CATAMOUNT COUPE ERA COMPETITORS


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    When Catamount opened for business early in 1965, it was assumed that the track's principal focus would be the firmly-established NASCAR modified and sportsman cars, The Northeast was a hotbed for this racing, with New York featuring the dirt coupes and Southern New England specializing in the pavement cars. With its perfect location, right on Interstate 89 and not far from Interstate 87, the track stood to attract Airborne's fields, local drivers who had been running Thunder Road, and any number of Canadian cars, as well.

   As it turned out, the coupes left Catamount  during the 1968 season and only returned for a few special shows, from that time forward. The support division, having taken on a life of its own beyond the founders' wildest dreams, would become the star attraction. But the big cars left a permanent impression on the track and on the town that loved the track. People found themselves named after Jean-Paul Cabana, and some households even named pets for their favorite drivers.


Courtesy of Cho Lee
Harold Ormsby brings up the rear on the parade lap for a coupe heat at Catamount, Year One. Neither Cho nor
I could identify the other cars. Note the one flathead mixed in with the overheads.

  
Catamount Stadium History Program
This grainy old shot of an early coupe lineup  shows how desperate  Catamount was for cars  in the first season. Mack Miller M1 is on the pole.


ACT Office Archives
A 1965 heat race starts, at Thunder Road with the flatheads and overheads mixed in together.
At Catamount, in particular, there were not enough cars because - unlike
Thunder Road which ran on Thursday night, Catamount was up against numerous major tracks running on Saturday night. Tony Colicchio [LIbero Buzzi 93] and Harold
Hanaford [whose car owner, Gordon Fitzgerald owend part of Catamount] run flat heads against the likes of Jean - Paul Caban [5A],former National Sportsman Champion
 Dick Nephew [6], and Ernie Ried [Harold Healey's 70]. The overheads were thrown out of T Road midseason.


Photo Courtesy of Dragon Family
Beaver Dragon's famed and beloved sportsman coupe that beat out the modifieds one week at Catamount.

 

MAIN COMPETITORS PAGE dicknephew.jpg (19113 bytes)
Otto Graham Website
Dick Nephew
Mooers Forks, NY

 

billwimble.jpg (22971 bytes)
Otto Graham Website
Bill Wimble
Lisbon, NY

 

Narducci.jpg (18775 bytes)
Otto Graham Website
Ron Narducci
E. Haddam, CT 

 

monks1.jpg (22442 bytes)
Russ Bergh Photo
Lou Lazarro
Utica, NY

 

COUPES ERA


 Photo Source Unknown
Gaston Desmarais
Tupper Lake, NY
Beaver Coupe.JPG (103965 bytes)
Courtesy of John Bourgeois
Beaver Dragon
Milton, VT

 


Lloyd & Gregg Gilbert
Beaver Dragon
Milton, VT
 

 


Dragon Family Collection
Beaver Dragon
Milton, VT

 

EARLY FLYING TIGERS


Courtesy of Bob Novak
Jack DuBrul
Burlington, VT

 

Corey.jpg (149561 bytes)
Russ Bergh Photo
Pete Corey,
Crescent, NY

 

Doc Blanchard.jpg (20558 bytes)
Otto Graham Website
Doc Blanchard
Gloversville, NY

 

Gahan 29.jpg (19950 bytes)
Otto Graham Website
Ernie Gahan
Dover. NH

 

LIMITED SPORTSMAN


Courtesy of Phil Butler
Ernie Reid, 
Massena, NY

The Harold Healey 70, a
former Vic Wolfe car.

 

 


Courtesy of Otto Graham
Bernie Miller
Canastota, NY

 

Andy Romano.jpg (20803 bytes)
Courtesy of Jim Ladabouche
Andy Romano
Johnstown, NY

 

 
Courtesy of Dan Ody
Bruce Dostal,
Johnstown, NY

HURRICANES


Courtesy of Chris Companion

Bugs Stevens AKA Carl Berghman,
Rehobeth. MA

 

 


Otto Graham Website
Jean Guy Chartrand
Montreal, QU

The Ed Cloce 69, a
pre - Hemi Cuda version.
Andre Manny also drove
this car - "The Hemi Hummer".

 

 

Dick Clark.jpg (20083 bytes)
Otto Graham Website
Dick Clark
Munnsville, NY
edflemke.jpg (23927 bytes)
John Grady Photo
Eddie Flemke
New Britain, CT
LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN

Early

Later

Harold Ormsby.jpg (19583 bytes)
Bob Mackey Photo
Harold Ormsby
Schuyler Falls, NY

 

Jerry Cook.jpg (26292 bytes)
Otto Graham Website

Andy Boright
Jerry Cook
Lockport, NY


Courtesy of Mike Richards

Richie Evans,
Rome, NY
Multi-time NASCAR National Champion.

 

Cagle Coach.jpg (24746 bytes)
Otto Graham Website
Will Cagle
Tampa, FL

 

MINI STOCKS


Bob Mackey Photo
via Mike Watts, Sr

Marcel Godard
Montreal, QU


Courtesy of  Cho Lee

 


Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of John Rock
Charlie Trombley
Mooers Forks, NY

Manny_Flag.jpg (96746 bytes)
ACT Office Archives
Andre Manny
Montreal, QU


MrBlackChevy Site
Photographer Unknown
 
Courtesy of Robert Clock
Al DeAngelo,
New York, NY
GRAND AMERICANS


Courtesy: Pascal Cote
Paul Hamel
Montreal, QU

 


Cho Lee Collection
Jean-Paul Cabana
Beloeil, QU
Winning 1st ever Catamount feature


Bob Mackey Photo

 

 
Courtesy of  Chris Companion
Marty Bezema,
Wrentham, MA



Courtesy of  Jack Anderson
Jack Anderson's
sportsman coupe, with
crew chief Bill Boisvin.

STREET STOCKS

al_theanimal_simoneau.jpg (82785 bytes)


Courtesy of Rob Trombley
Wild Bill Slater,
"The Connecticut Valley Rocket"

Manchester,  CT

 


Courtesy of  Cho Lee
The Russ Betz car [59] of Rene Charland and Vic Wolfe's 66, driven by Bob Bruno, sit in the pits at Catamount Stadium in 1966 or 1967.
MacTavish.JPG (66481 bytes)
Russ Bergh Photo
Don MacTavish
Dover, MA


John GradyPhoto
 

 

 


John Bisci Turn 5 Photo

Bob Brunell,
 Peru, NY.

 

 
ACT CARS

Beaver_SCarConn_91_Pepsi_Milwaukee_DonTheis.jpg (126264 bytes)


Courtesy of John Grady
Ray Forte
Montreal, QU


The Forte coupe
after a big fire at
Catamount


Courtesy of Pascal
 "Magnum" Site
Kenny King,
Rosemere, QU


Mike Watts Photo
[Photo is large]

Paul Michaud Photo
Bob Karvonen,
Wichenden, MA

 

Courtesy of Andy Boright
Bernie Griffith,
Plattsburgh, NY

 

NEW TIGERS

 

Bob Mackey Photo
via Mike Watts. Sr. 
Frank Provost,
Cadyville, NY



Cavalcade of Auto 
Racing Photo 
Harry Provost,
Cadyville, NY


Bob Mackey Photo 
Courtesy of John Rock

Bob Mackey Photo 
Courtesy of John Rock
Mack Miller,
Ellenburg 
Depot, NY


Bob Mackey Photo 
Courtesy of John Rock
and Bobby Castine

 

Courtesy of John Grady 
Maurice Tallard,
Quebec City, QU
LIMITED SPORTSMAN
2ND ERA 1976

 


Paul Michaud Photo 
Courtesy of
Christian
"Ti-Gaz" Genest
Eddie Flemke, Sr,
New Britain, CT
Bob Judkins 2X

 

Paul Michaud Photo 
Courtesy of
Christian
"Ti-Gaz" Genest
Catamount modified pits
Early 1968 season. 25, Don
Flynn; 3x Marty Bezema.

 

Paul Michaud Photo 
Courtesy of
Christian
"Ti-Gaz" Genest
Bill Slater,
Manchester CT

 

 Photo Courtesy of Rob Trombley
Don MacTavish,
Dover,. MA
The Cliff Wright/Ron Zautner 24
 

Bob Frazier Photo 
Courtesy of CJ Richards

Graham Trudo,
Orwell, VT

Photo  Courtesy of
 
Rob Trombley
Leo Cleary,
Hanover, MA
 

Courtesy of Phil Butler

George Rettew,
Chicopee, MA
 

Photo  Courtesy of
 
Rob Trombley
Wes Moody
Saranac Lake, NY

Courtesy of Phil Butler

Maynard Forrette,
So. Hadley, MA

A former Ellenburg Dept, NY native driving the Roehrig Bros 99 NY
 

                 Ladabouche Photo


Dutch Reed ,
Glens Falls, NY


A little - known Allie
Swears car from 1965

Courtesy of Rob Trombley

Hop Harrington,
Massachusetts

 


Courtesy of Phil Butler

Mike Parsons,
Plattsburgh, NY

Courtesy of Phil Butler

Billy Harmon,
Niantic, CT
 
John Grady Photo
Courtesy of  John Gallant

Dave Gaul, 
Guilderland, NY


Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of Ardyce Blohm


Ronnie Roberts
Morrisonville, NY

Dogfight Form Website

Leo Cleary, 
Hanover, MA

With the same M2 coach
as sometimes driven by Harrington.


Courtesy of Phil Butler

Phil "PJ" Spiak, 
Troy, NY


Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of Phil Butler


Bob Bruno

Morrisonville, NY

Courtesy of  Dave Dykes

Wild Bill Greco, 
Bridgeport, CT

 


Courtesy of Mark Austin

Rogeer Rouleau, 
Williamstown, VT

 
Peterson Collection
Jackie Peterson,
Massesna, NY

 
Shany Lorenzet Photo
Courtesy of Dave Dykes

Don Flynn
Bloomfield, CT


 
From Flemke.com

Eddie Flemke, Sr, 
Southington, CT

 
Courtesy of Lou Lazzaro

Lou Lazzaro
Utica, NY


Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of Rob Trombley

Bob Trombley,
Mooers Forks, NY

 
Courtesy of W. Moody Family

Bernie Kentile, 
Saranac Lake, NY


Courtesy of Charles Edkins

Denny Zimmerman
Glastonbury  , CT
 
Courtesy of Mike Parenteau

Rene Charland, 
Agawam, MA

Catamount's beginning was right at the end of Charland's 4 year National Championship reign, probably only brought to an end by two  unfortunate fires that shortened his 1966 season.

 

 


Courtesy of Flemke.com

Merv Treichler,
Sanborn, NY


Courtesy of Jack Anderson

Jack Anderson and Bill Boivin
are approaching the #17
sportsman of Bob Riley,
from Colchester.



Burlington Free Press

Ken Squier interviews victorious Jean Guy Chartrand in May of 1967, the last full season of modifieds. Starter Bob Quinn
looks on.


Catamount History Program

Bugsy Stevens avoids a spinning
Marcel Godard.



Catamount History Program

Ken Shoemaker hits the wall
with the potent Wright /
Zautner 24.


Shaney Lorenzet Photo
Courtesy of Dave Dykes

Hank Stevens,
Rocky Hill, CT

 
Bob Mackey Photo
Courtesy of Ardyce Blohm

George Pendergast,
Providence, RI

 

 
Source Unknown

Robbie Kotary,
Rome, NY

 
Courtesy of Blogspot.com

George Kent,
Horseheads, NY

 
Courtesy of Pascal Cote

Gilles Brochu,
Quebec City, QC



Richard LaGrange Photo

Ray Sitterly,
Amsterdam, NY


Bob Bruno Collection

Jack Rugar,
Dannemora, NY

He would have likely run
a car for friend, Vic Wolfe.


Russ Bergh Photo

Ed Pieniazek,
Schenectady,  NY

 
Courtesy of Cho Lee

Mike Osborne,
Barre, VT

 
Ladabouche Photo

Bob Malzahn,
Matamoros, PA

At 1969 Catamount All
Star League race.

 

 

 
Ladabouche Photo
Georges Loiselle,
Canada

Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Jim LeClaire,
Plattsburgh, NY

In Vermont we called him "Sapphire";
in New York, he was dubbed
"Twelve Port".


Ladabouche Photo
Len Boehler's famed 3 unloading
for one of the All Star League
shows. Driver was either Bugs
Stevens or Fred DeSarro.

Ladabouche Photo
"Dynamite Ollie" Silva -
at the 1972 Catamount
All Star League show.

Ladabouche Photo
Doc Blanchard,
Gloversville, NY

The popular NY underdog's
well - known Valiant, shot
in terrible light conditions
at the 1972 ASL show.

Courtesy of Craig Revelle
Paul Whitmarsh,
Gouverneur, NY

Speedway Nostalgia.com Photo
Keith James,
Canada

Ladabouche Photo
Charlie Jaerzombek,
Baiting Hollow, L.I., NY

The famed NY mod driver
at the 1972 ASL show.

Courtesy of Glen Tavares
Lou Austin,
Needham, MA
 
Courtesy of Pinterest
Bob Melnick,
Newton Upper Falls, MA

 

 



Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock
A 1965 field of sportsman coupes takes off at Catamount. Visible are: [left] Cabana, Godard, Manny,
Desmarais, DuBrul, Miller, Ormsby, King, Bob Trombley, and Bridges [or maybe Tom Curley].


 
Burlington Free Press
A 1965
Canadian spat.


Paul Michaud Photo 
Courtesy of Christian Genest
A 1968
race with Bill Slater chasing Leo Cleary. Catamount had top notch modified teams then.


Paul Michaud Photo 
Courtesy of Christian Genest
A 1968
race with Ed Flemke chasing Andre Manny, Catamount's first track champ.


Paul Michaud Photo 
Courtesy of Christian Genest
A 1968
race with Marcel Godard and Hop Harrington [M2] chasing either Mactavish or Shoemaker in the 24.

 

 


 

THE ALL STAR LEAGUE PROGRAMS HELD BY CATAMOUNT

     In the case of Catamount Stadium, the famed All Star League was a really head scratcher. When the track was identified as a modified/sportsman track, it had no team nor any races with that modified/sportsman series [1967 - 1973]. But, Catamount blossomed out with a team in 1969 - after the track had phased out the coupes and sedans. The track's various ASL teams usually finished no lower than 3rd and won the league championship in 1973. I have no doubt that the tremendous influence wielded by Ken Squier not only got the track into the league, but ensured it would have top competitors who would make most of the league's mid-week race programs.

Catamount's ASL Teams


George Bogart
Lou Lazzaro,
Utica, NY
1969
4th Place Finish
 
Source Unknown
Ron Narducci,
E. Haddam, CT

1969
 
Otto Graham
Dick Clark,
Munnsville, NY

1969

George Bogart
Lou Lazzaro,
Utica, NY
19
70
3rd Place Finish
 
Otto Graham
Jean-Guy Chartrand,
Montreal, QU

1970
 
Flemke.com Photo
Jerry Cook,
Lockport, NY

1970
 
Flemke.com Photo
Jerry Cook,
Lockport, NY

1971
3rd Place Finish 
 
Bob Frazier Photo
Chet Doaner,
Rutland, VT

1971
Did not participate, as
far I can determine; so
Jerry did a huge job.

John Graady Photo
Rene Charland,
Agawam, MA

1972
3rd Place Finish 
 
 John Graady Photo
Ed Flemke, Sr.,
Southington, CT

1972
  
Flemke.com Photo
Jerry Cook,
Lockport, NY

1973
1st Place Finish 
  
Source Unknown
Ron Narducci,
E. Haddam, CT

1973

 

Do you have pictures of other drivers from this era at Catamount ? If you would like to make them available for me to place on this site contact me at: wladabou@comcast.net

or

Bill Ladabouche
23 York Street
Swanton, VT 05488
802-868-4339

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