Race Results & Photos
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Seekonk  Open Wheel Wednesday - 7-16-08

Lee USA Speedway - 6-26-08
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WATERFORD SPEEDBOWL
WEDNESDAY NIGHT, JUNE 11th

State Wins NEMA Lites Opener Taking the lead exiting two with two laps remaining, Jessie State won the “first official” NEMA Lites feature Wednesday night (June 11) at Waterford Speedbowl. Coming from the rear, State was the third leader in the 20-lapper that was part of the Speedbowl’s Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday series. Jake Stergios, who led most of the race, held on for second with P.J. Stergios third. Anthony Marvuglio and early leader Josh Woolam completed the top five. Jake Stergios and State both passed pole sitter Woolam on a restart with 15 laps remaining. Although Jake Stergios did appear to be maintaining an edge, State played a waiting game before taking advantage of a slight “drift” with two left. Woolam, on the pole, jumped into the immediate lead but it lasted only four laps, Steve Powers and Russ Wood Jr. tangling coming out of four. Powers, who slid into the front stretch Armco, suffered an ankle injury. On the green, Woolam and Jack Stergios battled side by side but yellow flew again. On this restart, Woolam drifted back to fourth and into a battle with Anthony Marvuglio. Jake Stergios and State opened up a gap on the field with P.J. Stergios several car lengths back in third. The third stoppage, with 11 left, had little affect on the result. NEMA President Mike Scrivani Jr. and Vice President Tim Bertrand both expressed satisfaction with the car count (17 cars). RESULTS: 1.Jesse State, 2. Jake Stergios, 3. P.J. Stergios, 4. Anthony Marvuglio, 5. Josh Woolam, 6. Stephanie Doty, 7. Andy Shlatz, 8. E.J. Duval, 9. Kelly Farrell, 10. Mike Luggelle, 11. Timothy Paul, 12. Russ Wood Jr., 13. Steve Powers.   RESULTS CHART HERE

Rules for the Lite Series and the full 13 race
Lite Series Schedule are now posted on
the Lite Series Page Here

Photos by Mark McKeon

Awards Posted for the June 11th NEMA Lite Race at Waterford Speedbowl

The North East Midget Association is proud to announce that CellMark Inc., of Stamford, CT will be sponsoring the new NEMA “Lite” division. The company will be providing a bonus in each NEMA Lite feature for the “Hard Charger”, which is defined as the driver who passes the most cars during the feature event.

“CellMark is excited to be associating ourselves with the North East Midget Association, and also with a great group of up and coming drivers,” said company spokesperson Rick Paul. “We are looking forward to growing with the series and hope that our investment will help provide exciting racing action as well as to help the competitors with increasing costs.”

In its 20 year history, CellMark has become the world’s largest specialist in the marketing of woodpulp and paper related products. The company’s total annual sales exceeds four and a half million tons, representing an aggregate value of almost USD 2.1 billion.

Called a “feeder class” by NEMA Vice President Tim Bertrand, the NEMA Lite series is designed to introduce new competitors to winged midgets “in very low cost, less powerful cars.” Competitors can use any chassis that currently meets NEMA specifications but engines will be limited to Ford Focus and Oldsmobile Quad4.

“NEMA is proud to have CellMark on board as a sponsor and series supporter,” said NEMA President Mike Scrivani. “We are excited to be attracting organizations to our series of this caliber, and will do our very best to make their investment worthwhile.”

Statement from the NEMA Executive Board

Please be advised that effective 1/1/2008, all cars powered by stock Quad 4 engines may only compete with the NEMA Lite division and will not be allowed to compete in any NEMA Competition Event as defined in the rulebook.

Rules for the NEMA Lite Series

The NEMA Lite rules were designed with two principle tenets – fair competition and cost effectiveness. These rules will constantly be under review and are subject to change on a regular basis based upon these two tenets.

Any teams found to be going against the spirit or intent of the NEMA Lite rules will be disqualified from the current Competition Event and will be subject to an appearance in front of the NEMA Competition Board.

The NEMA Lite Series will follow the same technical specifications as per the 2008 NEMA Rulebook, EXCEPT for the following modifications to be added in an addendum to the current rulebook.

NEMA Lite Weight Rule: All NEMA Lite cars competing in a Competition Event will weigh a minimum of 1,160 pounds including the driver & driver’s gear.

**NEMA Lite Shock Rule: No gas charged shocks allowed. Only one adjustable shock allowed on any corner of the car. This shock may be cockpit adjustable.     ** Note – this rule will be placed into effect no later than the 2009 season. Due to the desire to increase car count in the early stage races – we will waive the “gas shock” component of this rule – and will still only allow one cockpit adjustable shock.

NEMA Lite Car Construction Rule: No titanium parts, components, or bolts of any kind allowed on any NEMA Lite competition vehicle.

NEMA Lite Tire Rule: Only one new right rear tire per night, and one new tire on any other corner of the car may be used.

NEMA Lite Wing Angle Rule: Wing angle not to exceed 15 degrees on any NEMA Lite competition vehicle. Margin of error is + or – one degree (1).

NEMA Lite Engine Rules: Ford Focus engine limited to the sealed SCREAM engine for the 2008 season.

Quad 4 engines must follow the Whip City Speedway engine rules.

NEMA Lite Quad 4 Offset Rule: Any Quad 4 powered vehicle competing in a NEMA Lite Competition Event will be allowed 7” or rear offset.

NEMA Lite Wheel Width Rule: “Combo” Cars (left hand steer, chassis kick more than 26.5” from the motorplate): 12” or 10” RR wheel allowed

All other cars: 10” RR wheel allowed

Thursday December 27^th
Royal Plaza Hotel - Marlboro, MA

The initial NEMA Lite Division meet and greet took place in Marlboro, MA on Dec. 27th, and all parties involved came away excited about the newest NEMA development.  “We had a phenomenal turnout, even on a snowy night!” said NEMA President Mike Scrivani Jr.  

“We’ve had the word on the series out for only three weeks and it looks like we have somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty cars already lined up.  The promoters are extremely excited about the prospect of bringing between forty to fifty winged midgets on any given night to their track.  It could be one of the best things to happen to New England midget racing in years,” said long time NEMA supporter and board member Bobby Seymour.  “I get calls daily on the series from folks who were considering other directions until this came about.”

A lively series of discussions focused on series goals, infrastructure, basic rules, race dates, and procedures took place. Series partners Helping Hands of America and The Race Depot pledged their support to the car owners who attended this informative first meeting.

“The goal of the NEMA Lite division is to provide a competitive yet affordable midget series that allows racers, both young & old, to compete at the same short tracks that NEMA has competed at for 54 years,” said series Vice President Tim Bertrand.  “The NEMA Lite division will represent an ideal ‘feeder’ division for NEMA, utilizing many if not all of the same technical rules, assisting NEMA in retaining its position as the top midget touring series in the Country.  Every promoter that we have talked to has been ecstatic about the new addition to the NEMA family,” stated Bertrand.

Stay tuned for continuing updates on this exciting new winged Midget division powered by Ford Focus and Oldsmobile Quad 4 engines.

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