Billy Greco’s NEAR Fundraising Picnic Goes-Green on Sunday, August 11th
WEST HAVEN, CT — It’s for a worthy cause, and thanks to New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame member Billy “Gramps” Greco it’s all happening on Sunday, Aug 11th at the Polish American Club located at 194 W. Spring Street in West Haven, CT.
Serving as a fundraiser for the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame, Greco’s “First Annual NEAR Picnic” goes-green at noon and wraps-up at 6:00.
To be held under the pavilion on the grounds of the Polish American Club, the event is a rain or shine affair. Tickets are economically-priced at $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for those 12 to 16 years of age. Purchase includes food, and a chance to win one of many door prizes to be offered throughout the day. There will also be a cash bar and raffle drawings.
NEAR Vice President Bill Henry reports that there will be a lot happening at the event to please New England race fans.
“We’ve got a lot of great raffle prizes lined-up” says Henry. “Among the items up-for-grabs will be racing hats signed by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Carl Edwards and “The King” Richard Petty, reproduction vintage racing posters from Maine’s Beech Ridge Speedway, admission tickets to local speedways, and pen & ink racing artwork by artist Hugh MacDonald” he stated recently.
A display of vintage race cars adds to the festivities. Also expected to be in attendance are many of the drivers that contributed to the rich history of the sport in New England. It’s the perfect opportunity to do a little “bench-racing” and perhaps get an autograph from your favorite New England racer.
For more on the event, tune-in to the Monday, August 5th live broadcast of Gary Danko’s popular “Speedway Line Report Radio Show” which will air that evening on Tom Ormsby’s www.speedwaylinereport.com Both Greco and Henry are slated to be among the show’s guests.
The ever-popular Greco who in the past has hosted other successful NEAR fundraisers was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1998 following a stellar career highlighted by multiple modified track championships at both the Riverside Park Speedway in Massachusetts and Connecticut’s West Haven Speedway. He was a feature event winner at virtually all of the region’s raceways.
For additional information and to purchase tickets, you may contact Billy directly at 203-378-7945 or email mod43@optimum.net Tickets will also be available at the door.
The New England Antique Racers club is 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 live throughout New England and are available, on a no charge basis, for exhibition events at local race tracks in New England and several tracks in the New York area, with both original and historical replica race cars.
Since 1998, NEAR has inducted 166 individuals into the New England Auto Racers Hall Of Fame, which is administered by the New England Antique Racers. Some very notable inductees include Richie Evans, Ron Bouchard, Bugs Stevens, Rene Charland, Pete Hamilton, Fred DeSarro, Ed Flemke, Sr. and Billy Greco.
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Sources: Dave Dykes/NEAR PR