NEW JERSEY TRIES TO MUFFLE TRACKS

The state of New Jersey has a bill pending aimed at making it quieter for the sprawling suburban development near existing drag strips.

This bill prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle on any motor vehicle race track in the State located within a one-mile radius of any residential housing on any day of the week before 11 a.m. or after 10 p.m., except for Sundays. On Sundays, racing would be prohibited before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. The bill also prohibits the operation of public address systems, megaphones, or other sound amplification equipment at such a motor vehicle race track before 10:30 a.m. or after 10:30 p.m., except for Sundays or in the case of an emergency. On Sundays, the operation of this equipment would be prohibited before 10:30 a.m. and after 7:30 p.m.

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This bill also provides that the Superintendent of State Police shall take whatever action is necessary to ensure compliance with this prohibition and penalize violations as provided under the bill. The bill provides that the owner or operator of a motor vehicle race track be fined $2,500 for the first offense, $5,000 for the second offense, $10,000 for the third offense, and $25,000 for the fourth and subsequent offenses.

You don't have to be from New Jersey to let the Governor know how you feel about this bill. Go to http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html. Your racetrack could be next. [11-17-2004]

RAFFA GETS FULL SCHOLARSHIP

News comes to the Agent that the John Raffa SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is funded.

The Agent concurs with Raffa's widow, Karen, who said, "Thank you to all of you that sent in $$$$...and some of you sent in more $$$$ to make it grow quicker! YIPPEE!" [11-17-2004]

BERNSTEIN GETS PIONEER AWARD

Kenny Bernstein will receive the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association "Pioneer in Racing" award at the organization's 35th annual All-America Team dinner, Jan. 15, 2005 to be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Pomona. In his driving career Bernstein captured six championships and is the only driver to earn titles in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Bernstein-owned teams also won races in the NASCAR Winston Cup and the CART open-wheel series.

AARWBA 50th Anniversary Chairman Michael Knight, Budweiser King Racing owner Kenny Bernstein, AARWBA President Dusty Brandel and NHRA VP of Public Relations & Communications Jerry Archambeault at the announcement of Budweiser and NHRA's sponsorship of the Anniversary Celebration (Darr Hawthorne photo).

AARWBA presents the Pioneer award to recognize life-long contributions to motorsport. Among the previous recipients are Parnelli Jones, Dan Gurney, Andy Granatelli, Hershel McGriff and the Agajanian family. [11-17-2004]