YankeeRacer.com

This sport that we love so much, this thing that is so entrenched in our hearts and souls, has now hurt our hearts and taken a piece of our souls. Some of the attraction of this sport that occupies many of our days and nights are the personalities of the people involved, the interests that we share, the camaraderie of the competitors, the spirited competition and the overall thrill that is auto racing. A good part of that thrill is the danger associated with the event itself. There isn’t a driver whose adrenaline isn’t fueled by the risk they take every time they strap themselves into the car. That risk and the element of danger is part of what brings us back week in and week out, puts spectators in the stands and provides the excitement that consumes so much of our lives. Love it as much as we do, we hate it when it takes one of our own.

Shane Hammond was a colorful kid, warm and friendly with a great smile and pleasant attitude. He was a racer’s racer. He never complained, he listened a lot, a true professional, a gentleman and a friend to everyone he raced with. He could turn the wrenches and was admired for his mechanical abilities. He was good on the track, too. One of those drivers that week in and week out was in contention, and more often than not we said “he’s due for a trip to victory lane.” Often times we were surprised that he didn’t post a podium finish and be back at the start/finish line after the race to celebrate with some of the more experienced drivers like Joey, Nokie, Randy, Greg and Ben. He certainly was on par with those guys. Many of the times he didn’t post a top three finish it was no fault of his. It was mechanical problems or he just didn’t get the break he needed to get to the front. Even though he wasn’t there in front of the crowd getting his picture taken at the end of the race, he never showed an ounce of discouragement. Right back at it next week, listening, asking questions, trying harder. Shane was a racer’s racer, a role model to the incoming rookies and sophomores of NEMA. He was part of that new breed of midget drivers that have been putting NEMA on the map lately; destined for greatness in open wheel racing.

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It is with heavy hearts that we write this. We are all struggling to make sense out of the tragedy we experienced with Shane’s passing. He will never be forgotten and will always live in all our hearts – he touched many of our lives. For those of you wishing to attend, the following are the arrangements for Shane:

Wake:  Friday, April 11, 2008 3-7pm

Prophett Funeral Home
98 Bedford St (rte 18)
Bridgewater, MA 02324
508-697-4332

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Shane Hammond, one of the Northeastern Midget Association young stalwarts, died Sunday form “traumatic injuries” sustained in a crash at Thompson International Speedway’s season-opening Icebreaker.  The crash occurred on the fourth lap of the scheduled 25-lapper.Hammond, 27, of Halifax, MA, made contact with another car on the backstretch on the fourth lap. Getting airborne, Hammond’s car cleared the concrete wall and struck a billboard in turn three.

After being extricated from the racer (a process that took some 12 minutes), Hammond was taken by ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital in nearby Putnam where he died.

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THOMPSON, Conn. — Four laps into today’s NEMA Midget feature, 27-year-old Shane Hammond was fatally injured in a crash in the third turn.  Hammond’s car launched over the wheel of #22 Chris Leonard of Pelham, NH before striking a billboard. Hammond was driving the #4x car as a teammate to former champion Nokie Fornoro.  Both cars are owned by Mike Jarret.

Personnel were quick to respond to the scene.  Hammond was extricated from the car and CPR was performed on him before he was transported by ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, CT.

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Randy Cabral is not given to exaggeration. The Northeastern Midget Association hot shoe keeps a tight reign on his expectations.

“I want to win at least one race,” says Cabral who will be in the Bertrand #47 for the third straight year. “Ever since my second year in NEMA (2000) I’ve won at least once. I’d like to keep that streak going.”

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Jon Seaman Jr. Concentrates on Engineering Studies

Southbury, CT — While Jon Seaman Jr. devotes time to his Mechanical Engineering studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, TSR Motorsports has named 2007 NEMA Rookie of the Year Jeremy Frankoski to fill the driver’s seat of the No. 63 Midget for the 2008 season.

“TSR Motorsports feels very fortunate to have Jeremy on their team for the upcoming 2008 season,” commented team principal Jon Seaman Sr. “His focus and determination will blend well with the young but experienced crew Jon Jr and TSR Motorsports have built.”

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With the recent additions of two New Hampshire ovals – All-Star (Epping) and Twin-State (Claremont) –Northeastern Midget Association competitors will face a 19-race agenda in 2008. Eight tracks are involved in NEMA’s largest schedule in 20 years.

The 56^th NEMA campaign gets underway at Thompson Speedway’s traditional season-opening Icebreaker on April 5-6. The winged wonders are part of Waterford Speedbowl’s Modified Nationals on April 12-13.

“Over the winter tracks were coming to us,” says president Mike Scrivani Jr. “Good fields of talented drivers and excellent equipment makes NEMA one of the best tours in the northeast. We are excited at the prospect of showing it off.”

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December 30, 1949 – January 23, 2008

Marilyn A. (Luko) Bertrand, 58, of Suffield, the beloved wife of 36 years to Gilles Bertrand, entered peacefully into eternal life surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at her home. She was born on December 30, 1949 in Hartford, CT, a daughter of Jeanette and the late Anton Luko. She resided in Suffield, CT for the past 20 years and prior to that in Stafford and Enfield, CT. Marilyn was a graduate of Hartford High School Class of 1967 and received her degree in Education from Central Connecticut State University in 1971, during which time she was president of her sorority, Lambda Kappa Nu. She continued on to receive her Masters Degree from Central Connecticut as well. Marilyn was employed by the Enfield Board of Education and spent her entire 37 year career as a teacher at Fermi High School, where she was the head of the Business Department and was also an advisor for FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).

Marilyn is survived by her devoted husband, Gilles, her loving children, Tim Bertrand and his wife, Cara of Sturbridge, MA, Patrick Bertrand, Lindsay Bertrand and Todd Bertrand all of Suffield, her mother, Jeannette (Luko) Mulready of West Hartford, CT a sister, Gilberta Calegari and her husband, James of E. Hartford, CT, a brother, Stephen Luko and his wife, Annette of Terryville, CT along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends, as well as her grand-dogs, Tessa & Toby.

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Rob Tower of RTraceparts and NEMA President Mike Scravarni are pleased to announce that RTraceparts/Torco Race Fuels will be the preferred fuel supplier and a series sponsor of NEMA for 2008.

Tower presented details of both the 2008 Torco Race Fuels points fund program and series sponsorship while attending the NEMA annual meeting & luncheon on Saturday, December 15th at Perriwinkles & Georgios Restaurant in North Oxford, MA.

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Coming off a sensational 2007 season, the Northeastern Midget Association has decided to “invest in the future” with the “NEMA Lite Series.” The series, approved by the NEMA Contest Board, is gaining momentum.

Called a “feeder class” by NEMA Vice President Tim Bertrand, the series is designed to introduce new competitors to winged midgets “in very low cost, less powerful cars.” Competitors can use any chassis that currently meets NEMA specifications but engines will be limited to Ford Focus and Quad4 Oldsmobiles. All the cars will have starters.

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The Northeastern Midget Association will celebrate its 56th season with at least one date at three of the club’s charter members. The 16-race 2008 schedule, a possible 18 dates, kicks off on April 5-6 at Thompson Speedway’s Icebreaker.

Seekonk Speedway and Waterford Speedbowl, each set for four races in 2008, hosted the first two events in NEMA history in 1953. Stafford, which welcomes NEMA back for its open cockpit show in July, was also on the ’53 schedule.

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