LAURIE CORREIA RECEIVES MEMORIAL AWARD

DEREK GALLIGAN MEMORIAL AWARD PRESENTED TO LAURIE CORREIA

By MARK LaBRANCHE Photos by PRIME TIME VIDEO and PHOTO / MLM MEDIA

The Derek Galligan Memorial Award is very special amongst the motorcycle community at New England Dragway. It is not just given out to any body, it is only given out to people who truly and undoubtedly deserve it. A very strict and thorough group of people review the nominees. They have to meet certain criteria and meet them all, and that is not easy to do. What does one have to do you receive this prestigious award you ask? It is given to someone for the Pursuit of Excellence, Generosity, and Dedication to the Sport of Motorcycle Drag Racing. This

year’s recipient was LAURIE CORREIA.

If you have gone to a Street Fighter Race at New England Dragway you know who Laurie Correia is, aka one half of the “Power Couple” that tirelessly helps pull off this class. If you have never met her, let me tell you about this amazing woman. Laurie will document all of the qualifying runs; she does reaction time and ET of all the runs for the class. Laurie then sets up the ladder for the class. Laurie then monitors the class for each and every round until the race is completed. If anyone needs anything or has any question during the race Laurie makes this happen too. Laurie goes up to the Tower in between rounds, checks to make sure everything goes smoothly. Needless to say, the Street Fighter Class runs smooth because of her valiant efforts. Laurie also helps out other classes also. She

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genuinely cares about the racers and wants things to be enjoyable. Next time when you’re at Drags you will see Laurie and her husband helping out anybody who needs it. You will see them helping out a new person to Motorcycle Drag Racing, they will line them up at the starting line. They will talk to them in the pits and explain to the new person what they need to do. The experienced person will also learn from them both. You will see Keith lining up a new person in Pro Stock Snowmobile class. Keith and Laurie are a team, you will see them riding around the track together on a scooter talking to everyone. They are always together doing everything together.

Laurie has the passion and love for Drag Racing that she shares through her hard work and this award helps recognize her efforts. The Derek Galligan Memorial award was given out by Tommy and Yvonne Galligan in honor of their son Derek. There was not a dry eye in the house during the presentation. Derek was a very special person dedicated to Motorcycle Drag Racing. His award was given under the big tree near the gas shack. This tree is iconic to the Drag Bike people. We all sit under this tree when it is a sunny hot day during the season.

Laurie Correia, you truly are an amazing

person. I think I speak for a lot of Drag Bike people when I say “thank you, thank you for everything you do.”

We would also like to extend a special thanks to all the sponsors, Tommy Repair, Old Time Garage, Quality Components, BT Contract Service Rick and Arlie Stetson and New England Dragway.

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