New London-Waterford Speedbowl general manager Shawn Monahan
WATERFORD – While many hearty New Englanders are hoping for a white Christmas, New London-Waterford Speedbowl general manager Shawn Monahan is hoping for mild and snow free at least for the time being.
All the better for completing the list of physical improvements taking shape at the shoreline oval in preparation for the second season of racing in 2016 under the new ownership of Bruce Bemer.
The biggest project in the works so far at the track has been the removal and replacement of corner barriers and catch fencing at the track.
“The corners are mostly removed,” Monahan said. “A good portion of the fence is taken down. We’re weighing out whether or not we’re going to do one more year of repairs to the grandstands or if we’re going to actually get right into replacing them. I have both options that I’m looking at.
“I had already said before I want to get a new scoreboard before our season starts.”
Monahan said the removal of the corner catch fence segments will likely drive the replacement of the entire catch fence.
“My goal is to have it fully replaced,” Monahan said. “I’m pulling down enough to force myself to go in that direction. We have to stress that we’re very fortunate to have somebody like Mr. Bemer behind this operation because if it weren’t for Bruce. If I had owned this track myself or if a group of us had gotten together there’s no way we’d be able to make these types of improvements right off the bat like this. Bruce gives me the green light and I go for it.”
On the scheduling side of preparation for 2016, Monahan said he already has a Whelen Modified Tour event on the schedule for return. He said the track will also see events in 2016 for the Valenti Modified Racing Series and the Tri-Track Open Modified Series.
Monahan also said he is in talks with American Canadian Tour president Tom Curley about bringing that division to the track in 2016.
“I think our plates are already full as far as what we’re doing,” Monhan said. “I’m trying to put the schedule together and I’m trying to be a general contractor for the overall construction of the place. There’s a lot of weight on my shoulders to make sure I perform. I feel like there’s going to be a few really exciting shows in 2016.”
Monahan said he’s hoping to open the season with a major event surrounding a Tri-Track Open Modified Series event and then close the stock car racing portion of the schedule with a another Tri-Track event.
Monahan said with the Legends Nationals event being part of the schedule in 2016 at the facility, the Speedbowl will likely have its season ending stock car event before the World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson Speedway.
“I’ve been talking with Dick Williams about coming out at the beginning of the season – event a few weeks prior to our regular season starting – with just a big, good paying Modified division event. I’d like to start and end with the Tri-Track Series,” Monahan said. “But we’re just working on a lot of things and looking at a lot of dates.”
Monahan announced Monday that longtime track official Eric Webster will replace Scott Tapley as the track’s new race director for the 2016 season.
Nice to see this kind of effort!
Danbury Racearena was the model of what a great race track can be. It looks like Waterford is heading in the right direction. I will try to spend my money there as often as I can in 2016 to support the track and the racers.
Here’s to hoping the weather is mild so you can get all the projects completed! Thanks to Mr. Beamer, Shawn, and the rest of the crew!
I’m sure glad this past season was a success for everybody affiliated with the Speedbowl. A great track
that deserves support from the racing community in CT. I want to thank Shawn personally for some
little things he did when I was there during Tri-Track. It was appreciated for sure. The commitment
and investment from Mr Bemer is surely a breath a fresh air in this day when bad news around local
tracks is so prevalent. I’ve long considered Stafford the crown jewel of short tracks (in the northeast at least) but it sound like the Bowl is going to challenge that. Can’t wait for the 2016 season already.
Thank you Mr. Bemer and Shawn for making the New London Speed Bowl a great place to race!!
Mr. Bruce Bemer is the man .
Love The Bowl! Easy to get to, just the right size (3/8 mile), great visibility from every seat, easy parking, easy out thanks to Waterford Police Dept, great ice cream and pizza. Now if they would just get a high def scoreboard.
Looking forward to the 2016 season.
Great weather, hope it helps them get the improvements completed.