REUNION By Ken Paulsen
It was a day no one could even dream would happen. The Northeastern Speedway lay silent for decades while nature slowly reclaimed everything but the asphalt oval and front stretch barrier wall. An amazing transformation took place and on July 18, 2009 it reopened for a reunion exactly fifty years to the date of the first race.
Memories of the old track lingered in the backs of their minds for many area racing fans. An annual gathering was staged several times in the early 2000s where former drivers, owners and spectators could gather to reminisce during an early spring racing promotion.
 | With permission from the landowner, a trek back to the oval was staged one year as about 30 fans took a walking lap around the track. Some eyes got a little misty recalling the “good old days”. A few wished for one more lap on the asphalt which surprisingly was still in excellent shape after decades of dormancy, but that thought would have to stay unfulfilled. Unfulfilled, that is, until Paul Bellefeuille entered the picture.
Bellefeuille had a goal of restoring the old track. He and his wife, Lise, acquired seven acres in 2007 that included all of the track, highway frontage and the former pit area. He immediately started clearing the land working nights and weekends. He cut trees and shrubs out of the infield and then opened up the grandstand area. Stumps were buried in the infield which was then covered with dirt, graded and seeded. Before the fall was over, three flag poles were positioned on the infield just as they were when the track was in operation. Six truck loads of wood chips were taken off the property before work had to be halted for the winter. |
Working with close friend, Allen Pike, Bellefeuille estimated over 1000 man hours were needed to get to this point. Over the winter months, word of the work being done at the site spread throughout nearby communities. Flyers of the 50 year reunion celebration appeared in barber shops, community notice bulletin boards, and super markets – anywhere and everywhere. Only positive words were heard as the townspeople began talking about the old track and what it meant to them.
Rain the day before and during pre dawn hours threatened to postpone the show. As old race cars started arriving and tents were being set up the clouds parted leading to a warm, sunny day for Waterford, Vermont.
Bellefeuille had gone to great lengths to make sure that arriving fans had a good first impression. The ticket booth was an exact replica of the one used at the track during its existence from 1959-1966. The original sign above the booth windows had been preserved by Dennis Bean and was used for this show. Likewise the route 18 entrance sign had been duplicated to greet the fans pulling into the parking area.
Sales at the souvenir trailer were brisk as reunion T shirts and a 36 page souvenir program were available. Other tents were set up to display old trophies, scrapbooks and memorabilia. Cho Lee had the Bob Doyle traveling museum in the former pit area where fans could view a photo display of Northeastern cars and drivers. A food tent was also in operation to make sure no one went hungry.
Close to twenty race cars lined the front stretch while an equal number of restored passenger cars, trucks and hot rods parked on the infield of the one fifth mile oval. Old friendships were being rekindled as the crowd numbering in the hundreds mingled throughout the facility. The smell of fresh paint was evident as two more cars have been added to the list of vehicles representing Vermont’s racing history. Bill Phelps has completed restoration of the Andy Cote #3J 1932 Ford coupe originally driven by Paul Martel during the 1962 season. George Silsby worked hard to have his tribute to Sylvio Billideau running for the show. The 1934 Ford coach was still in primer but the flathead was tuned to perfection. Broadcast interviews hosted by Phil Whipple began at 11am leading off with none other than one of the original track builders, Charles Ely, who travelled all the way from his California home for the event. For the next hour and a half, people involved in Northeastern history relived events that took place. Stories were told (mostly true) of on and off track events, and compliments were paid to those credited with making this day a reality. |  |
 (Ken Paulsen photo) |  |
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At 2pm, the 1967 Chevrolet pace car pulled onto the track with the old coupes lining up in two rolls behind it. Forty-three years after the last lap was flagged, Northeastern Speedway was once again witnessing the spectacle of racing even if the speeds were necessarily restricted. Fans lining the speedway cheered and waved as the group completed its first lap. Everywhere cameras were recording the highlight of the day’s activities.
 |  (Ken Paulsen photo) |
For twenty minutes fans were transported back in time as the coupes circled the oval. Finally, Bellefeuille showed the checkered flag to each driver signaling the end of laps. It was the same checkered flag used during the 1959 season and preserved by the 1960 track champion, Glen Andrews.
Two years of land clearing, planning, overcoming obstacles and getting the word out resulted in what was perhaps the perfect racing reunion. For a brief time drivers were reacquainted with former fellow drivers. Fans got to relive fond memories of their Saturday night destination. A part of their past came back to life – even if it was only for a day.
