Annual NEAR Movie Party Slated For November 12
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.
The Movie Party features historical videos and slide shows from a variety of New England speedways. As-always, it’s expected that many rare images from the early days of New England auto racing will be present for viewing, some of-which have not been seen for decades.
Those wishing to lend support to the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame are encouraged to bring items to be raffled-off during the evening.
The Movie Party is the primary fundraiser for the Hall of Fame. Since 1998, The NEAR Mobile HOF Museum will be on display outside in the Dante Club parking lot.
Many of New England’s most-revered racing personalities are expected to attend, giving fans a chance to rub-elbows with those that helped build the sport. Customarily, many Hall of Fame inductees are present, so it’s the perfect opportunity to break out those vintage scrapbooks to get a few autographs and relive some racing memories.
Since 1998, NEAR has inducted over 100 individuals into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
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 Hall of Fame Induction Banquet Sunday Jan. 29 at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT. The Veterans Committee will meet in the near-future.
Ticket information on the event will be available in the near future.
The New England Antique racers are a non-profit organization that supports the history of New England auto racing. NEAR has been in existence since 1981 and has a growing membership of approx. 350-400 members and 80 antique race cars. Members reside throughout New England and are available on a no-charge basis for exhibition events at raceways in New England and several tracks in the New York area, with both original and historical replica race cars.
For more information on all NEAR events, visit www.near1.org or www.near1.com.
Sources: Dave Dykes/NEAR PR