Sideways Promotions Pete Giammalvo Passed Away

[Woodcraft]

A sad note over the Christmas weekend, Sideways Pete passed away over the weekend after having a stroke just before the holiday. There is likely going to be a race of some sort for a memorial service....just as Pete wanted.

For those of you who didn't know him, Pete was the enthusiastic promoter of the New England Dirt Track Series for many years. He was paralyzed in a non-racing incident many years ago, but continued on to become a icon in the New England racing scene, bringing his enthusiasm and love for the sport with him wherever he went. Pete was a tireless worker who dedicated his life to the promotion of dirt track racing and the riders who loved his sport. He worked countless hours to create the Wachusett Valley Riders Club, attending dozens of meetings and making consistent extra efforts to gain the support of his track in the surrounding community. His work brought motorcycling into a positive light in the eyes of many people who never understood what racing was all about. He will be sorely missed.

More information will be posted as it comes available.

[Speed Demon 828]

Such sad news to hear. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. If you raced Flat Track in the North East you knew Pete. He will be missed.

[SVRACER01]

sad to hear that. never met him but anyone that works that hard to promote our sport is good in my book. godspeed

[OreoGaborio]

That's not the news you want to hear so close to the Holidays.

Godspeed, Pete. You, your friends and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Sheppo]

God speed Pete

[a13x]

Damn. Pete was a hustler. RIP.

[Kurlon]

Well hell. I had a chance to meet the guy once in person, and talked a bit online with him. He'd do anything to let people have fun on bikes. Didn't care if they were pitbikes, flat trackers, MX machines, or the time of year. Damn nice guy, really hurt to hear this.

[KB]

Damn Pete was a great guy! I talked to him alot at the track. RIP Pete!!

KB

[csmutty]

Wow met him just this year. Guy was a class act and gave us a 6 pack to try to get us to come race flat track. He will be in my thoughts.

[Pigman]

RIP Pete...............

[Doc]

Keep on sliding Pete. RIP

[csmutty]

Wow what a guy.

It is with deep sorrow but also happiness that I have to tell you Pete passed a way Tuesday December 27 in the afternoon

Sunday 3-7 @ Sawyer Miller Mascarelli in down town 123 main st
Westminster Mass right on main street across from the pharmacy at the
only trafic light in town.

Monday Meet at Sawyer Miller Mascarelli before 9:15 if you want to be
in the precession to go past the track. Motorcycles WANTED. We will
try to leave at 9:30am
Mass services @11am at St. Edwards church on Church st in Westminster
(can be seen for funeral home)

In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
Westminster Town Benefit
PO Box 63
Westminister MA 01473

Pete Giammalvo was a mid aged dirt tracker. He turned 52 this year. He'd been in a wheel chair the past 25 years from a diving accident.

He beat the odds by surviving the accident and by lasting 25 year in the chair.

Pete did more in that chair them most due in there life time.Soon after he got his 1st power chair he started promoting Flat Track around New England because no one else would.

He purchased 30 acres of industrial zoned land in Winchendon mass (where I had just moved to)
and after 4 years of planing with zoning board and allot of help we opened the Wachusett Valley Riders Club a 1/5 mile clay oval for bike and go karts we ran 5 years with out a problem then one new select-women who live across town managed to get the permits pulled
and courts shut us down...

5 years and lots of $$ later we re-opened.
It's been a struggle to get traction to keep the place open as many of the family's who were part of it in the beginning have grown up with out bringing there friends and the fresh faces.

Two off Pete's understudies have gone on to make there living as professional dirt track races.
#64 Aaron Creamer and Currently #2 Kenny Coolbeth

http://www.sidewayspromo.com/

Theres a few videos on you-tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-WbimxQ09g

Heres one from Laconia bike week where Pete promoted the Ben Campenlli 1/2 mile at the Rochester fair ground.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHFpB1q3bL0

Pete never turned away an opportunity to Promote the sport around the world. Active on many web sites, governmental meetings, hearings etc
and bringing dirt track to the 6 New England state holding races at fair grounds from Maine to Connecticut.

During the hard times theses past few years we tried to bring in the other motor sports for special events and them see what Dirt tracks all about so you'll see what they now call Endure-cross but your age group would call a scramble. Pete also did ice racing events in the winter.

Pete so started the Re-union riders luncheon that He handed over to Okie a few years back. Pete and Myself with the help of Okie's son and right hand office manager were planning on meeting soon to continue the luncheon.

Pete was a dirt track history buff. You could say a riders number and give him a year range he'd tell you who it was and what brand they rode. He loved talking with you and listening to your stories.

Oh one last thing! They found homes for his liver and kiddneys! Helping someone thats Pete.

[44Dwarf]

Hello NESR

If you've ever raced or watched Flat Track in the North East chances are you raced at a Sideways Promotions event.
I'm sorry to tell you this but Pete Giammalvo aka Sideways Pete passed away on Tuesday.
Below are the details. If you ride a street bike bring it on Monday!Sorry for the crappy news for my 1st post.
Tony aka 44Dwarf

Sunday 3-7 @ Sawyer Miller Mascarelli in down town 123 main st
Westminster Mass right on main street across from the pharmacy at the
only trafic light in town.

Monday Meet at Sawyer Miller Mascarelli before 9:15 if you want to be
in the precession to go past the track. Motorcycles WANTED.
If all you have is a race job toss it in your truck.

We will try to leave at 9:30am
Mass services @11am at St. Edwards church on Church st in Westminster
(can be seen for funeral home)

In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
Westminster Town Benefit
PO Box 63
Westminister MA 01473