NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH
By Lou Modestino
Drag racing, jet dragsters and the name Al Hanna all seem to go together so well. Hanna and his “Queen of Diamonds II” 300 MPH Jet Dragster will prove to be a popular attraction at the three day Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports 2015 Presented by Sunoco Race Fuels Distributed by Insinger Performance Race Car and Trade Show set to take place at the huge Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, January 23-25, 2015.
“We are working to make drag racing a bigger part of PPB Motorsports 2015,” said show promoter Len Sammons. “There are a lot of drag racing fans and competitors in the market area of our show and there are some great drag racing facilities such as Atco, NJ Raceway, Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa, Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ and others. “
The latest Al Hanna creation, created on a napkin in the Atlanta Airport, was built by Dan Page Race Cars of Hampstead, NH. The original “Queen of Diamonds”, the current World Speed and ET Record Holding ‘GOJO Firebird’ Jet Funny Car, driven by Rich Hanna of Enfield, Connecticut, and the ‘XLERATOR’ ‘Top Secret’ Firebird, the highest tech jet funny car, driven by veteran Ken Hall were also built by Page.
“Queen of Diamonds II” driven by popular lady racer Jill Canuso, well known to drag racers because of her affiliation with S&W Race Cars and Components (Spring City, PA), is powered by a 6000 HP General Electric J-85-5 engine.
On the track the car resembles a spaceship and brings fans to their feet as they witness the 30-feet of flames shooting out the back of the 300 MPH racer.
The car is unusual to say the least because of its unique design and is a welcome addition to the other drag racing vehicles, classic cars, historic racers and unique current day race cars. Show promoter Len Sammons is anxious to include more of these type cars in the 250,000 square feet of show space. There will be more than 200 motorsports vehicles on display to go along with the already mentioned display cars.
The show, celebrating its 30th anniversary, offers attendees just about everything imaginable in motorsports with a variety of vendors offering services and products. Those attending the show will have the opportunity to attend a variety of free seminars, special attractions and meet many well known racers and personalities in motorsports of all types.
A full house of racers, crews, officials, and fans from the Lee USA Speedway gathered at the Executive Court to wine, dine, and celebrate the annual Banquet of Champions honoring their achievements for the 2014 season at New Hampshire’s Center of Speed.
A year after being awarded Rookie of the Year in the Supermodified division, Jake Stergios of Candia spent the evening at the head table and took home the hardware commemorating his first career championship title in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, EKeys 4cars-sponsored division.
Defending and three-time champ Tommy Tombarello, Jr. of Haverhill, MA took home second place honors for his 2014 campaign aboard the Witkum Brothers Racing entry, with Sparky MacIver of Sandown and rookies Lance Barthelemy of Fremont and Kyle Sawyer of Kingston rounding out the top five.
Closing out the season tied with Barthelemy’s impressive freshman effort of a division-leading three feature wins, Northfield driver Leslie Keyser took home sixth place honors, with Rochester veteran Mike Spurling, Bobby Webber, Jim Barker, and Mike Murphy rounding out the top ten.
Barthelemy’s freshman season culminated with Rookie of the Year honors, Keyser grabbed the Sportsmanship Award, Spurling took home Most Improved Driver, Webber’s roller-coaster season won him the Hard Luck award, and Sawyer’s team won Best Team Performance.
After a late-season charge that saw him win back-to-back feature races to close out the 2014 campaign, Niko Maniatis of Salem took the Prime Storage and Warehouse Late Model Sportsman championship aboard the Rick Solt machine.
Tied with Maniatis in points, second-generation racer Geoff Rollins of Groton, MA was one victory behind and as a result finished the season in the second spot, with veteran racer Ricky Porter of Epping, Jesse Bousquet of Pittsfield, and rookie Mark Parenteau of Groveland, MAfinishing up the top five.
Ray Dinsmore of Alfred, ME, Frankie Eldridge, four-time winner Jimmy Russell of Brentwood, David “Doc” Piper of Goffstown, and Kyle Roy were the remainder of the top ten. Second-generation racer Tom Harton of Barrington grabbed Rookie of the Year honors, with Porter taking the Sportsmanship award, Dinsmore Most Improved Driver, Parenteau picking up the Hard Luck award, and Maniatis scoring Best Team Performance.
For the second straight season, Patrick Tanguay went home with the big trophy in the David’s Race Cars and Components Hobby Stocks, with five-time winner Dennis Dumas of Nashua scoring a career-best second for the season.
Teammates Brian DeStefano and Dave MacDonald of Tewksbury, MA were third and fourth on the season, with veteran Brian Thompson of Sandown, 2008 Ironman champ Chris Harding and rookie Jay Avery of Berwick, ME, three-time winner Jim Piaseczny of Merrimack, Nottingham’s Zac Fraser, and Matt Kawejsza of Epping rounding out the top ten.
Harding grabbed Rookie of the Year honors in the Hobby Stocks, with Fraser winning the Sportsmanship plaque, Dumas scoring Most Improved, Piaseczny awarded Hard Luck, and the Tanguay crew picking up Best Team Performance.
Wayne Osborne, Jr. of Kingston was the class of the field in the American Used Auto Parts Ironman division, picking up the hardware for his season championship, and Best Team Performance. Second-generation racer Tyler Mitchell of Dracut, MA grabbed runner-up honors, and was also presented with the NASCAR UNOH Youth Achievement Award.
Three-time winner and 2014 Rookie of the Year Adam Knowles of Seabrook went home with third place honors for the season, with Epping’s Jeff Nadeau, Christin DeStefano of Tewksbury, MA, 2013 champ Travis Hollins of Milford, Sportsmanship winner Hannah Shaw of Epping, Most Improved Driver Jeff Bennett of Epping, Hard Luck winner Austin Elliott of Epping, and three-time winner Evan Horvath of Nottingham rounding out the top ten.
Jesse Tellier of Pelham was honored for his 2014 championship in the 4-cylinder Ironman division, after winning 13 of the 15 races run during the season. Skip Stearns and Mike Walker shared the Ed Castine/Ron Poitras Memorial award for dedication given annually to members of the hard-working speedway staff.
Track owners and promoters Red and Judy MacDonald would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the 2014 award winners, and wish a happy and healthy holiday season to all of the loyal fans, racers, crews and officials who made 2014 such a successful season.
John L. McCarthy, 84, a long-time resident of Tilton, died at his home Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, after a period of declining health.
Son of Alma (Levis) and John L. McCarthy Sr., he was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., on June 21, 1930. John spent his youth in the Wallaston section of Quincy, Mass. He was a graduate of Boston College High School (Class of 1948), attended Boston College, and earned an MBA from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He served his country in the Army National Guard and lived for many years in Shrewsbury, Mass.
During his youth, John was a clubhouse boy for the Boston Red Sox and during breaks, often played cribbage with Ted Williams. John had a brilliantly analytical mind and was at the forefront of the electronic data processing/information technology revolution as a senior executive at Wyman-Gordon Company for 29 years, retiring in 1985. He revolutionized Midget Auto Racing as well.
Upon retirement, John relocated to Tilton, from Shrewsbury, Mass., and began a long career in public service as an active civic leader, having served as Selectman (chair), Police Commissioner, Planning Board member, and School Board member. He was hugely instrumental in the development of the Lakes Region Mall (now the Tanger Outlet mall) and often spoke at Statehouse and Senate hearings on issues he felt important for the citizens of Tilton. He was involved with charitable work and served on the Board of Directors at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Mass., and was a member of the Local Elks Lodge in Laconia and Worcester, Mass.
Inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2007, McCarthy was a championship car owner, designer/builder, and innovative promoter who brought Midget Auto Racing from the brink of extinction to the mainstream as President of the North East Midget Association during the 1960s-70s. Also in retirement, McCarthy pursued his first love – auto racing – at New Hampshire International Speedway where he was Vintage Coordinator for 20 years, bringing antique race cars from across America to the largest gathering of its kind in the country. McCarthy also managed the Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut under the Mel Barlow ownership.
McCarthy kept his mind agile and kept current with 13 newspapers. He enjoyed his home on Silver Lake and the view from his favorite chair. He was predeceased by his first wife, Rosemary (McCarty) McCarthy, and is survived by his wife Elizabeth “Betty” A. LaFleche-McCarthy; daughters Paula McCarthy of Shrewsbury, Mass.; Rosemary, wife of James Marshall of Worcester and Hyannis, Mass.; Janet, wife of Steven Albahari of Brewster, Mass.; and Joanne McCarthy, wife of David Vadenais of Sturbridge, Mass.; a sister, Deirdre Doherty of Hingham, Mass.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five nephews and a niece.
A celebration of his life will be held for family and friends later in the spring of 2015.
Those wishing to may make contributions in John’s name to the Salvation Army, 177 Union Ave., Laconia, NH. 03246.
Arrangements are under the care of the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home in Tilton.
Justin Bonsignore, of Holtsville, New York, completed his goal Saturday night, December 6, when he officially became the 2014 Valenti Modified Racing Series champion at the 11th annual VMRS Awards Banquet at Best Western Executive Inn, Manchester, NH.The 26-year-old driver shared the podium with car owner Art Barry.
Bonsignore thanked his pit crew for their hard work and dedication, crew chief Kenny Barry, Spafco Race Cars & Parts, Spearpoint Racing, series sponsor Bob Valenti Auto Mall, VMRS officials, and gave a heartfelt thank you to car-owner Barry for making it possible and for giving him the opportunity and privilege to be part of a race team loaded with successful history for over 60 years.
Bonsignore becomes the fifth champion in the 11-year series history
Barry, of Preston, CT, when introduced, received a rousing standing ovation for his second series title and for his dedication to modified racing. An emotional Barry thanked all for their support and was read a special message from his wife, Deb, who for the first time was unable to attend due to illness.
Additionally, the top 14 drivers in the standings received recognition and awards from series president Jack Bateman including; runner-up Rowan Pennink, Richard Savary, Chris Pasteryak, Max Zachem, Mike Willis. Jr, Steve Masse, Keith Rocco, Norm Wrenn, Todd Szegedy, Dylan, Kopec, Tommy Barrett, Woody Pitkat, Matt Mead, and Ted Christopher.
2014 Specialty Awards, chosen by series officials were presented to
Spafco Most Improved Driver: David Schneider
Tough Luck Award: Matt Mead
Sportsmanship Award: Willie Doucette
Mechanic of the Year: Kenny Barry
Rookie of the Year: #38 Michael Willis Jr
Dedication to Racing Award: Norm Wrenn
Volunteer of the Year Award: Ryan Doucette
Above and Beyond Award: Warren Alston
Bob Polverari 7-11 Award: Norm Wrenn
Bateman announced a 17-race tentative schedule for 2015. Any races at Waterford Speedbowl will be announced at a later date.