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Champion Speedway
344 East River Drive
Owego, New York 13827
Promoter Jason Bonsignore
1997 Newsletter 
by promoter: Jason Bonsignore
To all racers, fans and workers,
We eagerly write to you at this time with much excitement
and great anticipation as the 1998 racing season begins to approach us.
The 'Grand Reopening' of the New Champion Speedway in 1997 was a
huge success. We look forward to making the upcoming summer even
better as we have many things in store. New Champion Speedway will
be officially AMA sanctioned for '98. Paperwork has already been
processed, and we will follow the AMA Speedway rules closely.
The association with the AMA has already started to reap benefits
as we have been granted the rights to the Northeast Qualifier for
the '98 AMA United States National Championship. We have tentatively
set the Qualifier for our opener, June 27th. The race will feature
a purse of between $3,000 and $4,000, and the winner will be placed
directly into the National Championship to be held in California in
October. No east coast rider has ever been sent directly to the
Championship. The Qualifier will be open to Canadians. The format
will be determined later. We have also been given AMA sanctioning
for the U.S. Open Invitational Speedway Championships, which will
most likely conclude our season, August 29 / 30. We will be inviting
between 35 and 40 riders (Division One) to participate in qualifying
on the 29th, including 5 to 6 Californians, We have received verbal
commitments from Bobby Schwartz, Steve Lucero, and Kelsey Gordon.
International stars Chris Manchester, and Josh Larsen are attempting
to make travel plans, and arrangements to bring the '97 U.S.A.
National Champion, Mike Faria are in the works. The qualifying field
will be whittled down to a 16 rider championship on Sunday. The purse
may be between $6,000 and $10,000. Our entire schedule has tentatively
been set to look like this for 1998:
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June 27th | Northeast Qualifier | All Scratch
| Admission: N/A | Racing
| Starting Time: N/A |
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July 11th | | Possible
| Admission: $8, Children under 12 free | Scratch
| Starting Time: 7:30, Gates open 6pm | Double Header
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July 25th | Oldtimers Night | Scratch and
| Legends of Speedway | Handicap
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August 8th | USA VS Canada | All Scratch
| | Racing
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August 22nd | Southern Tier Harley Night | Scratch and
| | Handicap
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August 29/30| US Open Invitational | All Scratch
| Speedway Championships | Racing
| Admission: N/A |
| Starting Time: N/A |
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We may adopt a pre sign up for the 11th, 25th, 8th and 22nd.
Admission and starting time for the Northeast Qualifier and US Open
is still undetermined. For all other events the admission will be $8
for adults and free for children under 12. Starting time will be 7:30
and gates will open at 6pm. For '98 racers will still get in free of
charge, and will be offered one discount ticket at $5. All other persons
with the racer will be expected to pay. All people in the pit area will
need to have a pit pass. Passes will be sold near the pits and price will
be determined later. Each rider receives two free pit passes.
East coast speedway is rapidly growing. We feel it has potential to rival California.
Many riders have already begun upgrading machinery and purchased new
leathers in an effort to help make for a professional show. We really
appreciate this as it is important to the growth of our fan base.
Several former standout riders have indicated they may be coming back next
year and many new young motorcyclists have expressed interest in becoming
involved in speedway. We are hoping to take it to the next level with new
ideas and a commitment to success. We will be selling sponsor boards,
increasing media attention, advertising on radio, newspapers and cable T.V.,
and are hoping to create a new yearbook style program with rider profiles
and pictures. We need riders to fill out and return the profile sheets we
have included, and please send one action shot and one head shot ( preferably
without helmet). Pictures can be returned. We need to sell as many sponsor
boards and program spots as possible. We need your help. We will have price
packages available later. We will also offer spots for riders to thank sponsors,
family and friends. We've enclosed an example. If anyone knows of people or
businesses who would like to help sponsor the track, please contact us.
With regards to rules:
Barum and Kenda tires are the only AMA legal tires for '98.
Leather, Kevlar and Nylon Speedway suits are approved, and will be good for use.
All riders will need to use a rear wheel disc.
Approved mufflers, muffler safety cable, working kill switch, and primary and rear
chain guards will all be required. Please have visible names and numbers on your leathers.
Anyone with an interest in Junior Speedway please contact us.
Our most recent thanks go out to Kelvin Hermla, who represented us at the AMA's
Risk Management Course, Bill Cody, who represented us at the Speedway Promoters
Meeting, Kim Gregory, with his help on the internet, and Tim Mathewson, who will be
putting together a monthly East Coast Speedway Newsletter. Our congratulations
go out to Lenny McBride who will wear #1 as a result of winning the Points Title
in '97, Team Canada, who won the US VS Canada Championship, Matt Otto for
winning the Paris Division Two Track Championship, Chris Slabon who placed high
in the point standings at Ivan Mauger's Winter Series in Australia, and to the
many people who had on and off track success in '97. Most special congrats go to
American Greg Hancock who won the World Championships.
As for Team Jason Bonsignore
Racing, international stars Manchester and Larson will carry the JBR logo overseas.
"Mean Gene" Bonsignore and George "Lazorbeam" Lazor have joined forces to create
"Team JBR" east coast style, and will sport matching suits. A support team will
consist of Gary "Hitman" Hesmer, "Motorin" Matt Otto, and Bobby and Sobec Muszynski.
Look for JBR and New Champion Speedway souvenirs at the track. Best of luck to these
riders and all riders in general. Many thanks to all racers, fans and workers
who helped make '97 possible. Let's make '98 the best season yet!
PS. Remember our friends in Canada need our rider and fan support as well!
Jason Bonsignore and family,
Team JBR / New Champion Speedway
Winter address:
114 Talavera Pkwy Apt. 1132
San Antonio Texas, 78232
(210) 479-8891
Summer Address:
122 Northwood Drive
Rochester N.Y. 14612
(716) 227-2223
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