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3rd Annual Thunder Road Classics and Chrome Meet - August 1, 2004
Report by Gene Napoliello
On Sunday, August 1, 2004, thirty-six vintage vehicles and a dozen or so spectators arrived at Barre's Thunder Road to support Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, Vermont's camp for kids with cancer.
Sponsored by the VAE and hosted by Ken Squier of WDEV radio, some $643 was raised from donations. Camp director Ted Kessler, a cancer survivor himself, was on hand to accept the donations from Gene Napoliello, the VAE event organizer.
The event was actually premiered starting on Thursday night, July 29th, with the traditional drive around the T-Road oval at intermission of the regular Thursday night race card. Ten VAE members circled the racetrack twice in their antiques as a prelude to Sunday's fundraiser,
A red '61 Triumph TR3A, reportedly driven by VAE secretary Fred Cook, broke away from the pack and continued circling the quarter mile oval- at a good clip!
Suddenly, out of the shadows of the backstretch, a black vehicle appeared with flashing red lights and a blaring siren, seemingly taking off in hot pursuit of the speeding Triumph. Both cars came to a screeching halt at the Start/Finish line. Out of the now recognizable '39 Ford Police cruiser stepped VAE member Bill Kenestin, sporting a police officers' cap, badge and billy club. His deputy was carrying what appeared to be a sub-machine gun.
They took the protesting Cook into custody, handcuffed him and then stuffed him into the backseat of the Ford cruiser to be taken to the local "hoosegow". This all occurred much to the delight of several young race fans in the crowd that appeared at the wire fence shouting, "Get 'em. Get 'em."
On Saturday, July 31st, several VAE members drove their vehicles in the annual Barre Homecoming Days parade. On Sunday all VAE event participants and donors received a commemorative magnetic Thunder Road/Camp Ta-Kum-Ta dash plaque for interest and support of this worthwhile charity.
You can still purchase yours at 1-802-244-7536. Door prizes on Sunday consisted of four 1:18 scale cast model cars awarded to winners Cesare Beyerle, Mel Christie, Lucien Lizotte and Romeo Pelletier. See you in '05!
(Photos from Ray T and Gene N)
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