Lakeville Speedway Reunion a Success
You hear so much about so many lost speedways, but have you ever had a chance to really walk back into time! Well on September 30th the Senior Tour Auto Racers (STAR) took over 1,000 fans and drivers for a complete walk back in time at the Lakeville Speedway, Lakeville Ma. Lakeville has been dormant for better than 30 years. Lakeville driver Lew Boyd said,” It’s just like it was in the 70”s”
STAR has been gearing up for the Lakeville Speedway Reunion for the past several months. President of STAR Charlie Lima and Lakeville native Glenn Chistolini have been clearing the overgrown track to get it back to what it look like in the 60’s and 70’s. The fans, drivers and past promoters were surprised to see this grand old track back into shape. The starter stand still in tacked, held once more the colors of the racing flags. Racing banners were hung all over the fence. The wall surrounding the track was completely uncovered and after 30 years still in great condition. Lakeville Speedway was back, even if it was for only one day !!
You could see hundreds of fans walking around the track. The midway was full of classic cars while on the track stockcars and midgets awaited for the time when they would hit to the dirt once more. Drivers from all over came to pay tribute. In the crowded midway you could see drivers gathering together once more. Most of them stated they have not seen each other for over 30 years. Some of the drivers on hand were Lakeville Champion Deke Astle, “Big” John Kershaw, Carl “Bugs” Stevens, Dr. Dick Berrgen, Lew Boyd and many many more.
The afternoon presentation of awards by STAR started out with bringing forward the families of the founders of the Lakeville Speedway. Lakeville champion Deke Astle was presented an award for his years of champions. Deke in one year won 24 races out of 25 scheduled. When I asked Deke how you did it, he stated, “Once you learn how to drive dirt, it just came easy”. Star’s president Charlie Lima and Glenn Chistolini were awarded an award for completely restoring the Lakeville Speedway. Over sixty classic cars were on display and awards were presented to “Best of Show” for each division.
During the day all drivers of the Lakeville era were signing the Lakeville Speedway helmet, which would be auction off. Raffles were going on through out the day.
Then it was time!!! The stockcars, midgets and racecars cars from all divisions hit to the dirt. Cars from Star, Acot, Nema, Modifieds and independents were aboard. Star’s Race Director Mary Lima lined up the cars on the front stretch for photos first. But this was not the only action going on. There was also action in the sky. If you looked into the sky you could see an antique airplane sent by the New Bedford Pilot’s Association surrounding the speedway. The New Bedford Pilot’s Association and the Senior Tour Auto Racers are in conjunction in raising money for clothing and toys for the needy children. Come to find out that some of the New Bedford Pilot Association members were Lakeville drivers too. What a great way to honor Lakeville Speedway. Then Star’s race director from the starter stand shouted out “Gentlemen Start Your Engines”. On the track Star’s president crossed the cars over and the dirt flew! Leading the pack was Deke Astle in the 2X coupe of Charlie Lima following by Ric Mariscal in Lew Boyd’s 181. Last promoter of Lakeville Speedway Dan Merservy drove the #41 coupe. Big John stood on the starter stand watching his #36 coupe circle the track once more. Hundreds and hundreds of fans lined up around the front stretch through turns one and two. You could here the cheering from fans as the cars passed them. Big John Kershaw stated, “Look in the trees on the back stretch. The fans are sitting in the trees just like they use to when I ran here.”
When the reunion was over the speedway once more became silence, but a different kind of silence, not a dead silence but one that is asleep.
Sources: Senior Tour Auto Racers PR