New England Antique Racers (NEAR) Press Releases

NEAR Seeking Nominations For 2011 New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame

March 21, Milldale, CT--- Since 1998, the New England Antique Racers (NEAR), has inducted over-100 individuals into its prestigious New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame. The time has come for NEAR to start focusing on it’s next class of inductees, and the club is seeking input from those interested in making an impact on 2011 selections.

“As-always, we’re looking for input from the New England racing community to help aid in the lengthy selection process that we embark-on yearly,” states NEAR’s Bruce Cohen. “It won’t be-long, and the Selection Committee will begin a series of communications that will ultimately result in the choice of individuals included in the HOF class of 2011. It’s important for the racing community to know that while there’s an established-criteria followed regarding eligibility, anyone interested in casting a vote for someone who’s notably contributed to our sport in a historical-sense can certainly do-so. Every vote counts.”

For those wishing to contact Cohen directly with nominations, he may be reached at modman181@comcast.net.

For further information on NEAR and the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame including a complete contact list of NEAR governing body members, please log-on to the club website at www.near1.com.

The New England Antique Racers club is a non-profit organization that supports the history of New England auto racing. NEAR has been in existence since 1981 and has a growing membership of approx. 350-400 members and 80 antique race cars. Members live throughout New England and are available, on a no charge basis, for exhibition events at local race tracks in New England and several tracks in the New York area, with both original and historical replica race cars

New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Member Richard “Moon” Burgess Passes-Away

March 19, Durham, CT--- Pioneering New England stock car racer Richard "Moon" Burgess passed-away on Wednesday, March 17 after suffering a serious stroke earlier in the month.

Burgess started his career in the midgets during the 1940’s, switching to stock cars later in the decade. He competed with success at virtually every track in the region including Thompson, Waterford, Plainville, Riverside Park,

Kingston, Candlelight Stadium, Cherry Park, West Haven, and others.

Teamed with car owner Joe Fontana, Burgess experienced his greatest degree of success while behind the controls of the potent “Flying Eagle” #1 coupe. He retired from the sport in 1953 after a relatively brief but spectacular career in which he won over 200 races including 63 feature events in addition to a track championship.

Burgess was a founding member of the New England Antique Racers (NEAR). He was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.

Mass will be on Saturday March 20 at 11:30 A.M. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 272 Main St. Durham, CT. Friends and family are invited to later attend a celebration of Moon's life from 2:00-5:00 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell, CT.

Burgess leaves his wife Rita, children Rich, Jr. and Sharon, and grandchildren.

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