Dave Perrotti Enters Norwalk's Hall of Fame

Dave Perrotti is the newest inductee into Norwalk Raceway Park’s Hall of Fame this Saturday, accepting the prestigious Bill Bader Sportsman of the Year trophy.

The Bill Bader Sportsman of the Year award is presented to an individual who embodies class, sportsmanship, and professionalism whether in victory or defeat.  Norwalk began selecting Sportsman of the Year for the Hall of Fame in 1975.  Perrotti is now the thirty-first member of the exclusive club.

Bill Bader, Sr., who received his own recognition by having the award re-named in his honor, presented the trophy to an emotional Perrotti saying, “A Sportsman of the Year’s best day is everyday they present the best image of themselves.”

Perrotti and his wife Priscilla reside in Euclid, but do not think twice about making the trip to Norwalk on Saturdays during the season.  “Norwalk is a home away from home,” Perrotti said during his acceptance remarks.  “I am completely caught off guard, but thank you very much.”

Nine Champions were crowned at the emotional ceremony at the Clarion Inn in Sandusky, closing the books on a 2005 season that witnessed a major increase in competition at Norwalk’s Bar’s Leaks $50 Grand Slam presented by Mr. Gasket Company, the largest sportsman racing points fund in the nation.

John Boes of Alvada Ohio accepted the Championship Eagle, a ring, and a check from Bar’s Leaks for $10,000.  Boes, who last graced the Norwalk stage in 1996, earned one feature win and thirty-four round wins, fending off a hard charge from perennial champion and second place finisher, Kirby McLennan of Temperance, Michigan.  McLennan received his own recognition in a lighthearted moment, accepting his second place trophy from Diana Murphy or North Lawrence Ohio who faced McLennan twice and defeated him both times, once in a final round and once in round one.  If he had won those rounds, he would have eliminated Boes by way of a feature win tiebreaker.

Wes Buckley of Toledo Ohio was crowned Splatt Modified Champion and accepted his Norwalk Championship Eagle and ring and also a check from Bar’s Leaks totaling $10,000.  Buckley warmly thanked his family for the support they gave him throughout the season, including his Mom, Dad, and brother Lucas. 

Joe Novak, Sr. of Carelton, Michigan accepted the Norwalk Championship Eagle for earning the top spot in Wiseco Cycletech Superbike.  Novak earned three feature wins and twenty nine round wins and led Craig Adams by eight points in the final standings.  Novak was also presented a ring, and a check from Wiseco and Cycletech for $1500.

The 2000 Street Champion Dale Boyer returned to the Norwalk spotlight this year, earning the Stop Leak Street Crown and taking home a Championship eagle, a ring, and $600 from Bar’s Leaks.  Boyer led a tight group of Street competition, fending off last year’s winner Curt Valtman with a three point lead.  Though they never met on a Saturday night, Boyer was complementary when asked if there were any ill feelings between the two.  “Not at all, we’re friends… fellow racers.”

David Baker of Greenwich, Ohio led the pack in Koffel’s Place Comp, a division that runs on select Saturdays throughout the season and draws some of the toughest racers in the country who generally run in national divisional meets.  Baker was presented a Championship Eagle, a ring, and a check from Koffel’s Place totaling $1,000.  Baker admitted if his brother Wayne had never brought him to the racetrack, he would be sitting in a tree stand hunting deer rather than at the track hunting doorslammers.

Norwalk also crowned three Champions that embody the future of drag racing.  In the Half Scale Dragster presented by Bear Motorsports category, two young ladies and a young man came out on top of their respective fields.  In the Pee Wee Division, a well-spoken, charming 10-year-old named Scott Chitty of Uniontown, Ohio rose to the top of the division with five feature wins and twenty-two points. 

Alexa Rick of Elyria, Ohio returned to the Norwalk stage after a Pee Wee Crown in 2001.  Rick gained sixteen points and one feature win to come out on top of the Intermediate Division.  In her acceptance speech, Rick was gracious towards her brother, Darren, whom she invited to sit with her at the head table, and her parents Teresa and Adam, all of whom make drag racing an exciting opportunity.

Kristen Kiger of Lorain, Ohio closed her Championship season with two wins in a row, clinching the Senior Division Crown.  Kiger expressed a debt of gratitude to her family, her sister, and John Boes.  She also encouraged the crowd to never give up.  At one point during the season, Kiger decided to stop focusing on racing and start having fun.  At that point, she started to win.

The night was also an opportunity to recognize other success stories at Norwalk in 2005.  Diana Murphy accepted the Most Improved Driver Award.  After successive seasons near the bottom of the point standings, Murphy climbed the point standings to eleventh place and secured a feature win and a runner up finish in the Engine Race at the Classic. 

Paul Samora of Mineral Ridge, Ohio took home the dubious honor of the Hard Luck Award.  The award was presented in the respect that despite Samora’s difficulties off the track, he refused to give up.  Bill Bader Jr. exclaimed Samora served as an inspiration to many drivers this season.

Bob Robaugh won the Rossler Wrench award, for his efforts as crew chief on a total of six bikes this season, and putting two of those bikes in the top five in points at Norwalk.

Robaugh, Sportsman of the Year in 1989 and the 2005 Halloween Classic Superbike Champion, was nominated by his son, Ryan. 
Second generation driver Steve Oswald of Akron took home the Rookie of the Year award, gaining eighteen points in his first season in Norwalk’s Finish Line Club.  Bill Bader, Sr. suggested because he only raced in six meets out of the twelve possible, he very well could have also been a champion had he maintained his successful average.

Norwalk also recognized a number of individuals whose participation at the track and around the state have reserved for them a place of high esteem.  Jim Weinert, longtime friend of the Bader family and Norwalk Raceway Park, accepted the 2005 Guy of the Year award for his loyalty, honor, friendship, and dedication to the track.  Delbert Dragon also picked up a “Mascot of the Year” award for his untiring service to the children, not only at the track but to hospitals in Cleveland and Toledo where he visits children who are sick.

The Thunder in the Streets Committee, consisting of Renee Delisanti, Tom Olak, Ralph Seward and Joyce Freeland were recognized for their volunteer service to the community through the one day event.  Jim and Ilene Tracht were recognized for their earnest efforts in promoting the Blue Suede Cruise, in its fifth year in 2006 at Norwalk.

Advanced Product Design was honored as Manufacturer of the Year; Bar’s Leaks was spotlighted as Sponsor of the Year, and Ames Performance took home the award for Promotion of the Year.

In the Best Appearing Category, Larry McGee won in Comp, Alan Lee in Top, Rick Guenther in Modified, Guy Guenther in Street, Steve Smith in Superbike, Scott Chitty in Pee Wee, Lee Newmeyer in Intermediate, and Lauren Dadas in Senior.

Now, imagine what it takes for Bill Bader to become speechless.

The prestigious honor of Sportsman of the Year was renamed for Bill Bader, Sr.

Bill Bader, Jr., current President of Norwalk Raceway Park announced the honor by unveiling a bronze bust in the image of his father.  Bader, Sr. placed his hand over his eyes as he walked towards the award and said nothing.

The award visibly moved Bill Bader, Sr., who retired as President of the International Hot Rod Association in November 2004.   Last July, John Force honored Bader in a ceremony at Night Under Fire by unveiling a new Nitro Funny Car paint scheme featuring the likeness of Bader with the inscription, “Drag Racing Legend.” 

With his father at his side, Bill Jr. read the inscription on the bronze bust, “A man’s greatness is not measured by his number of victories, but by his number of friends. For in life; true greatness is reserved for those who have forged an uncharted path; touched the hearts of men, always optimistic where the journey concludes while remembering where the journey began.”