OLD
TIMER'S DAY HIGHLIGHT OF RACE WEEKEND
by Walter
Johnston
On a bright sunny Sunday morning, the annual
Freeport/Islip/Riverhead racer's reunion was held in the pit
area of Riverhead Raceway. People slowly walked in, and as the
pits filled up, the sun got hotter. Many took photos of their
old time favorites race cars. Others browsed the collectible
and T-shirt booths set up at various places between the cars.
Wayne Anderson had his father Axel's 590 on display, and Marty
Himes brought part of his collection, including his #250 '56
Frod Crown Vic, along with Walt Edsall's #45, Jim Lacy's #447,
and a whole lot of racing magazines, posters, and pictures for
all to see. Gentleman Jim Hendrickson's X-3 was on hand, along
with a go-kart replica of it. Al DeAngelo's Ace of Spades also
made an appearance, along with John Ambrose's 7-11. Chargin'
Charlie Jarzombek's #1 Vega and Coupe were on display, as
were Nippy Commerdinger's #50, Chris Young's #49 Figure 8
Maverick, Fred Harbach's #18 coupe and #x90 Pinto, Johnny
Coy's Giresi #18 Midget, and Gus Reidlinger's little red
Midget tow truck. Lastly, Bill Metzger had his #00 Blue BGN
car in the pits for all to see.
A little after 1 PM, the old stock cars took to the
track, one by one, as Bob Finan announced a history of the car
and driver of each as they entered the track. The cars
cruised around the 1/4 mile oval to the enjoyment of all in
attendance, as the crowd responded with a rousing round of
applause when asked if they were enjoying seeing all the cars
on the track once again. Wayne Anderson, at the Wheel of CJ's
#1 coupe, was grinning ear to ear after getting to drive it
for the very first time. I guess it's nice to finally learn a
few of the tricks of your old competitors, even after all
these years. The only downside was when the #1 Vega of Charlie
Jarzombek drifted a little too high through turns 3 and 4 and
made contact with the tires and foam, and ultimately, the wall
itself coming off 4, and sustained right front suspension
damage, needing a tow to the pits. Later, as I was walking by,
Honorary starter for the day, Ray Morturano, made the crew
repairing the #1 laugh when he told them to" Hurry up, I
think you can still make the consi!"
It turned out to be a nice end to a race weekend
that saw many highs and lows, and it was nice to end this one
on a high. If you missed this one, plan to attend one of these
shows in the future, if for no other reason than to see for
the first time, or to remind yourself, where today's racing
got it's start.
