East Neck Auto’s & HSBC Bank’s Hot Rods & Racecars Show II

(Long Island, N.Y.) Host John Careccia, Dennis Quitoni, George Snizek and his son, Scott, gathered another unique assortment of great cars and great friends for the 2nd Annual HOT RODS & RACECARS SHOW to support The Wounded Warrior Project on Sunday August 23, 2009 in West Babylon.

The event differs from most local car shows as its main focus is on the auto racing subculture. A varied cross section of the racing crowd is invited to display one or more of their creations at the show. A goal of the organizers is to reintroduce interest to generations of the Long Island community and help educate them about some of the people and cars that have had a historical impact on the motorsports industry. It can be likened to having Orville and Wilbur Wright bring their patented glider to an air show. Although they were not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing flight possible. While they are no longer with us, their impact on aviation definitely is. The same can be said about some of the personalities who are connected to this show and their impact. Some of them in their 70’s and 80’s were even there!
 
This year’s show featured legendary drag racers and East Coast Drag Times Hall of Famers: Billy Lynch and his AA/Fuel Dragster, Coney Island Ralph and his “East Wind III” B/Gas Anglia and The Pacers Auto-CARS Magazine Racing Team’s ’57 Chevy Pickup which was always paired to the record setting “Tasmanian Devil” AA/Altered and The Pacers AA Fuel Dragsters.
 
Other featured racecars on display were Dennis Quitoni’s Old Goats Gang “Plain Vanilla” A/Altered; Ed Haase’s ’95 Pro Modified Top Sportsman Pontiac; Andy Randazzo’s Pro Stock ‘69 Nova plus Go Cart; Chris Mirabella’s ’70 Challenger AA Funny Car; Ritch Gerbe’s Midget; and the Wilko Bros.’ “Undercover Hemi” Wounded Warrior Outlaw Monza Town Coupe.
 
Over 100 custom cars were all driven to the event and included: a few gorgeous Willys, a bevy of ‘50’s Chevys, some immaculate ‘30’s highboys & lowboys, a ‘50’s Merc, a ‘61 Buick, some trick ‘50’s pickups, some fine flamed ‘30’s Ford Coupes, an assortment of clean Chevelles, a rare ‘66 Ford Mustang Ranchero (pickup), and a blown ‘47 Chevy Good Humor Ice Cream Truck and many, many others.
 
East Coast Drag Times Hall of Famers Billy Lynch, Mike Sforza, Brian Beattie, The Pacers’ Otto Qualliotine and George Snizek all attended, and their partner, the late great “Charlie Dodge” Hagenmayer was represented by his daughters, Nancy, Barbara, and Lisa and their families.
 
Motor Mouth Radio hosts, Chris Switzer and Ray Guarino were on hand (tune in 12pm every Thursday & Sunday on 90.3 FM to listen) and Top Fuel drag racing legend, Bernie Shacker, inventor of the dragster rear wing concept, stopped by for the main event-hearing Billy Lynch’s gorgeous Top Fuel Dragster “cackle”. For those who know, it brought a tear to many an eye and smiles all around.
 
For those who have never heard the unmistakable “cackle” of a supercharged top fuel engine, you will have to either head to your nearest racetrack, your closest cacklefest, or attend next year’s 3rd Annual HOT RODS & RACECARS SHOW!