Fitchburg’s Reino Tulonen – Race Car Builder & Driver to Attend Norwood Arena Reunion
Reino Tulonen To Attend Norwood Arena Reunion June 1
Fitchburg, MA — Wherever Reino Tulonen raced his sleek looking Cutdown racecar, a forerunner of the current Super-Modifieds, track announcers dubbed him “The Flying Finn From Fitchburg”. Tulonen started his racing career in 1946 and continued to race his radical looking machines at such venues as Westboro, Seekonk, Norwood, Manchester, NH, Peabody, Oxford, ME, The Pines, Hudson, NH and any other oval within reasonable driving distance of his hometown. He won many races and track championships at those tracks. He quit driving and building racecars in 1972. Tulonen is expected to be on hand for this Sunday’s, June 14, 4TH Annual Norwood Arena Reunion at the Bezema Buick, Pontiac, GMC on Rt. 1, the Auto Mile in Norwood. The dealership is just a mile north of the original site of Norwood Arena.
Reino will join such notable drivers as Bill Slater, Leo Cleary, Ernie Gahan and Bugs Stevens among several others. For racing nostalgia buffs this once a year get together will jog their memories as to how that era was the best racing ever in New England. At the time the fans, drivers and officials didn’t realize it until they take a critical look back in time. Also expected are drivers from the support classes such as Jerry Capazzoli who was a multiple Mini Stock Champion at the Norwood oval.
Antique racecars from NEAR, STARS and ACOT are expected to converge on the Bezema dealership this Sunday. Norwood Arena Webmaster Don Thomas will have all of his computer equipment on hand so that attendees will be able to look back in time during the heyday of the old Norwood Arena. In addition all racecars are welcome to the event. A companion antique, muscle car and hot rod show will be held. The first 60 to show up will be given dash plaques. Also, peers will award a trophy for the best racecar and street driven vehicle. Collectable vendors are also expected and fans, drivers and officials are encouraged to bring pictures, scrapbooks and trophies for display. A table and location will be provided for this purpose.
Former racer Marty Bezema, Sr. will host the event and will serve hotdogs and hamburgers in the on-site Marty’s Cafe. It all gets underway at 10 a.m. this Sunday morning and will continue to 4 p.m. Rain or Shine. Bezema Buick, Pontiac, GMC is located at 401 Providence Hwy (Rt.1) in Norwood, MA. For further information call 781.769-4700.
Sources: Lou Modestino/Norwood Arena Reunion PR