October 23, Brockton, MA--- Ben Dodge, Jr. was a very interested observer at both the All-Star Nationals and the Oktoberfest weekend at Lee USA, two NH ovals, held in southern NH last weekend. Dodge was especially interested in the Modified Open at All-Star and the True Value Modified 100 at Lee. "Up until recently the Modified popularity was confined to southern New England. Now it appears that the fans and tracks in northern New England have had their interest peaked with the Modifieds.

      "I've worked at both All-Star and Lee and helped those tracks promote six races in the past few years.  I'm just an observer this weekend. I'm looking for other opportunities with the Modifieds," he said.
 
      "Jack Bateman approached me about helping out with his True Value Modified Series. Also I helped organize the first Open in July for All-Star.  This sport also needs new blood like Bob MacArthur (All-Star) and the expanding True Value Modified Racing Series," revealed Ben.  Dodge.  He's  been an organizer of racing events at the Thompson (CT) Speedway for several years and was the track promoter at the now shuttered Riverside Park oval in Agawam, MA for many years prior to his move to Thompson.  Indications are that Dodge will be with the True Value Series in 2008 and he'll be working out the details during the off-season. 
 
        The newest work in progress is an oval track for: Flat track bikes; four cylinder street stock cars; 600,750, and 1200cc mini-sprint cars; and modified light cars.   Mototown USA, the world’s largest indoor motocross stadium, is located at 1001 Dayhill Road in Windsor, CT.  More information is available at mototownusa.com or by calling (860) 688-5110. The indoor venue is currently soliciting interest in a 4 Cyl. stockcar series. If it all gets off the ground, even the Mini Stocks at various tracks in the Connecticut Valley will be able to race indoors during the off-season.
 
      Area competitors were among over 300 teams that converged on the All-Star Speedway in Epping, NH for a big Open event and the Oktoberfest weekend at Lee USA Speedway some twelve miles from All-Star.  Both track washed out events last Friday night. All-Star went on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. with a 100 lap Modified Open which was won by Matt Hirschman with Ted Christopher in the Brady Bunch entry out of Brockton chasing him over the finish line for second. Ted made several attempts to get by Hirschman but just couldn't pull it off. Both Rick Savary of Canton and Jim Kuhn, Jr. of W. Bridgewater  were top running cars at the finish and managed to place seventh and eighth. Kuhn passed up the True Value Modified event at the Oktoberfest for the Mod Open at All-Star. Hirschman ended up with the $4,000 winners share.
 
       In the Pro Stock Open, which paid 10 grand to win, Middleboro's Jimmy Rosenfield, the two time PASS Outlaw Late Model champ, had his mind set on that big check. However, Jimmy went out, while going for the lead, in the second of ten caution periods. As a result, he had to go to the back of the field on the restart. Scott Chubbuck of ME ended up the winner when the race was called at midnight due to a town imposed curfew. At that time Rosenfield had worked his way up to 14th when the race was considered complete. 
 
      At the Lee USA Speedway Oktoberfest Andy Suess of NH won the True Value Modified Series 100 last Sunday afternoon while Raynham's Tom Cravenho went onto finish eighth. Vinnie Annarummo of Swansea was 22nd in that one. In other Oktoberfest action Mike Lema of Taunton was tenth in the Late Model/Super Streets feature with Whitman's Doug Rioux recording a 21st place. In the Outlaw Mini Cups Brian Mondeau of Middleboro was eighth and Taunton's Tim McVay was next.
 
       Some 225 entries in ten classes turned out for the Oktoberfest. But, only 150 managed to qualify in the early rounds. Earlier this month 232 entries in ten classes entered the D.A.V. Memorial at Seekonk Speedway and the World Series at Thompson, CT. ended up with 474 racecars for 14 classes. These season ending marquee events are scheduled to draw in many entries from venues that had completed their season programs.  Also, the weather was favorable this month for those year-end events. The only casualty was the Waterford (CT) Speedbowl that had a conflict with the rained out Sunoco 300 at Thompson in late September.
 
      On the AMA Hillclimb circuit Ryan Thibault of Tiverton, RI, on his Honda, came in ninth at the Oregonia, OH in the Xtreme Class. The event was won by James Lange of OH who rode a Harley. Walt Strank of PA tops the points in the series. Ryan placed third overall in the point tally.  Ryan also took fourth on his other Honda machine in the Unlimiteds. Jeff Thomas won that event. Anthony DeHart of MI leads the points while Ryan is fourth. Ryan Osterman of New Ipswich, NH was second in the Pro Sport class which was won by Roie Peterson of CA. Ryan Thibault was third.

    Let's check to see if there's anything in terms of motorsports going on this weekend as the long winter is about to close in on southern New England. New England Dragway in Epping, NH will call it a season on Saturday and Sunday with testing both days. Saturday's offering is flat track motorcycle racing at the Wachusetts Valley Riders Club in Winchendon called HalloweenX at 5 p.m. On Sunday the Capeway Rovers in Middleboro offer NCSC MotoX action all day. The Little T in Thompson, CT is offering 1/4 Midget tryouts for youngsters who would like to become future drivers starting at noon.

    Lou Modestino is a long-time columnist and Public Relations person, working for numerous tracks in the northeast, and now writes for The Enterprise in Brockton, MA.  He may be reached at lmodestino@hotmail.com. 

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