NEMA’s Rifchin Trophy For Thompson Winner
Brockton, MA — The winner of the 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association feature at Thompson Speedway’s World Series (Oct. 17-18) will get away with the inaugural Marvin Rifchin Memorial Trophy. The trophy race, originally scheduled for July 2 (a rain out), honors Rifchin, owner of M&H Tire and an integral part of NEMA from its inception in 1953. Rifchin died on June 3 at age 93.
“Everybody would like to have this one,” says NEMA President Mike Scrivani Jr. “The number of people he touched directly, the influence he had on our club over the years is immense.”
Defending champion and current point leader Randy Cabral leads NEMA into what is the club’s first 2009 visit. Other contenders include Nokie Fornoro, Adam Cantor, Russ and Greg Stoehr and Jeff Horn. Cabral was the winner of the “Marvin Rifchin Appreciation event in 2006.
“We want to thank Thompson Speedway promoter Donald Hoenig for his participation in honoring Marvin,” adds Scrivani.
Midgets and, soon after, stock cars, captured Rifchin’s attention in the immediate post World War II era. Joining his father Harry in the tire recapping business, M&H (the H stands for Harry) became one of the first companies to make tires specifically for racecars.
More than willing to take on the tire-making giants (notably Goodyear and Firestone), Rifchin’s influence throughout motorsports grew to epic proportions over some five decades. His association with legend Don Garlits is part of drag racing folklore. He played a major role in the Modified glory days of the 1960s and 70s.
Rifchin’s contributions are evidenced by his membership in four Halls of Fame including NEMA’s. He is in the National Hot Rod Association, the New England Auto Racing and the Specialty Equipment Manufactures Association (SEMA) halls as well.
“Still,” says long-time NEMA car owner and official Bruce Beane, “Marvin stayed close to NEMA. He was part of the family. The M&H logo was part of NEMA’s image for many years for many very good reasons.”
Beane points out Rifchin was outgoing not only with his product but also with his time and his intelligence.
“Over the years a lot of guys raced because of Marvin’s generosity,” sums up 13-time owner champion Gene Angelillo. “He really had a special place in his heart for the competitor. Near the end of his life he was at a lot of our races and that was really good for NEMA. The guy loved the Midgets.”
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR