September 27, 2011 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Driver Reggie Ruggiero and car owner Mario Fiore, at one time a powerful force on the modified scene, head up the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame class of 2012. Driver Joey Kourafas, car owner/mechanic Jim Jorgensen and track owners Irene Venditti and Donald Hoenig are also members of the class.

The group, along with three choices from the Veterans Committee, will be inducted at the NEAR’s 15th annual banquet Sunday Jan. 29 at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT. The Veterans Committee will meet in October.

Ticket information will be forthcoming.

Starting at Plainville Stadium, Ruggiero went on to score well over 200 feature wins, including 44 on the Modified Tour and a record 93 at Riverside Park. Between The Park, Stafford, New Smyrna and Monadnock Speedways he claimed 10 championships. In addition to Fiore, “The Reg” drove for the likes of Mike Greci, Ed Close, Bill Pelley and Tony Moffo compiling a resume that included a Race of Champions triumph and wins at some 20 different tracks including New Hampshire International, Martinsville and Oswego Speedways.

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New England Auto Racing Hall of Famer “Sonny” Rabideau Dies at Age 82

Published at August 30, 2011 in NEAR, Nostalgia and Twin State. 0 Comments

Moran H. Rabideau 1929-2011

BRATTLEBORO Moran H., “Sonny” Rabideau, 82 of Walker Place died unexpectedly early Tuesday morning, August 9, 2011 at his home following a period of failing health. Mr. Rabideau was born in Brattleboro on May 16, 1929 the son of Henry and Lena (Burdo) Rabideau. He was raised and educated in town and had attended Saint Michael’s Parochial School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War stationed in Austria. He returned home to Brattleboro following his honorable discharge from active service in 1951.

Mr. Rabideau had been employed as a machinist working at Tri-State Automotive where he retired from following 42 years of faithful service with the company. On a part-time basis he plowed snow during the winter months for Chester Majdak. In his earlier years while residing in the Fort Dummer section of Brattleboro, he worked at the former Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates on Cotton Mill Hill. Active civically, he was a life member of the American Legion, Brattleboro Post #5 and the V.F.W. Carl M. Dessaint Post #1034. Mr. Rabideau also held membership in the F.O.Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445, the F&AM, Brattleboro Lodge #102, the Brattleboro Shrine Club and the Cairo Shrine Temple of Rutland where he served as captain of its skimobile unit.

An accomplished stock car driver known as the “Flying Frenchman”, he competed throughout the New England circuit winning 109 feature races in the 1950s, 60′s and 70s. To his credit, he won five New England Dirt Track championships, four Vermont Dirt Track championships and in 2005 was inducted into the New England Antique Racers Hall of Fame. Previously he was inducted into the Claremont (NH) Owners and Drivers Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Rabideau was highlighted in a January 2005 feature article published in the Reformer. In conjunction with his lifelong passion for auto racing he enjoyed hunting, travel and time shared with his family especially his grandchildren. With his wife he always looked forward to annual vacations in Florida.

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New England Auto Racing Hall of Famer Raymond “Hully” Bunn Dies at 91

Published at August 29, 2011 in Langhorne, Lebanon Valley, NEAR, Nostalgia, Plainville, Riverside Park and Thompson. 0 Comments

Bristol, CT — Raymond “Hully” Bunn of Bristol died at age 91 on August 25 at Bristol Hospital after an illness. Bunn won more than a hundred Stock Car races in a career that lasted from 1949 to 1965 and was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2001.

Bunn was motivated to get into racing by a medical diagnosis he received when he mustered out of the Armed Forces shortly after World War II. The examining physician took him aside and told him that he had a bad heart and needed to take it easy. “I thought, what the hell, if I’m going to die soon any way I might as well enjoy myself, so I started racing,” Bunn recalled.

His first race was during the 1949 season at Plainville (CT) Stadium. His biggest win may have been the first 100 Mile Langhorne National Open for Modified Sportsman Stock Cars (now known as the Race of Champions) at Langhorne, PA on October 14, 1951 with relief from his friend and colleague Dick Eagan. In that race, Bunn defeated such luminary fellow pioneers as Bobby Myers, Frankie Schneider, Dutch Hoag and Steve Danish. He went back to Langhorne in the spring of 1952 and won another extra distance race, and in the Spring of 1954, he won the first race ever held at Lebanon Valley Speedway in New York.

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Date Set for NEAR Show & Barbeque at Ron Bouchard’s Auto Stores

Published at May 8, 2011 in NEAR. 0 Comments

Once again, New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame member Ron Bouchard will host the New England Antique Racers (NEAR), at his annual still show & barbeque.

To be held at Ron Bouchard’s Auto Stores at 500 Old Union Turnpike in Lancaster, Massachusetts, things gets underway at 9:00 am on Saturday, September 3.

On the agenda is a display featuring several race cars of the New England Antique racers along with a barbeque. Past events have proven to be a popular affair. It’s a chance for fans to get up close & personal with some of the most-revered personalities in New England auto racing history.

All members of the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame are encouraged to attend.

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Hall of Famer Don MacLaren Passes at Age 75

Published at January 14, 2011 in NASCAR WMT, NEAR, Nostalgia, Oswego, Pines, Star and Thompson. 0 Comments

Donald F. MacLaren, age 75, of Chelmsford, formerly of Tewksbury, Jan. 12. Owner of 5 D’s Welding in Tewksbury, and Hall Of Fame Supermodified builder and racer. Complete Obituary Saturday. Visiting hours Monday 4 to 8 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of Dewey and Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, phone (800 in MA or 978) 851-2950. His funeral service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home followed by burial with Army Honors at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford.www.tewksburyfuneralhome.com.

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Biography from NEAR Website
Don MacLaren drove his first race on his 15th birthday, driving a homebuilt supermodified, a Willys Coupe with a Ford engine. Telling officials at the Norwood Arena he was 18 years old, MacLaren went out and won the first heat he ever drove.

From Canada to Florida, Don has won well over 500 races. His 1st big win came at Oswego, driving the Tewksbury Auto Parts “Flying 5″. Today, MacLaren says no one win, or one championship, stands out. “Each week was exciting as hell”, says the gentle giant affectionately known as “Big Daddy”. “Each feature win was exciting, each championship a battle. You took your car home, worked on it, slept with it, and worked on it some more. If you worked hard enough, you’d win.”

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NEAR Releases 2011 Schedule, Deadline Looms For Hall of Fame Induction Ticket Purchase

Published at January 12, 2011 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

The New England Antique Racers (NEAR), kicks-off its 30th anniversary with an appearance at the 2011 Frank Maratta Auto & Cycle Show Jan. 28-30 in Hartford, CT. It begins a busy agenda for the club.

New Hampshire’s Monadnock Speedway hosts the first of eight running shows on Saturday, May 7. There are several still displays and a number of early-season “test & tune” sessions at both Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway, and Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire.

Go to www.near1.org for a complete schedule of all events.

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Ticket Purchase Deadline Approaches for 2011 New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Published at January 1, 2011 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Right around the corner is the 14th annual New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to be held on January 30th at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, Connecticut.

Ticket order deadline is January 16, 2011. There will be no ticket sales at the door. Requests for reserved tables of 10 must be received by January 10, 2011.

Additional information and ticket order forms may be downloaded from the New England Antique Racers (NEAR), website at www.near1.org or contact Rhonda Blanchette @ (860) 628-9234 or seller49car@cox.net.

Drivers Punky Caron, Dan Meservey, Russ Nutting and Jerry Dolliver, car owners Rich & Ray Garuti, Stanley “Skip” Matczak, Vic Kangas, and Speedway Scene publisher Val Lesieur will be inducted at the 14th annual induction ceremony.

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Tickets Now Available for 2011 New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction Banquet

Published at November 28, 2010 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Tickets are now on sale for the 2011 New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction Banquet slated to take place on January 30th at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.

Literally hundreds of victories and dozens of championships are represented in the “Class of 2011.”

Drivers Punky Caron, Dan Meservey, Russ Nutting and Jerry Dolliver, car owners Rich & Ray Garuti, Stanley “Skip” Matczak, Vic Kangas, and Speedway Scene publisher Val Lesieur will be inducted at the 14th annual induction ceremony.

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Bill Balser to Receive NEAR 2011 Jack Ratta Memorial Media Award

Published at November 13, 2010 in Lakeville, NEAR, Norwood, Nostalgia, Seekonk, Thompson, W. Peabody and Westboro. 0 Comments

Pioneering New England auto racing photographer Bill Balser has been selected as the recipient of the New England Antique Racers 2011 Jack Ratta Memorial Award.

Balser will accept the award at the 14th annual New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on Sunday, Jan. 30 at LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT. Ticket forms and further information will be on the NEAR website (www.near1.com) in the near future.

Hailing from Brocton, MA. Balser’s distinguished career in auto racing photography began during the 1950s. He regularly shot at tracks such as West Peabody, Westboro, Norwood, Seekonk, and Lakeville in Massachusetts, and also Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway and Brookline, NH, among others.

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NEAR Hall of Fame Adds Galullo, D’Amore, Bardwell

Published at November 8, 2010 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Pioneering New England modified star the late Danny Galullo, early car owner Louie D’Amore, and the much-celebrated racer Buddy Bardwell have been added to the New England Auto Racing’s Hall of Fame’s Class of 2011 by the organization’s Veterans Committee. The trio will join nine previously selected nominees at the 14th annual Induction Banquet on Sunday, Jan. 30 at LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT. Ticket forms will be on the NEAR website (www.near1.com) in the near future. The three veterans will be inducted along with the previously selected drivers Punky Caron, Dan Meservey, Russ Nutting and Jerry Dolliver, car owners Rich & Ray Garuti, Stanley “Skip” Matczak, Vic Kangas, and Speedway Scene publisher Val Lesieur.

A multi-time Riverside Park champion, “Dangerous Dan” Galullo was one of the premier players within the former United Stock Car Racing Club. Also on his career resume is the 1962 United Stock Car Racing Club Grand Championship, a feat accomplished by winning at many of the United-sanctioned tracks that once dotted the Northeast. He recorded multiple victories at Plainville Stadium, Waterford Speedbowl, West Haven, Cherry Park, Malta, NY, and Springfield, MA. He also competed in the NASCAR Grand National Division at New Jersey’s Old Bridge Stadium in 1956. Following a serious heart-attack, Galullo retired from the sport while still in his prime. He passed-away in 1974.

Harboring a life-long interest in auto racing, as a young man Louie D’Amore attended automotive trade school in Dedham, Ma. Following graduation, he owned sprint cars from the late thirties through early fifties. His car won the first-ever feature race at Thompson on May 26, 1940. He campaigned at virtually every track in the Northeast featuring sprinters enjoying success at venues such as Reading, Bloomsburg, Williams Grove, Dover, and Flemington. His cars were routinely sought out by the top drivers of the era such as future Indy 500 winner, Lee Wallard and URC champion, Bob Cooney. Today at 92 years-of-age, D’Amore campaigns a replica of his original #10 sprint cart on the Northeast vintage circuit assisted by his sons.

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Annual NEAR Movie Party Slated For This Saturday Evening

Published at October 31, 2010 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

W. Springfield, MA — This Saturday evening November 6, the New England Antique Racers (NEAR), present their annual Movie Party at the Dante Club, 1198 Memorial Ave in West Springfield, Mass. (across from the Big E Fairgrounds).

Admission is set at $15.00 with tickets available at the door. Things get underway at 6:00.

Featuring historical videos and slide shows from a variety of New England speedways, this year’s event will include rare footage from Connecticut’s much-missed Danbury Fair Racearena, the former home of the Southern New York Racing Association.

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NEAR Hall of Fame Class of 2011 Announced

Published at October 15, 2010 in Monadnock, NEAR, Nostalgia, Oswego, Oxford Plains, Stafford, Thompson and Twin State. 0 Comments

Literally hundreds of victories and dozens of championships are represented in the New England Auto Racer’s Hall of Fame “Class of 2011.”

Drivers Punky Caron, Dan Meservey, Russ Nutting and Jerry Dolliver, car owners Rich & Ray Garuti, Stanley “Skip” Matczak, Vic Kangas, and Speedway Scene publisher Val Lesieur will be inducted at the 14th annual induction ceremony slated to take place on January 30th at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.

Still to be announced are the inductees from the Veterans Committee and the Jack Ratta Memorial (media) winner.

Additional information and ticket forms will be on the New England Antique Racers website www.near1.com in the near future.

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NEAR Annual Movie Party Saturday November 6th

Published at October 14, 2010 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

The annual NEAR Movie Party is set for Saturday November 6th at 6:00 P.M. at the Dante Club, 1198 Memorial Ave in West Springfield, Mass. (Across from the Big E Fairgrounds). Tickets are only available at the door at $15.00.

The annual event features Videos and Slide Shows of racing from the past and those that attend always have a good time. For the first time NEAR will also be featuring videos from the Danbury Racearena. Bring something to raffle off to support NEAR’s Hall of Fame.

It is also a good time to bring along photos albums and memorabilia as many drivers and Hall of Famers are among the attendees.
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2nd Annual Plainville Stadium Reunion Slated for Sat. Oct. 9th

Published at September 18, 2010 in NEAR, Nostalgia and Plainville. 0 Comments

Berlin, CT —  Silenced at the dawn of the 1980’s, Connecticut’s ¼-mile Plainville Stadium was a hotbed of racing in New England for over 3-decades, hosting some of the biggest names in the business. Drivers such as the legendary “Steady Eddie” Flemke, Denny Zimmerman, Reggie Ruggiero, Don Moon, Ron Wyckoff, Ray Miller, Dick Watson, and many-more all toured the tight, demanding oval during its long history. In 2008, Plainville’s all-time winner Dave Alkas and 2-time champion George Lombardo took their place in the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame along with previously inducted members Flemke, Zimmerman, Watson, and Miller.

Saturday, October 9, the Nutmeg Kart Club in conjunction with the Berlin Lions Club World of Wheels presents the “Second Annual Plainville Stadium Reunion”. The event takes-place from 10am – 4pm at the Berlin Fair Grounds located 430 Beckley Road, East Berlin, Ct.

It’s the perfect opportunity to mingle with the racers that made Plainville so-special, and perhaps get an autograph from the track’s former greats.

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Hall of Famer Gene Bergin Hospitalized

Published at July 12, 2010 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Gene Bergin, one of the initial inductees into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1998, is currently confined to the Flagler Pines nursing home following some medical issues. According to Gene’s son he is extremely depressed and is hoping cards from his many friends and fans will help cheer him up. Cards will reach Gene at: Gene Bergin, Flagler Pines, 300 South Lemon St., Bunnell, Florida 32110.

Gene Bergin was one of the most versatile drivers in New England auto racing history, having driven Modifieds, Midgets, Sprint cars, Indy cars, and Grand National cars in his career.

Bergin first started racing in the early 50′s at the Riverside Park Speedway collecting many feature event wins and the 1962 Modified track championship.

He then in 1964 moved on to the Stafford Motor Speedway winning several features on the still dirt surface driving Sharkey Gaudiosi’s #44, and also holds the distinction of being one of only two drivers to win a feature event on both the dirt and asphalt surfaces at Stafford, ( The other being Ernie Gahan).

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Danbury Racearena Standout Carmine Benincaso Passes At 74

Published at June 3, 2010 in Danbury, NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Carmine Charles Benincaso Jr., age 74, died on June 1st, 2010 at Norwalk Hospital with his family by his side. A lifetime resident of Norwalk, he was born on February 14, 1936 to the late Carmine Benincaso Sr. and Mary Cocchia Benincaso.

He went on to serve in both the Army and the Active Reserve from 1961-1962 and worked at Gardella Transportation and the Italian Center of Stamford.

He also was an active member of Southern New York Racing Assoc. team located in Danbury and raced with the New England Antique Racers.

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NEAR Seeking Nominations For 2011 New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Published at March 21, 2010 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Milldale, CT — Since 1998, the New England Antique Racers (NEAR), has inducted over-100 individuals into its prestigious New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame. The time has come for NEAR to start focusing on it’s next class of inductees, and the club is seeking input from those interested in making an impact on 2011 selections.

“As-always, we’re looking for input from the New England racing community to help aid in the lengthy selection process that we embark-on yearly,” states NEAR’s Bruce Cohen. “It won’t be-long, and the Selection Committee will begin a series of communications that will ultimately result in the choice of individuals included in the HOF class of 2011. It’s important for the racing community to know that while there’s an established-criteria followed regarding eligibility, anyone interested in casting a vote for someone who’s notably contributed to our sport in a historical-sense can certainly do-so. Every vote counts.”

For those wishing to contact Cohen directly with nominations, he may be reached at modman181@comcast.net.
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Richard “Moon” Burgess Passes at 81

Published at March 19, 2010 in NEAR, Nostalgia, Plainville, Riverside Park, Stafford, Thompson and Waterford. 0 Comments

Richard Burgess – DURHAM – Richard “Moon” Burgess, 81, of Durham, beloved husband of Rita Dolores Corradino; father, grandfather, and friend, passed into the loving arms of heaven on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, surrounded by family.

Born Dec. 15, 1928 in a speeding ambulance in Meriden, he was the son of Dorothy and Frances Burgess. A standout stock car driver in the 40′s and 50′s, Moon was inducted into the Riverside Park Speedway Hall of Fame in 1999 and the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2003. He retired from racing to marry and raise a family, and went on to own and operate Valley Auto Supply in Plantsville, until his retirement in 1989.

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New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Member Richard “Moon” Burgess Passes-Away

Published at March 18, 2010 in NEAR, Nostalgia, Plainville, Riverside Park, Thompson and Waterford. 0 Comments

Durham, CT — Pioneering New England stock car racer Richard “Moon” Burgess passed-away on Wednesday, March 17 after suffering a serious stroke earlier in the month.

Burgess started his career in the midgets during the 1940’s, switching to stock cars later in the decade. He competed with success at virtually every track in the region including Thompson, Waterford, Plainville, Riverside Park, Kingston, Candlelight Stadium, Cherry Park, West Haven, and others,

Teamed with car owner Joe Fontana, Burgess experienced his greatest degree of success while behind the controls of the potent “Flying Eagle” #1 coupe.

He retired from the sport in 1953 after a relatively brief but spectacular career in which he won over 200 races including 63 feature events in addition to a track championship.
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Ticket Purchase Deadline For NEAR Hall Of Fame Induction Approaching Quickly

Published at January 10, 2010 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Literally hundreds of victories and dozens of championships are represented in the New England Auto Racer’s Hall of Fame “Class of 2010.” The 13th annual celebration takes place on Sunday Jan 31 at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.

The deadline to purchase tickets for this traditionally sold-out event is January 16. Please visit the NEAR website at www.near1.com for information on reserving your tickets.

Drivers Geoff Bodine, Mike Murphy, George Savory and Pete Fiandaca, car owners Billy Simons, Bob Garbarino and Vic Miller, contributor Frank Ferrara will be inducted. NEAR Veterans Committee inductees are the late race official Archie Blackadar, open-cockpit star, the late Chuck Arnold, and pioneering car-builder Marty Harty.

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Modified Champion Gahan Passes

Published at November 27, 2009 in NEAR, Nostalgia and Stafford. 0 Comments

Maine Resident Was The 1966 National Champion

Daytona Beach, FL — Ernie Gahan, the 1966 NASCAR Modified national champion, passed away Thursday night at his home in Cranberry Isles, Maine at the age of 83.

Gahan, originally from Dover, N.H., got his start in auto racing at his hometown track – Dover Speedway – in 1948 after serving more than two years as an Army military policeman in Germany following Word War II. After getting his start at Dover, Gahan competed in the NASCAR Sportsman division until 1965, when he moved over to Modifieds.

Gahan compiled 6,560 points during his 1966 run to the title to distance himself from runner-up Bugs Stevens and third place Ray Hendrick. Driving a 1936 Chevrolet coupe, Gahan won 15 of the 71 races he entered that season, but led Hendrick by just 48 points heading into the season finale in Atlanta, Ga. Hendrick was caught up in an early race accident and Gahan crossed the line 10th to earn the crown.
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NEAR Honors Hodges With Ratta Award

Published at November 13, 2009 in NEAR. 0 Comments

Photographers Howie and Mary Hodge, mainstays on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series, are the winners of the New England Antique Racers Jack Ratta Memorial Media Award. The Hodges will accept the award at the 14th annual New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame induction banquet Sunday, Jan. 31 at LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.

The Hodges, who have been recording New England racing history for 30 years, will share the limelight with 12 new members of the Hall of Fame. Howie started snapping pictures “seriously” in 1979. Mary joined him three years later.

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NEAR Hall of Fame Adds Harty, Blackadar, Arnold

Published at November 8, 2009 in NEAR. 0 Comments

Pioneer car builder Marty Harty, the late race official Archie Blackadar and the late Chuck Arnold, a driver with much open-cockpit success, have been added to the New England Auto Racing’s Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010 by the organization’s Veterans Committee.

The trio will join eight previously selected nominees at the 14th annual Induction Banquet on Sunday, Jan. 31 at LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT. Ticket forms will be on the NEAR website (www.near1.com) in the near future.

The three veterans will be inducted along with the previously selected drivers Geoff Bodine, the late Mike Murphy, George Savary and Pete Fiandaca, car owner/builders Billy Simons, Bob Garbarino and Vic Miller and contributor extraordinaire Frank Ferrara.
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NEAR Hall of Fame Class of 2010

Published at October 2, 2009 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Hundreds of victories and dozens of championships are represented in the New England Auto Racer’s Hall of Fame “Class of 2010.”

Drivers Geoff Bodine, Mike Murphy, George Savory and Pete Fiandaca, car owners Billy Simons, Bob Garbarino and Vic Miller and contributor Frank Ferrara will be inducted at the 13th annual induction banquet on Sunday, Jan 30, 2010 at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.

Still to be announced are the inductees from the Veterans Committee and the Jack Ratta Memorial (media) winner.
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Ron Bouchard’s Auto Show Cancelled

Published at September 1, 2009 in NEAR. 0 Comments

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the annual auto show originally slated for this Saturday September 5th and hosted by Ron Bouchard’s Auto Store at 300 Lunenburg St. in Fitchburg, Massachusetts has been cancelled.

The news was relayed to NEAR President Doug Farrow early Monday morning by Bouchard’s Auto Store staff member Marlin Knight.

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Beaver Dragon Book Signing in Milton, VT

Published at August 9, 2009 in NEAR and Nostalgia. 0 Comments

Fans of Milton, VT racer Beaver Dragon recently got a chance to meet and spend time with one of their auto racing heroes at a hometown greet and book signing on Saturday August 8th at Four Seasons Real Estate in Milton, VT. Beaver and many of his friends, including Short track historian, webmaster of catamountstadium.com and “To Beat the Beaver” author Bill Ladabouche, enjoyed meeting fans and racers. Several race cars were on display. Beaver was thrilled to meet so many fans and sign so many autographs and copies of his new book. Fans enjoyed the up-close looks at race cars of past and present along with food and drink.

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