Sid’s Vault Production Releases Chronological History of the New London-Waterford Speedbowl – Part 2
Tom DiMaggio released the second part of his New London-Waterford Speedbowl documentary tonight. With each part coinciding with track operators or ownership, A Chronological History of the New London-Waterford Speedbowl – Part 2 covers 1961-1974. Jack Brouwer and Lou Esposito were added as owners before the track was sold to NEAR Hall of Famer Harvey Tattersall, Jr. 27 people are interviewed for this segment: “former track owner Don Benvenuti, track historian John Brouwer, writers Bones Bourcier and Pete Zanardi, photographer Steve Kennedy, former car owner Dick Brooks, former drivers like Mark Lajeunesse, Mark Geer, Seabury Tripler, Bob Gada and Brian McCarthy.” The late multi-time Daredevil champion Bill Sweet, car owner Peg Gaudreau and NEAR Hall of Famer Ron Bouchard are also included.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7xXNQoJL_A
The unique race cars of the era are profiled in this segment like the L&M coupe, the M Pinto and Budda’s Bullet No. 3.
“All tracks have their signature cars. When I see pics of Don LaJoie’s 711, I think of Danbury (Race)arena. When I see a pic of Johnny Cambino’s #7 coupe, I think of West Haven. A Membrino 00 makes me think of Plainville. I’d like to think when people see a pic of Freddie Beaber’s checkerboard 716, or the Gaudreau’s #3 coupe, or Stosh’s L&M, that they will think of the ‘bowl. So it’s important to have these cars that identify with a track…. and this is our way of celebrating their history.”
The cars undergo a change from the familiar coupes to the contemporary Pintos.
“There’s a lot dedicated on the changing car styles in this piece,” DiMaggio said.
The support divisions, the Bombers and Daredevils, are included. The Bombers were low power coupes that ran until the mid-1960s. The Daredevils came in near the end of the Bombers and would evolve into the Grand American class that Tattersall’s United sanction ran at Riverside Park and Westboro in Massachusetts.
Part 1 has received over 3,000 views in three months.
“(The) feedback has been great. Hoping the view counts will continue to rise.”
Despite the accolades from telling the story of the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, he continues to learn.
“As a producer, I’ve learned so much. I know so much more know on how to conduct interviews than I did when started. Organization is key, and I’ve always been pretty organized. With a project like this, you have to have your archives organized or it would take even longer to complete. It’s really a great exercise in storytelling and although it’s a ton of work, I do enjoy that aspect a lot.”
Speed is of the essence for Dimaggio as he tries to complete as much of the documentary during this offseason.
“I’m a groove right now. I’m not sure in 12 months if my schedule would allow for this, but I have the time now so I’m going as fast as I can. I’ve had a few of our Sid’s View sponsors join on to help support the doc series (Honest John’s Used Cars, weldingprocedures.com, Waddell Communications, Michael V. Williams Builders, and Nick’s Service Center). … Their support is key, especially when the licensing fees for the music keep growing. So the support is there, my schedule currently allows me to put in the time in post-production that ultimately I’d have to do to ever complete this project.”
The team met with legendary car owner Freddie Beaber on November 23. He built and owned the #716 Westbrook Special cars of the 1960s. Charlie Webster drove 8 seasons for him, claiming the. 1966 championship.
“Freddie is the man. 90 years old I believe he said he was. Great guy, great memory. He still lives in the same house that he built his famous 716’s and took me around the ol’ garage to check out some old pics and memorabilia. He wasn’t up for an interview on camera, but it was an honor to be able to meet him and definitely a cool perk to producing this series.”
DiMaggio responded to inquiries by putting DVDs on sale. Copies are available at http://sidsview.com/shop/ for $39.99.
“I’m sure there are old-timers that aren’t computer savvy that need a means to see it as well, so the DVD’s can help with that.”
Sid’s View will return for next season with another “limited approach. … I think last year’s season of Sid’s View vids were entertaining, even with the scaled-back approach to production. There’s a lot going on at the bowl with Bruce, Shawn, and company, and our cameras have been there to capture the ongoing renovations. So, we’ll be back and will be involved as usual with the current season.”
The 93-minute documentary is available on SpeedbowlHistory.com and SidsView.com.
Sources: Nicholas Teto, YankeeRacer.com