May 25th - Unity Raceway (Please excuse dates on photos. Camera date was not set correctly. Photos were taken May 25, 2007)
Our first excursion to Unity in 2007 provided some exciting racing for the 12 drivers piloting their vintage cars around this vintage oval. Each time the green flew, it was quickly obvious that throttles were on the floor down the straights, and nearly so through the turns. Our drivers seem to really enjoy their opportunities to challenge the very track that many of them enjoyed as kids so many years ago. Five of the twelve cars chasing each other on this night had themselves been here those many years ago. Three very friendly "invaders", John Rice with his Del Stinson '37 Pontiac "Early Modified" #24, & Alan Gassett with his Homer Drew '46 Ford "Early Stock" # 62, both of Beech Ridge fame, teamed up with Bob Cercena and his Danbury Racearena replica '34 Ford "Early Stock" # 7 to keep the "local boys" honest tonight.
Unity Officials, during intermission, hosted an opportunity for the fans of vintage auto racing to mingle with the drivers and cars of yesteryear. Here the 1940 Plymouth coupe of Barry Clukey and the 1936 Ford coupe of Mark Collins getting their race cars admired. History and stories filled the air. (Anyone know where those champagne bubbles came from ?)
For those that remember Unity Raceway history, the name Keith Fuller may bring to mind several racecars that sported the number V-1, and a man small in physical stature, but very tall in the eyes of many for his racing know how and ability; whom we lost far too early in his racing career ! Jim Sprague, who just happens to be Keith's stepson, chose to sit out this Friday night on the bleachers; instead choosing to share the driving chores in his '32 Ford "Early Modified" #2. The vintage feature became a tight battle of "Early Modifieds" between John Rice's #24, Jim Sprague's #13 driven by Robert Hills, and Jim's #2 Ford. Following some contact and a couple of restarts from the rear, these three modifieds put on quite a show of moving through traffic again and again. At the checkered it was the #2 first across the line, to the delight of many in the "Wicked Good" club. For many of us, it has been far too long since we heard Keith Fuller declared the winner of a feature event in an old Ford stock car. Thanks Keith Jr, for a special treat. You represent yourself and your Dad well !
