Historian R.A. Silvia Named Providence Grand Marshal
Behrent’s Bonus Gives Indoor Racers Incentive
Providence, RI — Noted auto racing historian R.A. Silvia has been named the Grand Marshal for the upcoming TQ-Midget event at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on March 6-7.
“It is quite an honor to be the Grand Marshal of this great event,” Silvia, 68, of Warwick, R.I. “This event has generated a lot of buzz here in the state and throughout the entire northeast.
“I am very proud to be a part of it. When I found out that I was going to be the Grand Marshal, I went into work and told the guys that I’m going to go out and by a scepter, crown and cape.”
Silvia, then 18, attended the three indoor Midget Car races held at the Rhode Island Auditorium in 1959. The final race on April 18, 1959, was won by Jerry Wall of Wallenburg, N.J.
That event, which was sanctioned by the American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association, was the last-sanctioned event held in the Ocean State according to Silvia.
“Those indoor events were huge back then,” Silvia said. “The building is now torn down and it is a hospital parking lot.”
Silvia was recently presented the prestigious Danny Pardi Memorial Award by the New England Antique Racers (NEAR) club for his contributions as a long-time New England-area auto racing enthusiasts.
“I went to my first race when I was 5-years-old,” Silvia said. “I still haven’t lost that enthusiasm for the sport.”
Silvia, who has authored many articles over the years, said he has at least 50,000 photographs and/or negatives at his residence. Also, Silvia started the Pronyne Motorsports Museum in Pawtucket, R.I. The building is jammed with racing memorabilia from numerous race tracks over many decades.
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, owned by Jeff and Harry Behrent, in Florida, N.Y., has added to the two-day event by posting the Behrent’s Bonus.
If a driver wins both TQ-Midget features, Behrent’s will pay a $500 bonus.
BPW is a service and parts provider to the automotive racing industry. Customers can contact BPW at 1-877-372-2348 or at: www.bpw-wd.com.
The entry list for the TQ-Midgets has been filled. Entries for the Senior Champ Kart=2 0class are still being accepted.
Tickets can be purchased at the Dunkin’ Donuts Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at: www.ticketmaster.com.
Friday tickets are $20 (front row for adults and children), $15 (adult seats) and $10 (children age 12 and under). Saturday tickets are $25 (front row for adults a nd children), $20 (adults) and $10 (children age 12 and under).
Fans can purchase tickets to the event this coming weekend at the Speedway Expo Show in Springfield, Mass. The TQ Midget that Ted Christopher drove to victory in the Gambler’s Classic at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall will be on display.
Show information is available at Len Sammons Productions by calling 609-888-3618 or online: www.aarn.com. Special room rates are now available on the web-site at the Hilton for just $79 per night. The Hilton is located within walking distance of the Dunkin Donuts Center.
Sources: Gerry Reigle/Providence Indoor Race PR