News

April 2006

Frank,

Your recent email message found its way to me. My involvement with the club started about 1961-2. Forty plus years make things a little hazy. I recall we met in a bar (where else?) in Lynbrook or Valley Stream. At the time I autocrossed a Sprite and later raced a 3000 and a Sprite. I'm a veteran of many Ellenville Hillclimbs (late sixties, early seventies), Hobo Hill, and ICSCC and EMRA races at Pocono, Lime Rock, and Bridgehampton. One year EMRA was invited to compete at Lime Rock with IMSA to help fill out the field. That's when John Bishop was struggling. Is the Shongum Mountain Motor Club still active? Is Ellenville still an event?

I was active in the club, but can't remember all the details. I was Secretary and President at some point. Maybe guys like Harris, Heinlein, Bechtold, Middleman, Capra, etc can shed some light.

We moved to San Diego in 1973. Got active again in the late nineties. I'm on the Board of Directors for the Porsche Club, A member of the 356 Registry, and The 356 Club. I campaign a 1964 356 C in HSR West (Historic Sports Racing West). We run at Las Vegas, Phoenix, California Speedway, Button Willow, Streets of Willow, Palm Springs, and Thunder Hill. I have a South Shore brass badge on my 356 grille and a South Shore patch on the driving suit and I'm often quizzed about the design and the significance of BDS!

We're coming to Long Island for a wedding in November. Dick Shoenfeld and I spoke about getting together with some old members. Might be fun.

Ted

January 2006

From Patricia Merget

I am the widow of James Merget who was a charter member of the club. Jim's Shell Service Station in Valley Stream , located on Merrrick Rd. and Rockaway Blvd., was the place where the idea of the club was conceived. . Jim was a Foreign Car mechanic and so the gathering of sports car owners. Customers came from Manhattan to have their cars repaired. Just to drop a couple of names --Zoot Zims and Al Cohen--both famous Jazz Musicians. I am very excited about the relaying any history to you because it brings back many wonderful memories. After I speak with one of the other charter members I will give you a great deal of information that you may be of interest to you.

Did you know that the first woman to race at Indianapolis Raceway was a member of the club? Her name is Janet Guthrie. Any history that I send to you will be prior to 1960.

Dear Frank,

Thank you for responding so quickly. I just received a phone call from one of the charter members--you may recognize his name--Arnie Levey. He was a very close friend of Ray Cuomo.

You will not believe this but just yesterday his brother was cleaning out his basement and gave Arnie copies of the club's newspapers and other materials. He will send them to me within the next couple of weeks. He has a list of the original 34 members. As far as we can remember Arnie was the first president. He also designed the clubs badge.

Arnie Levey and my husband Jim Merget were 500cc Formula 3 drivers and raced at Limerock , Bridgehampton and other tracks.

How active is the club? Do you have regular meetings?

Will send you more information as I receive it.

Pat Merget

From Chick and Loretta Mittleman

We only learned about the club website recently from a past member, Steve Broczko, now living in Colorado. Yes we are still living on Long Island. Chick was a past president of the club but we are not sure which two years they were. We have many fond memories of those great times.

Happy New Year CHICK & LORETTA

8/13/00

Frank, After finally geting this computer/e-mail thing down pat I figured I would do a bit of research. And what did I find, the SSSCC&BDS, of who my father was a long standing member. When I read your list of members from 1972, I could not believe how many people I know.To bring everyone up to date on my dad, he is alive and well and living in his hometown of Baden, a small city just outside of Vienna. He is responsible for activating the racing brain cell in me. I ran with EMRA for quite a few years, and am soon to return. Please send me information on membership dues. I worked with Ted Johnsen and Kevin Kelley for a while. Neither one is working for Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan anymore. The last time I saw Mike McCauley was about twelve years ago. I have very good memories of going out to the track with dad and meeting the surrogate family. I know dad still has a good many pictures of all the guys. As soon as I speak to him I'll scan them into the computer and send them along with any info I can find out about who is where.

From Bob Kress:

SouthShore has had about 8 new members join the club since the race season started. We have new SSSC&BDS shirts being made up. The logo will appear on the front and The Beer Drinkers Prayer will be on the back. We ordered some without the prayer for those who prefer to be politically correct. Long time SSSC member Steve Colletti and wife Nancy (Perry) have moved to Dayton, Ohio. Nancy has taken a teaching position at a local college. Steve will be starting up Colletti Motorsports, concentrating on racecar prep. Steve's business number is 937-312-1533. We wish them happiness and success in there new adventure.

Bob Kress
12 Georgia Road
Amity Harbor, NY 11701
631-842-2892
myuncobra@aol.com

EMRA elections take place December 21, 1999 South Shore should be represented on the board. The Vice-chairman position is open. All other members are willing to stay on. We also need to revitalize South Shore. Contact Bob Kress. I've recruited several new members this season. We want to schedule meetings. Please call if interested.

South Shore has had active members since I've been involved ('87) but mostly in name only. The logo is about the only real connection I have to the past. Don Perry and his daughter's still come to occassional events. In fact Steve Colletti married Nancy. Steve owns World Auto Imports and does most of my car prep.A Steve, Walter Simindinger and I ran the Longest Day at Nelson back in '92. Steve Wang is still doing Spitfire stuff. Andy Smith had been the EMRA rep but has been busy in his own right. Andy does a lot of pro-rally type things.

Jimmy Amore passed away on February 4th, 2006 from complications of lung disease. Jimmy is probably best remembered as half of the "Guinea Cooper" race team from the 70's. He was a good friend to all.

It is with great sadness that I must inform all of the passing of my father, Rudy Vorreiter. He passed away on September 11th, 2003 in his hometown of Baden, just outside Vienna, Austria. Please forward this information to anyone you still have contact with.

Best Regards
Robert Vorreiter