2008

BOBBY SANTOS WINS THE
TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX

Bobby ran 4th for much of the 98 lap event and took the lead on lap 90 to go on and win the 68th “Turkey Night Grand Prix” USAC Mopar National/Western Midget race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, CA.

Santos’ victory also won the 2008 “Toyota Challenge” championship for his car owner Western Speed Racing of Fresno, CA. USAC Story HERE

Joey Payne, in Gene Angelillo's #45, time-trialed well off the pace in 55th and did not transfer to the main front the last chance race.

The North East Midget Association is proud to announce that CellMark Inc., of Stamford, CT will be sponsoring the new NEMA “Lite” division. The company will be providing a bonus in each NEMA Lite feature for the “Hard Charger”, which is defined as the driver who passes the most cars during the feature event.

“CellMark is excited to be associating ourselves with the North East Midget Association, and also with a great group of up and coming drivers,” said company spokesperson Rick Paul. “We are looking forward to growing with the series and hope that our investment will help provide exciting racing action as well as to help the competitors with increasing costs.”

In its 20 year history, CellMark has become the world’s largest specialist in the marketing of woodpulp and paper related products. The company’s total annual sales exceeds four and a half million tons, representing an aggregate value of almost USD 2.1 billion.

Called a “feeder class” by NEMA Vice President Tim Bertrand, the NEMA Lite series is designed to introduce new competitors to winged midgets “in very low cost, less powerful cars.” Competitors can use any chassis that currently meets NEMA specifications but engines will be limited to Ford Focus and Oldsmobile Quad4.

“NEMA is proud to have CellMark on board as a sponsor and series supporter,” said NEMA President Mike Scrivani. “We are excited to be attracting organizations to our series of this caliber, and will do our very best to make their investment worthwhile.”

A Wake Up Call from Joey Payne

In lieu of flowers, Shane's family has asked that contributions be
made in Shane's name c/o NEMA. All contributions can be sent to
NEMA at 266 Kelly Rd, Middlebury CT 06762.

William Wall’s first look at Lee USA Speedway will come on Friday, July 27. Wall, currently running fifth in points, will be part of the Northeastern Midget Association field.

Wall, 16, had never seen Monadnock Speedway before NEMA’s appearance there on May 24. He finished sixth, his third straight top-10 effort in the #5 VW-powered Hawk chassis. Driving for his dad Steve, Wall had a sixth and seventh at Waterford Speedbowl.

About to complete his sophomore year at Assabet Technical High School in Marlboro, MA, Wall joins older brother Aaron on the NEMA driving roster. The family’s participation goes back more than a dozen years starting in Quarter Midgets.

“I’m still trying to get hold of the car,” reports Wall, the 2007 Whip City 270-Micro Sprint champ. He was Rookie of the Year in ’06. “We are going from dirt to asphalt. When I first got in the car I didn’t expect the speed. When I hit the pedal I said ‘wow, this is different.’ The closing time was really surprising.“

His first time out at the Speedbowl’s Modified Nationals he was determined “to learn as much as I could.” Now he is hoping to keep the top-10 streak alive. Points are not a big concern (“we don’t have the equipment to be competitive on the bigger tracks”) but the Rookie of the Year prize is. “We definitely would like to go after that.” he says.

Wall’s debut coincides with a year of incredible speeds. Current point leader Randy Cabral, Monadnock winner Joey Payne Jr., Greg Stoehr, Erica and Bobby Santos III, Adam Cantor and the ageless Nokie Fornoro have been very quick. Wall is very aware of the company he’s in.

Cabral, who has won twice at the Speedowl, leads Payne by 22 atop the standings. Only six points separate third through fifth – Stoehr, Erica Santos and Wall. Cantor is sixth.

“Adjusting to the different driving styles is as much a part of it as adjusting to new tracks,” he says. Bobby Seymour (a long-time mentor for NEMA’s young drivers) and Cantor, who like Wall came to NEMA at age 16, have been especially helpful. His father and brother, however, are the first people he goes to especially when learning new layouts.

Brother Aaron ran selected NEMA events in ’07 after a season and a half in Ford Focus action. “So I guess you can say I’m following in his footsteps,” said Wall.

The two brothers try to get into different practice sessions. When in the same session, they run a half-lap apart. “First of all, we don’t want to lose two cars,” Wall says. “Second, it allows my father to get a good look at both of us.”

Greg Stoehr has been driving race cars for over 30 years. He’s been a Northeastern Midget Association competitor since the mid 1980s. After all that time he’s going after a championship.

The quest continues May 3-4 when NEMA takes on Seekonk Speedway, helping the “Cement Palace” open its season.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever really wanted a championship,” says Stoehr. He feels he owes the effort to the people who have helped him, notably Bruce Beane and John Andruk of Circle Performance Motors. They are the masterminds behind the unique Mazda engine that powers the Stoehr 26b.

He is not exactly a stranger to championships. Older brother (by 11 months) Russ has five NEMA crowns. “Russ knows how to win championships,” understates Stoehr. “He knows how to get it done.” The run, he adds, “is the culmination of a lot of trial and error.”

Stoehr joins two other veterans who have lofty intentions – Joe Payne Jr. and Nokie Fornoro also know how to win championships. “You need a lot of reliable equipment, you need good people and you have to be smart on the track,” says Stoehr.

The Stoehrs have a combined eight NEMA wins at Seekonk, five for Russ. Only Nokie (8) and Drew (2) Fornoro have more. Stoehr comes to Seekonk off a strong third place at Waterford Speedbowl’s Modified Nationals. Greg has a first and a second in heat action.

“[Seekonk] has to smile at you,” says Stoehr who sees the historic quarter-mile in contradictory terms. “It is,” he continues, “a rhythm track as opposed to a gas and brake track. You smoother you are the more Seekonk rewards you because if you slow down, a lot of cars are going to pass you. And you have to be good in traffic because you are in it almost immediately.”

Stoehr, who spent 10 years driving fendered cars at the ‘Konk, believes it’s a place where experience counts. There are exceptions (Randy Cabral and Bobby Santos III) but “some guys never get it,” says Stoehr.

The Stoehrs and Fornoros are both sons of drivers – Paul Stoehr and Nicky Fornoro respectively. Nicky Fornoro actually won a AAA race at Seekonk in 1952.

“You’ve got to let the car run free at Seekonk,” says Nokie Fornoro. “You can’t hold it down. You’ve got to let it go.” He claims he often “gets into such a rhythm there that the right rear actually ticks the wall in the front stretch.” Nokie, who uses no brake, says he learned a lot about driving Seekonk from Mike Scrivani Jr. and Modified Hall of Famer Leo Cleary.

SEEKONK/NEMA NOTES:

Among active drivers, Randy Cabral (3), Jeff Horn (3), Joey Payne Jr. (2) and Bobby Santos III (1) join Fornoro and Stoehr on the Seekonk/NEMA win list… Stoehr and Fornoro agree it will take laps in the low 11 seconds to win a Midget race at Seekonk. That compares with laps in the mid 15 seconds back in the early 1950s … NEMA’s first race was at Seekonk on May 30, 1953, the late Fred Meeker beating Al Pillion and Cliff Riggott. The next NEMA feature will be the 71st at Seekonk … The legendary Oscar Ridlon won the first-ever event at Seekonk, a Midget race, on Memorial Day in 1946. Through the years Seekonk has run events sanctioned by many sanctioning bodies including Bay State, Triple A, ARDC and USAC. The win list is extraordinary and includes the likes of Bill Schindler, Joe Sostillio, Johnny Thomson, Len Duncan, Billy Randall, Joe Csiki, Mel Kenyon, Johnny Mann and Dutch Schaefer.

Erica Santos wants, make that needs, another victory. The sooner it comes the better it will be for Santos who made Northeastern Midget Association history last year when she won at Stafford Motor Speedway, the first female in the club’s history to do so.

NEMA’s busy ’08 campaign continues May 3-4, helping Seekonk Speedway open its season. You can bet on folks talking about Erica at Stafford.

“They can stop with Stafford,” says Santos. “They don’t need to keep talking about it. It’s time [for me] to back it up. I want to win other races.”

In her second season in the Ed Breault-owned #44, she is cautiously optimistic heading into Seekonk. Admitting she “hasn’t run great there in the past,” Santos returns believing “we might have found something the last time we were there. I think we should be pretty good.”

“If they know nothing else, people go home knowing how Erica did,” explains NEMA president Mike Scrivani Jr. Within the club, she is treated as any other potential winner.

“When I do pretty good or OK people make such a big deal about it,” she continues. She understands “there are not too many girls racing midgets” but sees herself “as another race driver. I’ve been driving longer than a lot of the people out there so I should be doing what I’m doing.”

The #44 team will come to Seekonk with a fast car. “We’ve had good cars on both weekends,” said Santos who captured heats at both Waterford and Thompson. “We are ahead of last year and last year was good. We have to keep doing what we’re doing.” Santos and Breault wound up fifth in their respective standings in ’07.

At Waterford’s Modified Nationals she was ahead when the rain came. “Had the rain not come, had it stayed green, I probably would have been OK,” she says. “After the long delay [winner] Randy Cabral’s car was better; mine was a little worse.” Admitting to a mistake, she wound up fifth.

“I need to be fast, consistent,” she says. “I need to be in a position where we can win.”

She shares the spotlight with heralded brother Bobby III who often pilots the family-owned #98. Although the #44 is maintained by Lou Breault, Erica’s father and brother “put the set up in it.”

As much as possible, Erica tries to follow her brother in practice. “First,” she explains, “I know that’s he is usually one of the fastest cars. If I can keep up with him I know I’m in pretty good shape. And, it’s easier for my dad. He doesn’t have to watch two cars on opposite sides of the track.”

Seekonk, she says, is “definitely a handling race track” and having a car that’s “comfortable” is key “because you are always turning there. If I’m not in a good handling car I’m going to get tired quickly.”

Strength is one of the things that, Santos believes, puts girls at a disadvantage in auto racing. “We are not as strong and we not as aggressive, things you need to be a good race driver. Guys are just so naturally competitive and really aggressive,” she offers.

She sees herself as “really competitive” and “pretty aggressive for a girl.”

Pernesiglio to Make Speed Channel Debut
Former NEMA Driver, Turned Broadcaster, Get’s Big Break

NEMA’s ’08 Slate Biggest in 20 Years

Coming off a sensational 2007 season, the Northeastern Midget Association has decided to “invest in the future” with the “NEMA Lite Series.” The series, approved by the NEMA Contest Board, is gaining
momentum.

Called a “feeder class” by NEMA Vice President Tim Bertrand, the series is designed to introduce new competitors to winged midgets “in very low cost, less powerful cars.” Competitors can use any chassis that currently meets NEMA specifications but engines will be limited to Ford Focus and Oldsmobile Quad4. All the cars will have starters.

Plans are for the “Lites” to run in conjunction with regular short track NEMA events. Bertrand said, “NEMA is putting in place incentives for tracks to run the Lite Series cars. We are aware of the time factors and
economics involved. We have to make it attractive for them. We believe we have done that.”

Bertrand says as many 20 teams have expressed intentions to compete. “Most are Focus and Quad4 owners who can’t afford Esslinger and Gaerte motors and are looking for a way to go,” he says. “We are talking about $8-to $10,000 cars in this series. The equipment is definitely available out there.”

The plan allows for competitors, when they are ready, to “move up” to the fulltime NEMA status with more powerful (and more expensive) motors.

Bertrand admits “a lot of sportsman type divisions are popping up all over the country” claiming potential NEMA competitors. “Other divisions were the only thing they could afford,” he says. “This is an effective plan to keep them in winged Midgets.”

A number of “established” Midget regulars including Steve Grant and former champions Bobby Seymour and Butch Walsh will be consultants for the new series.

   Optimistic Payne Set For NEMA’s Opener

Joey Payne Jr. returns to the Northeastern Midget Association and Thompson Speedway’s season Icebreaker on April 4-5-6. He admits to “looking forward” to the new season, his 24th.

“I’ve been down the road a lot of times,” says Payne who’ll steer Gene Angelillo’s #45 for the fifth straight season. “I know that better times are coming. Last year really sucked so, yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

The Icebreaker kicks off a 19-race agenda for NEMA, the most in 20 years. The “Jersey Jet” comes off a strong indoor TQ season.

Payne’s objective is the 2008 championship. He did that back in 2003, his first season with Angelillo. Doing it again will not be easy.

“I’ll tell you what,” he insists, “on any given night 15 cars can win the feature.” He admits “the advancing technology has pushed the speeds up a little,” but it is the increase in competition that makes NEMA “the
premier touring division in the northeast right now whether people want to admit it or not.”

Among the drivers poised to end the championship run of Ben Seitz is Nokie Fornoro, back in the Jarret #4. Erica and Bobby Santos III
are back, Erica in Esslinger-powered #44 and Bobby in the family #98. Jeremy Frankoski, the ’07 Rookie of the Year, moves into the Seamon #63. Veterans Adam Cantor and Greg Stoehr and youngster Chris Leonard are other threats.  Randy Cabral will be a factor in the Bertrand #47, although not a contender since a new job will force him to miss several events.

Payne is ready. “Considering the way last year ended,” he says, “a win at Thompson would be very nice. Winning the first race can bring a lot of momentum to a team.”

And, it would soften a difficult memory. Payne and the Angelillo team had the championship in view at Thompson in last year’s season-ending World Series when an overheated engine forced them to retire and accept second place in the final standings. It was the third time in the last four seasons Payne has been second in driver points.

Payne actually made his midget debut as an 18-year old in the 1984 Thompson World Series. Since then he has had a “love/hate” relationship with NEMA’s “separates the men from the boys” track. “There is a point where the right foot has to connect with the brain and
knowing that can make a big difference there too,” he adds.

Back in 1998 an early crash in the World Series cost Payne the ISMA championship. And two years later, in a back-up car, he gave Angelillo his 100th career victory. Since taking the ride in 2003, he has given
Angelillo 14 more checkereds.

“When I finish at Thompson I usually finish up front,” says Payne. He’s been second at Thompson four times and third twice. He also had a second at Thompson before joining Angelillo.

Thompson, says Payne, is loaded with quirks. “The stands separate on the front stretch,” he says. “There’s a walkway there and on breezy days the wind comes right through. It hits the wing, loads the left
rear and the right front comes right up off the ground. It can really get your attention.”

Nokie Fornoro Takes Aim At Another NEMA Crown

Things seem to be in order for Nokie Fornoro – all the things necessary to capture the Northeastern Midget Association championship for himself and owner Mike Jarret.

“I’m going after it,” declares Fornoro, about to start his 34th season. “I have no other commitment. I don’t have to worry about missing races. It’s about time. I haven’t had a championships in over 10 years and that sort of bothers me.”

NEMA opens its 19-race schedule April 4-5-6 at Thompson International Speedway. A spot on Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Modified Nationals follows a week later (April 12-13). A large and impressive entry list compliments the agenda.

He expects a “quick” start to his quest. The cooler temperatures mean faster speeds at Thompson he says. Motors will run better and the banking will have more affect. “Thompson is always faster when you can use the banking. I love the speed you get there.”

He and Bobby Santos III were “down in the seventeen seconds” at last year’s. World Series. “The Midgets,” he declares, “are “scary fast” at Thompson.

Fornoro’s last championship was the 1995 ARDC title, one of several he owns including the 1981 NEMA crown. His last Midget victory, the 105th of his career, came last August at the Waterford Speedbowl. With his father Nick and his brother Drew, Nokie is part of one of Midget racing’s most successful families.

“Considering the caliber of cars we have now – 12-to-15 cars can win any given night – you have to have one heck of a maintenance program to win a championship,” says Fornoro. “I believe money can’t
buy you wins. Yea, it can help you get the best stuff but if you don’t have a maintenance program, you’re in trouble.”

He gives owner Peter Valeri, the champ three of the past four years (driver Ben Seitz won four in a row) “all the credit in the world. Every race, no matter what happened, they went through the car and that’s
what you have to do.”

Fornoro has always “been blessed with good owners” and Jarret is one of them. “Whenever Mike gets involved he does it wholeheartedly,” says Fornoro. “There is nothing this team should lack; there is no reason why we shouldn’t do well. I feel we’ve got the best stuff.”

The present operation, including Mike Scrivani Jr., is a carry over from the glory days of early 1980s when Fornoro dominated in cars owned by Hall of Famer Mike Scrivani Sr., the larger than life character known as ‘Iron Mike.’ Both Jarret and Mike Jr. were key parts of an operation that produced the NEMA title and a couple of his five ARDC crowns.

Fornoro vividly recalls his first Thompson run way back in 1976, a sixth place finish after a confrontation with Joey Coy. Since then he has
“hundreds and hundreds of laps” around the historic oval in both Midgets and SuperModifieds. He was an ISMA winner there is 2006.

 
 Early NEMA Win Key In Cabral’s Objective

Randy Cabral is not given to exaggeration. The Northeastern Midget Association hot shoe keeps a tight reign on his expectations.

“I want to win at least one race,” says Cabral who will be in the Bertrand #47 for the third straight year. “Ever since my second year in NEMA (2000) I’ve won at least once. I’d like to keep that streak going.”

NEMA starts its very ambitious 19-race agenda at Thompson Speedway’s Icebreaker on April 5-6 and heads to Waterford Speedbowl for the Budweiser Modified Nationals April 12-13. NEMA will help Seekonk Speedway open its season on May 4. “They are the best Midget tracks in the East,” Cabral insists. “I’ve had side-by-side battles at all three.”

Eleven of Cabral’s 12 wins have come at those three tracks, four each at Thompson and Waterford. He won the closers at the latter two last year, his effort in the Speedbowl’s “Finale” near flawless. The team has made few changes. “The car was so good we didn’t want
to touch it,” Cabral says.

“Hopefully we can get the win in the first three races and then go back to having fun like we did last year,” continues Cabral who followed his father Glen into the sport. He has, in fact, done that the past two years.

Cabral is part of a NEMA cast that includes Erica and Bobby Santos III, veterans Joey Payne Jr. and Nokie Fornoro, Adam Cantor and youngsters Jeremy Frankoski and Chris Leonard.

His first win came in the 2000 Boston Louie at Seekonk in family-owned equipment but it was the Thompson Icebreaker victory in 2001 that ignites him still. “I’ve been watching races there since 1988, watching my dad,” he explains. “It’s a special place and I’ve always wanted to race there so to actually win there was unbelievable.”

When it comes to his best race, however, only the Boston Louie win compares with last year’s “Finale” at Waterford. “I couldn’t do anything wrong at Seekonk,” he says. “The car was nothing fancy. We bought it that year, pulled it out from under a tarp, put a motor in
it and went racing. Seven races in we won.”

He says people tell him he drives Waterford all wrong. “’You can’t go into one that way,’ they say,” he explains. “You’re wrong and you need to do it this way.’ I tell them I can’t get my way out of my system
and I’ve been pretty successful with the way I do it.”

Thompson, he insists, is “very intimidating” and “demands respect.” He’s sure “people don’t realize the speeds we go there. When things happen they happen really big.”

He’s made four-wide passes on both the bottom and the top at the Speedbowl “and there’s no other track where you can do that,” he adds.

While speeds have definitely increased, it’s the improved competition that makes NEMA “the premier touring division in New England,” he says. “When I got my first win people said there were maybe 10 cars that could win a NEMA feature. Now there are 20-25 and everybody is so hungry.”

Marilyn A. Bertrand

December 30, 1949 - January 23, 2008
 

Marilyn A. (Luko) Bertrand, 58, of Suffield, the beloved wife of 36 years to Gilles Bertrand, entered peacefully into eternal life surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at her home. She was born on December 30, 1949 in Hartford, CT, a daughter of Jeanette and the late Anton Luko. She resided in Suffield, CT for the past 20 years and prior to that in Stafford and Enfield, CT. Marilyn was a graduate of Hartford High School Class of 1967 and  received her degree in Education from Central Connecticut State University in 1971, during which time she was president of her sorority, Lambda Kappa Nu. She continued on to receive her Masters Degree from Central Connecticut as well. Marilyn was employed by the Enfield Board of Education and spent her entire 37 year career as a teacher at Fermi High School, where she was the head of the Business Department and was also an advisor for FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).

Marilyn is survived by her devoted husband, Gilles, her loving children, Tim Bertrand and his wife, Cara of Sturbridge, MA, Patrick Bertrand, Lindsay Bertrand and Todd Bertrand all of Suffield, her mother, Jeannette (Luko) Mulready of West Hartford, CT a sister, Gilberta Calegari and her husband, James of E. Hartford, CT, a brother, Stephen Luko and his wife, Annette of Terryville, CT along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends, as well as her grand-dogs, Tessa & Toby.

Marilyn dedicated her life to her family and friends, always putting others needs before her own.  She loved her yard, her pool, her flower gardens and her home.  She loved being the oldest of a group of much younger Soccer parents, cheering on her son Todd and his teammates, and her presence at all of the games will be missed.  She spent many years enjoying all of her children’s pursuits and talents, as well as supporting Gil in his love of auto racing. Marilyn enjoyed the good things in life – dancing, singing, boating, laughing, cheering and crying. A White Russian will never be drunk without thoughts of Marilyn in the future.

Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Eye Melanoma Research Fund at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson University.

Kimmel Cancer Center
C/O Ms. Helen Lane
1050B BLSB
233 S. 10th St.
Phiadelphia, PA 19107