New Englander Briggs Cunningham will be among several other motorsports stars inducted into the NEAR HOF on Sunday November 16,(Credit: Hemmings photo)
By Lou Modestino
An impressive list of presenters are set for the New England Antique Racers Hall of Fame Banquet on Sunday, Nov. 16 at Maneeley’s Banquet Hall in South Windsor, CT.
Ticket information and forms are available at www.near1.org.
A NEAR Hall of Famer himself, the multi-talented Dr. Dick Berggren will induct driver Jim Martel. Berggren has excelled at every level of the media – announcer, TV commentator, writer and photographer.
A Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame member and the long-time Beech Ridge Speedway announcer Bruce Elder will induct fellow Maine resident Mike Rowe.
One of the nation’s premier auto racing writers, Bones Bourcier will pave the way to Hall of Fame status for outstanding car designer/builder Dave Tourigny.
Bourcier will be on the receiving end as well, getting the Mitchell/Ratta Media Award. Sportswriter Peter VanderVeer, the 2013 Mitchell/Ratta recipient, will be the presenter.
Lew Boyd, who continues his association with New England racing as a principal at Coastal 181, a publishing company, will induct drag racing legend Bob Tasca. Boyd, a former racer, is also an accomplished writer.
Former car owner Bruce Cohen, who has a never-ending love for Norwood Arena, is the perfect fit to induct Fred Schulz, Norwood’s last Modified champion.
David Dykes, the proprietor of the popular Racing Through Time website and last year’s Pardi Award winner, will do the honors for driver Ron Wyckoff.
Steve Grant, one of the most colorful starters in the Northeast, will induct driver Deke Astle. The son of the late Earl Grant, Steve is one of the area’s top story tellers.
A Hall of Famer, writer Pete Zanardi will introduce historian R.A. Silvia. A Pardi winner, Zanardi has been part of the NEAR Hall of Fame since its inception.
Perhaps the most familiar voice in New England, Matt Buckler will again be Master of Ceremonies. Buckler is the announcer at Stafford and Thompson Speedways and Waterford Speedbowl.
Briggs Cunningham, Pappy Forsyth and Fred Borden, all selected by the NEAR Veterans Committee, will also be inducted.