Area Sports Car racers honored during annual awards banquet
By Dino Oberto …. “Keeping Track”
(HAZLE TOWNSHIP, PA) With a membership that exceeds over 65,000, the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) proudly boasts one of the most active participation groups in motorsports. There are over 2,000 amateur and professional racing events each year across 115 regions in North America which includes a strong presence in this area through the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the SCCA. The NEPA-SCCA enjoyed another banner year in 2011. Their events where staged at a variety of venues which included road courses, hillclimbs and auto crosses. In celebration of the past season the group gathered for their annual awards banquet which took place on February 11 at Best Western Genetti Inn and Suites in Hazle Township. Oscar Kovelski, one of the most well-known road racing figures in this area, was the guest speaker. He elaborated on the rich history that the NEPA-SCCA has had and he also talked in debt about the strong relationship the late Dr. Joe Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway, had with them. Each year since 1971 the Pocono Sports Car Grand Prix has been run on the track’s road course, making it the longest continually presented race in the history of the famous Long Pond speed plant. 2011 marked the 41st running of the event. While on the subject of Pocono Raceway, Kovelski also recognized longtime member and chapter Treasurer Joe Wilkie of Wilkes-Barre who had participated in the very first IMSA event and both Formula Vee and Formula Ford road racing events which took place in October 1969. When it came time for the awards portion of the evening, current members received numerous honors for the past season’s achievements.
The Bud Faust “Most Improved Road Racer” trophy went to Jack Maloney, a native of Conyngham who currently resides in Potomac, Maryland. Jack finished second in each of the last three road races of the year and tallied a handful of third place finishes. He was among the top five in his class all season. The Weatherly Hillclimb is a huge part of the NEPA-SCCA as well as several other such race sites the group competes at including Giant’s Despair in Wilkes-Barre Township. Matt Kujat, Jr., of Freeland won the Dan Lipperini Sr., “King of the Hill” award as the hillclimb driver of the year for his accomplishments in the Pennsylvania Hillclimb series. Kujat, a 20-year old second generation racer who is junior at King’s College, either won, placed second or set at new course records at each hillclimb event he ran last year.
Whenever you mention road racing in Northeast Pennsylvania Hugh Maloney’s name immediately comes up in the topic. He is a well-respected seasoned veteran of area and national road racing with SCCA and deservedly received the coveted “Oscar Kovelski Road Racer of the Year” trophy.
As he has done many times before, Maloney once again qualified for the SCCA National Championship Runoffs in the Formula Vee class and ran strong at the annual showdown held in late September at Road America in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin. The “Mike Drayer Award” was presented to John Maloney of Conyngham, brother of Hugh, for being a club member working for an extended period of time. He has been a Membership Chair for the past 12-years. The Tim Mayer “Best New Road Race Driver” went to Chris Elwell, a native of Moscow who now resides in New Bedford, MA. Elwell is a member of Team Maloney Racing. He obtained his novice road racing license in 2011 and finished as a regular on podium all summer. John “Giz” Brezinitsky of Freeland received the Joe and Dee Wilkie “Member of the Year” award for his help with club activities.
The popular “Horses Derriere” a yearly comedic award which goes to a member who during the past season had a forgettable incident that is also worth years of ribbing, all in good humor, was given to Andy Bower of Paxinos. Last year Bower was an outstanding member who excelled where he shouldn’t have.
The Marty Newman “Solo Worker of the Year” was awarded to Dave Walter of Williamsport.
Charles Koulik of Wilkes-Barre was named the Barry Sarr “Solo Driver of the Year” for his great driving and national competition placing in 2011.
The following class championship awards were also presented to the following.
A Stock, Geno Marola, Lehighton. C Stock, Kim Hall,Bethlehem. G Stock, Cory Hockenbury, Sugarloaf. H Stock, Ron Sibulsky, Catasaqua. B Street Prepared, Mark Engles, Scranton. C Street Prepared, Jason Popeck, Bear Creek. D Street Prepared, Chris Dressler, Paxinos. E Street Prepared, Rob Springer, Harrisburg. A Modified, Steve Marsh, Hunlock Creek. Street Touring, Adam Koback, Barnesville. Street Touring S, Henry Pascucci, Edwardsville. Street Touring X, Mike Ferrucci, West Chester. Street Touring U, Paul Fink, Cogan Station. Street Modified, Spencer Matter, Williamsport. Street Modified F, Chase Carpenter, Lehighton. Junior Kart A, Nate Engles, Scranton.
NEPA-SCCA is a core group of racers that are committed to the tradition of road racing. They could be considered the best kept secret in area racing with some of the best events that are all closely run amongst the various classes.
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