EMPA Newsletter October 2024

October 2024 Newsletter
M e s s a g e f r o m E M PA P r e s i d e n t , D i n o O b e r t o
EMPA is an organization of
Greetings all,
professional writers, Hope all is going well with everyone. We’re sending out this latest
broadcasters, announcers, newsletter to get caught up with you all and pass along a few notes.
videographers, and
photographers working in As you should well know by now the 2025 convention is all set for January
the motorsports industry, 10-12, at the Holiday Inn Wilkes-Barre - East Mountain, 600
along with Associate and Wildflower Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Corporate members.
The Room Block for reservations is active. Phone code is EMS and on Line
is https://tinyurl.com/EMPABlock
Hotel office: 570-970-1152
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
HolidayInnWilkesBarreEastMountain/
It’s not too soon to start renewing your 2025 EMPA membership dues. It
is still only $50 to join the organization, a cost has remained the same for
the past 25 years. And, as we always remind everyone, your paid dues is
also your weekend ticket to the convention. The form is on our website,
Board of Directors: empaonline.org.
Dino Oberto Remember also that you can join via Speedway Illustrated magazine online
Karl Fredrickson at:
Carol Houssock https://speedwayillustrated.com/product/2021-membership-to-the-empa/
Jeff Gromis That will also include a free one-year subscription to the publication. As
always a HUGE THANK YOU goes out the EMPA Vice President Karl
Pete MacDonald Fredrickson and his entire staff for being so generous with us on this
bargain deal.
If you wish to renew by check, please make it payable to ‘EMPA ‘and mail to
me:
Dino Oberto 211 Columbus Avenue Hazle Township, PA 18202
The EMPA Pocono Raceway Writers Contest rules are posted on our
website so please, for those who are planning to enter, make sure to check
it out and get those entries ready. We’ll soon have info on the EMPA
Brice’s NAPA Auto Parts Photo Contest. Please keep checking the
website and Facebook page.
The Mission of the EMPA is to acknowledge excellence in motorsports reporting and those whose
who have excelled on the track and within the motorsports community.
www.empamedia.org To foster an atmosphere to improve the quality of motorsports reporting through the fellowship and
interaction of veteran media with less experienced members in a welcoming atmosphere where
tips, techniques and ideas are exchanged and encouraged.
To increase positive interactions between racetracks, sanctioning bodies and the working
racing media.
By the time you are reading this we will have already begun the process of narrowing down the names
of those going on the ballot for the EMPA Hall of Fame class of 2025. We very much appreciate all
those who took the time to send in candidate names for consideration. Once again, it will be a
painstaking task as there are close to 60 people that we must review and select for voting. It is a time
consuming process but we are committed to making sure the right nominees will be on this year’s ballot.
As for the other award categories, they will follow once we have the HoF choices decided.
We would like to get the ballot out by early November in order to give you all enough time to vote and
we also need the time to get in touch with the winners so they can plan accordingly.
Two seats are up for election on the EMPA Board this year. They are three (3) year terms, currently
held by Carol Houssock and Karl Fredrickson. If you would like to add your name to theirs on the ballot,
please let me know so that you will be included.
Following along the lines of last year’s convention, we are currently working on guest speakers for
Saturday morning. We will once again limit the number of those who will be speaking on behalf of their
respective organizations which in turn will give us more time for the guest speakers and other
informative group discussions.
Look for the Friday Night Champions Salute to remain along the same lines.
I do want to pass along that if any of you have a champion in mind to please check with either Carol
Houssock or myself first before inviting them. We need to limit this in order to not overextend the time
we have allotted.
We’ll be sending out a steady stream of convention info over the coming weeks by way of a newsletter
or email blasts so stay tuned.
IN THE
From the Canfield family:

On August 1 the unthinkable happened when we lost our son, Evan. As word spread, our family
experienced the greatest outpouring of love and support we have ever seen. It’s thanks to you, and all
those in our racing family, that we were able to get through those first few weeks and keep our heads
above water. The cards, messages and calls lifted us immeasurably, and the donations made it
possible to cover expenses we had never planned for.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all of you, as well, as we know you lost a treasured friend and fellow
race fan. EMPA was an organization that was extremely close to Evan’s heart. He looked forward to
“EMPA weekend” and spending valued time with his media friends. He would often take a shot at the
track and remark that it was EMPA material. Receiving the 2023 Ace Lane, Sr. Photographer of The
Year Award was such an honor for him. Our family is grateful that he was able to join the brotherhood
of former winners and become part of the second father-son team to win the coveted “EMPY” statue.
Evan’s fiancé, Erika, plans to honor Evan’s memory, and chase a new dream of her own, as she
continues with EC Media and as an EMPA member.
On behalf of our entire family, please accept our gratitude and thanks for all your support. Each one of
you, and EMPA as a community, are important to us. We look forward to celebrating with you in
January!
With grateful hearts,

The Canfield Family
To all of the Canfield family and Erika, we truly are touched by these heartfelt words, and know that
Evan remains in our thoughts and prayers.
From Mike Feltenberger:
My 2024 racing season was my 50th year as a track official in some capacity and also my 50th as a
credentialed photographer having my first actual trade paper photo printed in Illustrated Speedway
News. My auto racing show, Strapped In on BCTV, had its 23rd anniversary show on Sept. 17th. It is
the most viewed show on BCTV.
Mike, that’s awesome news and congratulations of a half-century of exceptionally dedicated work. You
have always represented out sport as a true professional, and for that we thank you. Keep it going as
you begin the journey on your next 50 years!
From Steve Barrick:

Attended my 55th Hunterdon Central High School class reunion on September 14 and
was surprised to learn that a classmate had been in the grandstands at Flemington
Speedway on the September, 1959 night when fans rioted and pelted
officials with empty hot chocolate cans over a botched-call – and that another
classmate had been in the stands at the New Jersey State Fairgrounds in September,
1963 when Jim Clark, Dan Gurney, and the Lotus Fords came to town and got beat by AJ Foyt.
Steve, as always thanks for such cool news and I guess the old say, ‘It really is a small world,’ can
apply here!
In closing I would just like to pass along my sincere thanks to everyone throughout this organization
for the unwavering support of EMPA.
I am proud to be affiliated with so many class act individuals who are committed to representing the
sport of auto racing in the true sense of what EMPA stands for. It’s always on our front page, but it’s
worth repeating here:
The mission of EMPA is to acknowledge excellence in motorsports reporting and those

who have excelled both on and off the track.
To foster an atmosphere to improve the quality of motorsports reporting through
fellowship and interaction of veteran media with less experienced members in a welcoming
atmosphere where tips, techniques and ideas are exchanged and encouraged.
To increase positive interactions between race tracks, sanctioning bodies and the
working racing media.
Until next time,

Peace, out
Dino
EMPA Board of Directors

Dino Oberto dlmo@ptd.net
Karl Fredrickson kfredrickson@speedwayillustrated.com
Carol Houssock carolhoussock@gmail.com
Jeff Gromis jjg495299@comcast.net
Pete MacDonald pmacdonald11@hotmail.com

EMPA Newsletter October 2024

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EMPA Newsletter October 2024

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October 2024 Newsletter

From the Canfield family:

With grateful hearts,

From Steve Barrick:

The mission of EMPA is to acknowledge excellence in motorsports reporting and those

Until next time,

EMPA Board of Directors

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