LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS SETS DATES FOR MOTORSPORTS 2013 SHOW AND TWO INDOOR AUTO RACING EVENTS
TRENTON, NJ April 20, 2012 . . . Three successful mid-winter auto racing events produced by Len Sammons Productions have dates for next year. Tried and true dates for the Motorsports and Boardwalk Hall Indoor Race events have been retained.
The Motorsports 2013 show weekend has been established for January 18, 19, 20, 2013 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. Now in its fourth year “back home in Pennsylvania”, the Motorsports Show experienced a boost in exhibitor participation and spectator attendance.
Exhibitor information will be sent shortly to those who held space at this year’s event.
The Atlantic City, NJ Gambler’s Classic at Boardwalk Hall is scheduled for Friday and Saturday February 1-2, 2013.
“Our attendance was up at Boardwalk Hall this year,” said Sammons.
“I think good weather and a weekend off between the races and the Motorsports show helped everyone including my staff.”
The Coffee Cup Indoor TQ and Champ Kart races at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. is tentatively scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16. 2012.
“The Providence date shifts back to a December event as it was two years ago,” said Len Sammons. “We think it is the perfect time, removed from the racing season, yet not too close to the Christmas holiday season.”
A third off-season indoor race is possible. Information about all three events is available at www.aarn.com or by calling 609-888-3618.
|
STEWART FRIESEN WINS "COFFEE CUP CLASSIC"; MEISENHELDER NAMED CHAMP KART WINNER AFTER DALEY FAILS POST-RACE TECH; RACING RESUMES SUNDAY AFTERNOON
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 10, 2012) – Canadian Stewart Friesen passed Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, N.Y., for the lead on lap 38 of the 40-lap Coffee Cup Classic Indoor TQ Midget race at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., Saturday to earn his first ever Coffee Cup Classic race win. The victory came after a thrilling side-by-side battle in an event that Rudolph had dominated.
The companion Champ Kart 25-lap main event was won by Glen Meisenhelder of Agawam, Mass. who had originally crossed the finish line in second place. When apparent winner Chris Daley of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., was disqualified by technical inspectors for an out-of-compliance engine, Meisenhelder was elevated, albeit belatedly, to victory.
Mike Lichty led the early laps of the TQ race until Rudolph took over. A succession of incidents and double-file restarts kept the pack tight. Lichty fell back and Friesen moved forward to challenge for the lead. As the race progressed, Friesen began to close on Rudolph in lapped traffic, eventually passing him with two laps remaining.
Rudolph finished second with Jon Gambuti passing Ryan Smith for third place on the final lap. The mover-and-shaker of the race was Ted Christopher, who started 25th and last in the field after fixing mechanical problems with his car just in time to make the call for the green flag. He finished fifth.
Meisenhelder and Daley exchanged first place several times over the last ten laps of the Champ Kart co-feature with heavy traffic keeping them bunched. Meisenhelder held the lead as the white flag, signaling one lap to go, was given to the pack. Off the last turn, Meisenhelder’s car bicycled momentarily and Daley sped by him to take the checkered flag first, by inches. Daley would subsequently lose the win in post-race technical inspection, by millimeters.
Daley’s disqualification also elevated Mike Perry to second, 2011 Champ Kart winner Bryan Shields to third, Anthony Colandro to fourth and Kevin Baird to fifth.
The second day of two-day TQ Midget and Champ Kart Indoor Auto Racing meet at ‘The Dunk’ continues Sunday at 2:00 p.m. with the running of the 100-lap TQ Midget main event and a second 25-lap Champ Kart feature. A full agenda of qualifying races to determine the starting field and starting positions for the two races will precede the big races.
Coffee Cup Classic TQ Midget Feature (40 Laps): 1. Stewart Friesen ; 2. Erick Rudolph; 3. Jon Gambuti; 4. Ryan Smith; 5. Ted Christopher; 6. Todd Hoddick; 7. Timex Morgan; 8. Mike Lichty; 9. Glen Reed; 10. Tony DeMattia; 11. Joey Payne; 12. Matt Janisch; 13. Mike Tidaback; 14. Pat Bealer; 15. Jonathan McKennedy; 16. Chris Stockham; 17. Lou Ciccioni Jr.; 18. Paul Lotier Jr.; 19. Christopher Allen; 20. Frank Fischer; 21 . Todd Bertrand; 22. Bobby Holmes; 23. Steve Craig; 24. Randy Cabral; 25. Jonathan Reid.
Did Not Qualify: Chris Deritis, Rob Vivona, Mark Yoder, Tim Buckwalter, Shaun Carrig, BJ MacDonald, Erik Musto, Scott Kreutter, Johnny Benson, Glenn Heverin, Ryan Greth, Billy Pauch, Ryan Tidman, Mike Osite, Matthew Roselli, Tim Jedrzejek, Jimmy Carpenter, Anthony Sesely, Tim Proctor, Bruce Leote, Eddie Witkum Jr., Marc Rogers, Ryan Bartlett.
TQ Heat Winners (First Set): Glen Reen, Steve Craig, Stewart Friesen, Timex Morgan.
TQ Heat Winners (Second Set): Mike Lichty, Mike Tidaback, Randy Cabral, Jon Gambuti
TQ Consolation Winners: Glen Reen, Tony DiMattia.
Champ Kart Feature (25 Laps): 1. Glen Meisenhelder; 2. Mike Perry; 3. Bryan Shields; 4. Anthony Colandro; 5. Kevin Baird; 6. Andrew Swisher; 7. Ron Midford Jr.; 8. Brandon Tiezzi; 9.David Putnam ; 10 . James Hadden; 11. James Hadden; 12. Rob Murray; 13. Matthew Bonsignore; 14. Evan Beaulieu; 15. Peter Panciocco; 16. Avery Stoehr; 17. Shawn Johnson; 18. DJ Shaw; 19. Dylan Duhaime; 20. Brandon Rusczak; 21. Carl Medeiros Jr.; 22. Gavin Soraghan; 23. Steven Midford.; 24. Disqualified: Chris Daley (from first).
Did Not Qualify: Kevin Marsden, Mike Panciocco, Adam Dion, Kathryn Stoehr, Bill Keller, Carte levreault, Nathan Tracy, Lauryn Burd, Stephen Morsillo, Frank Perry, Michael Pares Jr., Brianna Page, Rob Tefft, Bethany Stoehr, Jordan Dube, Frank Duquette, Dion Naples, Matt Fenn, Stephen Beattie.
Champ Kart Heat Winners (First Set): Chris Daley, Ron Midford Jr., Nick Hadden.
Champ Kart Heat Winners (Second Set): Chris Daley, Bryan Shields, Brandon Tiezzi.
Champ Kart Consolation Winners: Gavin Soraghan, DJ Shaw.
|
ISMA STAR ‘TIMMY J’ IS LATE PROVIDENCE INDOOR RACE TQ ENTRY; DUNKIN’ DONUTS COFFEE CUP CLASSIC GOES OFF THIS WEEKEND
PROVIDENCE, RI - (March 6, 2012) - A late driver change in the entry roster for the 2012 “Coffee Cup Classic” Indoor Race Weekend in Providence, R.I.’s Dunkin Donuts Center has the potential to affect the outcome of the races in a big way.
Tim Jedrzejek, an outstanding ISMA Supermodified driver riding out of Independence, Oh., has never raced indoors before. But the 42 year old competitor has impressive credentials.
The racing takes place on Saturday & Sunday, March 10 & 11.
‘Timmy J’ is replacing owner-driver Mike Dicely, Lewisberry, Pa., who last year had Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, Pa., steer his car to a close second place feature finish. Dicely had intended to drive himself this year.
The race meet format calls for two days of qualifying races and feature events for the powerful TQ (Three Quarter) Midgets and the bullet-like Champ Karts, culminating on Saturday with the running of “The Coffee Cup Classic”, a 40-lap TQ Midget feature, paying $2,000 to its winner.
Jedrzejek was ranked eighth in 2011 ISMA?Supermodified season standings, driving the Dan Soule owned car. He is a tested-tough veteran with great car control skills, qualities that should serve him well on the tight confines of the flat Providence arena concrete track measuring approximately a tenth of a mile in length.
On Saturday, March 10, racing begins at 7:00 p.m., one hour after the arena gates swing open.
One of Jedrzejek’s main competitors will be Canadian Mike Lichty, a past winner indoors at Providence and a fellow ISMA Supermodified campaigner.
New England favorite Ted Christopher, Plainville, Ct., is the race’s defending champion.
On Sunday, the feature for TQ Midgets is a first time event, to be run over a 100 lap distance with a planned mid-race break to allow teams to make adjustments and, if possible, to re-enter the race.
This all-new race format will place a premium on endurance and could tend to favor ISMA Supermodifed drivers Jedrzejek and Lichty and Modified favorite Christopher, who are used to driving in longer distance races in open wheeled cars.
Racing begins at 2:00 p.m. preceded by ‘Fan Fest’, an interactive ‘meet & greet’ autograph signing session and photo opportunity for ticket holders. Qualifying races precede the features this day as well.
Though the TQ Midget drivers and cars will be running for the bulk of the prize money and attract the lion’s share of attention, the drivers of the lightning fast Champ Karts are exciting in their own right.
Bryan Shields, Bethlehem, Pa., is the defending champion of the Champ Kart Providence race but Chris Daley, Pleasant Valley, N.Y., was a winner month indoors in Atlantic City and has two “Dunk” indoor wins to his credit.
Tickets to see these stars, who are among nearly 100 cars and drivers in the Champ Karts and the headlining TQ Midgets in the Len Sammons Productions of Indoor Racing in Providence, are sale now by contacting the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office at 404.331.6700 or Ticketmaster 800.745.3000.
For a complete race schedule, log on to aarn.com.
|
MODIFIED STOCK CAR STAR MCKENNEDY, SUPERMOD CHAMPION WITKUM, AIM FOR DUNKIN’ DONUTS THREE QUARTER MIDGET WINS
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - (March 5, 2012) - A pair of Massachusetts drivers, Jon McKennedy and Eddie Witkum Jr., each of whom excels in a different form of high speed racing. are among the contenders for victory at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI, on Saturday & Sunday, March 10 & 11 during the Len Sammons Productions Indoor Races.
Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford races in the central New England based Modified Racing Series and won the drivers championships in 2009 and 2010.
Eddie Witkum, Jr. of Westford races Supermodifieds weekly at Lee, N.H. Speedway and is a two time track champion there, winning in 2007 and 2008.
The pair of accomplished regional stars will race together in the weekend race meet that includes two days of qualifying races and feature events for the powerful TQ (Three Quarter) Midgets and the bullet-like Champ Karts, culminating on Saturday with the running of “The Coffee Cup Classic”, a 40-lap TQ Midget feature, paying $2,000 to its winner.
On Saturday, March 10, racing begins at 7:00 p.m., one hour after the arena gates swing open.
On Sunday, the feature for TQ Midgets is a first time event, to be run over a 100 lap distance with a planned mid-race break to allow teams to make adjustments and, if possible, to re-enter the race.
Racing begins at 2:00 p.m. preceded by ‘Fan Fest’, an interactive ‘meet & greet’ autograph signing session and photo opportunity for ticket holders. Qualifying races precede the features this day as well.
McKennedy, 25, will drive a car out of the highly touted Aston, Pa.-based Lou Cicconi racing stable. It is the same driven two years ago in Providence by Indy Car driver Davey Hamilton.
In addition to his Modified experience, McKennedy has also raced ISMA Supermodifieds and at age 18 was named Rookie of The Year by the ISMA group.
Witkum. 38, will steer the potent and venerable creation owned by Tommy Williams and Donnie Adams; Adams has driven this car to to numerous outdoor wins and championshps in the past.
Witkum is of a racing family that includes his father Ed, uncles Bobby and Joe, brothers Richie and Randy, and young nephew Jeffrey. Multiple championships, feature wins, and decades of success can best describe one of New England's most decorated racing families.
The pair of Bay State past champions will compete on Saturday and Sunday, March 10 & 11. Tickets to the see these stars and nearly 100 others in the Champ Karts and the headlining TQ Midgets in the Len Sammons Productions of Indoor Racing in Providence are sale now by contacting the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office at 404.331.6700 or Ticketmaster 800.745.3000.
Each of the 52 TQ Midget and 42 Champ Kart available slots are gone, assuring a full, quality laden field for both races.
For a complete race schedule, log on to aarn.com.
|
THE STOEHR KIDS ARE READY TO CHALLENGE FOR CHAMP KART WINS IN PROVIDENCE’S DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (MARCH 1, 2012) - If racing talent is hereditary, then three teens from southeastern Massachusetts may have an edge when they get to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI, on Saturday & Sunday, March 10 & 11 during the Len Sammons Productions Indoor Races.
Kathryn, Bethany, and Avery Stoehr are fourth generation drivers whose family has experienced a great deal of success in auto racing. The trio will compete in the Champ Kart division during the two-day racing event.
The weekend race meet includes two days of qualifying races and feature events for the powerful TQ (Three Quarter) Midgets and the bullet-like Champ Karts, culminating on Saturday with the running of “The Coffee Cup Classic”, a 40-lap TQ Midget feature, and paying $2,000 to its winner.
On Saturday, March 10, racing begins at 7:00 p.m., one hour after the arena gates swing open.
On Sunday, the feature for TQ Midgets is a first time event, to be run over a 100 lap distance with a planned mid-race break to allow teams to make adjustments and, if possible, to re-enter the race.
Racing begins at 2:00 p.m. preceded by ‘Fan Fest’, an interactive ‘meet & greet’ autograph signing session and photo opportunity for ticket holders. Qualifying races precede the features this day as well.
Ted Christopher, Plainville, Ct., is the defending champion of ‘The Coffee Cup’. ‘TC’ won the preliminary night TQ Midget feature race at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall last month.
Kathryn, an 18 year old senior at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School (BRRHS), and Bethany a 17-year old junior, are the daughters of accomplished Midget racer Greg Stoehr.
Avery, their 15 year old cousin, and freshman at Old Colony Regional Technical School in Rochester, MA, is the son of multi-time Northeastern Midget Association champion Russ Stoehr.
The kids’ grandfather Paul was a longtime Midget driver and great-grandfather Bill was a noted mechanic.
Each will compete in family owned go-karts in Providence. All three will be making their indoor racing debut. But, none are strangers to go-kart racing.
After watching the event for several years, the kids decided to “get involved” in 2012.
“It was Dad and Uncle Russ’s idea,” said Bethany, who was quick to add “there was no opposition from us.”
“We thought it would be a good experience to try it at least once,” added Kathryn.
The trio had energetic but realistic goals for the indoor races in Providence.
“I just want to qualify and make a heat race,” said Kathryn, acknowledging that there could be 40+ karts vying for 24 starting positions, “and ultimately make the feature.”
“My goal is the finish well and have fun,” said Bethany.
“I want to make the feature,” said Avery with an air of confidence. He did add “having fun and finishing the race with the car in one piece” to his list of goals.
There was a quiet but evident camaraderie between the cousins. When asked if he would cut his cousins any slack if they needed it during competition, Bethany quickly chimed in just as the very soft-spoken Avery was shaking his head “no”; to say “we never did for him”. The competitive spirit is alive and well with the Stoehrs.
Knowing that the level of competition in the Champ Karts will be stiff, when posed with the question, who is the racer to beat, the quick-witted but shy Avery answered “anyone who is faster than me”. He added with a sheepish grin, “I gotta try to finish in front of someone”.
Avery and his cousins have had their fair share of finishing in front.
Avery started in karts at Seekonk Speedway and at Tiverton (RI).
“He won a bunch of races at both tracks two years ago,” said proud papa, Russ.
Looking for a change of pace, Avery headed to Route 106 Race Park in Pembroke, NH. There he won his first adult WKA Senior Champ event. In 2011, Avery posted seven (7) victories in 14 starts to win the WKA championship.
Not to be outdone, both Kathryn and Bethany have each posted an impressive list of victories at Seekonk and Tiverton. The girls also have a winning record at Sugar Hill Speedway in We are, NH, where they cut their teeth.
Both Kathryn and Bethany cut their teeth racing go-karts at Sugar Hill Speedway in Weare, NH. Avery acquired his seat time competing at go-kart tracks in Tiverton, RI, and Seekonk Speedway on Friday nights and 106 Speedway in New Hampshire. They have all competed in Stafford Motor Speedway’s ultra-competitive Tuesday night kart program.
During the 2012 season, Bethany will run full-time in her family-owned NEMA Lite. Big sister Kathryn will take some time off from her position as crew chief for her father Greg (in NEMA) and sister Bethany in 2012 to run a limited schedule in the Lites for car owner Jen Scrivani. Avery will also run full time with the NEMA Lites in 2012.
The Stoehrs will compete on Saturday and Sunday, March 10 &11. Tickets to the see this trio and a host of others in the Champ Karts and the headlining TQ Midgets in the Len Sammons Productions of Indoor Racing in Providence are sale now by contacting the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office at 404.331.6700 or Ticketmaster 800.745.3000.
Each of the 52 TQ Midget and 42 Champ Kart available slots are gone, assuring a full, quality laden field for both races.
For a complete race schedule, visit aarn.com
|
BAY STATE RACING STARS REEN, CABRAL SEEK PROVIDENCE, R.I. “COFFEE CUP TROPHY” AT DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER; PAST WINNER CHRISTOPHER AND AC WINNER RUDOLPH LOOM LARGE
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - (February 9, 2012) - NASCAR Modified star Glen Reen and reigning NEMA Midget champion Randy Cabral are among the latest entrants for the Providence, R.I. Indoor Auto Races, set for March 10-11, 2012 at Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Reen, of Wilbraham, scored the biggest win in his driving career in October, 2011 when he won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Touring Series race at Connecticut’s Thompson International Speedway’s season-ending World Series Of Auto Racing.
Cabral, of Bridgewater, raced his way to his third NEMA (Northeastern Midget Association) Midget driving championship in 2011. It was the tenth consecutive year in which Cabral has been in the top five in NEMA driver standings.
Reen and Cabral are among over forty early entries set to compete for victory in the fourth running of “The Coffee Cup.”
The weekend race meet includes two days of qualifying races and feature events for the powerful TQ (Three Quarter) Midgets and the bullet-like Champ Karts, culminating on Saturday with the running of “The Coffee Cup Classic”, a 40-lap TQ Midget feature, paying $2,000 to its winner.
On Sunday, the feature for TQ Midgets is a first time event, to be run over a 100 lap distance with a planned mid-race break to allow teams to make adjustments and, if possible, to re-enter the race. Ted Christopher, Plainville, Ct., is the defending champion of “The Coffee Cup”, run last year as a 40-lap event. “TC” won the preliminary night TQ Midget feature race at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall one week ago.
On Saturday, March 10, racing begins at 7:00 p.m., one hour after the arena gates swing open.
A “double heats” qualifying procedure assures all competitors a fair opportunity to qualify for the feature race.
On Sunday, March 11, racing begins at 2:00 p.m. preceded by “Fan Fest”, an interactive ‘meet & greet’ autograph signing session and photo opportunity for ticket holders. Qualifying races precede the features this day as well.
In addition to Reen, Cabral and Christropher, the entry Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., has attracted attention.
Rudolph won last Saturday night’s Gamblers Classic in Atlantic City, in a dominating drive. Rudolph will be driving the same Mark Lafler-built, Timex Morgan-owned TQ Midget in the Providence events. Morgan, Rochester, N.Y., will be a teammate of Rudolph as will past NEMA champion Joe Payne Jr., Fairlawn, N.J. A fourth car in this potent team has been entered without a driver.
The North East Midget Association (NEMA), a venerable and popular midget car racing in New England, has pledged the support of many of its top drivers besides champion Cabral.
The Champ Kart entry roster has been spiced by the entry of father and son duo of Peter and Mike Panciocco, of Johnston, R.I and by a trio of Stoehrs - Avery of Lakeville, Ma. and sisters Bethany and Kathryn.
The Pancioccos have raced at Seekonk Speedway in its Seekonk Youth Racing Association (SYRA) classes while the Stoehrs are daughters of NEMA brothers Russ and Greg Stoehr.
Racers wishing to join in the TQ Midget action at Dunkin Donuts Center may find entry and rule information available at aarn.com.
Tickets for the Dunkin Donuts Center Indoor Race are on sale at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center box office and through Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com.
|
|