As the sun rose over Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, anticipation filled the air. Peter Hanson and the Sanders Motorsport Team were back for our much-anticipated annual fan appreciation event. Despite the brisk temperatures, a remarkable crowd gathered, eager to witness the thrilling season’s culmination. Fans shared stories, exchanged hugs, and expressed admiration for the teams […]
Racing For Kids featured The Mazda Road To Indy development series as it took a trio of racers from that program to entertain youngsters at Toronto’s Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. It was Racing for Kids first stop at the highly regarded medical facility.
Youngsters in wheelchairs and walkers were lined up in the Holland Bloorview parking lot to greet the driver contingent led by Indy Lights Star Zach Veach. Joining Veach, who drives for Belardi Auto Racing and has recorded a win in three straight podium finishes, were Pro Mazda driver T J Fisher and Robert Megennis of the USF 2000 series. Fisher and Megennis race under the Team Pelfrey colors.
Working their way from child to child, the personable trio held an impromptu seminar of sorts on open wheel racing, posed for pictures, signed autographs and even joined in on a remote control vehicle demonstration during the 90 minute program. Racing For Kids volunteers handed out the charity’s popular red baseball caps and Wikki stix to all of the kids.
Ten year old Evan from Oshawa, Ontario told the drivers he was a big racing fan and offer a couple of well thought out questions on speed and driving technique. Fair haired Erin had the drivers sign her pink full length leg cast while Michaela beamed as she donned her Racing For Kids baseball cap and whispered to her mother to get the TV times for the drivers weekend races.
Holland Bloorview staffers said they were amazed at how the drivers captured the attention of their young patients. Paige Cunningham, Development Officer, Community Partnerships at Holland Bloorview Foundation, agreed: “I could tell by the smiles on their faces that they all had a really great time.”