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By Bob Finan
Photo Michael Jaworecki/Myracenews
Patchogue, NY Feb. 24th...Long Island’s longest tenured auto racing club, the Suffolk Association of Figure Eight Racing announced today they will honor 2023 S.A.F.E.R. champion Ken Hyde Jr. of Medford at their annual awards dinner Saturday evening March 30th. The affair will take place at the Sea Cove Italian American Bar & Grill of Center Moriches from 6:00 pm through 10:00 pm and include the induction of the 2024 S.A.F.E.R. Hall of Fame recipients.
Without question Ken Hyde Jr. enjoyed a career season in 2023 steering his East End Building entry to the Riverhead Raceway and S.A.F.E.R driving titles on the strength of five victories. Tom Ferrara & Ken’s twin sister Kim of S.A.F.E.R will present Hyde the lion’s share of the 2023 S.A.F.E.R. point fund along with the prestigious S.A.F.E.R Drivers Championship Cup.
Completing the top five in 2023 S.A.F.E.R. rankings were Allan Pedersen of Center Moriches, Scott Pedersen of Shirley, Gary Fritz Jr, of Mastic Beach and Cody Triola of Bay Shore, all will be presented awards and S.A.F.E.R. point fund checks for their efforts. A full complement of special awards winners will be recognized during the dinner.
Attention will then turn to the Class of 2024 induction for the S.A.F.E.R Hall of Fame. Mike Mujsce Sr. of Westhampton will be enshrined into the hall, Mujsce ranks 10th on the all-time Riverhead Raceway win list with18 triumphs and was the 2012 Figure Eight track champion. Perhaps one of the most colorful personalities in Figure Eight racing was a man who never drove a car. Long time Riverhead Raceway starter Bruce Noll will be indicted to the S.A.F.E.R Hall of Fame, Noll retired after the 2023 season leaving lasting memories of how he’d start Figure Eight races from the track running backwards onto the wall. Grant Williams of Northeastern Office Equipment, like Noll never drove a car but his decades of sponsoring teams in the class kept many afloat in the sport earning his HoF induction. Every division and track have drivers who are the backbone of the sport, one such S.A.F.E.R. driver was Bill Farrell. While Bill didn’t make his way to championship podiums or victory lane as often as others, his presence and good sportsmanship was unmatched. Linda Mcknight-Larsen was a true, passionate Figure Eight fan and longtime S.A.F.E.R, supporter until her untimely passing. If S.A.F.E.R. was conducting a raffle or event, Linda was among the first to support without hesitation. Additionally, Stephen Halpin, longtime voice of Riverhead Raceway will receive his 2023 S.A.F.E.R Hall of Fame induction plaque. Due to a scheduling conflict Halpin was unable to attend the dinner last year, Stephen has long promoted S.A.F.E.R. through his announcing.
Tickets for the 2023 S.A.F.E.R awards dinner Saturday March 30th are priced at $90 per ticket that include dinner, beer, wine & soda and presentation of awards. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets are available via Venmo only, Kimhyde-race85 or Thomas-Ferrara-11x are the two ticket contacts. No tickets will be sold at the door. Drivers are asked to wear business attire including shirt and tie.
The Sea Cove Italian American Bar & Grill is located at 361 Main Street, Center Moriches, NY.
