The New England Antique Racers club is a non-profit organization that
supports the history of New England auto racing. NEAR has been in existence since 1981 and
has a growing membership of approx. 350-400 members and 80 antique race cars. Members live
throughout New England and are available, on a no charge basis, for exhibition events
at local race tracks in New England and several tracks in the New York area, with
both original and historical replica race cars.
Since 1998, we have inducted 102
individuals into the New England Auto Racers Hall Of Fame,
which is administered by the New England Antique Racers. Some very notable inductees
include Richie Evans, Ron Bouchard, Bugs Stevens, Rene Charland, Pete
Hamilton, Fred DeSarro, Ed Flemke, Sr. and Billy Greco.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Seekonk
Speedway
Rt 6 Seekonk MA Saturday July 5
Sign-In 1:30 P.M.
CLUB NEWS Lightning destroys Woodbury home of former
race car champ
BY RICK HARRISON | REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WOODBURY -- Charles
"Chick" Stockwell saw his share of crashes and fires in his days topping the
leader board at the Danbury Fair Racearena. But with a flash of light Tuesday
night, just about every physical reminder of his stock car racing days, and
almost everything else he owned, vanished to dust or burned into black shells of
twisted metal.
"I can't believe one lightning bolt will do that," Stockwell said.
Stockwell, 80, was watching TV in the living room of his Peter Road home at
about 10:40 p.m. when the power went out. He said he went to check the circuit
breaker and saw bright light coming from the barn behind his small living area.
"The flames were coming over the roof," he said. "I took off like a bandit."
When Stockwell's nearest neighbors didn't answer his banging, he ran to his
son's house across the road. By the time they returned to wait for firefighters
to arrive, smoke poured from the home's front door, and they knew they couldn't
enter to salvage anything.
"Lucky he was watching TV and not asleep," said Stockwell's son, Tom Stockwell.
"He probably wouldn't have woke up."
To supply water to the property, which sits on on a long dirt driveway, Woodbury
Fire Chief Janet Morgan called for support from eight water tankers, including
units from Washington , Roxbury, New Milford, Bethlehem and Southbury. Engines
from Roxbury and Bethlehem joined the Woodbury units while a Southbury engine
stood by at Woodbury's emergency services building.
Morgan said firefighters poured 65,000 gallons of water on the fire, fed in part
by paints, acetylene and propane Stockwell used in his machinery-filled barn.
No one was hurt, and the cows Stockwell keeps on his property were grazing and
were unharmed.
"There was a lot to overcome and keep the water supply getting there," Morgan
said. "But we were able to save some of his belongings in the residence. We were
not able to save his trophies from his racing days, but we saved as much as we
could."
Stockwell sits in first place on the defunct Southern New York Racing
Association Modified Division's all-time winners list with a total of 207 wins.
A nine-time track champion at Danbury , he was voted most popular driver for six
successive years between 1976 and 1981, when the track closed to build a
shopping center.
His 1936 Ford, the first car he raced in Danbury , had been fully restored about
three years ago. Wednesday, it sat as a melted hulk on the grass beside his
destroyed home. A 1928 Nash, a 1989 Camaro and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle also
burned.
"It's heartbreaking," said Stockwell, who lived on the property for 25 years.
"My life's collection of stuff. Everything is all shot now."
Stockwell helped friends and family members pick through the rubble Wednesday
afternoon, while an excavator and a backhoe lifted blackened chairs, car parts,
shelves, buckets, machinery and drawers and boxes of tools into piles. The air
smelled of damp ash.
Morgan, also the town's fire marshal, said all evidence points to a lightning
strike sparking the fire and she would determine the cause to be an act of
nature.
Stockwell said he would probably stay with his son until he can figure out his
next move.
"I don't know what I'm going to do," he said in a quiet voice. "I just don't
know."
Published in the Waterbury, CT. Republican-American June 13, 2008
Donations of Pictures, Racearena Reviews and other
Memoribilia for Chick Stockwell
By NEAR Member Kevin Brown
Many people have been asking where they can donate and send these types of items
for Chick. I spoke to Chick's son Tom tonight and he said they can be sent to
Chick in care of him at his home. You can mail items to: Chick Stockwell C/O Tom
Stockwell 66 Peter Rd. Woodbury, Ct. 06798-1907 Tom asked to say thanks for all
of the support during this horrible time. Nothing can replace the items lost in
the fire, but I know he would appreciate the smallest thing. Although his first
race car burned and could not be restored again, they will be keeping it. There
is a fund in the process of being set up. I will post the details as soon as I
have them. Please email all of the people in your lists to let them know. Anyone
with questions can email me.
Kbrown151@aol.com
NEAR Hall of Fame Nominations Sought
The list of nominees for the New England Auto
Racing Hall of Fame are “streaming in” according to Bruce Cohen, the
organization’s vice president.
“We’re had a couple dozen or so and they’re still coming,” says
Cohen. “They run the gamut from the real pioneers to the more recent
guys. I have really been impressed.”
It is the result of an “outreach program” by Cohen and New England
Antique Racers President Peter Newsham. The forms will be available
wherever NEAR appears. Forms were sent out with the last NEAR
newsletter. They are or soon will be on several websites.
Cohen will also accept nominations without a form as well, either at
modman181@comcast.net or
at 112 Central St, Apt. #2, Somerville, MA 02143. A short bio of the
nominee is encouraged. Signatures (Photos) will also be appreciated.
The nominee list includes Bobby Dragon, ‘Injun Joe’ Gerrior and
Bernie Barrows, Jimmy Jorgensen, Johnny Styger, Bert Brooks, Walter
Bale, Billy Simmons, Ev Pierce, George Clark, “Andy” Anderson, Jap
Membrino, Dick Beauregard, Ted Stack, Joe Fiori Sr., John Grady,
Bobby Devine, Danny Galullo and Donnie Ayer.
The selection committee will consider every nominee when it gathers
on June 25. It will come up a ballot of 16 candidates. The selection
committee and Hall of Fame members will then decide on eight for the
Class of ’09.
The Veterans Committee will select three more.
“The response of Hall of Fame members has been impressive,”
continues Cohen, “but there are no limitations on making
nominations. Everybody is welcome. We encourage it.” To be
considered for the 2009 induction nominations must be received by
June 25, 2008. Nominations received after that date will be
considered for the 2010 induction.
To Download a Form In Word (doc) Format CLICK HERE>>
To Download a Form in Adobe (pdf) Format CLICK HERE>>
CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR FULL SIZE
NEW ENGLAND AUTO RACERS HALL OF FAME MEMBERSHIP
Gene Angelillo 2006, Dick Armstrong 2005, Jack Arute Sr. 2001, George Barber
2007, Gene Bergin 1998, Len Boehler 2004, Red Bolduc 2005, Vic Bombaci 2006, Ron
Bouchard 2000, Smokey Boutwell 2005, Hully Bunn 2001; Moon Burgess 2003, Jean
Paul Cabana 2007, Fats Caruso 2000, Rene Charland 1998, Leo Cleary 1999, on
Collins 2005; Russ Conway 2006, Robbie Crouch 2006, Joe Csiki 2005, Red Cummings
2006, Ralph Cusack 2001
Fred DeSarro 1999, Dave Dion 2007, Dick Dixon 2004, Beaver Dragon 2004, Homer
Drew 2000, Dick Eagan 2007, Charlie Elliott 2000, Richie Evans 1998, Stub Fadden
2003, John Falconi Sr. 2007, Ed Flemke 1998, Red Foote 1999, Nick Fornoro Sr.
2002, Fred Frame 2004, Ernie Gahan 1998, Dick Garrett 2007, Sharky Gaudiosi
2006, Harry Grant 2005, Billy Greco 1999.
Pete Hamilton 1998; Billy Harman 2004, Hop Harrington 1999, John Hoenig 2003,
Dave Humphrey 2000, Charlie Jarzombek 2004, Bob Johnson 2007, Booker Jones 2003,
Bob Judkins 2003, Johnny Kay 2006, Buddy Krebs 2000, Sonny Koszela 2002, Don
LaJoie 2000, Bob Libby 2006, Phil Libby 2006, Don MacLaren 2002, Don MacTavish
2001, Dick McCabe 2002, John McCarthy 2007, Jim McGee 2006, Jocko Maggiacomo
2000, Ray Miller 2002, Ralph Moody 2000
Ron Narducci 2000, Sammy Packard 2004, Bob Polverari 2003, Bob Potter 2007,
Sonny Rabideau 2005, Billy Randall 2006, Oscar Ridlon 2005, Marvin Rifchin 1999,
John Rosati 2007, Joe Rosenfield 2006, Fred Rosner 2001, Don Rounds 2001, Art
Rousseau, 2001, S-Bobby Santos 2001, Ollie Silva 1998, Bill Schindler 2004,
Boston Louie Seymour 2006, Bill Slater 1998, Ken Smith 2006, Joe Sostilio 2003,
Ken Squier 2002, Bugsy Stevens 1998, Chick Stockwell 2001, George Summers 2000
Harvey Tattersall 1998, Johnny Thomson 2002, Paul Tremaine 2004, Reino Tulonen
2005, V-D.Anthony Venditti 1999, Bob Vitari 2006, Bentley Warren 2007, Dick
Watson 2003, Phil Walters (Ted Tappett) 2002, Bill Welsh 1998, Eddie West 1999,
Bill Wimble 2002, Dick Wolstenhulme 2006, Dennis Zimmerman 2001.
WOODBURY -- Charles
"Chick" Stockwell saw his share of crashes and fires in his days topping the
leader board at the Danbury Fair Racearena. But with a flash of light Tuesday
night, just about every physical reminder of his stock car racing days, and
almost everything else he owned, vanished to dust or burned into black shells of
twisted metal.
