Photo by D and J Photos

The East Coast Speedway Banquet was held on Nov. 9, 2008 at speedway great, Tuff McBride's pub, McBride's, in Windsor, NY. Nearly sixty people were in attendance and a fun time was had by all.

After a very tasty lasagna dinner, Eastern Speedway Promoter, Jason Bonsignore, was ready to hand out some awards but first he spoke of what a great season it was for NY speedway and how many thanks were owed to everyone in the room from riders, sponsors, parents and track workers. Several items were discussed including the fact that the increase in advertising funds thanks to track sponsor, ALL BALLS Racing, led to a swell in attendance this past year and how it was the most successful year financially in the past 6 seasons for the NY venues. Bonsignore praised the riders for the entertaining racing they put on this year and also praised everyone involved for the positive attitudes and enthusiasm that were shown all year long. He spoke of how well everyone got along and how the future seems bright for the speedway scene.

Awards were first presented to the 2008 track champions. In the youth divisions, trophies went to Timmy Rogers and Spencer Portararo. Rookie third divsion rider, Brian Bailey, made a clean sweep of the Action Park, Champion Speedway and East Coast points titles. Bonsignore spoke for several minutes before presenting Corey Brookes with his awards for taking home the Action Park, Champion and East Coast Championships in the Support A Division. He said how Brookes is the best prospect he has seen in his 13 years of running the tracks and what a great kid he is. Eastern greats, Lenny and Tuff McBride both tied for the Action Park Div One Championship and it was decided to not break the tie and declare co-winners in honor of their many years they have given to the sport. Lenny made a comeback this summer after a 3 year layoff. The Points Champion for the third year running at Batavia Motor Speedway was Gene Bonsignore. Last but not least, Adam "The Missile" Mittl was the big winner...taking home the Champion Speedway Track Championship and the overall East Coast Points Championship for his first time. Mittl won the last 5 scratch mains of the season at Champion Speedway and truly deserved his accomplishments.

After the track championships were handed out it was time to acknowledge some very special people. Keith Hawkins, a first division racer from Nichols, NY, and Henry Hanzo, a 67 year old grandfather who races third division, were presented as co-winners of the Karl Humphrey Sportsmanship award. A hard luck award was given to Jerry Harman and his sister, Tracy Dean, as both had a terrible run of injuries and equipment failures but their attitudes remained great throughout! A most entertaining racer award was handed out to "Dangerous" Dan Harbst who thrilled the corwd in his first year and performed several backflipsduring the races. The 2008 Sponsor of the year was rider, Stefan Laessig, and his ALL BALLS racing company who generously donated $4,000.00 to the advertising fund which made such a difference. Hero trophies were given to the event staff members who attended including...Paul Szmal, Bill Hohn, Troy Hohn, Jen Brink, Cindy Brookes, Ty Vassil, Dennis Craven, Deb Diem, Meggan Hobbart and D and J Photos. 

In closing, unsung hero statues were presented to several grounds crew members who went above and beyond the call of duty in support of speedway racing in 2008 including, Russ Cornell, Andy Crawford, Johnny Vassil, Corey Deubler and Tim Mathewson. Rider, Shawn Engel, then made the classy getsure of speaking up and thanking Jason Bonsignore and his staff and leading a round of applause in appreciation of their providing of three fine tracks to race at.

Bonsignore announced at the end of the banquet that the tracks would again be open for an even bigger, better 2009 season and only a few days later announced plans for a winter mud and snow scrambles series at Champion Speedway over the winter.