April 2005 - Maine Vintage Race Car Association
Transcription
April 2005 - Maine Vintage Race Car Association
maine vintage race car association news Volume 3, Issue 4 March/April 2005 From the President’s desk: Racing Community Mourns Shortly after going to press with the last issue of the MVRCA Newsletter, we learned of the passing of three members of the racing fraternity - Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame and New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame member Homer Drew, multi-time Oxford Plains Speedway champion Charlie Martin and former car owner and builder Dan Smith. Homer’s legacy in Maine racing annals is unparalleled with A Class and B Class track championships at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and the well-remembered open Comp wins at Oxford Plains Speedway. Charlie and the six-cylinder Charger division at Oxford Plains are almost synonymous as he won three division titles in the highly competitive class. Dan Smith is probably unfamiliar to a majority of the racing community. In the early 1970’s, he fielded a C Class car at Beech Ridge and according to son-in-law Steve Pellerin, his cars were always competitive. The MVRCA dedicates this issue of the newsletter to continued on page 2 Thanks, Homer by: Steve Pellerin Charlie Martin, four-time champion, dies at 53 by: Kalle Oakes If you are a race fan from around this area, you probably heard that one of Maine’s best-known racers passed away on Monday, February 14th. Homer Drew of Fryeburg, who had coped with heart disease for many years, slipped away. Charlie Martin was the first Oxford Plains Speedway driver whose name I knew. His No. 18 Charger machine, painted black before a certain NASCAR superstar made it fashionable almost a decade later, was the first car that ever caught my eye. Most everyone who ever saw Homer run no doubt has a story or memorable event about this Maine racer who even later in life was still making history, becoming the first Maine driver inducted into the New England Auto Racers’ Hall of Fame in 2002. Stories, events, color, talent, ability, humility. The stuff of legends, they say. continued on page 6 It was a Saturday night in July 1979, a double feature night for Oxford's Charger and Late Model Sportsman divisions. My family arrived late for my first-ever trip to OPS, and by the time we grabbed what would become familiar seats in the grandstand overlooking Turn 4, the first six-cylinder feature was in progress. continued on page 5 Inside this issue: * “Racing Community Mourns” * “Thanks, Homer” * “Charlie Martin, four-time champion, dies at 53”” * “’Summerfest’ - A New Name, Same Enjoyment” * “MVRCA Displays a Big Hit at Racin’ Preview” 1&2 1,6 & 7 1&5 2 3 * “Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2005 Autographed Helmet” * “News & Notes” * “Pron9ne Museum a Must See for New England Race Fans” * “MVRCA Schedule of Events” * Classifieds Ads 4 4&8 7 7 8 Volume 3, Issue 4 MVRCA NEWS Page 2 “Racing community mourns” continued from page 1 their memory. We have included tributes to Homer Drew from Steve Pellerin and Charlie Martin from Lewiston SunJournal sports writer and longtime race fan Kalle Oakes. On page 5 is information where you can make a donation in the memory of Homer, Charlie or Dan. There is a General Meeting scheduled for Sunday, April 3rd, at the Fireside Inn & Suites in Auburn at 1:00 PM. Hopefully, everyone will receive this newsletter prior to the date of the meeting. MVRCA has held at Beech Ridge the last two years has a new name -’Summerfest’. We are working to make ‘Summerfest’ the short track vintage racing celebration in northern New England. But, we are in desperate need of volunteers. If interested in helping make ‘Summerfest’ a success, contact the MVRCA office by mail, phone, fax or email. The video of the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2005 induction ceremonies will be available shortly. As soon as we get the videos, notices will be sent to everyone on the Association mailing list. You will read elsewhere in this issue the cookout the ‘Summerfest’ – A New Name, Same Enjoyment Scarborough – The highly popular Maine Vintage Race Car Association cookout held at the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough has a new name. ‘Summerfest’ cookout and vintage celebration is scheduled for Sunday, August 14th. ‘Summerfest’ is open to everyone – admission is FREE – do not need to be a member to attend. Recall the glory days of racing in Maine as restored race cars circle the Beech Ridge oval. Meet and talk racing with some of the sports racing legends. Last year’s cookout was a big success as former and current race fans visited the speedway to view up close over a dozen vintage race cars. Many brought old photo albums and scrapbooks as well as stories from a bygone era. A number of the vintage race car owners gave rides to fans of all ages. Bring your photo albums and your memories. Bring a camera as history comes alive once again. All of the activities from last year’s cookout will be part of this year’s ‘Summerfest’ program. Watch for further announcements from the MVRCA regarding ‘Summerfest’. The MVRCA extends an open invitation to anyone with a vintage race car to come join the fun and activities of ‘Summerfest’. Photos from last year’s cookout at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway Maine Vintage Race Car Association Maine Vintage Race Car Association 51 Heath Lane - Auburn, Maine 04210 Tel.: 207-784-9827 FAX: 207-782-3937 E-mail: [email protected] Bob Morris - President Bruce Elder - Vice-President Pam Conkwright - Secretary/Treasurer Board of Directors - Advisory Board Visit our web site at: www.mainevintageracecars.com A Maine Non-Profit Organization Volume 3, Issue 4 MVRCA NEWS Page 3 MVRCA Displays a Big Hit at Racin’ Preview Portland – The Maine Vintage Race Car Association had a big presence at Racin’ Preview 2005, held at the Portland (Maine) Expo. Visitors to the February 25 – 26th oval track showcase saw two displays of vintage race cars and a display honoring the twenty-one members of the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame. In the weeks and months leading up to the Portland show, there was much anticipation over the unveiling of the newly restored ‘Blue Deuce’ driven by Dick Garrett in the early 1970’s at Beech Ridge Speedway. Master restorer Steve Pellerin did not disappoint as race fans gazed upon an immaculate restoration of a two-time championship winning car. Next to the ‘Blue Deuce’, Steve had a display of his popular race car plastic models. Speedway. On the opposite side of the Expo were five vintage race cars and the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame display. In the display area were: Peggy and Dave Scott’s #5 ’32 Ford coupe A Class modified, Matt and Carl Gain’s #26 B Class Bomber driven by Don Brown, Mary and Roy Eldridge’s #22 vintage Supermodified, Peter Huston’s #1 Chevelle Sportsman driven by Al Hammond and Lorraine and John Rice’s newest project, a ’37 Chevy sedan modified. Next to Steve’s ‘Blue Deuce’, probably no car attracted On the other the ‘Blue Deuce’ was the superspeedway Ford Mustang modified of George Brockman. Owned by the late Dick Armstrong and driven by the late Ray Hendrick, the Mustang was one of two built by Hop Harrington for the high-banks of Daytona International as much attention as Lorraine and John’s unpainted ‘coach’. The Association thanks all the members who displayed their cars at Racin’ Preview 2005 and to event coordinators Carol Day and Tom Kimball, and members Wayne True, Sr. and Frank Dorrie for their time and Volume3, Issue 4 MVRCA NEWS Page 4 Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2005 Autographed Helmet Auburn - The Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2005 autographed helmet was an idea of Hall of Fame member Phil Libby. Looking ahead to the day there would be a Maine Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame, Phil believed there should be “a piece of history” for each ‘Class’ entering the Hall of Fame autographed by all of the new inductees. The autographed item would eventually be displayed in the Museum and Hall of Fame. Last year, Phil had the twelve members of the inaugural group of Hall of Fame inductees, or their representatives, all autograph a Maine Vintage Race Car Association shirt. Wanting something different for the Class of 2005, Phil bought a racing helmet of the style used in the 1960’s. He took the helmet to Joe Tuffs of Scarborough Signs where Joe put the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame logo on the back of the helmet. At the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in January, Phil had each member of the Class of 2005, or their representative, sign the helmet. Phil presented the helmet signed by all theClass of 2005 Hall of fame members to the Maine Vintage Race Car Association. The Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Maine Vintage Race Car Association extends its gratitude to Phil for his efforts and initiative and to Joe Tuffs of Scarborough Signs for donating his time putting the Hall of Fame logo on the helmet. (Left Photo) Phil Libby (left) and Joe Tuffs of Scarborough Signs displaying the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame logo on the special racing helmet. (Right Photo) June Leavitt (left) looks on as husband and new Hall of Fame member Gardiner prepares to autograph the Class of 2005 Hall of Fame helmet. News & Notes MVRCA member Ray Penfold is on the mend following double knee replacement surgery in January. Ray says the rehabilitation was longer than expected as both knees were done at the same time. Ray is the Association’s unofficial “bionic man”. Last year, he had replacement surgery procedures on both shoulders, albeit three months apart. In the last issue of the MVRCA Newsletter, there was a photo from the 1950’s of a race car on the dirt banking at Unity Raceway. There was no information on who was in the photo. Upon receiving his newsletter, Ray Penfold called and said, “Thats me in the picture!” Ray said he was driving the coupe on the track and believes the car on the dirt banking was Ray Fanning. “That was in 1951 and I won that race, my first ever win at Unity,” added Ray. Chris Libby, MVRCA Director, is now the proud owner of a vintage race car. Chris, who has been doing research on the old Waterville-Oakland Raceway, recently purchased Art Arseneault’s famed “Li’l Stinker” A Class cutdown from Mike Stowe Sr. and son Jason. Art continued on page 8 Visit www.mainevintageracecars.com for more Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame photos. Volume3, Isuue 4 MVRCA NEWS Page 5 “Charlie Martin...” continued from page 1 In other words, Charlie already was busy doing what he did almost every Saturday night, picking off overmatched competitors left and right as he stormed from the rear of the 36-car field. A certain, young track announcer raved about Charlie's drive along the "Angels' Expressway." Charlie's car featured a tiny checkered flag flapping from the trunk lid, which I thought was cool. If memory serves, he also drove into victory lane to pick up the big checkered flag, which I thought was cooler. That about sums it up. The Chargers were a cool division, and Charlie Martin among the coolest of drivers. After winning his first championship in that summer of '79 that hooked at least one fan for life, Charlie added back-to-back titles in 1985 and 1986. One summer, the Windham resident took his show on the road to Wiscasset Raceway and won a Charger championship there, as well. He kept winning features at OPS into the early 1990s. But Charlie was even prouder of his other legacy to Oxford Plains: His only son, Carey. The secondgeneration standout matched and eventually exceeded his dad's numbers, earning four Limited Sportsman championships and more than 30 feature wins. Even in the midst of his illness, Charlie made it to the track most Saturday nights. Father and son celebrated together in 2003 when Carey added yet another Limited championship trophy to his mantle. He'll be sorely missed. Racing was a family affair for Charlie. He and his wife, Donna, had a daughter, Colleen. She's married to Limited Sportsman driver Troy Morse. Charlie lost his lengthy battle with cancer on Wednesday, Feb. 9. He was only 53. His accomplishments behind the wheel, alone, make him one of the greatest ever to tighten up the safety belts at OPS. Charlie won his first Charger feature on May 30, 1977 and carried the checkers 24 times in all, tied for third all-time with Wayne Estes and trailing only Steve Blood and Alan Wilson. We, his OPS family, are thankful to have known him, and we offer our deepest sympathies to Donna, Carey and wife Wanda, Colleen, Troy, and Charlie's five grandchildren. Donations in Charlie’s memory can be made to: The American Cancer Society, Charlie Martin New England Division, One Main Street, Suite 130, Topsham, Maine Donations in the memory of Donations in the memory of Charlie Martin Homer Drew can be made to: can be made to: The American Cancer Society Charlie Martin One Main Street - Suite 130 Topsham, Maine 04068 The American Heart Association Maine Affiliate Homer Drew 343 Gorham Road South Portland, Maine 04106 NOTICE Donations in the memory of Maine Vintage Race Car Association GENERAL MEETING can be made to: Sunday, April 3 - 1:00 P.M. Little Androscoggin Room - Fireside Inn Auburn, Maine Rts 4, 100 & 202 - Exit 75 Maine Turnpike Daniel Smith Pride’s Corner Congregational Church Daniel Smith 235 Pride Street Westbrook, Maine 04092 For more information about “A Year’s Drive to the Hall III”, visit www.mainevintageracecars.com. Volume 3, Issue 4 MVRCA NEWS Page 6 “Thanks, Homer...” continued from page 1 I wanted to share some of my highlights about Homer with the readers. Homer won 5 titles at Beech Ridge (Motor) Speedway. He won the first in 1967 with Bob Bushley’s P-38. He won both the A and B titles in 1968 – the A with the P-38 again and with the first B Class #22 owned by Tom Hilton of Sanford. Fans recall how one night how the P-38 broke down and Homer picked up a ride in a back marker, the #13 “Super Chicken”. When the checkered flag fell that night there was the “Super Chicken” in victory lane, and on more than one occasion. In 1970, Homer took the first Oxford Open in the P-38. In what has to be one of my favorite stories, Bushley redid the P-38 motor in a week. When Homer arrived in the pits that Sunday, according to Bushley, Homer asked, “Why are the gauges taped over, Bob?” Bushley replied, “Don’t worry – just drive I!” He did. Won the heat and then led nearly the entire distance to win the event. In August of 1971, Homer and Dick Garrett put on one of the most torrid races I can recall in the A Class. Dick was en route to a second A Class title and naturally there was some rivalry over who was what. The radio had ads all week about the upcoming Drew/Garrett showdown and that Saturday, they delivered. With both drivers starting in the rear, Homer got ahead of Garrett and together the pair began slicing their way through to the front. Inside…outside, it seemed like the two cars were welded together, so tightly they ran. It seemed like everyone else was cruising with just these two slugging it out. Near the finish Garrett pulled alongside Homer several times only to yet still read “Suburban Motors” on the rear of the P-38. When the race was over, the stands were mesmerized. Everyone knew they had just seen an incredible run by two of the best. In 1972, Homer won the B Class Championship yet again with another #22, this one owned by Jerry Seavey. 1972 also found Homer starting to make waves in a J2 LMS car owned by Seavey. This car was a bronze early ‘60’s Studebaker with a 350 Chevy. Homer finished well in a couple of Oxford Opens, spun out while leading another with a few laps to go, took down the season closer at Unity Raceway in this unique machine. 1973 found Jerry Seavey purchasing a beautiful racecar for Drew to run. This car, formerly #z28 was built by Joe DeCosta to run the NASCAR Late Model Modified circuit out of state. DeCosta, who ran a salvage yard, was known for his beautiful racecars and spared no expense. With a new number on the door and Goodwin Hannaford power under the hood, the J2 took all of us to school in 1973. Oxford plains 5 – 6 times, Beech Ridge, Unity, Bangor (Speedway 95) on July 4th in the rain…remember? Gardiner Leavitt was second. You really had to be in the pits at Oxford to really appreciate the outpouring of emotion from the fans when Bob Walker announced Homer’s name. I for one am here to tell you I have a lot of faith in Oxford’s grandstands. Those Bahres know how to do it right. Whether you liked him or not, Homer brought the emotion out of most fans. In June of 1973, Homer took A and B heats, then both features at Beech ridge and quickly headed up to Oxford for the night’s Twin 100 lap event. He finished second to Bobby Tibbetts in the first event and won the second 100lap event, all in the same day. The next time you hear of a superstar running his mouth about how great he is, ask yourself if he could do the same… In 1974, he won a number of events in P-38 and the Seavey #22 (which was the J2 renumbered) with his foot in a cast from softball. At Sanair in Canada in 1974, Homer took the heat and pole for a race but complained of a skip under the hood. Seavey found a disconnected plug wire. From nearby racer Tiny Lund came the booming comment, “For Chrissake, don’t put that back on. We can’t catch him now!” Homer took the Autowize 100 in ’75 with the #22 as well. A Class, B Class, Cutdowns, C Class, Bombers, Supers, LMS, Mods – he ran them all and won with them. En route to the NEAR hall of fame in 2000 with Bob Bushley, I asked him, “Why Homer?” He smiled and said, continued on page 7 Submit your nominees for the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2006 today. Volume 3, Issue 4 MVRCA NEWS Page 7 “Thanks, Homer...” continued from page 6 “Homer’d pick up what a car had in it and how it went, then he’d find the best way around the track with what the car would do and he drove every lap as hard as he could… getting fast as much as he could out of that car. He was a hard charger.” Jerry Seavey said, “Homer drives each lap like he’s leading and even if he’s a lap or two down if the race is long enough, he will probably will be leading.” Through it all, he was always accessible to the every day fan, and he’d hang around and sign all the autographs needed. Most anywhere, any time, even years later, he brings our stories and incidents that kept us laughing and needing and wanting more. If you could get through the throng, there was always a moment for a chat, a smile, a handshake and an autograph there on the sticky clay of that frontstretch. I doubt if we’ll see another. I know I haven’t and probably won’t. That is fine with me. The cars, the colors, the cheers (and the boos), the incredible moves, that slight smiles, the wide grin (like “how out that?”)…They live on in my mind. How many times I have had a display of models etc. at a show where and how often so many times Homer’s name comes up - P-38, J2, etc. - like a record. Only you never tire of talking about a legend. A legend you say? When I speak to former fans who haven’t been to a race in decades but remember Homer like yesterday and their face lights up, that’s a legend in my book. Its said that some come into our lives, and go quickly, others stay for awhile, leave tracks upon our hearts, and we are never ever quite the same. For those thousands and thousands of cheering fans throughout the 1960’s and the 1970’s, I think its safe to say Homer Drew toughed them all, and I’m grateful for the memories. To Debbie, Pam, Gary, Ricky, Wanda and Family, Pron9ne Museum a Must See for New England Race Fans Pawtucket, R.I. - New England finally has an auto racing museum. Thanks to the efforts of Ric Mariscal, R. A. Silvia and others of Pron9ne Motorsports Group, a former bakery warehouse in Pawtucket, Rhode Island is now the home of the Pron9ne Museum. Open since November 2003, the auto racing museum has a Main Office, Gift Shop, Theme Room, Vehicle Display area, Meeting Room, Library, Video Room, Consignment area and Craft Room. There is also a display which pays tribute to the members of the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame. While a few cars are permanently displayed in the museum, some of the displays are changed regularly as individuals loan their historic race cars to Pron9ne Motorsports. The Pron9ne Museum is located at 8 Cleveland Street in Pawtucket. If you are planning a trip to southern New England in the near future, it is recommended by museum officials to call 401-447-4202 for the days and hours the museum is open. For more information about the Pron9ne Museum and Pron9ne Motorsports Group, visit their web site at www.pronynemotorsports.com. MVRCA Schedule of Events Date April 3 May 18 - 19 August 14 September 11 Location General Meeting* - Fireside Inn - Auburn, Maine Exit 75 (formerly Exit 12) Maine Turnpike ‘15th Annual Vintage Celebration’ New Hampshire International Speedway ‘Summerfest’ - Beech Ridge Motor Speedway Windham Car Show Type Meeting Sanction MVRCA Display Open Cookout/Display Display MVRCA MVRCA * General Meeting - 1:00 p.m. For more information about “A Year’s Drive to the Hall III”, visit www.mainevintageracecars.com. Volume 3, Issue 4 MVRCA NEWS Page 8 “News & Notes...” continued from page 4 raced “Li’l Stinker” at Unity Raceway in the 1960’s. At the Racin’ Preview, MVRCA member Dave Scott had pictures of a new NASCAR style modified coupe he is fabricating. Dave hopes to have the “winter project” on the track some time this summer. The MVRCA extends “Get Well” wishes to Oxford Plains Speedway announcer Bob Walker. The longtime “voice of the speedway” had a minor stroke in late February, his second in two months. In recent weeks, Bob had surgery on both carotid arteries to prevent further strokes and he is expected to be back in the announcer’s booth for the speedway’s season- Classified Ads WANTED: 1955-57 Chevrolet car frame. Contact: John Rice at Johnny’s Auto Service, Rt. 27 Gardiner Road, Wiscasset, Maine 04578. Tel.: (207) 882-6011. to pay top dollar for "ANNUALS" in good condition. Contact: Andy Boright at [email protected] or 603-272-4825. FOR SALE: Have old dirt track cars from northern Maine, raced at Gallope in Houlton, Springfield & Cherryfield 1957 Chrysler New Yorker 2-door, #Super 62, no motor, had old hemi..$300.oo; 1958 Mercury 4-door, has motor..$200.oo; 1955 Chevy 4-door, no motor, #006, has nice history - 'Miss Springfield Special'..$500.oo - all have roll cages; will have available 1941 Ford 2-door coupe race car body, no frame but have 1941 Ford frame. Contact Plum Potter Jr. at 207-739-2808 [email protected]. WANTED: 1978-81 Pontiac LeMans body. I am restoring Dick McCabe's 1981 NASCAR North Tour Championship car, need a LeMans body. Have a 1984 Olds Cutlass (former Jamie Aube) body complete to trade or sell. Contact: Cho Lee, 67 Clifton Street, Barre, VT 05641. Tel.: (802) 476-6378. [email protected]. WANTED: Main State Stock Car Racing Association (MSSCRA) rule books - 1949, 1950, 1955, 1959, 1961. Contact: Phil Libby at 207-929-4657. FOR SALE: Selling over 100 magazines from 1995 2004, some as low as 50 cents a piece. If interested, contact Frank Dorrie at [email protected]. WANTED: 1956 Ford Victoria 2 door, stock car material. Contact: Ken Spencer, Box 245, Sabattus, Maine 04280. Tel.: (207) 375-6978. WANTED: Looking to purchase issues of the "MAINE RACING ANNUALS", published in the mid-1970's, written and published by Tom Elliman & Mike Rowell. I'm looking for copies of every year published but does not need to be complete set - whatever you have I'm interested in. Willing P. O. Box 399 - Epping, N. H. 03042 FOR SALE: Late 1960's Edmunds Midget #77, Volvo powered; 5 main bearings; Hardened crankshaft; 13" mag wheels, coil over shocks, Halibrand rear w/ slider; 7 gear changes; Norden steering; 4-wheel brakes w/ shut off on front brakes; extra wheels, tires, engine & heads; many extra parts. Trailer built for car w/ spare tire rack & hand winch; enclosed shelving w/ locking doors, new tires. Turnkey. $8,400.oo. Ray Dias, 174 Western Avenue, Hillsboro, N. H. 03244. Tel.: 1-603-464-5715 let ring. To Place a Classified Ad Include name, address, phone number and e-mail address when submitting "For Sale" and "Wanted" classified ads for office use. Include at least a phone number or e-mail address in all ads. Give a brief description of each item for sale in the ad. Notify the Maine Vintage Race Car Association when any item has been sold or bought as soon as possible. Accepting "For Sale" and "Wanted" classified ads by E-mail, by FAX and by U.S. Postal. See page 1 for MVRCA information. Ads are FREE. WA ED 195 For Vict a2 or, NT : 6 d ori do sto 1-888-722-3843 * www.racevideo.com 2 Stone Street, Unit 51 - Augusta, Maine 04330 Full Service Video Production VHS & DVD COMPLETE SIGN SERVICE Magnetics - Banners - Wide Format - Vehicles Tel.: 1-800- 297-4823 Join the MAINE VINTAGE RACE CAR ASSOCIATION - Membership: Individual - $15./Couple - $20.