The History of the EMPA-70's
1970
1970- Mechanic of the Year Award given to Mario Rossi of Trenton NJ, chief mechanic for Bobby Allison, at Trenton Speedway.
1972
1972- 1st Convention- Atlantic City NJ
On Jan 28-29 1972 the first annual EMPA convention held at the Holiday Inn in Atlantic City. In the Feb. 2nd issue of the AARN (Area Auto Racing News) it was reported that
"The convention was a great success. The inaugural Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award was given to Frank Blunk.
On Saturday Jan 28, the activities consisted of a driver’s panel followed by Q&A panels by promoters and manufacturers such as USAC, ARDC, ARC, Pocono Raceway, Lime Rock Park, Williams Grove Speedway.
On Sunday morning the election for officials was held and the results of the election were as follows;
President- Ernie Saxton
Vice President- Bill Claren
Secretary- Art Maxim
Tresurer- Skip Clayton
Board of Directors- Red Kirsch, Bob Zera, Walt Chernokal, Harry Blaze, Pete Zanardi
1973
1973- 2nd Convention- Atlantic City
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award- Nick Nagurney of the Philadelphia Bulletin.
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award created to honor Ace Lane Sr.
Awarded posthumously to Ace Lane Sr.
1974
1974-3rd Convention-Reading, Pa Jan 25-27
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Harry Blaze of Trenton Times
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Walt Chernokal
Hall of Fame -Al Tasnady- First inductee
Driver of the Year Award- Wally Dallenbach Sr.- First awardee
1975
1975-4th Convention- Atlantic City Holiday Inn- Jan 17-19
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Bob Zera
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award-??
Hall of Fame- Tommy Hindershitz
Driver of Year- Kenny Brightbill
1976
1976- 5th Convention-Atlantic City- Jan 23-25
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Paul Reinhard of the Allentown Morning Call
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Walt Chernokal
Hall of Fame- Mark Donohue
Driver of the Year Award -Mario Andretti
EMPA officers-Elected to a two-year term at 1976 convention
Bill Claren elected president
Micheal Knight VP
Pat Singer Secretary
1977
1977- 7th Convention- Atlantic City Jan 22-25
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Pat Singer
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Dave Innes
1978
1978- 8th Convention-Atlantic City NJ- Jan 28-30
Ernie Saxton reelected as EMPA President
VP Ron Mentus
Secretary Sandra Mckee
No record of awards given
1979
1979- 9th Convention- Atlantic City NJ- Jan 27-29
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Ron Mentus of AARN
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Ace Lane Jr.
Hall of Fame- Dick "Toby" Tobias
Driver of the Year Award- Mario Andretti
1970- Mechanic of the Year Award given to Mario Rossi of Trenton NJ, chief mechanic for Bobby Allison, at Trenton Speedway.
1972
1972- 1st Convention- Atlantic City NJ
On Jan 28-29 1972 the first annual EMPA convention held at the Holiday Inn in Atlantic City. In the Feb. 2nd issue of the AARN (Area Auto Racing News) it was reported that
"The convention was a great success. The inaugural Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award was given to Frank Blunk.
On Saturday Jan 28, the activities consisted of a driver’s panel followed by Q&A panels by promoters and manufacturers such as USAC, ARDC, ARC, Pocono Raceway, Lime Rock Park, Williams Grove Speedway.
On Sunday morning the election for officials was held and the results of the election were as follows;
President- Ernie Saxton
Vice President- Bill Claren
Secretary- Art Maxim
Tresurer- Skip Clayton
Board of Directors- Red Kirsch, Bob Zera, Walt Chernokal, Harry Blaze, Pete Zanardi
1973
1973- 2nd Convention- Atlantic City
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award- Nick Nagurney of the Philadelphia Bulletin.
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award created to honor Ace Lane Sr.
Awarded posthumously to Ace Lane Sr.
1974
1974-3rd Convention-Reading, Pa Jan 25-27
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Harry Blaze of Trenton Times
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Walt Chernokal
Hall of Fame -Al Tasnady- First inductee
Driver of the Year Award- Wally Dallenbach Sr.- First awardee
1975
1975-4th Convention- Atlantic City Holiday Inn- Jan 17-19
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Bob Zera
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award-??
Hall of Fame- Tommy Hindershitz
Driver of Year- Kenny Brightbill
1976
1976- 5th Convention-Atlantic City- Jan 23-25
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Paul Reinhard of the Allentown Morning Call
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Walt Chernokal
Hall of Fame- Mark Donohue
Driver of the Year Award -Mario Andretti
EMPA officers-Elected to a two-year term at 1976 convention
Bill Claren elected president
Micheal Knight VP
Pat Singer Secretary
1977
1977- 7th Convention- Atlantic City Jan 22-25
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Pat Singer
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Dave Innes
1978
1978- 8th Convention-Atlantic City NJ- Jan 28-30
Ernie Saxton reelected as EMPA President
VP Ron Mentus
Secretary Sandra Mckee
No record of awards given
1979
1979- 9th Convention- Atlantic City NJ- Jan 27-29
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award - Ron Mentus of AARN
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Ace Lane Jr.
Hall of Fame- Dick "Toby" Tobias
Driver of the Year Award- Mario Andretti