N.E. DRAGWAY MID-SEASON MOTORCYCLE REPORT

Roy Resendes

TOM McCARTHY

As the hot summer months of July roll on in New England, the seven months of drag racing, April through October, put July, squarely in the middle of the drag racing season. As we enter the month of August, here’s a look at the fi rst half of the motorcycle/sled drag racing season, at New England Dragway, in Epping NH. All points class totals listed in this report were current as of 26 July, 2021 In the Fast By Gast sponsored Top Bike series - as of 26 July, three of the listed eight Top Bike races were completed. Roy Resendes, who is working towards a three-peat of his championships, tuned by Bob Thompson, is sitting in the #1 spot with 106 points. He’s followed closely by veteran Mike Vizzo with 99 points and Gary Russell. All three of these points’ leaders are distinguished veterans with multiple championships in their extensive resumes. With fi ve races remaining in 2021, it’s anyone’s guess who will win this one. Street Fighter Class – This class of racing has become the most popular by far at NED and the no-bars bikes are doing great with 21 members listed on the current point’s roster. As of 6/26 points listed on the NED website, with three of nine races complete, the leader of the pack is Keith Corriea, with 136 championship points. He is followed closely by, Ace hit-man Scott Benevides, sporting 111 points and as of 26 July, Glen Birch is in the number three sport with 94 points at mid-season. With two-thirds of the races yet to be contested, it’s reasonable to expect changes in the points standing here, as this is drag racing and anything can happen. The 2021 ET Motorcycle / Sled class, with three of nine races complete, coming to the end of July: Tom Peterson in the points lead with 242 points.

Keith Corriea Tom won this class in 2020, with Titan Ed Hughes in the R/U spot last year. This year, Dave Ducharme is in the number two spot in points with 235 accrued as of this writing in late July. Dave has been trailering veterans at NED regularly as of late and is well liked and respected by his fellow racers at NED. Even the #3 man in MC/Sled points, John Civitarese commented recently,

“Dave is really on his game this year – he’s solid, always a threat, great racer.” Last year’s winners and runners up were: in Fast By Gast Top Bike class, Roy Resendes (W), Gary Russell (R/U), ET Motorcycle Sled class: Tom Peterson (W), Ed Hughes (R/U) and in Streetfi ghter: Matt Noonan (W) and Joe Ferraro (R/U). As 2021 progresses, there will be changes ahead for these tough competitors. Of special note: on Saturday, June 26th, 2021, the family of Tommy & Yvonne Galligan, parents of Derek Galligan, bestowed their “Derek Galligan” award. An award presented by the Galligan family, to recognise a most deserving member of the motorcycle drag racing community, done with keeping the spirit of their son’s Derek name alive. This year, Laurie Corriea, wife of racer, race coordinator Keith Corriea, was given the plaque in his honour, for her tireless contributions in helping keep the Street Fighter class running smoothly. Indeed both Keith and Laurie Correia Mike Vizzo are always there for all of the motorcycle drag racers at New England Dragway. Paul Lorenti, of the NED Board of Directors was present in support of this award.

Scott Benevides Tom Peterson