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Laconia Pics (click to enlarge)

APRIL 28: The King of Cool, Harley-Davidson Factory Rider, AMA National #1 Ken Coolbeth and Nichole Cheza will be at Heritage Harley-Davidson in Concord NH from 5-7 Thursday June 12. They and others will be signing autographs at Heritages "Kick Start" Laconia Motorcycle Rally and Race Week! www.heritageh-d.com www.nicholecheza.com
More rider announcements soon!!

IMPORTANT LACONIA INFORMATION: PLEASE READ AND PASS ON TO OTHER RACE ENTHUSIASTS
Dear Motorsport Enthusiast
My name is Pete Giammalvo President of Sideways Promotions. This will be my 16th year promoting the New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Association Ben Campanale Laconia ½ Mile. This year poses an unusual problem because of the calendar dates. Please note that the Rochester ½ Mile is Friday June 13, the FIRST WEEKEND of Laconia this year. What better way to kick off the 85th Laconia than with $10,000 purse for the Twins class put up by the New England Harley Dealers Association. Ken Coolbeth on his Harley-Davidson XR 750 will be back to defend his title along with many rivals looking to beat the King of Cool on his own turf! There is a short track race at Jolly Rogers Saturday night and another short track in Canaan NH on Sunday to round out the weekend.
Since I’m moving the 3 races to the start of Laconia and don’t have all week to promote I’m asking for your help. Please let your customers and friends know the changes. We all need to work together on upgrading the oldest rally in the country. The Rally’s circle of events is getting bigger but we must remain diligent in making these successful for all of us. Destinations to ride, great times and great friends are the backbone of rallys. I’m asking that you display the posters I send, I’m very grateful for that. There are other ways to be involved and get your business in front of other enthusiasts.
*$1000 Class Sponsor With Winners Circle Picture Presentation / Logo on Poster / 20 tickets / Track Side Banner / Full Page ad in Program
* Limited to 450 Expert, Pro-Sport, Vintage, 85cc Youth Class
$750 Sponsor Bay State Pullers Sled / Logo on Poster / 15 tickets / Track Side Banner / Full Page ad in Program
$500 Logo on Poster / 10 tickets / Track Side Banner / Full Page ad in Program
$250 6 tickets / Track Side Banner / Business Card in Program
$50 Business card in program
Thank you for your time and consideration, Please call with any questions or thoughts you may have.
Pete Giammalvo
Sideways Promotions
978-874-1732
peterg11@verizon.net

March 24
*The 16th Annual New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Association Ben Campanale Laconia ½ Mile is a major part of the 85th Anniversary of Laconia Motorcycle Rally and Race Week. The big news is that the Twins purse is $10,000 as of press time! Who knows what extra money I can round up before then? The loyal New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Association knows the fans want to see, hear and feel the rumble of the winningest v twin in the world, the XR 750. The combination of CT’s Ken Coolbeth on his Harley-Davidson along with other National riders on Harleys, Aprillia, Suzuki and Triumph’s for a 15 lap feature will only be seen 1 place in New England in 08, The Rochester N.H. Fairgrounds. Friday June 13 is the date with opening ceremonies starting at 6:45. There is way more to the 16th Annual New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Association Ben Campanale Laconias ½ mile, Professional’s on 450’s, Pro-Sports, Vintage and the ever popular Stars of Tomorrow on 85’s. All this is part of the American/Canadian 2 Wheel Pro Dirt Series. To keep the show going during track maintenance, The Bay State Harley Pullers will attempt to pull their weight transfer sled 200’. These custom made 2 and 3 wheelers are the perfect on track addition. For things off the track, a new vendor midway and the best track food in New England awaits you spectators.
Friday June 13 begins with an Amateur New England Dirt Track Series point’s race starting at 9:30. Sign up for the Pro’s is 3:00 to 5:00 with practice starting at 5 and Opening Ceremonies at 6:45. Tickets are $20 for Adults, Kids 8-14 are $5, Under 8 FREE. Adult $5 off coupons are available at select New England Harley-Davidson Authorized Dealers starting May. NEW RV Parking outside turn 3 for rooftop viewing up close. Follow signs from exit 13 off rt 16. Free Camping

Saturday June 14 the Rolling Thunder Show moves to a short track at Jolly Roger Moto Sport Park located on Rt 10 in East Lempster N.H. The bull ring size track creates some excellent “bump and slide” action. With many Pro’s fighting for a spot in the 12 rider main of motorcycles and the popular Jolly Quads the racing is guaranteed to be exciting! Gates open at 2, practice 4:30, races start at 6. The Roostertail Grill and FREE camping make a $10 adult ticket a bargain.

Sunday June 15 takes us back to our roots. Canaan USA Speedway in Canaan NH. is where Sideways Promotions got it’s start in 1989! The wide, high banked clay oval hasn’t seen a motorcycle in several years but the enthusiasm to be “home” has created a buzz all over the northeast. Many of todays northeasts top stars rode 50’s and 65’s in the beginning will be looking to take home the Open Premier money. Practice is 12 and the races start at 1:30. Tickets are $10 for adults. Canaan USA Speedway is located on Rt 118

*Twins riders must have minimum Pro-Sport license. No entry fee for twins class riders.
Thursday Autograph signing at Heritage H-D in Concord N.H. from 5-7

JUNE 20, 2007

COOLBETH, MEYERS, NARBONNE, WELLS, FATZINGER AND RESPOLI TAKE CHECKERED
FLAGS IN THE 15TH ANNUAL NEW ENGLAND HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE DEALERS BEN
CAMPANALE MEMORIAL LACONIA HALF-MILE AT THE ROCHESTER FAIRGROUNDS

ROCHESTER, NH. AMA standout Ken Coolbeth, Jr. of Warren, CT made a
cameo and winning appearance at the 15th Annual New England Harley-Davidson
Motorcycle Dealers Ben Campanale Memorial Laconia Half-mile race held at the
Rochester Fairgrounds during Laconia Bike Week. Ken was aboard his HD
machine in the Twin event besting Ohio's Daniel Gedeon and New York's
Weidman for the podium positions. The Harleys swept the top nine positions
at the finish while Toby Stay of NY managed to put his Suzuki in ninth place
while Eldred Bristol of CO rode his Aprilla to tenth place.

The top nine finishers in the 450 Pro Series were all on board
Hondas starting with Michigan's Logan Meyers, Ohio's Dan Gedeon and New
York's Matt Weidman. Adam Laviolette of Palmer, MA came in ninth. Shane
Narbonne of Lowell, MA took the 450 Pro Sport aboard his Honda ahead of Ben
Evans of Ohio(Yamaha) and Thomas Connel of NY(Honda). Local favorite Troy
Estabrook of Londonderry ended the night in fourth riding his Honda while
Bryan McKenna of Plymouth, MA came in seventh at the finish line aboard his
Bettencourt Honda entry.

A pair of New York State riders Ryan Wells and Michael Linehart were
the top two in the 85 CC event while Alex Paquette of nearby Milton, NH
completed the podium. All were riding Honda powered machines. In the Vintage
class Ed Fatzinger of PA, riding his Triumph took that event while Henry
Landry of Concord, NH put his Bultaco in second place while James Poole of
Berwick, ME cracked the top three with his Honda machine. James Rispoli of
Attica,NY, at the controls of his Woods Rotax, was the top Sportsman
besting Dennis Flynn and Michael Radley, two other Honda riders making the
tow in from the Empire State, were next to complete the podium finish.
Shawn Ford of Repentigny,Que. came in fourth. Top flat track motorcycle
riders from ten states and two Canadian Provinces took part in this annual
event.

TWINS
1st Ken Coolbeth,Jr. Warren,CT HD
2nd Daniel Gedeon Warren,OH HD
3rd Matthew Weidman Westerlo,NY HD
4th Logan Meyers Wheeler,MI HD
5th Doug Lawrence,Jr. Mississauja,ON,CA HD
6th Tim Eades Colonial Heights,VA HD
7th Joseph Hatrich Lancaster,NY HD
8th Nicholas Evans Galion,OH HD
9th Joe Eades Petersburg,VA HD
10th Toby Stay E.Worcester,NY Suz
11th Eldred Bristol Fort Collins,Co Aprillia

450 PRO
1st Logan Meyers Wheeler,MI Hon
2nd Daniel Gedeon Warren,OH Hon
3rd Matthew Weidman Westerlo,NY Hon
4th Adam Carpenello E.Green Bush,NY Hon
5th Tim Eadens Colonial Heights,VA Hon
6th Doug Lawrence Mississauga,Ont.CA Hon
7th Joe Hartrich Lancaster,NY Hon
8th Joe Eades Petersburg,VA Hon
9th Adam Laviolette Palmer,MA Hon

450 PRO SPORT
1st Shane Narbonne Lowell,MA Hon
2nd Ben Evans Galion,OH Yam
3rd Thomas Connel Port Jervas,NY Hon
4th Troy Eastabrook Londonderry,NH Hon
5th Toby Stay E.Worcester,NY Rotax
6th David Casey Hubbardston,MA Hon
7th Bryan McKenna Plymouth,MA Hon
8th Eric Satterlee Ashford,CT Yam
9th Michael Radley Coeysman Hollow,NY Hon
10th Dennis Flynn Hopewell Jct,NY Hon

85cc
1st Ryan Wells Alboin,NY Hon
2nd Michael Lainhart Albany,NY Hon
3rd Alex Paquette Milton,NH Hon

VINTAGE
1st Ed Fatzinger Bath,PA Tri
2nd Henry Landry Concord,NH Bul
3rd James Poole S.Berwick,ME Hon

SPORTSMAN
1st James Rispoli Attica,NY Woods Rotax
2nd Dennis Flynn Hopewell Jct,NY Hon
3rd Michael Radley Coeysman Hollow,NY Hon
4th Shawn Ford Repontigny,Que,CA Yz

May 29, 2007

Rochester has some class structure changes due to the cancellation of the AMA National June 16 in Davenport Iowa. The day program has signup at 8am, and practice at 9:30. We need to be done no later than 3 so we can gearup for the night program which starts at 5 for practice. All NEDTS 50cc to Open Expert classes will be run during the day. Evening is a Pro show that must be geared to the spectator. We can and will adjust classes and schedule IF need be. Signup 3, practice 5, opening ceremonies 6:45. The night program will consist of a Twins Pro class. Riders must posses a AMA Pro-Sport or better license. Canadian riders must posses a Canadian Pro license. A 450 Pro class, same requirements. A licensed Pro-Sport class, 85cc Youth and Vintage. Twins riders WILL NOT be able to ride their twins bikes during the day programs! I could have combined the Pro-Sports with the Pro’s but I want to give you rider’s the glory, points and money you deserve. This is part of a 3 race USA/Canada Series. June 16/17 there is a short track and ½ mile just over the Vermont border. All classes, $5000 canadian pro purse each day. I will have AMA entry forms available at JR the 9th. It will speed up a busy day by pre-entering. Bring your AMA cards the 9th to Jolly Rogers. This is a make or break year. If I don’t get enough spectators to make good money I’m dropping the Pro’s and trying a Vintage Show in 08. Worse case of losing a pile of money is WVR is gone and I’ll do 3 or 4 Fair Short Tracks and have little to worry about!

Entry fee for all classes is $40 which includes a $25 pit pass. AMA membership required

Classes, Payout and Tentative Race Order. Due to weather and or rider entries the order of races may change.
450 Pro’s $2000 Bettencourts Purse $500, $400, $300, $200, $100, $95, $90, $85, $80, $75, $70, $65, $60, $55
450 Pro-Sports $350, $225, $150, $125, $100, $95, $90, $85, $80, $75, $70, $65,
85cc Youth Trophies
Vintage Trophies
Pro Twins $1500, $1200, $1000, $800, $600, $500, $400, $300, $200, $200, $200, $200

15th Annual New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Association Ben Campanale Laconia ˝ Mile

CLASSES Pro-Sport $1500 Pro Twins $7000 Vintage 85cc Youth 450 Pro $2000 Turn 3 RV Parking/Viewing Friday June 15, 2007 7:00 P.M. Rochester Fairgrounds Rochester N.H. 5 Exciting Classes Guaranteed To Have You On The Edge of your seat! Come See 90 MPH Handlebar to Handlebar Action! Adults $20, Kids 8-14 $5, Under 8 Free. 1 ticket good for both Shows Gates Open 4. Opening Ceremonies 6:45 Races @7:00 Directions to Fairgrounds-Follow Signs from Exit 13 off RT 16 FRIDAY JUNE 15 New England Dirt Track Series Amateur Races 17 Classes 50cc to Open Expert! Heat Races 9:30, Feature Races Start 12:00 Round 1 - USA vs CANADIAN MATCH SERIES SATURDAY JUNE 16 ST. Marcel Quebec Short Track Races 7:00, $5000 Cndn SUNDAY JUNE 17 Ayers Cliff Quebec ˝ Mile Races 12, $5000 Cndn Sideways Promotions 978-874-1732 www.sidewayspromo.com Buddy Ford cmrcquebec@videotron.ca 450-654-8193

Click to enlarge

JUNE 28, 2006

Pictures from Rochester including pit bike supermoto

A COMBINATION OF FAVORABLE WEATHER AND A GOOD FIELD OF COMPETITORS FROM ALL OVER THE NORTHEAST AND CANADA MADE THE BEN CAMPANALE EVENT A SUCCESS

ROCHESTER, NH. The New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Association put up the cash and the Professional riders showed up with the H-D Xr 750’s to take the money. It was a perfect night in terms of weather and excellent track conditions greeted riders from as far away as Ohio, Michigan and Canada to compete in the 14th Annual New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Ben Campanale Laconia ˝ Mile over the weekend.

The Expert riders had a surprise bonus as Dave Bettencourt from Bettencourt Honda-Suzuki(W. Bridgewater, MA) put up $2, 000 for a dash for cash. The exciting 6 lap race had 3 wide action in turn 1 on lap 4. The dash was won by Kenny Coolbeth of Warren, CT with Jarred Mees and Ricky Marshall in for the next two positions.

The roar of 750’s filled the air when the green flag dropped at 9:30 p.m. with Rick Marshall in the lead and on the gas. At the halfway point Marshall had a 15 bike length lead over Mees and Coolbeth. Shortly after Coolbeth passed Mees and was closing in on Marshall when the checkers fell. The very enthusiastic crowd was on their feet cheering at the end. The roar of the Harley’s, the three wide racing and the dirt rooster tails over the fence was a sight never seen at the Rochester Fairgrounds before.

The Pro Sports saw younger and less experienced riders put on another excellent race. New Yorker Adam Carpinello shot into the lead from lap 1 as local 16 year old hotshoe Shane Narbone of Lowell, MA was in hot pursuit. The pair were handlebar to handlebar and swapping the lead with each other. Carpinello, though, came in first winning by just a bike length over Narbone with another New Yorker Alan Stay finishing third. The quiet and shy Narbone didn’t reveal until after the race that he crashed his 600 road race bike at NHIS in Loudon earlier in the day possibly breaking his throttle arm in the process.

SUPPORT SUMMARIES:

85cc
1 - Ryan Wells Albion, NY
2 – Cody Johncox Atica, NY
3 – Travis Reidy Dudley, MA

OPEN AMATEUR
1 – James Rispoli Attica, NY
2 – Sean Harvey JR Webster, MA
3 – Tom Newell Schenectady, NY

Vintage
1 - Ron Bertrand Holland, MA
2 – Thomas Johnston Ambler, PA

JANUARY 14, 2006

$11,000 Purse plus Bonus Money to highlight 14th Annual New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Association Ben Campanale Laconia ˝ Mile.

That’s right, 450’s vs Twins is the big show Friday night June 16 at Rochester Fairgrounds. While a 450 is lighter a 750 has the power to dig through the famous Rochester cushion. An $11,000 purse awaits the top dirt track racers in the country. To add to the drama is Bonus money from the New England Harley-Davidson Dealers. $500 to qualify and $500 extra to win the Feature if you are on a twin cylinder bike! The potent Harley-Davidson XR 750 is the weapon of choice but don’t rule out seeing a Yamaha, Suzuki or Triumph in the mix. Rochester regulars like Mees, Smith, Coolbeth and Schnabel have expressed interest in the Twin Challenge. "Bringing in the big bikes has been a goal of mine for several years now," said Sideways Promotions President Pete Giammalvo. The first 7 or 8 years I promoted this race it was always close to 100 degrees, hot and sunny. We’ve been through some growing pains, a weather cycle and now look to a bright future. The enthusiasm of the fans will decide for 07 if we pay 750 bonuses or run separate 450 and Twins classes. As always we’ll have Pro-Sports, the always crowd pleasing stars of tomorrow on their 85 cc equipment and a Vintage Exhibition.

Click to enlarge

Friday June 16 begins with an Amateur New England Dirt Track Series points race starting at 10. Sign up for the Pro’s is 3:00 to 5:00 with practice starting at 5 and Opening Ceremonies at 6:45.

This adds up to another fun filled Friday night during Laconia. The Fairgrounds is a ˝ an hour south of the Weirs. Take RT 11 EAST to RT 16 south. The track is right off RT 16 at exit 13. Adults $15, Kids 8-14 $5, Under 8 free. We are planning to be at several locations during Laconia with autograph sessions. Free Discount coupons will be available at New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Association shops. Please check the website as more exciting events are in the works in the Rochester area. For more updates go to sidewayspromo.com or call 978-874-1732

PIT BIKE SUPERMOTO ADDED TO NEW ENGLAND HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE DEALERS ASSOCIATION BEN CAMPANALE LACONIA ˝ MILE ROCHESTER EVENT

New England’s First Ever Pit Bike Super Moto June 16, Rochester NH.

Sideways Promotions and Falcon Extreme have teamed together to offer the first series designed for big kids on small motorcycles! The Pit Bike craze is sweeping the country with over 1 million vehicles expected to be sold in this country in 2006. The bikes are 49cc to 143cc with 12” tires being the maximum size. The beauty of these are that the riders can have a blast racing these bikes in a small area with maximum fun! Dirt, Pavement, Ice, Indoor or Out, it doesn’t matter. The Super Moto is a fairly new form of racing that combines some dirt like moto x, some pavement like road racing and some jumps thrown in for the heck of it! The full day of racing starts off with the New England Dirt Track Series Amateur ˝ mile races starting at 9:30 am. The Pit Bike Super Moto starts at 1 pm. The Stars of the AMA Grand National Dirt track circuit start there practice on the rough and tumble ˝ mile oval. 7 pm the first heat hits turn 1 at 90mph all wanting the lions share of the $11,000 purse.

Adults $15, Kids 8-14 $5, Under 8 FREE!

Rochester NH Fairgrounds, Exit 13 off Rt 16 Follow signs

Get Paid For Your Autograph!

That’s right, Be at the St. Charles Childrens Home in Rochester Thursday June 16 at 5:30 and get 1 free signup and a pit pass for your mechanic. *A $50 Value! The festivities are from 5:30pm to 7:00pm and include entertainment. Sideways Promotions collected parking donations 2004 for the orphanage and donated a little over $1200. The children also got staff shirts and passes for the races. Sideways Promotions President Pete Giammalvo said, “I saw a story on New England Cable News about St. Charles situation and wanted to do our part. We live in a great country with many freedoms but we need to remember these kids from broken families. Giving something back to the community is the least we can do.” St Charles Children’s Home is located at 19 Grant Street, Rochester N.H.

For more info contact Sideways Promotions 978-874-1732 *Applies to Friday night riders only. MUST be setup by 5:30 with Bike. Please contact me if you plan to come.

2005 Laconia 1/2 Mile Archive