Race Chatter on WNRI.COM, 99.9 fm, 1380 am, Tune in radio, Alexa, Apple, Echo,Etc.: NEMA Midgets invade Monadnock, NH "Iron Mike" Memorial Race

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

NEMA Midgets invade Monadnock, NH "Iron Mike" Memorial Race

On Saturday June 21,2014 I decided to take a ride into the country to cover the 5 local weekly division races at Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH. As a added treat ,the NEMA Midgets and the NEMA Lights were on the schedule too. Can you believe it ? Only $14.00 admission for (7) exciting divisions of quality short track racing on the 1/4 mile paved track.
The track was spotless and easy directions on a good web-site to locate it. Plenty of parking including you're camper at NO additional charge. Very clean freshly painted bathrooms for you and you're family and the concessions were very family oriented pricing. Nice box of Fries $2.00 Peperoni Pizza or Cheese $3.00 and fresh clean area for the condiments and good old fashion customer service. Local people, local tax payers,glad to have job and enjoy the race atmosphere and everyone that I met, Pits, Management and track concession or security all had a smile on their face and seemed to genuinely enjoy what they were doing. I have to be honest in the report and the sound system could have been a little louder and could use just a few more lights at 8:30 pm
The bleachers were sound and no broken boards and wide enough for elbow room. Walking on the track for photos showed the good condition of the racing surface.
The special night of racing was the tribute race to "Iron Mike"Scrivani, the legendary race car owner who raced and won features and championships in the fan popular Midgets. I arrived their early enough to talk and photograph most of the field and was greeted with a warm reception from the participants Even though I am a Rhode Island Radio based racing show and worldwide web-site, it seemed everyone had heard or listened to the Race Chatter the past two years.
The heats showed the cream rise to the top and was well organized. To bring you up to date on this series. The NEMA Midget has no clutch or starter and must be pushed to fire up and utilize a Magneto and fire Methanol instead of gas. Roughly 400 horsepower direct to the rear open wheels. The NEMA have the additional expense of a ATV as a push vehicle .Once you smell the different exhaust fumes you to will know the difference of the Lights and the full Size NEMA Midget. The NEMA Light has a clutch and starter and the 4 cylinder is rated at about 180 horsepower.
The NEMA Midget Touring group has a 12 race schedule and also the final at the World Series at Thompson Speedway which is a non-point event. The NEMA Lights run a 15 race schedule and also finish at the Thompson Speedway with a non-point race.
The chaplin for the Valenti Mod. Series gave a nice eulogy for fallen local driver Jim Bonaface to cancer and then we all stayed standing while driver Bethany Stoehr, 5b sang a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem. Bethany scored a victory last summer at the Waterford Speedbowl to a ear shattering applause.Carole Stoehr-Ware stuffed some fan appreciation bags with give away souvenirs prior to the driver introduction which were the top 10 in order on the track with their chariots and each one went into the stands to toss a gift bag.
The Midgets were flying for the 30 lap main event and only slowed by 4 spinout cautions and as the same show of strength in his heat race the #47 of Randy Cabral, Kingston, Mass.smoked the 14 car field. Back to back wins for Randy. #21 Jim Chambers of Atkinson, NH was second followed by #49 John Zych Jr. from Mendon, Mass.for third. Zych.Jr.is the 2013 Champion, also has a sweet tooth working for the Hershey Candy Company during the week. 4th place to # 13 Ryan Bigelow E.Hampton Conn. and my new friend 22 year old #39 Todd Bertrand, Suffield, Conn. 5th place, who earned my respect for his driving talents. Loves go-karting and snowboards. Todd has spent the past two years tending the bar at Plan B Burger Bar in W.Hartford,Conn.
This division is hard nosed, but still shows "Respect" to each other on and off the track when you see it live in the pits and everyone helping each other. It dawned on me that this is missing in a lot of other divisions that I have covered after I did about 9 interviews for future stories with this class of driver and a lot of hands-on owners present. Next stop is on June 28th at the Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH. Enjoy the photos,