Southern Tier Speedworld,
3/2/07 - 3/4/07
3/2/07 - 3/4/07
"Meetcha at 8:30 on Thursday night." "OK,
I'll be there" responded member Mike
Newell. Off to the Oakdale Mall and cruise
the parking lot in search of the Pink
Panther. That looks like a coupe but I had
to look under the tarp to confirm, there's
an old Franklin Quickchange under it,
yep, that's it. Mike had the car bundled up
so nice it was the only way I could tell. Into
the mall to locate Mike and we BS our way
around for the next half hour waiting for
the doors to open, I learn a lot during this
time. Mike relates moving to the Morris
area in 1964 and being smitten with the
Midstate track where his uncle Donnie
competed, but he was no stranger to
racing. Didn't realize that his father Bill (of
Newell Steering Fame) had raced for years
at both the Pines and Hudson Speedways
prior to moving to New York. Mike recalled
riding his bike one day and coming upon
this dilapidated barn, and being drawn to
it, peeking inside to find the number 0 car
that ran at both tracks. It was none other
than the Big 0 of popular driver Ollie Silva
and when the owner saw him, Mike was
invited inside and given a tour. Not
something one ever forgets. The doors are
now open and promoter Paul Szmal has
given us the lowdown on the show. Time to
load them in.
Out to the parking lot we unbundle the
coupe and Mike slides in to fire it up.
Heads swivel as if on bearings as he pulls
it up to the door, "Now there's a real race
car" is said by more than one. We load in
our display and it's a snap, Mike has
dropped off the trailer and is on his way
home by 10:30. Cake. He's back on Friday
to man the display and I relieve him in the
evening. My jaws sore from flappin' so I
take a break and peruse Ted Schmidts'
photo booth. Ted has printed up "a couple
thousand" new photo's from his negatives
and WOW, you can never get enough of
these. We have some old racing footage
playing and I note one of the viewers is
Carl Nagel. Nicest guy you could have the
pleasure of meeting so I strike up a
conversation. Did he ever run at Midstate?
"Oh yeah, I remember one night we're
running in the feature and someones
starter came off. Red Harrington was
madder'n hell about it, come to find out, it
was Red's. Hit this guys rollcage, it's
wonder we didn't get more people hurt."
Chuck Akulis told me the same story this
past winter, the starter hit Dave Kneisal's
cage. It was good to meet Carl and I wished
him good luck in what will be his 48th
season of competition, and I'll add, he's
still winning at Penn Can.
Saturday is more of the same. Brian Lavoie
makes his second trip to the display, he's
planning on building a car to join us with.
Mel Ogden shows up with prospective
member Ed Castalleno of Unadilla, sounds
like Ed is going to own some very nice race
cars shortly. And his nickname is
'Flathead', I like this guy already.
Although 'Flathead Breath' is taken and I
can't shake it no matter how many
spearmint leaves I chew. Midstate HOFer
Marty Ackley is on hand, I also recognize
Chuck Brady taking in the movies but we
engrossed in important blabberings with
Mike Monnat and Gary Aldrich. Members
Jim Chase, Tom Toomey, John Mason,
Gary Wood and John Ross all make it to
the display, it's really a great way to kick
off the season. And you can see people
getting that look in their eye, it's the same
'cat that ate the canary' look I get. The
season isn't that far away now. People are
looking and finding cars and parts, all
have the same goal, to get involved and
have fun. I spot Alan and Richard Tatich,
we have much to discuss. Alan has located
the sister midget to his Latell Sprint car,
he's got the look. I relate I've just met a
fellow who has programs from Campville
Speedway and I get the look from both of
them. As Mike Monnat has related to me,
'we're just scratching the surface', he's
right. The Southern Tier has always been a
rich racing area, and remains so.
Early evening and we're off to the Country
Town Auto Service Awards Party, a nice
event held at the American Legion Post on
main Street in Johnson City. We got a
slide show going, the DJ's playin', the food
was good and the beverage was included. I
joined Mike, Leon Andrus and his family
as we debated what picture was on the
screen. Mingling about you get to meet all
the racers, owners, track operators and
support workers. They're all good people
and you sense the community
atmosphere. It's good to meet many and
get re-acquianted with others. I look
forward to seeing them all again. A good
show, and a good venue as well. Mike's
car, a tribute to Southern Tier driver
Chuck Akulis, draws people like flies on..
uhh, bears to honey and I hear more than
a few parents say that their kids love this
car. The parents seem pretty enthusiastic
about it as well. It's good to know that
you're reaching young fans, they're
racing's future. All in all, a really positive
show, and we've still got Sunday to go.
This coming Thursday, club members
descend upon the NYS Fairgrounds for the
Motorsports Expo, presented by the Gater
News. Five members have confirmed entry,
our lineup will include: Mel Ogden's #65
Jimmy Mott Brooks Bar-B-Q Spl., Alan
Weaver's Chip Lanz #77, a Seamon built
modified, Mike Newell's Pink Panther
Akulis coupe, Jim Hilimire's #99 Rollie
Velte competition coupe, and John Clark's
#10 latemodel, a '56 Ford driven by Dick
Turner at Midstate. John's quest started
after our Fall meeting and he's been
working on it since, all reports are that it's
a beautiful job, I'm looking forward to
seeing it.
On Saturday the club will host our third
annual drivers autograph session. Last
years session was just great and I expect
this one will be just as good. These men
are more than just pioneers or the stuff of
racing legend, they're all good people who
still hold a vibrant fire for the sport. They
cut and tried, they're work is evident today
in all forms of local oval racing. They were
the ones that realized a half ton car axle
wasn't strong enough, and that 3/4 ton
truck hubs were a must for the right front
as speeds increased. They are the ones
that companies like Halibrand, Frankland,
Crane and Edelbrock made equipment for,
and they have seen the changes that have
come as racing has evolved from a back
yard hobby to serious, and expensive
business. All can tell you of their
interesting experiences, I learn something
every time I talk with any of them, it's
great fun. I digress, this year we're pleased
to welcome Dutch Hoag, Cliff Kotary, John
McArdell, Larry Nye, Ben Stephens, Jack
Murphy, William Allan, Jim Zacharias,
Bernie Miller, and Dick Schoonover. A
great group. What's really fun is watching
them interact with one another, some
haven't seen each other in years, and
they'll still debate certain 'instances', the
competetive fire surely still burns. Jim
Hilimire related that Rollie Velte told him
recently that "When we were racing we
were bums, now we're heroes." In a lot of
our eyes, they were always heroes.
Unfortunately, Rollie can't join us this
year, I'd like to wish Rollie all the best and
hopefully he can join our session next
year.
Looking forward to seeing you at Syracuse,
bring a sharpie and something you'd like
signed. If you get there early, you'll be
able to find some pictures as John Grady
will once again set up his photo display
with the club. You've seen John's photo's,
they're simply great. He told me to bring
cash. I will. The club will also proved a
limited number of photo's for each driver
to sign, first come first serve. Stop by our
display and pick up a free schedule, we'll
be glad to talk your ears off. Till then..
I'll be there" responded member Mike
Newell. Off to the Oakdale Mall and cruise
the parking lot in search of the Pink
Panther. That looks like a coupe but I had
to look under the tarp to confirm, there's
an old Franklin Quickchange under it,
yep, that's it. Mike had the car bundled up
so nice it was the only way I could tell. Into
the mall to locate Mike and we BS our way
around for the next half hour waiting for
the doors to open, I learn a lot during this
time. Mike relates moving to the Morris
area in 1964 and being smitten with the
Midstate track where his uncle Donnie
competed, but he was no stranger to
racing. Didn't realize that his father Bill (of
Newell Steering Fame) had raced for years
at both the Pines and Hudson Speedways
prior to moving to New York. Mike recalled
riding his bike one day and coming upon
this dilapidated barn, and being drawn to
it, peeking inside to find the number 0 car
that ran at both tracks. It was none other
than the Big 0 of popular driver Ollie Silva
and when the owner saw him, Mike was
invited inside and given a tour. Not
something one ever forgets. The doors are
now open and promoter Paul Szmal has
given us the lowdown on the show. Time to
load them in.
Out to the parking lot we unbundle the
coupe and Mike slides in to fire it up.
Heads swivel as if on bearings as he pulls
it up to the door, "Now there's a real race
car" is said by more than one. We load in
our display and it's a snap, Mike has
dropped off the trailer and is on his way
home by 10:30. Cake. He's back on Friday
to man the display and I relieve him in the
evening. My jaws sore from flappin' so I
take a break and peruse Ted Schmidts'
photo booth. Ted has printed up "a couple
thousand" new photo's from his negatives
and WOW, you can never get enough of
these. We have some old racing footage
playing and I note one of the viewers is
Carl Nagel. Nicest guy you could have the
pleasure of meeting so I strike up a
conversation. Did he ever run at Midstate?
"Oh yeah, I remember one night we're
running in the feature and someones
starter came off. Red Harrington was
madder'n hell about it, come to find out, it
was Red's. Hit this guys rollcage, it's
wonder we didn't get more people hurt."
Chuck Akulis told me the same story this
past winter, the starter hit Dave Kneisal's
cage. It was good to meet Carl and I wished
him good luck in what will be his 48th
season of competition, and I'll add, he's
still winning at Penn Can.
Saturday is more of the same. Brian Lavoie
makes his second trip to the display, he's
planning on building a car to join us with.
Mel Ogden shows up with prospective
member Ed Castalleno of Unadilla, sounds
like Ed is going to own some very nice race
cars shortly. And his nickname is
'Flathead', I like this guy already.
Although 'Flathead Breath' is taken and I
can't shake it no matter how many
spearmint leaves I chew. Midstate HOFer
Marty Ackley is on hand, I also recognize
Chuck Brady taking in the movies but we
engrossed in important blabberings with
Mike Monnat and Gary Aldrich. Members
Jim Chase, Tom Toomey, John Mason,
Gary Wood and John Ross all make it to
the display, it's really a great way to kick
off the season. And you can see people
getting that look in their eye, it's the same
'cat that ate the canary' look I get. The
season isn't that far away now. People are
looking and finding cars and parts, all
have the same goal, to get involved and
have fun. I spot Alan and Richard Tatich,
we have much to discuss. Alan has located
the sister midget to his Latell Sprint car,
he's got the look. I relate I've just met a
fellow who has programs from Campville
Speedway and I get the look from both of
them. As Mike Monnat has related to me,
'we're just scratching the surface', he's
right. The Southern Tier has always been a
rich racing area, and remains so.
Early evening and we're off to the Country
Town Auto Service Awards Party, a nice
event held at the American Legion Post on
main Street in Johnson City. We got a
slide show going, the DJ's playin', the food
was good and the beverage was included. I
joined Mike, Leon Andrus and his family
as we debated what picture was on the
screen. Mingling about you get to meet all
the racers, owners, track operators and
support workers. They're all good people
and you sense the community
atmosphere. It's good to meet many and
get re-acquianted with others. I look
forward to seeing them all again. A good
show, and a good venue as well. Mike's
car, a tribute to Southern Tier driver
Chuck Akulis, draws people like flies on..
uhh, bears to honey and I hear more than
a few parents say that their kids love this
car. The parents seem pretty enthusiastic
about it as well. It's good to know that
you're reaching young fans, they're
racing's future. All in all, a really positive
show, and we've still got Sunday to go.
This coming Thursday, club members
descend upon the NYS Fairgrounds for the
Motorsports Expo, presented by the Gater
News. Five members have confirmed entry,
our lineup will include: Mel Ogden's #65
Jimmy Mott Brooks Bar-B-Q Spl., Alan
Weaver's Chip Lanz #77, a Seamon built
modified, Mike Newell's Pink Panther
Akulis coupe, Jim Hilimire's #99 Rollie
Velte competition coupe, and John Clark's
#10 latemodel, a '56 Ford driven by Dick
Turner at Midstate. John's quest started
after our Fall meeting and he's been
working on it since, all reports are that it's
a beautiful job, I'm looking forward to
seeing it.
On Saturday the club will host our third
annual drivers autograph session. Last
years session was just great and I expect
this one will be just as good. These men
are more than just pioneers or the stuff of
racing legend, they're all good people who
still hold a vibrant fire for the sport. They
cut and tried, they're work is evident today
in all forms of local oval racing. They were
the ones that realized a half ton car axle
wasn't strong enough, and that 3/4 ton
truck hubs were a must for the right front
as speeds increased. They are the ones
that companies like Halibrand, Frankland,
Crane and Edelbrock made equipment for,
and they have seen the changes that have
come as racing has evolved from a back
yard hobby to serious, and expensive
business. All can tell you of their
interesting experiences, I learn something
every time I talk with any of them, it's
great fun. I digress, this year we're pleased
to welcome Dutch Hoag, Cliff Kotary, John
McArdell, Larry Nye, Ben Stephens, Jack
Murphy, William Allan, Jim Zacharias,
Bernie Miller, and Dick Schoonover. A
great group. What's really fun is watching
them interact with one another, some
haven't seen each other in years, and
they'll still debate certain 'instances', the
competetive fire surely still burns. Jim
Hilimire related that Rollie Velte told him
recently that "When we were racing we
were bums, now we're heroes." In a lot of
our eyes, they were always heroes.
Unfortunately, Rollie can't join us this
year, I'd like to wish Rollie all the best and
hopefully he can join our session next
year.
Looking forward to seeing you at Syracuse,
bring a sharpie and something you'd like
signed. If you get there early, you'll be
able to find some pictures as John Grady
will once again set up his photo display
with the club. You've seen John's photo's,
they're simply great. He told me to bring
cash. I will. The club will also proved a
limited number of photo's for each driver
to sign, first come first serve. Stop by our
display and pick up a free schedule, we'll
be glad to talk your ears off. Till then..
