Archive for the 'Pines' Category

2012 New England Auto Racing Hall Of Fame Pioneer Inductees Announced

Published at September 9, 2012 in Cherry Park, Danbury, Hudson, NEAR, Norwood, Nostalgia, Oxford Plains, Pines, Plainville, Riverside Park, Seekonk, Stafford, Thompson, W. Peabody and Waterford. Closed

Twenty racing pioneers considered central to the success of the sport in New England during its formative era will be inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame on Sunday, November 18 at the Speedway Clubhouse located on the grounds of the Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut.

Just completed, the selection follows a lengthy voting process administered by a committee of the region’s foremost auto racing historians.

Slated for induction are stock car drivers Tony Mordino, Sparky Belmont, Hank Stevens, 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 those entering the Hall of Fame 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.

Continue reading ’2012 New England Auto Racing Hall Of Fame Pioneer Inductees Announced’

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.

Visit Guest Book

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.”

Continue reading ‘Hall of Famer Don MacLaren Passes at Age 75′