Alison Cumens Celebrates ATQMRA Championship

ATQMRA hands out over $10,000 in awards

ATQMRA 2009 Champion Alison Cumens poses with her family and crew.

ATQMRA Rookie of the year Kyle Gardner with car owner Joe Csernak and Teammate Blu Metz.

Stefanik Takes Coffee Cup

Lichty takes Friday night glory

ATQMRA has a strong showing in Providence

Date: 12/5/2009 11:44:33 PM
 

Dramatic Turkey Derby

Lotier Wins the Race

Alison Cumens 2009 ATQMRA Champion

Robin Johnston's Lucky 13 tops owner standings

Team Boyd Joins Lotier in Victory Lane to celebrate their second consecutive Turkey Derby triumph.

The Cumens family join 2009 ATQMRA Champion Alison in victory lane to celebrate the surprise victory in the season long war.

Robin Johnston took top honors in the car owner standings with his Duchak Engines CRJ Construction 13 with himself, "Liquid" Lou Cicconi and Ian Cumens taking their turns behind the wheel throughout the season.

Impact Racing Products Sponsoring ATQMRA at Gambler’s Classic

 The ATQMRA has partnered with Impact Racing Products for the Gambler’s Classic.  They will be awarding a set of Impact Seat Belts to the highest finishing ATQMRA Member.  The highest finishing ATQMRA rookie will receive a pair of Impact Racing Shoes and a pair of Impact Racing Gloves will be awarded to the Hard Luck ATQMRA Driver.  In order to be eligible for the ATQMRA awards you must be a registered ATQMRA member prior to the start of racing on Friday.  Applications will be available at the track or can be downloaded from http://www.atqmra.com/rules.html .  As an Additional incentive the highest finishing ATQMRA member will have his membership fee refunded.

ATQMRA TQ Midget on display in Allentown Museum

The Mario Andretti ATQMRA TQ midget owned by the late Bill Curtis is in display at The America on Wheels at 5 North Front Street, Allentown, PA. http://www.americaonwheels.org/  Pictures courtesy Mark Pritchard.

King of the Mountain Johnston Wins Battle

 Behmer Wins Season Long War

Click the picture to go to full results and pictures

King of the Mountain Robin Johnston is joined in victory lane by second place finisher Kyle Gardner and Frank Fischer.

Tim Behmer was crowned the 2009 Sundance Vacation Speedway TQ Midget Champion.

Robin Johnston was crowned the 2009 King of the Mountain while Tim Behmer took an emotional victory by taking the ATQMRA Points battle at Sundance Vacation Speedway with a fourth place finish.

Matthew Vuolo

Walter Elliott
 
Sept. 21
 
Pat Wohlgemuth, Sr. Tribute
 
By Walter Elliott
 
   MORRISTOWN, N.J. -- Recollections of Pat Wohlgenuth Sr. where made both here at the
 
Doyle Funeral Home and at Teterboro Airport since the late stock car champion and 
 
racing patriarch died at home Sept. 16.
 
  About 43 people remembered Wohlgemuth in a 30-minute service presided by Rev. Joseph
 
Schneider of the Grace Bible Chapel of Chester at Doyle Sept. 21. Doyle was where a
 
visitation was held the afternoon before.
 
  "There are many memories of Pat Wohlgemuth," said Schneider. "There are memories of his
 
work with cars and memories of his passion for racing. Most important are the memories of his
 
relationship with his family and friends."
 
  Some of the six American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association exhibitors at Teterboro's
 
annual Wings & Wheels Expo recalled Wohlgemuth Sept. 19-20.  
 
  "We were just hearing about Pat's passing," said ATQMRA President Blu Metz. "He did a lot of
 
TQ racing with us at Pine Brook Speedway and his sons continued in micro stocks."
 
  The New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum hasbeen hosting a Pine Brook reunion the
 
last three Wings & Wheels exposition. The one-10th-mile paved mile Montville Twp. oval was
 
the ATQMRA's home from 1962 and the 1979 birthplace of the American Micro Stock Racing
 
Association until it's 1989 closure.
 
  Wings & Wheels remains largely a show for civilian and military aircraft, including a World War
 
Two-era TBM Avenger which Lenny Boyd flew in from the American Aerospace Museum in
 
farmingdale, N.Y. Boyd is also a longtime modified stock car and TQ driver.
 
  "I fly aircraft whenever I'm not racing," said Boyd. "I raced Pat Sr. in stock cars and TQs. He
 
was always a clean driver."
 
  Wohlgemuth, who began racing at Morristown Speedway in 1952 was the track's sportsman
 
division champion in 1955. He also won a similar divisional title in Flemington that year. The
 
more than 45-year-racing veteran's accomplishments also include winning a modified feature
 
at Flemington in 1968 and driving Sonny Cooke's TQ to victory at PBS in 1974.
 
  Wohlgemuth went on to field TQs and micro stocks for sons Pat Jr., John and Bill plus Sonny
 
Cooke's daughter Melissa. The Nos. 168 and 68 micro stocks were raced as recently as in the
 
Boardwalk Hall - the original Atlantic City Convention Center.
 
  All of his racing accomplishments, however, were matched at Doyle by his being a family
 
man to his five children - including son Peter and daughter Juilie - and wife Mary Ann. A
 
reprint of his being interviewed by Lou Brunell in the Aug. 26, 1978 Flemington "Modified
 
Country" track program included what he thought was his greatest accomplisments.
 
  "Coming home in one piece from the shows and and the way fans and everyone treated me
 
in 1963 when I had polio," was what Woh;gemuth listed as his thrilling racing moments. "The
 
kids keep me and the car going. Next season Pat Jr. is thinking about running late models at
 
Flemington if they've rules that keep the cost down."
 
 Patrick J. Wohlgemuth died of cancer Sept. 16 in the homes he had lived most of his life in.
 
The lifelong Morristown resident was born to the late Jerome "Jerry" Wohlgemuth March 13,
 
1935. The family lived in 245 South St. and built 247 behind it.
 
 "I knew Pat from when we were three years old," said friend Fred Orchard at the funeral.
 
"Pat, Jim, Jerome, the children - we were all close."
 
 Elder brother Jim recalled that Pat was still in Madison's Bayley Ellard High School when he
 
borrowed his car to first race at Morristown in 1952.
 
 "I was hanging out with a group who were into racing and I started driving at Dover
 
Speedway in 1950," said Jim Wohlgemuth, of Blairstown. "I was in the Naval Reserve when
 
Pat borrowed my car. He was 17 at the time but claimed he was 18 to drive."
 
  Morristown Speedway was a clay half-mile oval off the southwest corner of Hanover Avenue
 
and now-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 1947-55. Promoter Joe Sorrano attracted stock
 
cars - including five NASCAR now-Sprint Cup races -and open wheeled midgets before Mennen
 
bought the land for its same-named factory and arena. George Mennen, who built and
 
promoted Morristown Airport across town, is a hall of fame inductee at Teterboro.
 
  "I managed to get a notarized statement saying I was 18 but actually I was 17," said Pat
 
Wohlgemuth to Brunell. "The following year they caught me, I ran some other tracks until I
 
was 18 and went back to Morristown. My brother ran one more season when he returned from
 
duty."
 
  Pat and Jim were running Nos. 168 and 68 turquoise and white 1937 Fords at Morristown,
 
Flemington, the old Hightstown Spedway, New Egypt, the Nazareth (Pa.) half-mile and New
 
York's Polo Grounds and Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway. Jim said that Mary Ann gave
 
the cars their distinctive paint scheme. Pat most steadily ran at Morristown and Flemington -
 
the latter being a half-mile clay oval at that time.
 
  "I've always had No. 168 on my cars," said Pat Wohlgemuth. "The number I wanted was
 
taken so I took what was next in line. In the point standings I ended up in the top 10 until
 
the end of racing in the 1960s when I didn't run it as much. Whatever the car makes we put
 
back into it - I never take it out of my paycheck or salary."
 
  Wohlgemuth originally worked as a mechanic for Dockery Ford of Morristown. He later
 
opened Pat's Auto Repair and Mobile station. On display from his 45 year career was a 1998
 
letter of satisfaction from a customer.
 
 Wohlgemuth's steady effort paid off with sportsman crowns at Morristown and Flemington in
 
1955. They year was locally significant in that it was the first year the Flemington began
 
weekly Saturday night stock car racing and ran mixed fields of their modified and sportsman
 
divisions.
 
  Wohlgemuth later began teaming up with car owner Sonny Cooke for TQ racing within the
 
Teaneck Armory. The Triumph-engined Cooke No. 19 or 25 would appear at PBS, Wall
 
Stadium, the original Atlantic City Convention Center and New York's Freeport speedway.
 
  Wohlgemuth had just finished a summer race in Flemington when he contracted polio in
 
1963. Although he fully recovered, he spent six months in a Morristown Memorial Hospital
 
isolation ward.
 
  "I was back racing by the end of 1963 because they caught it in time," said Wohlgemuth. "I
 
received so many cards and letters from all over, they had a collection at Flemington and I'm
 
still receiving Christmas cars from some of the fans. That proves to me that racing people are
 
really great, no matter if you're at top driver or an also-ran."
 
  Wohlgemuth said that his other Morristown hospital visit into 1978 was an overnight stay for
 
a concussion. He also recently battled cancer there.
 
  Wohlgemuth, over time, switched from his '37 Ford to a Pinto-bodied, Chevrolet-powered
 
modified on a Liss chassis in the late 1970s. He estimated that he has owned 18 cars up to
 
1978 - a year before Dover brothers Bill and Bob Wagner brought Briggs & Stratton engined,
 
downscaled modified stock cars - micro stocks - to PBS.
 
  Wohlgemuth would field scaled versions of the Nos. 168 and 68 for his sons and M. Cooke -
 
Sonny's daughter - on the America Micro Stock Racing Association and successor tours.
 
   Both the ATQMRA and AMSRA became semi-touring divisions when PBS lost its lease in
 
October 1989. The Rt. 46 and Bloomfield Avenue oval's site, which used to be on the west
 
bank of the Passaic River, is under a Home Depot garden section.
 
  Five grandchildren and a great granddaughter are among Wohlgemuth's survivors.
 
  Memorial donations are to be made to the Matheny Medical and Education Center, 65
 
 

2009 Teterboro Wings and Wheels

The ATQMRA at the Teterboro Wings and Wheels Show 2009 click above to go to photos from the show.

Ron Dennis with his beautifully prepared "Sidewinder" Courtwright TQ midget took the hardware for best appearing at the show. 

Cumens Sweep

Following the heat race wins earlier in the afternoon, Ian and Alison Cumens shared the front row for the start of the 25-lap TQ Midget feature.

Denny Reider Paced the field in his two seater street legal Sprint car.

Two lap three cautions slowed the event. The first involved a tangle with Robin Johnston and Matt Roselli. Matt Roselli spun in turns three and four following the restart and collected Austin Fehr.

I. Cumens held the race lead over A. Cumens when the green flag was displayed. Frank Fischer held the third spot with Matt Janisch and Paul Lotier in pursuit. Troubles struck Janisch when his engine expired on lap eleven.

Green flag racing resumed and I. Cumens drove off to his first ever win at the speedway over his sister, Alison. Tim Behmer.

TQ Midgets (25-laps) 1. IAN CUMENS 2. Alison Cummens 3. Frank Fischer 4. Jeff Kot 5. Tim Behmer 6. Paul Lotier Jr 7. Tim Proctor 8. Kyle Gardner 9. Howard Boss 10. Matthew Roselli 11. Matt Janisch 12. Robin Johnston 13. Austin Fehr

TQ Midget Classic to Adams

In a Classic Duel with Johnston

SURVEYING: Chris DeRitis (left) and Lou Cicconi check out the ISMA SuperModified competition Saturday at Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl. (John DaDalt Photo)   This picture appeared in the National Speed Sport news of two ATQMRA veteran racers.

Tires for the Remaining Races

ATQMRA Business Manager Mike Roselli Picked up a limited number of tires from Sundance Vacation Speedway to supply to teams in need of tires at Chemung and Oswego.  Mike has a few R35's LC0's and LC3's as well as a few 13" tires.  They will be available for the same price as they are at Sundance.  Track Promoter Joe Calavini said with the end of the season nearing he is trying to dwindle his tire inventory.  He asks for our cooperation in ordering, and paying for the tires we need for the remainder of the season at our September 6th race at Sundance.

Bleak Forecast Forces Sundance to Cancel Saturday Racing Program

8/22/09

 

 

Quarter Midgeteers taking over in the ATQMRA

Fehr and Janisch Win Twin 20s

Delaware Valley Dave presents the Delaware Valley Dave's Towing First Time Winner's Award to Austin Fehr.  Fehr received a crisp $100.00 bonus for his first triumph at Sundance Vacation Speedway.

 

The latest update on Delaware Valley Dave is that his burns were only first degree and he is being released from the hospital shortly.

Dave Williams who was burnt in an accident in the second feature was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital where they say his injuries are minor.  He will be kept overnight for observation.  Our best wishes go out to Dave for a speedy recovery.  

ATQMRA Alumni

Liquid Lou Cicconi and Joe Payne Jr.

Victorious in Supers

Cicconi in Victory Lane in ISMA Competition at the Waterford Speedbowl.

The "Jersey Jet" Joey Payne was victorious in wingless action at Oswego.

Cumens Ian and Alison Sweep a One Two Finish

Father Brent joins Ian, Mother Andrea and second his sister second finishing Alison for a Cumens Family victory lane.

Johnston Wins Typhoon Digital Studio

Lightening 25 at Sundance

Robin Johnston (Center) With second finisher Ian Cumens (Left) and Matt Janisch

 

Fischer King of Romit Memorial

Frank Fischer Joined by the Romit (Alessio) Family Darren, Donnie and Carol as well as car owner Alan Mollet and crewman Joe Stochel.

Click the above Photo to go to the Photo page from the evening.

The Metz 46 took to the dirt track at the Warren County fair to generate some excitement.  Click the above picture to see more pictures from the fair.

Ready for the feature at Chemung.

 

The TQ Midget International Classic at Chemung Speedrome

Won by Liquid Lou Cicconi
 

click above for details

Cicconi in victory lane with Joe Stochel and Car Owner Alan Mollet.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6672552390814344871&ei=_TddSpGqK8btlQfR_awY&q=atqmra+pinebrook&hl=en

Click above to check out a vintage TQ Pinebrook video

Tony Romit Memorial at Wall Generates Excitement

Saturday July 25  2009  35 laps $750 to win. Come to the speedway by the shore for the exciting ATQMRA on the high banked third mile oval for this classic event.  Family entertainment at its finest. 

Special thanks to the Romit family for their ongoing support of the ATQMRA.

Tony Romit following one of his many wins at Pinebrook Speedway

The Family of the late great Tony Romit are going all out to help make the Memorial race on July 25th a successful event.  Above is the design for the T-shirts that each driver will receive as well as a special shirt for the feature winner and a limited number of shirts to be handed out to the fans in attendance.  TQ Midget Historian Wayne Laucius will have the Wherle 02 that was driven to much success by Romit during his career on display behind the grandstands. 

Tony Romit with his trademark smile in a Pre-Cage Midget.(Photo Courrtesy www.vintagemodifieds.com )

Tony Romit at Reading

Posted on www.thevintageracer.com in the Jim Nise Autograph collection is this vintage autograph of Tony Romit who was always a fan favorite.

 

 

 

Janisch takes Second Sundance Victory

Matt Janisch in Victory lane with second finisher Mike Tidaback and Alison Cumens.

Adams Repeats at Chemung

 

Adams Center Joined by third place finisher Frank Fischer (Left) and runner up Matt Janisch.

 

June 28, 2009 Chemung NY

Don Adams charged to the front in the Colin Martin Spitfire development car at the Chemung Speedrome.  Paul Lotier Jr.  and Liquid Lou Cicconi were heat race winners with Mike Iles taking the Micro Sprint division. 

 

Lotier jumped out to the early lead in the first heat race and looked to be poised to run away unchallenged until a caution flew bunching the field behind him on the restart.  Matt Janisch made an outside move into the first turn to move from his fifth position to move into second.  Janisch made an inside move coming down for the checker that had everyone in attendance wondering who won the heat.  Lotier had the advantage by a few inches at the line.  

 

The second heat saw Liquid Lou Cicconi advance to the lead and win by a few car lengths over Zack Martini and Don Adams. 

 

The feature event began with a lap two caution for a spinning Dave Williams.  On the restart early leader Austin Fehr was challenged by Lotier for the lead.  The two battled side by side for several laps before Lotier was able to wrest the lead from Fehr and take the preferred line.  The eventual threesome of Adams, Janisch and Frank Fischer were swarming through the field charging to the front.  Adams was able to get out front first.  Once in the lead he was unchallenged. 

 

The third and fourth turn at Chemung are the most challenging on the ATQRMA tour.  The unique wide racing surface makes for very competitive racing with four or five grooves of racing through that end of the track.  In the waning laps Janisch was able to make his way past Lotier and Fischer and set sail to catch Adams but ran out of time to close the gap opened by Adams. 

 

ATQMRA News and Notes:  Adams credited the hard work of his crew and Colin Martin for giving him a car he could take to victory lane.  Mike Iles finished 11th overall in the 600 Micro Sprint he raced and won at Providence Rhode Island and in the Rumble Series this past winter.  Cicconi looked poised to continue his battle with Adams from the season ending race at Chemung where he finished second to Adams.  Adams win came in a uniquely constructed car featuring a coilover/cross torsion design.  This was the first ATQMRA win by a torsion bar car since the Pinebrook days.  Janisch extended his points lead by four markers over third finishing Frank Fischer  The next event for the traveling ATQMRA is at Sundance Vacation Speedway for the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular.

 

 

ATQMRA TQ Midget Feature Chemung Speedrome 1. 36    Don Adams 2. 48    Matt Janisch 3. 26    Frank Fischer    4. 1B    Paul Lotier Jr.    5. 46    Zack Martini    6. 79    Ian Cumens 7. 73    Austin Fehr  8.  98    Matt Roselli  9.  39    Alison Cumens  10.  66    Chris DeRitis  11. F8    Kyle Gardner  12. 96    Tim Behmer 13. 13    Lou Cicconi 14. 59    Dave Williams 

Heat Races were won by Liquid Lou Cicconi and Paul Lotier Jr.

Micro Sprint Feature    1. 711    Mike Iles

 

ATQMRA General Membership Meeting

Mike Tidaback and Frank Polimeda recovering from weekend flips