42'nd Annual Heath Memorial, 5 Mile Point Speedway 6-24-06
Peekaboo didn’t make the trip but Shaky, Sammy and the
Pink Panther did. The weather channel gave us bad reports all
week and all day but Saturday evening came up hot and sultry
at the historic 5 Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, NY for the
42 annual Heath Memorial. The Midstate Antique Stock Car
Club was on hand with many interesting displays for the
former racers reunion as well as some hot action on the track.
After consulting about Peekaboo’s appearance last week at the
Turning Stone, member John Mason decided to bring along
‘Shaky’ this time around, his pet rubber rattler who took up
residence in the Bud Hinman #5 cockpit. He didn’t discourage
too many onlookers though as kids still found their way into
the seat for picture opportunities. John also had two
wonderful trophies on hand to pay homage to long time
Southern Tier racing icon Dave Kneisal. One was Dave’s 1966
mid-season sportsman championship and the other was the
1966 STSCC high point championship trophy. Shaky was
around to keep an eye on them and brought many a smile
after a few initial shocks. Sharon and Richard Parry had their
sweet Jack Johnson #37 Falcon on hand for the festivities and
it was good to see Joe Buchak take the opportunity to get his
picture taken with the beauty. I’d have to say though that this
show was really about the Pink and that’s no slip. Mike Newell
busted his proverbial arse this past spring in preparation for
this show and didn’t disappoint. With a stuffed Pink Panther
aboard, his re-creation of the coupe Chuck Akulis drove to
track championships at 5-Mile, Penn Can and Twin Valley is
dead on smokin’ nice. Chuck was able to make the show as
well and lay a nice signature on the car which he was
obviously pleased with. I hear that after he paced the modified
feature his only regret was that he didn’t get more laps. And
Chuck sure looks like he could make some laps, he’s in as
good of shape as the car. Mike truly did an excellent job on the
car which includes the original roll cage and is a dead ringer
for the original, kudo’s to you Mike, nice job and we look
forward to seeing the car at our future events.
One the other side of the track the racing division prepared for
the evenings event with good natured jabber and smiles. Jim
Hilimire’s dog Sammy (named after his hero Sammy Reakes) is
holding camp and spreading good will, really nice dog who
knows what the bushes are for. Warmups were, well, warm. It
was hot and muggy but didn’t dampen spirits in the pits. Try’
er out, the cars running good and this is a fun track. Years of
racing at The Point have carved the surface into a natural bowl
and the car just seems to follow the path set down by greats
like Donahue, Diffendorf, Strosahl, Kneisal and Akulis. It’s an
easy path to follow and I’m in a daydream, then Gary Wood
blasts by going into three, time to wake up. Change out a tire
for the heat and we’re off. Dad’s 43A and Jim Chase in the 2K
lead us to green with Chase taking the point early, Howdy
Witter’s up to second in a jiffy while Johnny Rockola, Wood
and the B29 dice in the pack. Chase is looking tough tonight
but Howdy solves the puzzle on lap 5 and takes the checkers
ahead of the 2K, Dad’s 43A, B29, Rockola and Wood.
Harder rubber all around, if we had it that is. Oh well, our
tires are old enough anyways and even if they advertise that
they’re soft, truth is they aren’t. No matter, a quick wipe of the
sweat off the brow and we’re out for our feature. Dad’s 43A is
running much better this week after some new plugs and jets
and he leads the pack for the first 6 circuits. Howdy is
applying pressure though and they run side by side for 4 laps
while the rest of us look for room. The Chase 2K is definitely
faster this week as well, the rust is off and the bar is being
raised. Howdy takes the point on lap 7 while Rockola, the B29
and Dad dice with Chase and Wood. I’m looking forward to the
ensuing dogfight with Howdy, that GMC pulls off the corner
but a soft right rear on the #4 dooms the duel. Dad slips by
late for second while Chase sneaks past Rockola on lap 11 for
the 60’s class win. In victory lane it’s all about the kids that
swarm the 2K and B29 to hold the flag and smile for the
camera. It’s a great scene and we’re pleased by their
enthusiasm. Back in the pits and it’s great to see all the cars
on the trailer in one piece once again, a successful evening.
Many thanks to the 5 Mile Point staff for having us take part in
this special evening, especially to Jim Hamm and Andy Harpell
who were very accommodating. The old girl has gotten a face
lift this past off season and the improvements look great. I’ve
heard that there are many more in store as well which is good
to hear, with tracks seemingly closing every year it’s good to
know that this icon of the Southern Tier will be around for
many years to come. Also want to thank Sharon and Richard
Parry for all their help during the night, Sue Lowe for doing
such a nice job on the lap sheets, Nikki for taking the pictures,
and to all our members who made the show a success. Without
your support none of this would be possible. Also must make
mention of this weeks Hard Luck Award winner Mel Ogden
whose trailer encountered problems enroute to the track, hope
to see you next week Mel when the club invades the Utica-
Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY for a still show behind the
grandstands. This should be a great event with the ESS Sprint
cars, CNY Mini Sprints and a fireworks display to go along with
their regular show. Looking forward to seeing you there, in the
meantime go get your dog shaved, this heat is terrible on
them. Can’t help but notice the difference in Belvedere’s and
Napoleon’s energy level after a close shave. Sammy was
sporting a freshly cropped doo and I noticed Donny Newell was
too, who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, right
Donny? See you at Utica Rome. Jeff Ackerman, 6256 State
Route 17C, Endicott, NY 13760.
Pink Panther did. The weather channel gave us bad reports all
week and all day but Saturday evening came up hot and sultry
at the historic 5 Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, NY for the
42 annual Heath Memorial. The Midstate Antique Stock Car
Club was on hand with many interesting displays for the
former racers reunion as well as some hot action on the track.
After consulting about Peekaboo’s appearance last week at the
Turning Stone, member John Mason decided to bring along
‘Shaky’ this time around, his pet rubber rattler who took up
residence in the Bud Hinman #5 cockpit. He didn’t discourage
too many onlookers though as kids still found their way into
the seat for picture opportunities. John also had two
wonderful trophies on hand to pay homage to long time
Southern Tier racing icon Dave Kneisal. One was Dave’s 1966
mid-season sportsman championship and the other was the
1966 STSCC high point championship trophy. Shaky was
around to keep an eye on them and brought many a smile
after a few initial shocks. Sharon and Richard Parry had their
sweet Jack Johnson #37 Falcon on hand for the festivities and
it was good to see Joe Buchak take the opportunity to get his
picture taken with the beauty. I’d have to say though that this
show was really about the Pink and that’s no slip. Mike Newell
busted his proverbial arse this past spring in preparation for
this show and didn’t disappoint. With a stuffed Pink Panther
aboard, his re-creation of the coupe Chuck Akulis drove to
track championships at 5-Mile, Penn Can and Twin Valley is
dead on smokin’ nice. Chuck was able to make the show as
well and lay a nice signature on the car which he was
obviously pleased with. I hear that after he paced the modified
feature his only regret was that he didn’t get more laps. And
Chuck sure looks like he could make some laps, he’s in as
good of shape as the car. Mike truly did an excellent job on the
car which includes the original roll cage and is a dead ringer
for the original, kudo’s to you Mike, nice job and we look
forward to seeing the car at our future events.
One the other side of the track the racing division prepared for
the evenings event with good natured jabber and smiles. Jim
Hilimire’s dog Sammy (named after his hero Sammy Reakes) is
holding camp and spreading good will, really nice dog who
knows what the bushes are for. Warmups were, well, warm. It
was hot and muggy but didn’t dampen spirits in the pits. Try’
er out, the cars running good and this is a fun track. Years of
racing at The Point have carved the surface into a natural bowl
and the car just seems to follow the path set down by greats
like Donahue, Diffendorf, Strosahl, Kneisal and Akulis. It’s an
easy path to follow and I’m in a daydream, then Gary Wood
blasts by going into three, time to wake up. Change out a tire
for the heat and we’re off. Dad’s 43A and Jim Chase in the 2K
lead us to green with Chase taking the point early, Howdy
Witter’s up to second in a jiffy while Johnny Rockola, Wood
and the B29 dice in the pack. Chase is looking tough tonight
but Howdy solves the puzzle on lap 5 and takes the checkers
ahead of the 2K, Dad’s 43A, B29, Rockola and Wood.
Harder rubber all around, if we had it that is. Oh well, our
tires are old enough anyways and even if they advertise that
they’re soft, truth is they aren’t. No matter, a quick wipe of the
sweat off the brow and we’re out for our feature. Dad’s 43A is
running much better this week after some new plugs and jets
and he leads the pack for the first 6 circuits. Howdy is
applying pressure though and they run side by side for 4 laps
while the rest of us look for room. The Chase 2K is definitely
faster this week as well, the rust is off and the bar is being
raised. Howdy takes the point on lap 7 while Rockola, the B29
and Dad dice with Chase and Wood. I’m looking forward to the
ensuing dogfight with Howdy, that GMC pulls off the corner
but a soft right rear on the #4 dooms the duel. Dad slips by
late for second while Chase sneaks past Rockola on lap 11 for
the 60’s class win. In victory lane it’s all about the kids that
swarm the 2K and B29 to hold the flag and smile for the
camera. It’s a great scene and we’re pleased by their
enthusiasm. Back in the pits and it’s great to see all the cars
on the trailer in one piece once again, a successful evening.
Many thanks to the 5 Mile Point staff for having us take part in
this special evening, especially to Jim Hamm and Andy Harpell
who were very accommodating. The old girl has gotten a face
lift this past off season and the improvements look great. I’ve
heard that there are many more in store as well which is good
to hear, with tracks seemingly closing every year it’s good to
know that this icon of the Southern Tier will be around for
many years to come. Also want to thank Sharon and Richard
Parry for all their help during the night, Sue Lowe for doing
such a nice job on the lap sheets, Nikki for taking the pictures,
and to all our members who made the show a success. Without
your support none of this would be possible. Also must make
mention of this weeks Hard Luck Award winner Mel Ogden
whose trailer encountered problems enroute to the track, hope
to see you next week Mel when the club invades the Utica-
Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY for a still show behind the
grandstands. This should be a great event with the ESS Sprint
cars, CNY Mini Sprints and a fireworks display to go along with
their regular show. Looking forward to seeing you there, in the
meantime go get your dog shaved, this heat is terrible on
them. Can’t help but notice the difference in Belvedere’s and
Napoleon’s energy level after a close shave. Sammy was
sporting a freshly cropped doo and I noticed Donny Newell was
too, who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, right
Donny? See you at Utica Rome. Jeff Ackerman, 6256 State
Route 17C, Endicott, NY 13760.
