Waterford's season is rapidly coming to a close, but there’s still much to be decided in the way of track supremacy. This weekend at the Town Fair Tire Finale, Champions will be crowned and yet another page of history will be added to the records ledger of the decades-old facility.
 
It’s been a season of ups & downs for the old girl, as well as the drivers that call the Bowl’ home each weekend. Perhaps one of the most noteworthy issues has been the slow degeneration of the once wildly popular Late Model division. Shrouded in controversy since the mid-point in the season when one well-known veteran was asked to do his racing elsewhere due some unsavory on-track antics, the class has been way-down on car counts. One thing seems certain, costs involved maintaining these cars are is at an all-time high. In an effort to save the division, track management has presented a number of alternatives, one being crate motors. Only time will tell if Waterford’s premier full-fendered division will rebound in the coming seasons or like so many other support classes, become a thing of the past.
 
Heard from Bill Harman just the other evening, he was looking for a copy of the definitive history of the Waterford Speedbowl, which was of course penned by John Brouwer Sr. The book covers the track from opening day in April of 1951 to the end of the 1973 season. Yours truly promised Mr. Harman a copy and hopes to get it to him before he and his wife retreat to their winter digs down south for the winter. It’s always a pleasure to hear from the New England Auto Racing Hall of Famer – Bill’s a great guy.
 
Harman’s career started at the Speedbowl in the late-50’s where he was an almost instant winner. Later years saw him take to the road, running all the storied NASCAR Modified haunts that once dotted the country (with a great deal of success I might add). Younger fans that remember the Speedbowl in the 70’s are probably familiar with the hurting he put on the competition while wheeling the Joe Zenga Vega and also the Coventry Racing Enterprises Coupe. 
 
In further speaking of New England Auto Racing Hall of Famers, look for an announcement soon in regard to who made it into the class of 2006. As always, NEAR does a great job with the HOF, and the banquet is always a sell-out, be sure to get your tickets in time to beat the rush.
 
I was posed with a “history question” from an interested local fan the other day, and it had to do with racing of the two-wheeled variety. Did Waterford ever host flat-track motorcycle racing ? The answer is yes. In the early 70’s, a clay oval was laid out along the inside of the track, and motorcycle racing was held each & every Friday night for a time. Never a real success, it was a short lived affair dominated by a local rider by the name of Bobby Ellis.
 
And with that, it’ll close out another one. Reach me at ddykes@originnet.net.
Has anyone seen Marvin Shaw ?