HISTORY
The "Eggnoggers" racing team first emerged in 1980 from Oceanside Hose Co. 1 for motorized drills. They ran with a white 1952 Ford B-truck, nicknamed "Frost." The truck was originally of the Port Washington Protection Engine Co "Rangers," then sold to the Bethpage "Knuckle Busters" and later the North Merrick "Stump Jumpers." The truck may also have been in possession of the Floral Park "Doodle Bugs," but this is unconfirmed. In the late 1970's, the "Eggnoggers" got a hold of the rig. They also purchased the "Flukes'" black and yellow rig, used it for parts, and then it was acquired by the Alphabet Land daycare center as a playground.
The team stopped racing in the mid-1980's and "Frost" remained parked in a member's driveway for years. The truck was purchased for $50 in 1990 by another member and kept for a year. After that the Baldwin "Tomcats" purchased the rig for parts for the rig that they had acquired a few years back from the East Meadow "Meadowlarks." Before the sale another member of the OFD took the back step for use as a bar. "Frost" was parked at the Baldwin B.O.C.E.S. center until the team made the necessary transplants of parts. The remains were junked.
In 1997 the "Eggnoggers" re-emerged to race in Old Fashioned drills. They continued racing Old Fashioned drills until 2000 when they first ran their new B-truck. This truck had originally belonged to the Westbury "Turtles" until 1991 when it was sold to the Flanders "Keepers." The truck was unused after about 1992 and was then sold to Oceanside. The team ran the truck in two motorized drills. They even took points in their first drill, a 5th Place finish in the B-Hose contest at the annual Riverhead Invitational. They continued to run Old Fashioned as well, placing Third overall in the NY State Old Fashioned drill in Freeport.
In 2001 the members of the "Eggnoggers" and SouthSide Hose Co. 2 "Mariners" decided to field only one team, the "Eggnoggers." They continued in their Old Fashioned tradition, again placing Third in the NY State Old Fashioned drill, but their main focus was on the new motorized team. They raced in their first New York State motorized drill since their return, at Merrick in August. Due to a faulty pump, however, they did not run the motor pump contest.
Also in 2001 the "Eggnoggers" purchased their first C-truck from the Islip F.D. "Wolves." The truck had been built in 1995 for the "Wolves," underwent major body modification in 1997, and was later replaced by a newer model. The "Eggnoggers" did not race this truck in 2001, but rather waited until the next season.
In 2002 the Eggnoggers proved that they were capable of riding up front with the big boys of racing. They captured 35 points in motorized drills, including 8 Nassau County points. This momentum brought them into the 2003 season. Also in 2002, the ‘Noggers had their first Top 5 finish in a motorized drill, a Fourth Place tie with West Hempstead in the Town of Hempstead Drill with 13 points.
In 2003 the Eggnoggers suffered the loss of two of their best friends and supporters. In September, Chief Thomas Bettes passed away from heart failure. Thomas was father to three team members, and the uncle of 3 others. Two months later, Firefighter Bobby Bedell, Jr, of Southside Hose Co. 2, passed away from another heart-related problem. Bobby was a member of the drill team and active participant until injury in 2002 forced him to the sidelines. Both will be sorely missed.
In 2004 the Eggnoggers accomplished a feat over 20 years in the making. On August 28th the team won the Second Battalion drill held in Oceanside. They took the lead from Running Ladder and never looked back. The victory marked the Eggnoggers first ever Battalion championship, and a lifetime dream for team captains Eddie Nau and Bill Leahy. In addition to the victory, the team won Battalion leg trophies for Running Ladder, Running Hose, and Two-into-One. After bringing their B-truck down the course, the Eggnoggers dedicated their victory to the departed Chief Tommy Bettes.
The Eggnoggers started off 2005 with the biggest victory of their careers. The team once again captured the Second Battalion Championship at the combined Second, Third, and Fourth Battalion drill in Lynbrook. The Eggnoggers achieved a perfect score of 40 points, becoming one of a handful of teams to accomplish this. In addition to their battalion victory, the team captured overall points for the day, narrowly defeating the Rockville Centre “Woodlanders.” The team also set a new team B-Ladder record of 5.88 seconds at the West Hempstead Labor Day drill. The season ended with a new Running Hose record of 11.04 seconds and a fourth place finish at the Rich Muldowney Memorial old fashioned drill in Freeport in September. The team captured fifth place in total old fashioned points for the season.
This history has been composed by Ryan Costigan. Special Thanks for historical information go to Chris Costigan for stats, Joe Stemmler for truck history, the members of Oceanside Hose Co. 1, and the staff of FDRACING.COM