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17th Annual Vintage Celebration

by Al Novotnik

Photos by Brian Swinn

Seventeen years have passed since the first Vintage Celebration was held at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Located in Loudon, New Hampshire. The first event was held with thirty one cars in attendance. All were open wheel vintage race cars. Bob Bahre, the president, founder, and builder of the Speedway is a vintage car collector. Vic Yerardi at the time was instrumental in promoting the vintage racers in events throughout the country. Between the two men, the first event was born.

Bob Bahre

Vic Yerardi

Along with the vintage open wheel cars at Loudon on Wednesday and Thursday, vintage motorcycles took to the track on Friday, and Saturday saw the sports cars there. On Sunday, the Concourse De Elegance had their turn.

Over the years, the event has grown in numbers; with cars and drivers attending from all parts of the country. We have had entries from as far as California, Texas, Arizona, and Florida, to mention a few places.

Seven years ago, Vic Yerardi passed away. After his passing, the Vintage Celebration added the subtitle, "Vic Yerardi Memorial" to its name. Vic was a person that made things happen. As a way of remembering Vic, a few of his friends that had been to every event since it started, got together to keep the Celebration moving to a larger event. Roland Champagne, who brought the first stock car to the event, was involved with the stock car groups. Don Lancolette, Vic's uncle, who is known by all as "Uncle Donnie", helped in many different ways.

John McCarthy, who was a part of the New Hampshire International Speedway personnel, did more than anyone could imagine to keep things rolling. John handled registrations, garage space, etc. along with the track staff. Myself, I took care of the advertising for the program book and tried to see that when the event was running, everyone was having a good time. The first starter we had was Gene White. He was a former stock car driver, and flagged for us for years. When he decided to retire, Frank Ferrara took over the flag waving.

The event has grown in attendance every year. This year, over 175 cars were in the garages and pit area.

Over the past seventeen years, we have always been lucky enough to have had favorable weather. At one time we ran in August, then changed to July and over the past years moved to May. May seems to be just right, as it's not excessively hot like August. This year we had a little rain prior to sign in time.

While we had to cut things a little short because of rain, all in all everyone got plenty of track time.

This year we had an extra half day. We were scheduled to get started at noon on Tuesday. This was to get the inspections out of the way and ensure an early start on Wednesday morning. But the rain Gods gave us some rain on Tuesday, and while we did manage to get some inspections out of the way, registration went on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Drivers meeting was scheduled for 8:30 Wednesday morning, but as things happen, it didn't take place till 9:00 a.m.. Everyone gathered in front of the garage area and starter, Frank Ferrara, gave his early morning gospel. His main emphasis was on the dos and don'ts on the track; no passing on inside, pass only on outside, slow cars stay down low. If you don't follow the rules, the familiar black flag will be displayed and you must come in. After Frank's sermon, a few questions were answered and it was time to take to the track.

Every owner and driver received a numbered ticket for donated gifts that would be awarded throughout the day. A list of winners numbers were posted in the garage area. This year we had $4500 worth of donated gifts!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A COMPLETE
LIST OF WINNERS

With the track dry, and cars ready for running, the first cars on the track were people that had never been on the Loudon track before. They had a few laps behind the pace car to get comfortable.
When they came in, the six cylinder and flat head cars took to the track.

Once everyone was on the track running, the green flag dropped and everyone was under the watchful eye of Frank (Starter).

After approx. 12-15 minutes, the checkered flag was shown and the cars returned to the garage. The second group was already lined up and ready to take their turn. These were the small block cars. Again, they had their turn and soon returned to the garage.

Next out were the Big Block modifieds. Just as with the other groups, they had their track time and returned.

Roland Champagne and his group of track people kept cars in position and moving into position for track time.

Jim Torok, the head stock car inspector, and his people kept things moving in the pits. These stock cars were represented by area clubs and individuals. The clubs in attendance were the Garden State Stock Car Group from New Jersey, the NEAR Group (New England Antique Racers), and STAR (Senior Tour Auto Racers) from Maine.

An award was given at noon time in the checkered flag restaurant in the infield to this year's Grand Marshall. The award was presented by Carl Fredrickson from Speedway Illustrated Magazine, who give this award each year. This year's recipient was Bugsy Stephens, 3 time NASCAR National Modified champion. He is also the driver with the most wins at Stafford Speedway with 72 wins. In 1960, he finished 6th in the World 600 and was named Rookie of that Race.

Soon it was back to the track for Open Wheel Midgets. Midgets were represented from the early years of racing to the modern looking caged cars. It's hard to believe that the caged cars are over 25 years old and now considered vintage cars. The track saw the familiar Kurtis Kraft Offy, Ford v/8 60 powered cars, Chevy II powered Edmunds cars and even a few Volkswagen powered cars.

One of the midgets on hand was owned by Erwin Kurback from Long Island. This car was driven by Kenny Schraeder years ago at Loudon. The driver was Johnny Mann, a past ARDC American Race Drivers Club driver for many years.

Another interesting thing was that an owner was there that was probably the oldest owner at the track. Walt Beletsky has owned Midgets & sprinters for many years. He brought his Kurtis Offy this year. He was reunited with one of his drivers from years ago. Jim McGuire took a few laps in the Beletsky Offy. In 1964, Jim lost his arm in a sprint car accident. He went on to win many midget events in the following years.

Next on the asphalt were the sprinters. As with the midgets, the age of these cars ran from very early ones to the more modern looking with cages. A couple of popular sprinters were a World of Outlaw car driven to many wins by Doug Wolfgang, and a Pancho Carter driven car.

The chief inspector for Open Wheel Cars was Joe Fiore. Besides doing restorations on open wheel racers, Joe maintains a modern midget running in the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) owned by Gene Angelillo. Before going into restorations, Joe owned sprint cars running with URC. As a car owner, Joe has 53 main event wins.

After the sprinters, it was time for the big open wheel cars; the champ and Indy cars. Some of the better known cars in attendance included the Joe Hunt Magneto Champ Car, once in the Vic Yerardi stable, and now owned by Larry Pfitzenmaier from Arizona.

Dave Schleppi from Ohio had his Chevy powered Indy roadster. When Dave starts this Chevy, there is no doubt that he is in the area. It's really loud!

Gene Erickson was on hand with the Baby Bowes Offy driven this year by his son Randy.

Bud Taylor from Missouri, with his Replica 1964 Indy Winner, did not take to the track because of transmission problems. But that didn't stop him from getting the award for the best looking open wheel car, as well as the Roadster Rooster award for his great spirit & unending support to anyone that needs help.

Aldo Bigloni brought his KK Roadster from Toronto, Canada. Don Miller, now a Connecticut resident, had his 220 Offy powered Champ Car. These are just a few of the cars there.

CLICK HERE FOR 600+ PROFESSIONAL
PHOTOS FROM THE 2007 EVENT

A few other awards given included the Belknap Sportsman Award, given to a person that goes beyond what's expected. This years award went to Brian Watson, who does the Vintage Celebration website. At the track, he keeps everything moving with the open wheel cars. He was also responsible for many of the gifts that were given out.

The Roadster Rooster Woman's award was presented by Rich Poisson to the wives of Rich Poisson and Larry Pfitzenmaier for putting up with them for 11 years for manufacturing the Roadster Rooster. The best appearing stock car award went to Jim Lariver from Florida for his 7-11 Stock car coupe.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE
AWARD WINNERS

A Demonstration of Metal Shaping and Forming was a feature this year. The group used the track Welding shop as a headquarters. The facility was in the pit area and accessible to everyone. Jerry Thorne and Dutch Comstock were on hand to answer questions and actually show how things are made.

A very special thank you goes out to the people that volunteered to be corner workers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to run.

Also thanks to Brian Watson's dad for his time driving the pace car while the open wheel cars were on the track and to Pete Newsome for his pace car driving for the stock cars.

A good time was had by all that attended. Next year the event will be three days beginning on Tuesday and running through Thursday. Keep your eye on this web site for more information.

Hope to see you next year for the "Largest Gathering of Vintage Open Wheel Racers in the Country"!