Eric Webster Named Race Director At New London-Waterford Speedbowl

Eric Webster

Eric Webster

WATERFORD – When New London-Waterford Speedbowl general manager Shawn Monahan made his choice for the new race director at the facility for the 2016 season, he decided on someone who’s family fabric is part of the historic lore of the shoreline oval.

During the Speedbowl’s Racers For Racers Toy Drive Party Monday at the Great Neck Country Club in Waterford, Monahan announced that longtime track official Eric Webster will take on the role of race director at the facility.

Webster replaces Scott Tapley, who resigned from the position just after the end of the 2015 season in late October. Tapley left the track to become the race director at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway.

Webster is the son of the late Charlie Webster, a four-time track champion at the Speedbowl.

Webster has built a strong reputation at the Speedbowl over the years as the man leading track officials on the track and infield during events. Webster is easy to pick out on the track during events as he speeds around the infield on his familiar all-terrain vehicle. He had long told friends and colleagues that he wouldn’t be interested in the director’s position because it would mean leaving behind his role on the track during events.

He said Monday that working under Stafford Motor Speedway director of racing operations Tom Fox at that track changed his mind.

“My time at Stafford actually changed it all,” Webster said. “I’m getting a little older. I’m going to be 54 in the spring. I don’t know if I can run around like the kids. But don’t be surprised if you see the director out on the infield. Whatever’s got to be done we’re going to make it happen.”

The Speedbowl is readying for its second season under the ownership of Bruce Bemer, who acquired the track in a foreclosure auction in October 2014.

“It’s big,” Webster said when asked about taking on the role of director at a facility that has mean so much to his family.

“I never thought it would be this,” Webster said. “But, I’ve been at it a while, a long time, and I truly enjoy it. The ‘Bowl is clearly my home. I will do anything to keep the ball rolling. With Mr. Bemer coming in here and [Shawn Monahan’s] energy, Chris Williams is big in this whole thing too.

“I’ve still got Tapley to lean on. I’ve got Fox to lean on. There’s a lot of good people here. Sometimes it’s just your time so I’m going to do the best I can to keep the numbers up and keep the racing clean and keep everybody happy. What’s the chances of that?”

Said Monahan: “When Scott Tapley came on Webster had always said he felt like he was the No. 2 man and he liked being the No. 2 man. So I was kind of surprised when he came to me and told me he was interested in being the No. 1 man. He’s been at the side of Tom at Stafford and he was the right hand man to Scott Tapley as well, so he’s seen the ins and outs of what needs to happen behind the scenes. I feel like he can expedite a show, make fair calls and that’s basically what we’re looking for. Someone that can give direction to the rest of the staff, and I feel like he’s respected among the racers and the staff members. So I think he’ll be a perfect fit.”

Comments

  1. Crazy in NY says

    Sid’s Webycam just might get a little more interesting LOL. I don’t Eric personally but he leads
    one of the best track safety and clean up crews in the business. I mean I’ve been to a lot of tracks over the years and Waterford’s crew is one I always point to as how to get the job done. If he brings the same energy to the job and keeps the game square back there the Bowl will be fine. Good luck Mr Webster.

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