The River Reporter

Keyword: racing

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“The Finish.” A vintage postcard postmarked August 17, 1908 showing harness racing action at the Monticello Driving Park, of the Albert Van Dyke collection.

At the starting gate of harness racing history

MONTICELLO & LIBERTY, NY — A few decades before Monticello Raceway opened its gates on June 27, 1958, the sport of harness racing reined supreme in Sullivan County, NY. While memories … more

By TED WADDELL | 1/27/21 | 1 comment

Horse sense. Philip “Bo” Sowers Jr., pictured right, has been in the sport of harness racing since he was five years old. He was just named Monticello Raceway’s 2020 Trainer of the Year. He is pictured with his barn manager Steve Shorey and the horse, I Saw Red...

Down in the paddock

MONTICELLO, NY — More years ago than this sports scribbler will admit to, he covered numerous noteworthy events at Monticello Raceway. There were the famous “The Mighty M” … more

By TED WADDELL | 1/13/21

Hot dogs, growing up in the country and road racing

OBERNBERG, NY — “I thought this was going to be a goldmine,” said 86-year-old Jim Greier, who at the age of 19 approaching 20, decided he was going to strike it rich by setting up a … more

By TED WADDELL | 1/6/21

Control tower. Four racecar drivers pilot their RC models around the indoor track.

Small, but speedy

HONESDALE, PA — After riding motorcycles for three decades, first racing them on tracks and then in hill climbs for the last 20 years, Bill Marshall figured it was time to put the brakes on his … more

By TED WADDELL | 11/25/20

Like father, like daughter. Charlotte Crane, the 9-year-old daughter of Andy Crane, the speedway’s promoter and racecar driver, learns about motorsports from the ground up. She helps her dad mount tires, set up ride heights and refuel his car, #9. “She wants to be a racecar driver, so I told her she’s gotta learn about it first,” said Crane.

Bethel Motor Speedway closes out 2020 racing season

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — “I have a good wife who lets me do my thing,” said veteran modified driver John Cote of New Milford, CT. For the last 20 years, he has considered Bethel Motor … more

By TED WADDELL | 11/18/20

Dressed for success. The first-place trophy in the bone stock V8 class went to Jereme Spanburgh, of Scranton, PA, who engaged in an epic battle with the driver of demo car #17 that, along with his car, was a testament to the strength of American steel. Asked about his red tie, Spanburgh said he always tries to look his best at demolition derbies.

Demo derby trophy hunters

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — What better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon, along with more than 1,000 motorsports fans, than watching cars crash into each other until one driver crawls out of a … more

By TED WADDELL | 10/14/20

At the starting line

FREMONT CENTER, NY — This one’s for you, Jack. More than a few years ago, John “Jack” Niflot, a friend and co-conspirator in the world of words, loaned me his cherished … more

By TED WADDELL | 8/26/20 | 1 comment

Comparing notes. ACOT president Keith Majka, left, goes over the afternoon’s racing lineup with club trustee Robert Noll.

In the driver’s seat: Keith Majka and the gears of time

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — Return with us now to the halcyon days of open-cockpit motorsports in America. That bygone era when racers competed wheel-to-wheel in what are now considered to be … more

By TED WADDELL | 8/12/20

Richard Belmonte of Meriden, CT is pictured at speed on Bethel Motor Speedway’s quarter-mile oval.

Memories of Thunder Road

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — On Sunday, July 12, Bethel Motor Speedway hosted a varied program of motorsports racing action on the local legendary quarter-mile asphalt oval. Members of the Atlantic … more

By TED WADDELL | 7/22/20

Exit lane. Michael Wiener, owner of Russell’s Garage in Loch Sheldrake, NY climbs out the rear window of his Ford Crown Victoria racecar, “Police.”

Around the track at Bethel Motor Speedway

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — NASCAR-sanctioned motorsports returned to our area in June with a series of practice sessions, followed by the official opening of the racing season at Bethel Motor … more

By TED WADDELL | 7/17/20

Back in time; past glories. Dan Dulin at the wheel of 358/Sportsman #5 at Bethel Motor Speedway on August 26, 2017, as he “plays though” the crowd.

In the driver's seat: Dan Dulin returns to racing

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — On October 9, 2018, racecar driver Dan Dulin’s life shifted gears dramatically; the professional landscaper of Par 5 Landscaping lost both arms after being … more

By TED WADDELL | 7/15/20

Contact tracing in Wayne County

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — Now that the curve has been flattened, PA counties have moved into the green phase and many people have resumed living their lives as normal—most conversations about … more

By OWEN WALSH | 7/8/20

Past glories. Monika Deckelman poses in her dad’s machine shop with her Soap Box Derby racer. Last year, she finished 10th in her division at the Soap Box Derby Nationals in Akron, OH.

In the driver’s seat: like father, like daughter

OBERNBERG, NY — Maybe it’s in the blood, or perhaps it resides in the genes. But whatever the case, 14-year-old Monika Deckelman is following her father’s passion for speed at … more

By TED WADDELL | 7/1/20

Marsha P. Johnson pickets Bellevue Hospital to protest the treatment of LGBTQ and those living on the street.

‘The Ecology of Aquatic Plants’ workshop and more

What's going on in arts, leisure and community June 18 to 24 more

6/17/20

Grey Towers won't be opening this weekend and contact tracing signup

Grey Towers won’t open for Memorial Day Weekend MILFORD, PA — For the first time in more than 20 years, Grey Towers National Historic Site won’t be opening the mansion doors for … more

5/20/20

Wheel-to-wheel racing. Ryan Brockner of Kenoza Lake, NY in the heat of action during the street stock feature race. He finished in second place after 25 laps, at 28:05.062, .0893 behind first place winner Chris Peloso’s fast and furious time of 28:04.168.

Wheel-to-wheel racing at Bethel Motor Speedway

BETHEL, NY — There’s always a sense of rebelliousness in the air at the local quarter-mile oval asphalt track. Picture Robert Mitchem in the cult classic flick “Thunder Road” … more

By TED WADDELL | 9/11/19

Winner of the Lynn Highhouse Memorial race, “Peace Out,” posing with driver Mitchell York.

Racing to remember

Of course, the fair is about Ferris wheels, funnel cakes and family fun, but for many, it’s also a time to honor dedication, tradition and a slate of people who worked for years to make the fair possible. more

By ERICA HIGHHOUSE | 8/7/19

Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
For all older stories, please use our advanced search.