ATQMRA
Tires and Fuel at Sundance Vacation Speedway
All Teams are required to purchase their tires and fuel at
Sundance Speedway. The same Sunoco Fuel used at Atlantic City will be
available for purchase at the track. Teams will be given the first three
weeks to use up their old tires then any tires must be purchased at Sundance
Vacation Speedway. All Drivers are required to purchase a Sundance
Vacation Speedway License prior to competing. Click the following link to
go to the application.
http://sundancevacationsspeedway.com/ It is advised that drivers
register prior to the first race to avoid waiting in line at the first show.
Chris DeRitis Wins the
Checkered Flag Fan Club Race at Sundance
Chris DeRitis receives his Checkered Flag Fan Club Jacket
for winning the inaugural ATQMRA feature at Sundance Vacation Speedway.
Chris DeRitis Wins the Checkered
Flag Fan Club Race at Sundance
The ATQMRA brought 20 cars to be the largest division at
Sundance with Chris DeRitis taking over where he left off in 08 by winning the
ATQMRA opener at Sundance Vacation Speedway in the Team Risqué Dart 66 that
won the car owner’s championship in 08. Heat races were won by Paul Lotier
Jr. and Frank Fischer. Mark Janisch took the feature win for 600 Micro
sprints.
Paul Lotier Jr. and Austin Fehr waged an epic battle in
the first heat race. It was a battle between two of last years rookie
contenders returning for their sophomore campaign. Lotier dogged Fehr through
the first three laps before taking the lead and holding Fehr off to take the
win. Matt Janisch was third with Tim Buckwalter, Tim Behmer and Robin
Johnston rounding out the top six.
The second heat was taken by Frank Fischer in the
Spitfire 26 Spitfire House Car. Matt Roselli got out to the early lead but
was run down by Fischer on lap 2. Fischer never looked back en route to the
heat race win. DeRitis came from fourth to finish second with Roselli third,
Jeff Kot fourth, Alison Cumens and Mike Tidaback completed the top six
qualifiers.
The feature saw pole sitter Austin Fehr jump out to the
early lead. Fehr lead the first five laps before falling to heavy pressure
from heat race winner Paul Lotier Jr. on lap six. Meanwhile DeRitis was
lying in wait in third position methodically stalking the leaders. Lotier who
ran the fastest lap of the feature looked poised to follow up his 08 Turkey
Derby Victory with a season opening victory in 09. Working through lap
traffic gave DeRitis the opportunity he needed to move past Lotier on lap 19
and go on to win by a margin of 2.214 seconds.
Lotier finished second with Tim Buckwalter taking his
Buckwalter Chassis car from 11th to finish third. Tim Behmer
followed up his pole day fast lap with a solid fourth place finish. Zack
Martini was the hard charger of the race improving from his 18th
starting position to come across the line fifth.
Mark Janisch started 14th in the Ted Jones 600
and won the Micro sprint class on the night for his career first victory and
the first Victory for Ted Jones as an owner with the ATQMRA.
ATQMRA News and Notes: 20 cars were signed into
the pits at Sundance Vacation Speedway with 19 competing. The Joe Csernak F8
was on hand but did not have a driver. The Mike Roselli Prepared 66 Dart
Chassis of
Chris Deritis ran the fastest lap of the day in practice with a 13.136
second lap at 91.351MPH. Billy Murphy ran his first race with the ATQMRA in
the Dave Williams 00 finishing a disappointing 17th after being
strong early. The Buckwalter 25 was debuted with impressive results finishing
on the podium in third.
Tim Behmer (TQ) and Mark Janisch (Micro)
Fastest at Sundance Pole Day
4/19/09 Sundance Vacation Speedway St. John's Pa
The ATQMRA took to the track for its first racing
activities of the season at Sundance Vacation Speedway for the annual Pole
day. Tiim Behmer ran the fastest lap of the weekend in his GSXR 750 Badger to
set fast time for the second time in two years. When the ATQMRA runs time
trials, Tim Behmer appears to be the man to beat. Behmer's lap of a 13.280
was a half second faster than the fast time for the tour type modifieds
at Sundance Speedway. Zack Martini timed second fast followed by Mike
Tidaback, Chris DeRitis and Matt Roselli.
Mark Janisch set fast time for 600 Micro sprints
on the day in the Ted Jones Stallard GSXR 600 Microsprint. The car is the
same 14 that his son Matt raced with success in the Rumble Series events
this winter. Mark Janisch is planning to run the first four races of the
season with the Jones 14 Microsprint with an eye toward the overall ATQMRA
Microsprint Points championship if all goes well.
ATQMRA News and Notes: The
$1,000 Point fund for the first three points earning Microsprints on the year
is certainly an enticement. Bill Murphy who won one of the Rumble Series
races this winter will be fielding a 600 Microsprint with the ATQMRA in 09 but
will not have that car ready for the opener. He will be racing the Dave
Williams TQ midget at the opener. Tim Behmer is undefeated in ATQMRA time
trials besting his competition at Sundance this year and took the inaugeral F1
Style time trials in 08. Mike Tidaback will be splitting time between his TQ
and a legend car this season. The first ATQMRA Point race will be Sunday
April 26th at Sundance Vacation Speedway with pit gates opening at 11:00 am.
The TQ midgets will be running 8 lap heats and a 25 lap feature.
ATQMRA Midgets 1 Tim Behmer 13.28
2 Zack Martini 13.321
3 Mike Tidaback 13.352
4 Chris DeRitis 13.52
5 Matt Roselli 13.839
ATQMRA Members please be advised.
If a registered ATQMRA member has an issue they
feel needs consideration by the governing board they need to first, respectfully
submit it in writing. Registered car owners need to contact the car
owner's representative. A
registered
driver needs to take their issue to the Driver's
representative. A
registered
associate member needs to take their issues to the Business Manager for
consideration. Contact
information for each of these people can be found at: http://www.atqmra.com/contact.html
Come see the Faces of the
ATQMRA
Jeff Kot is an up and coming star with the ATQMRA. Jeff
had indoor success at Atlantic City and Providence. In AC Kot overcame a
poor time trial to advance to the A-Main. Kot is looking to earn his first
ATQMRA feature win in 09.
Frank Fischer earned his first feature victory at the Chemung
Speedrome in 08. He will be piloting the Spitfire 26 in the 09 campaign in
hopes of capturing the coveted ATQMRA Championship.
Vintage ATQMRA at Pinebrook Speedway
Paul Weisel in the Bill "Gomer" Phillips Crosley powered
36 at Pinebrook following a victory during the 1972 season. Paul is in the
process of restoring the car and seeks information and history about the car and
is trying to locate former owner Phillips. Anyone who has information
about this car can contact Paul Weisel at
610-395-5303 .
Providence,
RI — Mike Iles of Medford, N.J., pulled off a huge upset Friday night at
the Dunkin Donuts Center by claiming the 20-lap TQ Midget feature race.
Iles is the defending Modified champion
at the dirt 5/8th-mile Bridgeport Speedway.
Iles made history with the win at the
Dunkin Donuts Center as the race was the first held in Rhode Island in 50
years.
“It is very cool to win in Rhode
Island since the state hasn’t had a race in so long,” Iles said. “It is a
real honor.”
TQ Midget star Joey Payne of
Fairlawn, N.J., finished second, while Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Pa., was
third, Timex Morgan of Rochester, N.Y., was fourth and Matt Roselli of
Broadheadsville, Pa., completed the top five spots.
Although Iles was fast and captured
the main event, a crash on lap 16 ultimately changed the complexion of the
race itself.
Lou Cicconi Jr., a top name on the
indoor Midget Car racing circuit, was running in the second spot and
pressuring Iles for the lead when a water line broke and sent his car and
others into the wall in turn one.
Cicconi’s car crashed and collected
many other front runners including cars driven by Matt Janisch, multi-time
NASCAR Modified champion Mike Stefanik, defending NASCAR Whelen Modified
Tour champion Ted Christopher, Mike Lichty and Jeff Heotzler.
Heotzler, a dirt Modified ace, got
out of his car under his own power but he was later transported to a
nearby hospital for observation.
Prior to the big crash on lap 16,
Iles was leading after he passed Janisch for the lead position on the
backstretch.
“I
love racing this TQ Midget indoors,” Iles said. “We race on the big track
on dirt, but this indoor stuff keeps you sharp.”
Iles also praised Cicconi in the
post-race interview session.
“Lou and his father helped with a lot
with the set-up of the car,” Iles said. “Although I own this car, it is a
Hyper Chassis that Lou designed so much of the credit has to go to him.”
Heat race action went to Cicconi,
Iles, Ian Cumens and Lichty. Jeff Kot and Chris Haskell won the
consolation races. Cicconi posted a fast lap speed of 8.6325 seconds.
Chris Daley of Pleasant Valley, N.Y.,
captured the 20-lap Champ Kart, while Justin Bonsignore, Ron Milford Jr.,
Eric Zeh and George Bark Jr. completed the top five.
Daley and Bonsignore won the Champ
Kart heat races.
Racing action continues Saturday with
the second night of action. A complete show of TQ Midget and Champ Kart
fills the card.
TQ Midget Car Feature Finish,
20 Laps: 1. Mike Iles; 2. Joey Payne; 3. Ryan Smith; 4. Timex
Morgan; 5. Matt Roselli; 6. Jeff Kot; 7. Don Zrinski; 8. Ian Cumens; 9.
Ted Christopher; 10. Lou Cicconi Jr.; 11. Matt Janisch; 12. Jeff Heotzler;
13. Mike Stefanik; 14. Mike Lichty; 15. Alison Cumens; 16. Richie Coy Jr.;
17. Christopher Allen Jr.; 1. Tim Adams; 19. Bobby Santos III; 20. Joe
Lord Jr.
Champ Kart Feature Finish, 20
Laps: 1. Chris Daley; 2. Justin Bonsignore; 3. Ron Milford Jr.;
4. Eric Zeh; 5. George Bark Jr.; 6. Tammy Smith; 7. Tim Buckwalter; 8. Jay
Dimons; 9. Dennis Perry; 10. Andrew Swisher; 11. Nick Hadden; 12. Clinton
Mills; 13. Paul McCollum; 14. Bryan Ray; 15. Evan Beaulieu; 16. Ryan
Arsenault; 17. Tyler Robertson; 18. Andrew Hutchinson; 19. John Hillman;
20. TJ Laro.
Defending
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher is proving he is one
of the best indoor racers. Christopher, 50, of Plainville, Conn., captured
Saturday night’s 30-lap TQ Midget feature event at the Dunkin Donuts
Center in Providence , R.I. The race concluded the two-day event, which
was the first held in the Ocean State in 50 years.
“I enjoy the
opportunity of being part of history,” Christopher said. “I think this
race was a success especially with how full the stands were and the racing
was incredible.”
The win
gives Christopher a pair of indoor TQ Midget events this year. In January,
Christopher won the Gambler’s Classic in Atlantic City, N.J.
Christopher
had a busy 24 hours in Rhode Island. After Friday’s race, which was won by
New Jersey dirt Modified driver Mike Iles, Christopher had to take his TQ
Midget to Seekonk, Mass., where it was repaired at Wayne Darling’s race
shop. In his qualifying heat race on Saturday, Christopher barely
qualified after a rear radius mount broke. The team went to work and made
the respective repair just in time for the main event.
For the
second consecutive night, it appeared as if Iles had the victory in hand.
Iles jumped out into the lead at the start of the race, but his momentum
was slowed on lap five after Bobby Santos III spun out his race car in
turn three. Matt Janisch of Nazareth, Pa., moved into the runner-up spot
on lap nine and started to challenge the race leader. But a several car
incident slowed the race and took out the front runners on lap 12 as Iles,
Janisch and Mike Lichty were involved in a crash in turn two. Ryan Smith
had the lead, but that was short lived as Christopher took over the top
spot on the restart. As expected, indoor master Lou Cicconi Jr., who was
substituting for an ill Matt Roselli, challenged Christopher for the lead
spot, but a miscue (he hit the kill switch on a restart) hindered his
chances of getting by the race leader.
“Lou raced
me real clean and I appreciated it,” Christopher said. “He’s one of the
best indoor racers ever.
“Cicconi of
Aston, Pa., settled for second, while Timex Morgan of Rochester, N.Y., was
third, Smith was fourth and Mike Tidaback of Little Falls, N.J. was fifth.
Heat races
went to Iles, Janisch, Mike Stefanik and Licty. Tim Adams and Glenn
Heverin won the consolation races.
In the
20-lap Champ Kart main, Chris Daley of Pleasant Valley , N.Y. , scored his
second consecutive main at the Dunkin Donuts Center . Daley got the lead
after a close race with John Hillman, who later crashed. Daley defeated
Eric Zeh, George Bark, Justin Bonsignore and Ron Midford Jr. completed the
top five.
TQ
Midget Feature Finish, 30 Laps: 1. Ted Christopher; 2. Lou
Cicconi Jr.; 3. Timex Morgan; 4. Ryan Smith; 5. Mike Tidaback; 6. Joey
Payne; 7. Ian Cumens; 8. Matt Janisch; 9. Bobby Santos III; 10. Alex
Bright; 11. Paul Lotier Jr.; 12. Mike Lichty; 13. Jeff Kot; 14. Don
Zrinski; 15. Jonathan Reid; 16. Glenn Heverin; 17. James Michael Friesen;
18. Mike Iles; 19. Heath Hehnly; 20. Tim Adams; 21. Mike Stefanik; 22.
Ryan Barlett.
Champ Kart Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Chris Daley; 2. Eric Zeh;
3. George Bark; 4. Justin Bonsignore; 5. Ron Midford Jr.; 6. Jay Dimond;
7. Bryan Ray; 8. Evan Beaulieu; 9. Nick Hadden; 10. Ryan Arsenault; 11.
Tammy Smith; 12. Mike Perry; 13. Clinton Mills; 14. Tyler Robertson; 15.
Tim Buckwalter; 16. Adam Gage; 17. Andrew Swisher; 18. John Hillmann; 19.
Andrew Hutchinson; 20. TJ Laro.
Photos Courtesy John Dalalt
ATQMRA at the Laurel Mall in
Hazleton, PA
The Dan deRitis Championship winning 66 and the Joe Csernak
F8 on Display at the Sundance Vacation Speedway show at the Laurel Mall in
Hazleton, Pa to promote the coming season of exciting racing.
The ATQMRA Honored its 2008
Champions at their Awards Banquet
ATQMRA 2008 Banquet
Honors its Champions
The Keenan Motors ATQMRA honored its
champions at Lobitz Catering in Hazleton, Pa on Saturday night February 28th.
Ryan Tidman was honored for both his ATQMRA Championship and for earning his
second consecutive Points Championship at Mountain Speedway which has since been
renamed Sundance Vacation Speedway. Dan DeRitis was honored as the ATQMRA car
owner’s champion with his Team Risqué Dart number 66. Austin Fehr was the
ATQMRA 2008 Rookie of the year winning the rookie points championship. ATQMRA
President was the recipient of the 7th Annual Ray Gastelu Memorial. All of the
awards handed out were named in honor of the late great Len Duncan. A special
announcement was made that the ATQMRA will return to Oswego Speedway September 4th
to kick off the Classic Weekend in conjunction with the ISMA Super Modifieds.
Ryan Tidman credited numerous teams for
aiding him in earning the ATQMRA Championship. He thanked car owner’s Colin
Martin, Jeff Kot, BJ MacDonald, Jim Peruto, Teammate Scott Campbell and Rudy
Boetticher for helping him with his first overall Championship by a mere 8
points or two positions across the season. Tidman has picked up a ride in the
Ken Carberry Big Block Modified to race select events in 09 and plans to return
to the ATQMRA when scheduling permits in 09 behind the wheel of the MacDonald
49.
DeRitis with his Team Risqué Dart Chassis
GSXR 750 earned the car owner’s championship scoring 940 points on the season.
The car won two features at Mountain Speedway leading 32 laps across the
season. Consistency was the key to their championship. Third place driver
Chris DeRitis piloted the Team Risqué family mount to two feature wins and raced
to 7 top five finishes and 11 top tens. “Liquid” Lou Cicconi raced to a close
second place finish at the final race of the season at Chemung Speedrome to
secure the championship for Team Risqué when Chris was unable to race due to a
personal obligation. Cicconi added another top five to take the car’s total to
8 top fives and 12 top ten finishes.
DeRitis thanked Lou Cicconi, Sr. and Jr.,
car builder BJ MacDonald, Mike Roselli Sr. and Crew Chief Mike Roselli Jr. as
well as teammate Matt Roselli for making the team’s championship aspirations a
reality.
Austin Fehr was the 2008 ATQMRA Rookie of
the year and took top honors in the Rookie points Championship standings. He
earned an impressive 3 top five finishes with 8 top tens and captured a heat
race victory and one podium feature race finish. Fehr was a standout Quarter,
Half Midget, and World Formula racer with the Doylestown Quarter Midget Racing
Club (DQMRC) who adapted quickly to the lightening fast TQ midgets. Fehr raced
at Phoenixville, Hagerstown, Wall,
Syracuse, Meredith, CT, Charlotte, Apoka, New Smyrna, Miami, OH, Indy JSCA,
Cummings, GA, Oaklane in the quarter midgets winning the 2007 DQMRC Half Midget
Championship. After a few mechanical issues at the beginning
of the season Fehr found his groove and raced impressively with the veteran
racers of the ATQMRA. He finished an impressive eighth place in the overall
points standings tied with multi-time Champion Don Adams. Razor
Sharp Grinding Inc. Sponsor the efforts of the Denny Reider owned Spitfire TQ
midget Fehr races with the ATQMRA.The team hopes to
build on their successful 2008 season on the 2009 ATQMRA tour.
Fehr thanked sponsor Razor Sharp Grinding
as well as his grandfather Denny Reider, and Rick Buckwalter for helping him
earn top rookie honors in 08.
ATQMRA President Blu Metz was humbled to
be the recipient of the 7th Annual Ray Gastelu Memorial Award
presented for dedication and continued support of the sport of auto racing, the
award was presented by Bill and Janice Brice as well as Debbie Gastelu.
The Announcement was made that the ATQMRA
will return to the Steel Palace of Oswego Speedway for the 2009 version of the
Oswego Classic. The ATQMRA will run in conjunction with the Winged Super
Classic 50 on Friday September 4th with the racing to include a
fireworks display. This will mark the return of the ATMQRA for the first time
since Robin Johnston won the TQ Classic in 2005.
ATQMRA Banquet
Join the ATQMRA at its
annual awards Banquet at Lobitz Catering
in
Hazleton, Pa on Saturday February 28th at 7:00 Pm to honor
teams. Seats for the banquet are $30.00 a piece. Send a check
or money order made out to
the ATQMRA to: Don Adams, 3
Merrick
Road, Robbinsville, Pa, 08691 to secure your seat. 2008
registered car owners and drivers have a complimentary seat at
the banquet. Please get your RSVP in ASAP.
ATQMRA General Membership Meeting
The ATQMRA has a
general Membership Meeting scheduled for Wednesday March 18th at 7:00 pm at
the Campbell Insurance Agency in Doylestown, Pa.
Five different companies have signed to present awards to the
2009 ATQMRA Rookie of the year. The ATQMRA is working hard to increase the
value of earning that honor. Impact Racing Products, Advance Racing
Suspensions, ACRO Engineering, Duchak Racing Engines, and Delaware Valley
Dave’s Towing are supporting the rookie program. So far a total of $500 in
product and additional cash awards are available to the ATQMRA Rookie of the
year.
Impact Racing Products will present a $100 gift certificate to
the 09 Rookie of the year redeemable for their fine line of safety products.
Awards from Impact Racing Products were already earned at the Gambler’s
Classic in Boardwalk Hall and will be awarded at the 2009 awards banquet at
Lobitz catering on Saturday February 28th at 7:00 PM. Check out
their full line of safety equipment at
www.impactraceproducts.com
Advance Racing Suspensions will present a $100 certificate
redeemable for their suspension products to the top rookie. Specializing only
in racing shocks allows them to provide teams with the latest shock technology
available. Racing shocks are not a sideline shocks are their only business.
Check them out at
www.advancedracingsusp.com
Duchak Racing Engines will present a $100 product
certificate toward their services. Proprietor Pete Duchak has developed an
engine program that has proved reliable and fast. His engines powered Team
Risqué to their 08 Car Owner’s Championship. Numerous feature races were won
with Duchak Power including the 08 King of the Mountain and the Turkey
Derby.
ACRO Engineering who produces the quick change rears and drive
line parts used in the ATQMRA midgets will provide an additional $100 product
certificate redeemable for their line of products. The ATQMRA is excited to
partner with ACRO Engineering. Their name has become synonymous with the
quick change rears used in ATQMRA TQ midgets. From complete rears to quick
change gears and bearings ACRO covers the ATQMRA’s rear end needs. Check out
their website
www.acroeng.com
Delaware Valley Dave’s Towing will present a $100 cash award
to the top rookie as well as offering a $100 bonus to any first time ATQMRA
feature winner for the 09 season. Delaware Valley Dave Williams has been one
of the strongest supporters of the ATQMRA across the last several years. He
has sponsored numerous races and brought helped negotiate sponsorship deals
for the organization. His support of this aggressive Rookie program is just
one more example of his dedication.
The ATQMRA has an exciting season of racing planned for the
2009 season. Race dates are firmed at Sundance Vacation Speedway, Chemung
Speedrome, and Bethel Motorsports Park. Additional Dates are pending at Wall
Township Speedway and other venues are being negotiated. The Rookie Program
is in place. A strong Car owner Championship program is being developed as
well and will be announced in the coming weeks. With a 20 car per race
average in 08 the ATQMRA is looking to increase its numbers in 09 and bring
its brand of exciting racing to a track near you.
Anyone interested in taking advantage of the
marketing potential of the ATQMRA Rookie Program can contact ATQMRA Business
Manager Mike Roselli at 570-992-7979.
DeRitis and Tidman
Take Top Honors with ATQMRA in 08
Dan DeRitis and Ryan Tidman took home top honors with the
ATQMRA in 2008. DeRitis won the Keenan Motors car owner’s Championship and
Tidman took top honors as a driver. Both teams used a combination of talent
to accomplish their championship aspirations. DeRitis had two different
drivers and two crew chiefs to win the championship and Tidman raced in no
less than 4 cars to accumulate enough points to win the driver’s title.
DeRitis with his Team Risqué Dart Chassis GSXR 750 earned
the car owner’s championship scoring 940 points on the season. The car won
two features at Mountain Speedway leading 32 laps across the season.
Consistency was the key to their championship. Third place driver Chris
DeRitis piloted the Team Risqué family mount to two feature wins and raced to
7 top five finishes and 11 top tens. “Liquid” Lou Cicconi raced to a close
second place finish at the final race of the season at Chemung Speedrome to
secure the championship for Team Risqué when Chris was unable to race due to a
personal obligation. Cicconi added another top five to take the car’s total
to 8 top fives and 12 top ten finishes.
Team Risqué used the talents of Dan and Chris DeRitis,
and Lou Cicconi Sr. at the beginning of the season as a crew chief by
committee before handing that task over to Mike Roselli. Mike was able to
take the team to another level with his meticulous maintenance and set-up of
the 66 Dart Chassis to help bring home the first championship for team Risqué.
Ryan Tidman took one of the longest routes to earn a
championship in 2008. He drove no less than four cars across the season to
secure both the Keenan Motors ATQMRA Driver’s Championship and the Mountain
Speedway Championship. Tidman needed every position during the season since
he won the championship by only two positions on the track across the entire
season. Coming into the last race of the season seven drivers had a shot at
the title. He bested Robin Johnston by eight points in the final tally.
Tidman began the season in the Colin Martin 26 Spitfire
house car. Tidman won one race at Mountain Speedway in the 26. When an
uncommon engine failure sidelined the 26 Ryan was able to pick up the ride in
the Jeff Kot 95 for the feature. After being involved in an on track incident
breaking the car’s front suspension Tidman had a rare DNF but earned a few
valuable positions on the track.
Tidman then made the move to the Competition Classics
Dart Chassis 49 owned by BJ MacDonald with support from teammate Scott
Campbell. Tidman earned two additional feature wins with that car. At mid
season the rear axle broke in the 49 car in the heat race. With very little
time to make repairs and no back-up car available crew chief Bud Tidman
shortened the axle moved the bird cage in and narrowed the car significantly
so Ryan could go out and make some laps. Their determination paid off with a
top five finish.
Following a season ending crash for the 49 Tidman picked
up the ride in the Jim Peruto Keenan Motors 35 for the last two races of the
season. Tidman pulled down an eighth place at Chemung to win the overall
title and a second place finish to earn his second consecutive Mountain
Speedway Championship.
It was surely a season of overcoming adversity for both
the car and driver champions in 08. Both teams showed strong determination to
overcome the obstacles that stood in their way to earn the Keenan Motors
ATQMRA Championships. The competition within the ATQMRA is so tight the
difference between a championship and wondering what could have been has come
down to less than a few finishing positions across the entire season each of
the last several years. The 2005 season saw a tie in the driver’s
championship with Co-Championships being awarded to Don Adams and Mike
Tidaback. The ATQMRA is putting together a solid schedule of events for 09.
Come out and help the ATQMRA celebrate and honor its champions at our awards
banquet this coming Saturday night at 7:00 pm at Lobitz catering in Hazleton,
ATQMRA Rookie of the year Austin Fehr with his team after a qualifying race win
in 08.
Impressive 2008 ATQMRA Rookie
Class Led by Austin Fehr
The 2008 ATQMRA Rookie Class was one of
the most impressive in the long history of the organization with Austin Fehr
capturing the ATQMRA Rookie championship.Paul Lotier Jr.,
was the rookie Runner-up with Alison Cumens third Scott Campbell fourth and
Matt Roselli rounding out the top five.Ian Cumens Jeff
Kot and Ken Wismer III rounded out the top eight in rookie points.The 2008 rookie class brought countless years of experience into the
ATQMRA from quarter midgets both paved and dirt as well as Slingshots,
Micro-Sprints and Hooters Pro Cup racing.Their experience
served them well with the ATQMRA in 2008.
Austin Was the top point earning rookie
with the ATQMRA compiling an impressive 3 top five finishes with 8 top tens
and captured a heat race victory and one podium feature race finish.Fehr was a standout Quarter, Half Midget, and World Formula racer with
the Doylestown Quarter Midget Racing Club (DQMRC) who adapted quickly to the
lightening fast TQ midgets. Fehr raced at Phoenixville, Hagerstown,
Wall, Syracuse, Meredith,
CT,
Charlotte,
Apoka, New Smyrna, Miami,
OH,
Indy JSCA, Cummings,
GA,
Oaklane in the quarter midgets winning the 2007 DQMRC Half Midget
Championship.After a
few mechanical issues at the beginning of the season Fehr found his groove and
raced impressively with the veteran racers of the ATQMRA.He
finished an impressive eighth place in the overall points standings tied with
multi-time Champion Don Adams. Razor
Sharp Grinding Inc. Sponsor the efforts of the Denny Reider owned Spitfire TQ
midget Fehr races with the ATQMRA.The team hopes to build on their successful 2008 season on the 2009
ATQMRA tour.
Paul Lotier Jr. finished in the
runner-up spot in the ATQMRA Rookie chase.Lotier was the
only 08 rookie to taste victory in a feature event capturing the outdoor
season ending Turkey Derby at Wall Township Speedway.He
had an impressive 8 top ten finishes with three top fives and was the 2008
ATQMRA Turkey Derby Champion.Lotier showed tremendous
determination at the Turkey Derby after loosing his race long lead close to
the end to recover and enjoy the laurels of victory lane with team Owners
Lenny and Donna Boyd.Lotier moved into the TQ midgets
after numerous years experience in the Tobias Slingshots and Speedsters.
Lotier had a big win in his Speedster at Sielinsgrove in
08.Lotier’s 2009 started off bittersweet in
Atlantic City with a blown engine in TQ
qualifying for that event but was able to win the Tobias Slingshot race and
secure an invite to the Indoor race in
ProvidenceRhode Island on March 6th and 7th.
Alison Cumens was another Rookie from
the Quarter midget ranks of the DQMRC winning two class championships there in
2007.Alison came into her own in the TQ midgets in one
particular weekend of racing.Mid season the ATQMRA TQ
midgets were invited to race with the Can-Am midget organization at Flamboro
Speedway.The ATQMRA raced at Mountain on Saturday with
Alison winning her first career TQ heat race and finishing ninth.The team loaded up and headed north to race with the Can-Am midgets in
Southern Ontario at Flamboro Speedway.Alison raced to her second heat race victory of the weekend and seventh
in the feature.Alison seemed poised to win her first
feature race in the ATQMRA Debut at the Chemung Speedrome but fell just short
with a second place finish.A strong showing at
Atlantic City helped earn her an invite to
the Providence TQ race.
Scott Campbell entered his ATQMRA rookie
season with the least experience of all the rookies that vied for the Rookie
title with his experience primarily in snowmobile racing.Campbell steadily improved as the season
progressed.He was able to come away with fourth in the
rookie standings through consistency across the season.Campbell is looking forward to an exciting
09 campaign and hopes to improve on his results in 08. His beautifully
prepared Dart number 4 was on display in the Wall Township Speedway booth at
the Motorsports show in
Atlantic City.In the
off season Scott races his snowmobile,He recently had a
second place finish at a race in
New York state.
Matt Roselli had the fifth highest
points total for rookies in 08.Matt came into the TQ
midgets from the Lehigh Valley Quarter Midget Club in Long Pond
Pa.He won countless
races on the dirt tri-oval on the grounds of the Pocono International Raceway.Matt’s confidence started to rise with seat time in the TQ midgets
toward the end of the season.He ran one of the fastest
laps of the weekend at the 08
TurkeyDerby.Roselli spent his
off season racing the Dan DeRitis 600 Micro-sprint in the Rumble Series
gaining valuable experience that will serve him well with the ATQMRA in 09.It enabled him to set tenth quick time of the near 100 cars registered
for the Gambler’s Classic and earned him an invite to the
Providence indoor race.
Roselli’s confidence started to build at the end of the season and indoors.He will surely be a force with the ATQMRA outdoors.
Ian “the E-Man” Cumens was the only true
ATQMRA rookie to qualify for an A-main at the Gambler’s Classic in
Atlantic City.Ian was
the sixth finishing rookie on the season but showed his prowess when the wings
came off and the track got smaller for the indoor events.
The lightening fast reflexes that helped him earn two class championships and
set the DQMRC World Formula Briggs track record in 07(Which is still stands)
served him well.Cumens had numerous top ten finishes and
earned his invite to the
Providence race by finishing 17th
in the Gambler’s Classic A-Main.The confidence gained in
08 and indoors at the beginning of 09 will make Ian a top contender in 09.
Jeff Kot led 11 a-main laps on the
season, the most of any rookie of the year candidate.Kot
raced most of the races on the season and came home 7th in the
rookie standings.Kot was another ATQMRA rookie who had an
impressive weekend in
Atlantic City.Following
a horrendous qualifying lap in time trials Kot qualified from the back of the
first eliminator to the back of the second eliminator to the back of the heat
race into the Gambler’s Classic and finished tenth.Kot
showed his determination; patience and racing savvy to keep his car in one
piece through the weekend and earn his way into the A-Main and receive his
invite to
Providence.
Ken Wismer III ran a limited schedule
with the ATQMRA in 08 but came away with an 8th place finish in
rookie points.Wismer raced 270 Micro sprints on dirt on
08 and will be running a 600 Micro sprint in 09.
Randy Cabral by virtue of not having
raced with the ATQMRA previously was considered a rookie in 08.The Multi time NEMA Champion was a rookie with the ATQMRA but his
experience makes him a veteran by any measure.Driving the
Dave Clarke Dart Chassis number seven Cabral had the best per race average
finish of all rookies.The
Clark team plans to hand pick a number of events to
race with the ATQMRA in 09.
Joe Payne III finished tenth in the
rookie standings after running a limited number of races.
With more seat time “J Cubed,” as he is affectionately known, will become a
contender.
The 08 ATQMRA Rookie Class brought a
glimpse of where the future direction of the ATQMRA.Each
of the rookies came into the organization racing top flight well prepared race
cars and progressed as the season unfolded.Each found
their comfort zones as the season came to its conclusion.
They will all be contenders in 2009.
Join the ATQMRA at its annual awards
Banquet at Lobitz Catering in
Hazleton,
Pa on Saturday February 28th at
7:00 Pm to honor teams.Seats for the banquet are $30.00 a piece.Send a
check or money order made out to the ATQMRA to: Don Adams,
3 Merrick Road,
Robbinsville,
Pa,
07069 to secure your seat.2008 registered car owners and drivers have a complimentary seat at the
banquet.Please get your RSVP in ASAP.
On the left is Ryan Tidman, the 2008 ATQMRA Champion in
Victory Lane with Miss Mountain Speedway.
To the right is Robin Johnston the 2008 runner-up in the
ATQMRA Points standings
Andrea Cumens takes
over as ATQMRA Secretary
Andrea Cumens has been elected to the post of
ATQMRA Secretary. The post was vacated by Richie Coy after over a year of
service. She was unanimously voted into the position by the board of the
organization. Andrea will bring the 2008 season's experience as a car owner
and a years of experience working in the quarter midget world. Andrea was the
QMA Region 2 Assistant Director and served as President of the
Doylestown Quarter Midget Racing Club. She will bring a wealth of experience
to the ATQMRA and I look forward to working with her to help move the ATQMRA
forward in 2009 and beyond.
Jeff Kot
Earns Impact Racing Products ATQMRA Gambler’s Classic Top Honors
Jeff Kot was the highest finishing
Registered ATQMRA member at the 2008 Gambler’s Classic in Atlantic City. The
top finishing rookie competitor was Brent Marks in the Joe Csernak F8, and the
Hard luck award goes to Frank Fischer in the Colin Martin 36. Winners will be
presented their awards at the February 28th awards banquet.
Kot took the longest possible route to
earn his way into Saturday’s A-Main. Kot posted the slowest time of all time
trailers in the event. Kot raced through the Friday night eliminator to earn
a qualifying position in the Saturday night Eliminator. From his last
starting position in that eliminator Kot avoided the carnage and made his way
into a qualifying position to start at the rear of the Saturday night heat
races. He earned a qualifying position into the Gambler’s Classic the hard
way. Kot kept his nose clean throughout the A-Main and finished in the tenth
position earning the Impact Racing $100.00 Certificate and a refund of his
membership registration fee for 2009.
Frank Fischer made his way into the
Saturday night Gambler’s Classic in the Colin Martin Spitfire 36 but was
involved in an early race tangle that ended his chances at victory. This
earned him the ATQMRA Impact Racing Hard Luck Award of a $100.00 certificate.
The Joe Csernak F8 had the highest
finishing Rookie Driver aboard in Brent Marks. The Csernak Racing machine had
an impressive qualifying run of 7th out of the 100 registered cars
for the event. Marks qualified through his heat race to make the Gambler’s
Classic in his first indoor event ever. His A-main efforts were ended by an
early race tangle that relegated the team to a 24th place finish.
Out of the 31 cars that earned an invite
to the race in Rhode Island’s Dunkin Doughnut Center 15 invites were earned by
ATQMRA regulars who qualified for an A-Main at Atlantic City on the weekend.
A large additional number of entrants who qualified will be running their 600
micros with the ATQMRA during the 2009 outdoor season.
See you at the races
Blu Metz
ATQMRA President
Mike Tidaback and Frank Polimeda recovering
from weekend flips
I spoke with Mike Tidaback Sunday evening as he
was heading into a restaurant for dinner. He was bruised and banged up but
otherwise unhurt from his violent flip at AC. I wanted to pass word along to
everyone since I have received numerous calls asking about his condition.
Frank Polimeda went to the hospital and was
released following his severe flip in Qualifications for the Chile Bowl in
Tulsa Ok. He has flown back to his Fort Lee NJ home and will have a full
recovery. We wish him well with the 2009 racing season.
Rules that allow everyone to be competitive at a reasonable cost
Races are sanctioned in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey
Competitive purses
Season ending point fund
Contingency Sponsorship program
Race with an organization with over 50 years of developing championship winning drivers who move on to success in other divisions
Many top drivers began their racing careers in TQ midgets
Mario Andretti
CART, Formula 1, and Daytona 500 Champion claims 4 ATQMRA wins on his resume.
Tony Stewartand Kasey Kahne, Nascar
Nextel Cup stars began
their careers in TQ midgets
39 ARDC/NEMA Midget championships won by competitors moving up from the ATQMRA
Lou Cicconi and Phil DiMario both ARDC champions will return to their ATQMRA roots in 2007
Nokie Fornoro and Joe Payne have won numerous ISMA Supermodified races.
Michael Carber 2004 ATQMRA rookie of the year is winning 410 sprint races in central Pa and Australia
Dave McKnightJr. won numerous TQ championships before moving on to win his first ISMA championship
Midget championship winning car owners won first with the ATQMRA, Matt Voulo, Jack Kirshner ,Bud Piersig, Billy Hughes, Spike Gillespi, Mike Sheehan,
Jim Reider
Matt
Janisch and Chris Deritis moved up from quarter midgets to earn ATQMRA rookie of the year honors
The ATQMRA has sanctioned races over the years at Mountain Speedway,
Pinebrook, NJ, White Lake Speedway, Bethel Motorsports Park, Oswego Speedway, Atlantic City (Indoors, Stockinger Era), Wall Township Speedway, Mahoning Valley, Seekonk, Riverside Park, Waterford Speed Bowl, New London ( Indoors), Allentown Fairgrounds
Agricultural Hall (Indoors), Dorney Park, Pine Brook, Linda's Speedway, Hickory Motor Speedway, New Egypt, Grandview, Freeport Municipal Stadium, Hershey Park, Moc A Tec, Riverhead, Islip Speedway, Five Mile Point, Old Bridge Stadium,
Madison Square Gardens, Teaneck Armory, Flemington Speedway (Dirt and Asphalt) in addition to many other tracks in the northeast.
Help me add to this
far from complete list of racers who helped make the ATQMRA
great over the years.
Championship and
race winning owners and drivers and competitors:
Ace Lane,
Austin Fehr
Alan Mollet
Andy Simon Jr.
Andrea Cumens
Brent Cumens
Ian Cumens
Alison
Cumens
Akos Sule
Bob Watkins Sr.
Bob Watkins Jr.
Bert Bradley
Bobby Albert
Bob Ottogalli
Bill Berry.Sr.
Bill Berry Jr.
Bob
Berry Sr
Bob Berry Jr.
Brian
Wagenhoffer
BJ MacDonald
Brian McGowan,
Bruce Landry,
Chris "Tyro" deRitis,
Dan Clover
Dan deRitis,
David Jones,
Del George,
Dick Banko,
Don Adams
Don Zrinski,
Denny Reider
Austin Fehr
Doug Anderson,
Doug Cleveland
Doug Wessel
Bruce Wessel
Frank Swan
FrankFischer
Ed Malik
John Malik
Fred Stutz
Gary Betsy
Gerry
Watkins
George Chevalier
Harry Thompson
Howard Boss
Jack
Bellinato
Jim Yates
Joey Coy,
June Metz
John
Vitale
John Jenkins,
Ken Karpovich,
Ken Zrinski,
Kim Lindasay,
Leo DiStefano,
Lou Zrinski,
Mke Roselli,
Sonny Smith,
Tim Behmer,
Will Ford,
Akos Sule,
Andy Storero,
Art Hendrickson,
Billy
Pauch Sr.
Billy
Pauch Jr.
Art Lawshie
Sr.
Art
Lawshie Jr.
Mark
Lawshie
Bart Nash
Bart Nash,
Bart Simpson,,
Ben Seitz
Bert Bradley,
Bill Courtwright
Bill Curtis,
Bill Mildern,
Bill "Gomer"
Phillips
Bill Sealo,
Matt
Roselli
Johnny Mann
Billy Coy,
Billy Hughes,
Bing Metz,
Blu Metz,
Bob Berry Jr.,
Bob Berry,
Bobby
Santos
Bob Poulsen,
Bob Resco,
Bobby Courtwright,
Bruce Jones
Bruce Kindburg,
Bruce
Jones
Bruce Landry,
Bud Tidman
Bruce Richards,
Pete Persiglio
Bruno
Leombruno
Bob Cicconi
Bryant Ingalls,
Bud Tidman,
Carl Shorey,
Carl Storero,
Carl
Kindburg
Chris Tyro deRitis,
Chris Zrinski,
Craig Rochelle,
Craig Stivale,
Dan deRitis
Dan Clover,
Dave
Williams
Dave Thomson,
Don Adams,
Donna Boyd,
Doug Craig,
Duane Stivale
Erica
Santos
Erma Lamont,
Eddie
Deitz
Fred Stutz
Frank Fischer,
Gary Gimler,
Gary Betsey
Gary Mekita,
George Kattau,
George Ratachak,
Ernie Warnash
Charles Fitzpatrick
George Verhost,
Glenn Sullivan,
Guy Cicconi,
Harry Weed Jr.,
Harry Weed,
Howard Boss,
Jack Becker,
Jack Bertling,
Jack Duffy,
Jack Kirshner,
Jamie Tomaino,
Jeff Kot
Jeff
Werner
Jeremy Frankoski,
Jerry Morese,
Jerry Wall,
Jim Gosford,
Jim MacGuire,
Jim Peruto,
Jim Reider,
Jimmy Shaw,
Joe Payne
Sr.
Joe Payne
Jr.
Joe Payne
III
Johnny
Payne
Joe
Csernak
Joe Csiki,
Joe Lacey,
Joe Lord,
Joe Mattioli,
Joe Osite,
Jack
Becker
John
Blewett III
John Becker,
John Coy Sr.
John Gambutti,
John Holmquist,
John Leombruno
Bruno Leombruno
Ed Deitz
John Sanders
John Little,
John Matrafailo,
John Petraitis,
John Smith,
John Wehrle,
Johnny Coy Jr.
Johnny Payne,
Ken Wismer III
Ken HIrt,
Ken Karpovich,
Ken Lorenz,
Ken Walder,
Joe
Stochel
Kieth Dempster,
Kim Lindsay,
Kristin McKnight,
Lake Himes
Larry
Michaels
Len Duncan,
Lenny Boyd,
Leo
DiStefano
Lew Ingalls,
Lou Cicconi,
Lou Cicconi Jr
Mario Andretti,
Mark Pritchard,
Mark Smith,
Matt Seavy
Matt Janisch,
Mark Janisch
Mel Mondschein
Karl Mondschein
Gary Mondschein
Mike Calla
Maxie
Cohen
Joey
Zuzzolo
Anthony
Zuzzolo
Terri
Mollot
Mike Osite,
Mike Piersig,
Mike Roselli,
Mike
Roselli Jr.
Mike Sheehan,
Norm King,
Norm Lippman,
Pat Wohlgemuth,
Paul
Lotier Jr
Paul Verhost
Pete Mourad,
Pete Petraitis,
Paul
Weisel
Phil
Devaulas
Phil DiMario
Pete Sindone,
Ralph Flach,
Randy
Cabral
Randy Ericson,
Randy Verhost,
Ray Evernham,
Ray
MaCabe
Ray Scigowski,
Bob Buis
Richard Davis,
Richie Coy,
Rick Arnold,
Rick Dini,
Rick Verhost,
Ricky Taylor,
RJ Flach,
Sonny Cook
Sue Flach
Ralph Flach,
Rich Nash
Robin Johnston,
Robert Boetticher
Ron Smith,
Rudy Boetticher Jr.
Rudy Boetticher Sr.,
Ryan Tidman,
Sal Osite
Sam Cifelli,
Sam Safelli,
Sonny Sanders,
Sonny Smith,
Scott
Campbell
Stan Scigowski
Steve
Corby
Tim
Buckwalter
Steve Buckwalter,
Steve Craig,
Mike Stull
Steve Stull
Steve Kasing,
Ted Seiz,
Terry Yates,
Tim Adams
Tim Behmer
Tim Buckwalter
Tim Yarger,
Tommy Lane,
Tony
Siscone
Tommy Williams,
Tony Romit,
Wayne
Higgens
Will Ford,
Will Claren,
Zack Martini,
I know So many more
drivers and owners have competed with the ATQMRA over the years.
If I missed someone drop an email to
blu4a@rcn.com and I will
happily add their name to our honor roll. Any pictures or
articles that anyone has available can be added as well.
Click the picture above for links to the past.
Counter added Feb 9, 2007
Paterson NJ Great Falls Festival August 31st
Hinchliffe Stadium Race Car Show Current and Vintage race cars
on display. Interrested in entering the show? Email
Blu4a@rcn.com for info.
Providence,
RI — Mike Iles of Medford, N.J., pulled off a huge upset Friday night at
the Dunkin Donuts Center by claiming the 20-lap TQ Midget feature race.
“I
love racing this TQ Midget indoors,” Iles said. “We race on the big track
on dirt, but this indoor stuff keeps you sharp.”
Defending
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher is proving he is one
of the best indoor racers. Christopher, 50, of Plainville, Conn., captured
Saturday night’s 30-lap TQ Midget feature event at the Dunkin Donuts
Center in Providence , R.I. The race concluded the two-day event, which
was the first held in the Ocean State in 50 years.
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