Noted auto racing historian R.A. Silvia has been named the
Grand Marshal for the upcoming TQ-Midget event at the Dunkin’
Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on March 6-7.
“It is quite an honor to be the Grand Marshal of this great
event,” Silvia, 68, of Warwick, R.I. “This event has generated a
lot of buzz here in the state and throughout the entire
northeast.
“I am very proud to be a part of it. When I found out that I
was going to be the Grand Marshal, I went into work and told the
guys that I’m going to go out and by a scepter, crown and cape.”
Silvia, then 18, attended the three indoor Midget Car races
held at the Rhode Island Auditorium in 1959. The final race on
April 18, 1959, was won by Jerry Wall of Wallenburg, N.J.
That event, which was sanctioned by the American Three
Quarter Midget Racing Association, was the last-sanctioned event
held in the Ocean State according to Silvia.
“Those indoor events were huge back then,” Silvia said. “The
building is now torn down and it is a hospital parking lot.”
Silvia was recently presented the prestigious Danny Pardi
Memorial Award by the New England Antique Racers (NEAR) club for
his contributions as a long-time New England-area auto racing
enthusiasts.
“I went to my first race when I was 5-years-old,” Silvia
said. “I still haven’t lost that enthusiasm for the sport.”
Silvia, who has authored many articles over the years, said
he has at least 50,000 photographs and/or negatives at his
residence. Also, Silvia started the Pronyne Motorsports Museum
in Pawtucket, R.I. The building is jammed with racing
memorabilia from numerous race tracks over many decades.
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, owned by Jeff and Harry
Behrent, in Florida, N.Y., has added to the two-day event by
posting the Behrent’s Bonus.
If a driver wins both TQ-Midget features, Behrent’s will pay
a $500 bonus.
BPW is a service and parts provider to the automotive racing
industry. Customers can contact BPW at 1-877-372-2348 or at:
www.bpw-wd.com.
The entry list for the TQ-Midgets has been filled. Entries
for the Senior Champ Kart class are still being accepted.
Tickets can be purchased at the Dunkin’ Donuts Box Office,
all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online
at: www.ticketmaster.com.
Friday tickets are $20 (front row for adults and children),
$15 (adult seats) and $10 (children age 12 and under). Saturday
tickets are $25 (front row for adults a nd children), $20
(adults) and $10 (children age 12 and under).
Fans can purchase tickets to the event this coming weekend at
the Speedway Expo Show in Springfield, Mass. The TQ Midget that
Ted Christopher drove to victory in the Gambler’s Classic at
Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall will be on display.
Show information is available at Len Sammons Productions by
calling 609-888-3618 or online:
www.aarn.com. Special room rates are now available on the
web-site at the Hilton for just $79 per night. The Hilton is
located within walking distance of the Dunkin Donuts Center.
Source: Len Sammons
Productions PR
Posted:
February 21, 2009
