By Ralph Smith
MIDDLETOWN — March 25, 2005 – Michelle Gannon, the new promoter of Catskill Mountain Speedway in White Lake took one step closer to the highly anticipated 2005 race season when she met with fans and drivers last weekend at Ed and JoAnn Stevens’ 14th Annual Middletown Motorsports Show.
Gannon had her new schedule and rule books ready for the scores of interested fans and drivers who attended this year’s show. She is most proud of the improvements to the speedway grounds that have already been made this winter, such as the newly finished handicapped accessible bathrooms, and the new lighting and sound systems slated to be installed as soon as the weather breaks. She shared her plans and visions with all during the three-day Middletown Motorsports Show.
Catskill Mountain Speedway had a display at the Orange County Fair Arena that featured the new 2005 PT Cruiser Pace Car which will be given away to a lucky ticket holder at the Catskill Classic special season-ending races in October. Gannon put the sponsorship deal for the pace car together with Robert Green, Inc. of Monticello in early January with the support of the Tri-State Disabilities Awareness Council.
On Friday, March 18, right before the show opened, she put together a race sponsorship deal with radio station All News 102, which is part of the deWitt Media Group, for early May. Diamond’s Custom Auto Interiors, Qumas, Steve Height’s Automotive, Auto Alignment World, and Tire Discount have sponsorship deals in place as Gannon continues her search for more everyday.
Representing Catskill Mountain Speedway with their cars proudly displayed were Gary Borrell and Joe Barnes (Pro Stock), Todd Gadoury (Street Stock), Gene Fountain and Todd McCollum (Legends), and Four Cylinder drivers Eric Andresen, Jason Chevalier, Kyle Elson, Patty Falkena, Woody and Jonathan McGibbon, and Sasha Rumsey.
During Sunday afternoon’s awards presentation, Catskill Mountain racer Borrell, who is a resident of Cortlandt Manor, took top honors by earning the coveted Best of Show, as his Asphalt Pro Stock racer was judged to be the top car among the more than 80 entries.
Divisional winners from Catskill Mountain Speedway included Gadoury (Street Stock) and Falkena (Four Cylinder).
During the 2005 season, Catskill Mountain Speedway will feature weekly racing with the CMS Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Four Cylinder divisions along with touring series including the Legends, American Three Quarter Midget Racers, 4C Super Modifieds, All Star Race Trucks, Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modifieds and the New England Antique Racers.
Saturday night racing at the Sullivan County oval begins on April 30, with weekly competition through October 29.
The complete 2005 schedule will be reviewed soon, but can be seen now – along with rules and other important information – at the speedway’s Web site www.catskillmountainspeedway.com.