PHOTO CREDIT – Joe Verdegan
CUTLINE – This vintage winged, supermodified owned by Escanaba, Michigan’s Jake Valliquette will be showcased at motorsports author Joe Verdegan’s booth at the 5th annual NEW MOTORAMA at Shopko Hall in Green Bay March 29-31
ATTENTION SPORTS/MOTORSPORTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VALLIQUETTE’s VINTAGE WINGED MOD ON DISPLAY AT 5th ANNUAL NEW MOTORAMA SHOW “BIRD & THE BEAR” BOOK SIGNING MARCH 29-31 (“Iron Outlaw” winged racer former Billy “The Cat” Johnson’s ride)
(Green Bay, WI) – Fans both young and not-so-young will get a sneak peek at a hot rod from yesteryear at motorsports author Joe Verdegan’s booth at the fifth annual NEW MOTORAMA show March 29-31 at Shopko Hall and the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena in Green Bay.
Verdegan, who will be signing copies of his latest book “The Bird & The Bear” will also be promoting his next book titled “Racing In The 906” which covers the extensive stock car racing history in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The book has a tentative release date sometime in 2020. A winged, vintage modified owned and driven by Escanaba, Michigan’s Jake Valliquette will be on display. According to show organizer Rick Paulick, the “Iron Outlaw” is the first of its type of car to be on display at the popular motorsports showcase.
The car has an extensive racing history. Billy “The Cat” Johnson of Slinger wheeled this winged warrior in action on both dirt and paved ovals in the 1970’s at tracks in Hales Corners, Slinger, Beaver Dam and Plymouth. Johnson chalked up an incredible 21 track or area championships during his career, including the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Association (EWSCA) crown in 1972. The number 2 machine is currently a Chevrolet-powered with a methanol-fueled powerplant built by Bay Speed Center of De Pere.
Valliquette competes regularly with that winged machine at Upper Peninsula International Raceway (UPIR) in Escanaba, Michigan as the track runs the vintage, winged racers on a regular basis.
“These winged race cars have a lot of history in the northern Michigan racing scene,” said Jake Valliquette’s son Matt Valliquette, who races a sportmod himself at UPIR and climbs behind the wheel of the winged machine at special events. “Many of the U.P. racers winged modifieds in the ‘70’s started their lives in Wisconsin. The winged modifieds have a ton of history in the U.P. and Joe’s book will detail the exciting tales of the drivers who wheeled these cars.”
“The Bird & The Bear”, which is Verdegan’s fourth covering Wisconsin stock car racing history, features a pair of Fox Valley racing legends – Roger “The Bear” Regeth and “The Tweedy Bird” J.J. Smith. Both were standouts on the local dirt and paved track scene in the 1970’s racking up multiple track titles and dozens of feature wins. The pair also competed in the USAC stock car circuit in the ‘70’s. Regeth will join Verdegan during the signings that weekend.
NEW MOTORAMA offers something motorsports related for everyone from ages 8 to 80. A high school motorcycle “build off” will be held. Sponsors of this “Build Off” so far include NEW MOTORAMA, Blaster Corporation (PB Blaster), Tytler’s Cycle, Hupy & Abraham, Muntz Audio & Video of Green Bay, Rockford Fosgate and ARO Coatings. Muntz Audio and Video will be bringing some vehicles and will also have the Rockford Fosgate Sound Lab on hand.
As an added attraction on the KISS tribute band Detroit Rock City will be playing shows both Friday and Saturday night with the band Hot Carl also performing Friday night. TNT-Chicago- The AC/DC show will play Saturday night as well.
According to show organizer Rick Paulick more than 200 vendors, bikes, boats, show cars and other motorized vehicles will be on display during the three-day show.
The show hours will be Friday 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on the show you can contact Paulick at newmotorama@gmail.com. In interested in interviewing a high school please contact Rick at 920 660 2674. The website is www.newmotorama.com. You can check out Northeast Wisconsin Motorama on Facebook as well. The GPS address for Shopko Hall is 1901 S. Oneida Street, Green Bay, WI 54304. The Facebook search is Northeast Wisconsin Motorama.
