Simulated Rain Race & Memorial Weekend a Major Success
press release
The Point Pelee Karting Club (PPKC) once again demonstrated why they are one of the best karting clubs in Canada when it comes to member appreciation. This past weekend a double-header event at PPKC had members witnessing their third annual 'Simulated Rain Race' on Saturday followed by an emotional PPKC Memorial race day on Sunday. Adding to the excitement, three classes raced on Sunday for cash prizes courtesy of some very special supporters.
The water trucks were rolling nice and early on Saturday morning preparing the track for the Simulated Rain Race. The day featured all the fun and excitement of racing in the rain, without the miserable cold and wet feeling that usually comes with it. With blue, sunny skies hovering over the track all day, the weather was perfect and the track was perfectly managed for a great day of rain racing fun.
Above: The celebration lap of seven karts representing the lost members of the Point Pelee Karting Club
pic - Cody Schindel, Autosports Media Group
Following the full day of racing action, the racers and their families were treated to a full BBQ pork chops dinner with all the fixings courtesy of John Nooyen from Nooyen Farms Custom Agriculture Services. Not only does the PPKC know how to put on a great race, but they also know how to feed their families as well. There was plenty of food to go around. There was also a very exciting fireworks display, courtesy of DeAngelis Construction, along with movies for the kids once the sun went down.
As drivers and teams returned to Point Pelee Kartways on Sunday morning, there was a special vibe in the air. The annual PPKC Memorial Race always brings back many past members of the club and this year there were a couple special bonuses. Marc Stehle and Windsor Mobile Wash, Glenn Willis from Willis Service Center and Cole Cacciavillani of CF Groups generously donated cash prizes for the Senior Medium, Senior TaG and Junior Heavy classes. Also on display was a new set of flags at the Start/Finish line remembering the seven drivers the PPKC family has lost over the years. Finally, those on hand had the chance to take a step back in time and view the four vintage karts on display that traveled all the way from Barrie, Ontario.
The race day started off with a very special moment of silence to remember the lost members of the PPKC: Brian Heron Jr., Paul McMillan, Calvin Newman, Peter Frydrychowicz, Jason Willis, Gord Bonham and George Gilbert. During the lunch break, a very emotional tribute to those lost featured a celebration lap with seven karts rounding the track each holding a flag and representing a lost member while the entire paddock lined up on the side of the track to cheer them on.
The vintage karts then took to the track for a few laps displaying what it was like racing many, many years ago.
Highlighting the day's racing action, the Honda Senior Medium class lined up for the very special final. Dubbed the 'Gord Bonham Memorial Shootout' the unique race featured a 15-lap sprint, followed by a full course caution, followed by a five-lap shootout for a $1000 winner-take-all cash purse. The close racing featured Greg Rempel leading almost every lap of the race, except the final one. As a six-kart breakaway entered the first corner on the final lap, the front two karts tangled sending Rempel off. The ensuing melee featured Dale Bonham (grandson of Gord) tangling with third place Brett Rickeard and Marc Stehle diving into the grass. Able to get through the mess, Cory Cacciavillani and Wesley Schindel would be the only ones to cross the finish line with Cacciavillani deemed the winner of the $1000 cash prize.
Above: Cory Cacciavillani generously donated his $1500 in race winnings back to the PPKC
pic - Cody Schindel, Autosports Media Group
Cacciavillani would also be the victor in the TaG Senior final. However, his actions at the trophy celebration showed the true sportsman in the young driver as he donated his entire $1500 in winnings back to the club. Junior Heavy winner Clay Van Eerd was also very generous donating half of his Junior Heavy winnings back to the club, a true showing how much of a family the PPKC really is.
Other winners on the day were: Tommy Quinlan in Cadet, Ryley Hulme in Novice, Clay Van Eerd in TaG Junior, Jeremy Miller in TaG Masters and Roman DeAngelis in Junior Lite.
"The Point Pelee Karting Club cannot thank our members enough," commented PPKC racer and board member Greig Howe. "The amount of support we had this weekend was phenomenal and the entire event was a success."
Those supporters were: Cole Cacciavillani from CF Groups, Todd Quinlan from Quinlan Inc, Wayne Palichuck from LADII (Leamington Area Drip Irrigation Inc.), Jamie DiLaudo from Amico Infrastructures, George Newman from Newman Trucking, Rudy Waterman, Dan Myer, Dennis Reive, John Nooyen from Nooyen Farms Custom Ag Services, Jason Papp from Point Pelee Karting, Adamson Farm, Max DeAngelis of DeAngelis Construction, Amsoil Dealers Michael & Nikki Strik along with David & Maureen Vlodarchyk, Marc Stehle from Windsor Moblie Wash (the driving force behind making the big racing weekend in memory of Gord Bonham), Glenn Willis from Willis Service Center, Freddy from Freddy's Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, Satch Makos of Makos Group, Nikki Strik & Gina Poisson, Lee Myer, Jared Myer and the vintage karts racers from Barrie that came to display, drive, and show off a little karting history to the club.