Because an induction into the Honor Squadron is one of the most respected forms of recognition that an individual can receive in our sport, and as this induction is based on a lifetime of commitment to APBA Racing, it is usually an honor which is bestowed upon an individual who is well known on the national level. Every once in a while however, a certain kind of person gives so much, for so long, to so many, on the local level, that his commitments, sacrifices and dedication simply cannot be ignored.
Steve Noury from Region One is exactly that kind of person.
Steve Noury attended his first race tagging along with his father Norm as a member of Stardust Racing at the age of two. He started racing with The South Shore Outboard Association in 1963 at the age of nine and has held a racing membership with APBA till this day. Over 55 years.
Along the way Steve has won hundreds of races, capturing the B-Stock Runabout National High Points Title in 1990 and capturing the prestigious Waldman award in 2007 when he won 18 out of 21 races he entered in D-Stock Hydro. Known as a heads-up driver and a great starter, Steve, over the years, has established himself as one of the best drivers in the Northeast.
Steve became active in his local club when he became SSOA Secretary at the age of 22. He has since held every office within both Region One and the SSOA including Region Chairman and Club Commodore. Learning at the elbow of his mentor, the late great Stanton Fitts, Steve learned to control a meeting and to always keep everything on a professional level. Steve has also been our referee, promoter, equipment manager and statistician.
Over the years, the amount Steve has given back to our sport and his fellow racers is staggering; in the early eighties, Steve started “Performance North” a racing equipment company, in order to make it easier for local drivers to acquire engines, hardware and racing accessories. Steve routinely travels to out of region races including Berwick, Pennsylvania and Crystal Lake, New York to referee or direct their programs. Steve helps in every possible way to promote unity between the APBA and the Canadian Boating Federation by incorporating special event challenges at his races, handing out cash incentives to out of region trailers and attending CBF events. Steve regularly loans equipment, cleans out the club trailers, maintains patrol boats, stores equipment on his property and writes one of the best club newsletters in the country. Steve has pursued new race sites throughout New England and singlehandedly implemented new races in Haverhill, Massachusetts as well as in Kingston and Milton, New Hampshire. Through this unwavering commitment to our sport, Steve has, through his example, inspired every single SSOA Club member to step up and do more – therefore raising the entire club to a level of excellence, which it now enjoys.
There is one area however, where Steve shines brightest, and that is Race Directing; to attend a Steve Noury race is to attend what could only be described as an “event”. Steve understands that for most drivers, the focus is on the race itself, but for the families, the pit crews, the spectators and the local communities, the rest of the event really does matter. Every detail of a Steve Noury race is meticulously planned and then the plan is executed to perfection. From Friday’s inspection, pit area, and course set-up to punctual registration and drivers meetings, every detail of a Steve Noury race is attended to. From color guards with local talent delivering the national anthem leading to a fast paced, 4 hour program, to old school pot luck dinners, there is always a feeling of being a part of something special at a Steve Noury race. He even once hosted a mass baptism behind the Masonic Temple in the pits at Kingston. Steve also finds a way to give back to the host community, either by giving registration discounts to drivers who donate canned goods to the local food pantry or partnering with the Kingston Children’s center to operate the concession stand, which has now turned into their largest fundraiser of the year. And of course Steve’s famous awards presentations with trophy’s and merchandise prizes cap off every one of his races. I once asked Steve why he put so much effort into his awards ceremonies and his answer was, “If you’re not going to have a nice award ceremony, then why have the race?” The benefit for Steve in all this, he once told me, is knowing that people had a good time and that they would come back again.
So as Steve steps up to this podium to accept this honor, let’s all remember that there are a lot of other Steve Noury’s all across the country, unsung and unassuming, working hard on the local level to keep the mighty train which is APBA chugging along on the right track.
Thank you Steve Noury, your anonymity ends here today!