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Average annual precipitation for New Hampshire is approximately 41 inches. Recorded rainfall totals from May 13 through May 15, 2006 are: Portsmouth 12.37 inches, Concord 8.78, Rochester 10.75, Franklin 7.44, Milford 7.89, Weare 11.43, Manchester 11.05, Goffstown 10.99, and Nashua 6.86.
At the track on Sunday before the event, there were a few inches of water in the garages, the infield was saturated, and the tunnel going to the infield had over four feet of water in it. Monday was still raining and by Tuesday, only slight showers. Fortunately, Wednesday morning, the weather had taken a huge turn for the better. The garage area had drained but the tunnel still had water in it, and caused the use of the back way in. The sun was starting to enter the scene by nine o'clock and the jet dryer was doing its job. The drivers' meeting got underway under the direction of Frank Ferrara, the man that handles the flags from the starters stand and keeps everyone under control. By ten-thirty, the first group of cars were ready for the track.
(click on all photos to enlarge) As in past years, people who had never been to the event before were given a few laps behind the pace car. As always, Wayne Schofield, who came all the way from Arizona, handled the pace car. Wayne also brought along his sprint car that has been modified with an automatic transmission and push bar to be an excellent push vehicle. After the indoctrination laps, the stock cars were broken into three groups, the flat head and six cylinder cars, the small blocks, and the modifieds. Each group got fifteen minutes of track time. All the stock cars are under the watchful eye of Roland Champagne (below), who has been doing this since the event began.
Helping
Roland get the cars lined up this year was Kevin Brown, who kept
things moving. When the last stock car left the track, it was time for the midgets to have their session. Brian Watson, (www.watsonracingteam.com), kept everything moving with the open wheel cars.
A little push from the push truck and they were on their way. Ford 60's, Offenhausers, VW, Pinto power, Chevy II's and more; cars from the late 1930's to 70's.
A special thank you goes out to Pat Templeton of Hooligan Motorsports & Potomac Open Wheel Vintage Racing for making the drive down up from VA to help push the open wheel cars. That is Pat above in his white Chevy Suburban. When the midgets rolled back to the garage area, it was time for the sprinters and champ cars. Again, the push trucks had them moving at a quick pace. Again, there were all types of cars; Offy, Chevy, Ford, early models and later models. With their 15 minutes behind them, it was time to come in and let the Indy cars have their turn.
Most of the Indy cars didn't need a push. They are equipped with starters & clutches. Watson Roadsters, Chevy powered roadster, rear engine cars, early two man Indy Cars; they covered the whole spectrum.
When the Indy group finished the entire cycle started all over again and picked up on Thursday where they left off on Wednesday. Thursday was just as beautiful a day as Wednesday was, temp in the high 60's, low 70's. Some people that made a long trip to the event included Paul Martens of Tulsa, OK. He has a Larry Rice car under restoration and we're looking forward to him next year. Dave Tyler was reunited with his Grant Kim #59 Midget now owned by Paul Fitzgerald.
Also present were Dan Butler from Texas with his newly acquired Cornish Indy Roadster,
Dr. Paul Mondo from Florida with his Bardahl sprinter, and Aldo Bigoni from Canada with his Kurtis Roadster. Bud Taylor brought his repro roadster all the way from Kearney MO. Another great looking car was Bob Riser's Weaver Grant King Champ Car, winner of the Hoosier Hundred with Billy Englehardt at the wheel. Dave Schleppi had the Chevy roadster driven by Mike McGill. Along with the above, some of the more famous midgets in attendance that got plenty of track time included the Huminski Offy owned by Tom Tearney who hales from Georgia,
and the Wheeler #62 Offy from the Ray Bissoneau garage. Ray also owns the Sam Traylor Sprinter and the Beletsky sprinter along with the Kurtis roadster driven by Al Keller at Indy.
The Dick King owned Woznack Offy driven to many ARDC and NEMA wins by Cliff Riggott & Johnny Zeke, and Gene Michaud and the Bardahl Offy driven to wins by Johnny Kay for owner Paul Young, were at the event. Doug Post owns the Darrell Villa Offy, which had many ARDC wins with Ray Brown Driving. Paul Fitzgerald campaigns the Grant King built Sesco powered car driven in USAC by Billy Englehardt. Johnny Mann, a past ARDC champion, took a few laps in the Ken Schraeder midget. This car was found and never restored; it looks new.
These are just a few of the midgets that had plenty of laps. The sprint cars were well represented: the Al Lequesto sprinter, a yellow & black Helligas car owned by Bill Oates, and the Al Hendrix, Chevy powered car owned by Paul Fitzerald and driven by Adam Fitzgerald. East Coast restorer Joe Fiore had his RZ Special, a Trevis sprinter, and last year's winner of best appearing open wheel car.
Larry Pfitzenmaier from Soneta AZ who has been to every Vintage Celebration with his Watson roadster (Simoniz spl.) left it home this year. He picked up his just completed sprinter at Fiore Restoration, the black #4 Babe Staff creation.
This car has had more big name USAC drivers than you can count, starting with the big ones like Foyt, Rutherford, etc. The Indy and champ cars were well represented with cars from the 30's to the 70's; 4 cylinder front engines to rear engine racers. Bob Valpie had a couple of real interesting vehicles; a two man Studebaker Indy car and a Kurtis roadster powered by a Chrysler Hemi engine. Firestone used this car for tire testing.
Numerous 2 man cars were there. Along with the other cars mentioned, there was the colorful paint job on the Weaver car, the roar of the rear engine Indy Car, and even a few of the wire wheel era. The Gary Bahre owned Dean Van Lines #12 previously owned by Vic Yerardi had many laps with the roadsters.
To see and hear the roadsters of the 50's and 60s was great. The Dean car, Cornish roadsters, Federal Engineering, the Kurtis from Canada belonging to Aleto, and the roar of the Dave Schleppi Chevy gave you butterflies. At lunch time on Thursday, we broke for lunch and presentation of some awards. This year's Grand Marshal, Mr. Ken Squier, is a native of Vermont. He had his debut as a race track public address announcer at age 14 in 1961.
He built Thunder Road Speedway in Barre, Vt., and still runs it. In 1965, Ken was hired as PA announcer for Daytona Int. Speedway. He also worked on NASCAR telecasts with ABC Sports. One of the original founders of motor racing network (MEN), he was the primary commentator from 1969-1978. He joined CBS Sports in 1973, and became a household name as "the voice of the Daytona 500". Ken now serves as president of the Radio Vermont Group, a five station group in his home state. Lew Boyd made the presentation of the Speedway Illustrated Grand Marshal award for Dick Berggreen, who was at Lowe's Speedway. Larry Pfitzenmaier & Rich Poisson put out a publication called the "Roadster Roster". They try to keep a record of where all the Indy roadsters are and who owns them. (If interested in the Roster, contact Larry of Rich.) Each year they present a few awards to deserving people. This year the "Roadster Roster" award went to Roland Champagne for all his work over the years at Loudon. Roland was the first stock car at Loudon. (Just take a look at how the attendance has escalated!)
The woman's award, started a few years back, went to Pat Lancolette for all her behind the scene work over the years. A special recognition award was given this year by Larry Pfitzenmaier to Rich Poisson for all his work over the past 16 years on Larry's cars. He has gone through many cans of car polish, etc. He does it all, plus anything that has to be done. He received a scrap book of events over the years, along with a scale model for the Simoniz special roadster.
Because the Simoniz car was not here this year (Larry brought his newly acquired sprinter), Dave Schleppi, who owns the red Chevy powered Roadster driven at Indy by Mike McGill, let Rich take it for a spin around the magic mile. I think the smile is still embedded on his face. It's a little faster than his "32 Ford High boy".
Other awards given were the Belknap cup award. It's a sportsman award given to a special person that has done that little extra to help the vintage celebration be the event that it is. The winner this year was none other than Rich Poisson. I guess you could say he scored the "Hat Trick." Rich does all the artwork on the roadster rooster awards along with designing the T-shirts for the event. A die cast car was given to Walt Beletsky for being the oldest car owner at the event. Walt owned many cars over his long years as car owner. Two trophies are awarded to the best appearing stock car and the best appearing open wheel car. These are by people's choice. This year's stock car winner was Tom Cavanaugh and his good looking black Chevy Coupe #1.
The open wheel award went to Larry Pfitzenmaier for his newly restored Bob Stapp Sprinter #4.
This is the first year, (thru the work of Brian Watson), that we had donated gifts: 2-Day
Bondurant
Grand Prix Specialty Course. Value: $3250 (Click
HERE for photos of the winners)
A very special thank you to the staff at NHIS
for all their work in making this year's event such a success;
especially John McCarthy, for all his time in getting entries
and garages all in order, Betty French, Operation Manager and
Wanda Dumas, Asst. Operation Manager. Click
HERE
to view 738 photos from the event. Vintage Celebration ("Vic Yerardi Memorial") is the largest on track vintage racing car event in the US. Eligible vintage racing cars include: Midgets, Sprints, Champ cars, Indy cars and Stock cars. The event was the brainchild of Bob Bahre, New Hampshire International Speedway owner, and the late Vic Yerardi, a huge supporter of the Vintage Race Car movement. Cars travel from as far away as California and Florida to participate in the event. Each year a Grand Marshall is named for the celebration. In past years, notables like Roger Ward, A.J. Watson, Buster Werke, Ron Bouchard & Ken Squier were honored. Curious what an offenhauser sounds like at speed? Curious what 5-10 offenhausers at speed sound like? Curious what a Champ car sounds like at speed? Come out and experience with us what has been one of the best kept secrets. Expect to be impressed by the facility, by the people and by the RACING CARS!
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