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From Parramatta Raceway Website

Time For Reflection
Posted Tuesday, 3 March 2009 by Stuey McCarthy

On Saturday nights right across this country we watch and are entertained by the stars of oval track dirt racing. Most of the time we are in awe of what happens on the track, but last Saturday night at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway it wasn’t the action that took place on the track, but the things that happened off the track that gave me goose bumps.

Speedway is one big family and there were some families there on Saturday who are very special in all of our hearts. These families have had a tough time and are still going through a rough period, however it was just great to see them all at the track smiling, even though still hurting on the inside.

In no particular order it was great to see Tony Hopping, John Maxwell, Sean Richards and the Darley and Loudoun families back at TPCR.

It was great to see Tony Hopping, who had a work-related accident in December, back at TPCR wearing that big, beaming smile – and to hear that familiar voice was fantastic. Tony still has a lot of work to do in his recovery but you only had to see how many people made their way to say hello and wish him a speedy recovery to understand his impact on the speedway community.

Whilst receiving his first place trophy Garry Brazier dedicated the win to Tony and as soon as Garry made that gesture, Tony had that great, big smile back on his face and raised one arm in the air with one finger pointing to the sky in recognition of Garry.

After the top three placegetters moved away from the podium, close friend and TPCR Managing Director Steven Green asked the boys if they would mind getting a photo with Tony and all were honoured to stand there with him.

Joining Tony at TPCR was John Maxwell who had a very serious stroke just before Christmas. John has been a very strong supporter of TPCR in recent years and he is one hell of a nice bloke. His son Rod has been racing Sprintcars for quite a while, although we have not seen Rod race for most of the season because he has been caring for his father.

Rod got to race on Saturday night in front of his Dad and I know that every time Rod hit the track John had that great big car salesman grin on his face.

One of the younger faces around the pits on Saturday night was Sean Richards, son of sprintcar competitor Mark and photographer Jo. Sean was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer late last year but that hasn’t stopped him smiling as was evidenced Saturday night.

Sean is still battling with the chemotherapy treatment right now but he surely forgot about it on Saturday night when he got to watch his Dad race the B-main from the TPCR infield, while out there I asked Sean if he would he like to stay for the A-main because we had an idea to keep Sean smiling.

I took him out onto the edge of the track with James Camilleri (crash crew) whilst the cars were forming up so he could feel the ground rumble as twenty-four 850 horsepower sprintcars cruised past.

While standing there, numerous drivers who know Sean noticed him and waved at him, but the highlight for Sean was when Steven Hopping asked Sean to come back out and give the drivers the one lap to go signal before the race “went green.”

Seeing that happen really gave me goose bumps as it did for some of the fans on the hill who commented later to me.

Even though both these families have been back at the Speedway, it was great to see the Darley and Loudoun families there supporting their loved ones on the track.

Words just cannot explain how wonderful these two very strong families are.

Saturday night just proves that Speedway is not always about what happens on the track, it can be about the wonderful people we have around the sport.

To each of the families who are mentioned above, you are all amazing people who give support to each other in very difficult, sad and trying times.

Saturday night was one of those nights that re-enforced to me that, IT’S NOT ALWAYS ALL ABOUT THE RACING!

To borrow a line from Scotty Palmer (Herald Sun Newspaper, Melbourne)

“Keep Punching”.

Stuey…


 

Posted By: PCR FAN 2 on March 02 2009 at 11:59:26 PM From Parramatta Raceway Website Time For Reflection Posted Tuesday, 3 March 2009 by Stuey McCarthy On Saturday nights right across this country we watch and are entertained by the stars of oval track dirt racing. Most of the time we are in awe of what happens on the track, but last Saturday night at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway it wasn’t the action that took place on the track, but the things that happened off the track that gave me goose bumps. Speedway is one big family and there were some families there on Saturday who are very special in all of our hearts. These families have had a tough time and are still going through a rough period, however it was just great to see them all at the track smiling, even though still hurting on the inside. In no particular order it was great to see Tony Hopping, John Maxwell, Sean Richards and the Darley and Loudoun families back at TPCR. It was great to see Tony Hopping, who had a work-related accident in December, back at TPCR wearing that big, beaming smile – and to hear that familiar voice was fantastic. Tony still has a lot of work to do in his recovery but you only had to see how many people made their way to say hello and wish him a speedy recovery to understand his impact on the speedway community. Whilst receiving his first place trophy Garry Brazier dedicated the win to Tony and as soon as Garry made that gesture, Tony had that great, big smile back on his face and raised one arm in the air with one finger pointing to the sky in recognition of Garry. After the top three placegetters moved away from the podium, close friend and TPCR Managing Director Steven Green asked the boys if they would mind getting a photo with Tony and all were honoured to stand there with him. Joining Tony at TPCR was John Maxwell who had a very serious stroke just before Christmas. John has been a very strong supporter of TPCR in recent years and he is one hell of a nice bloke. His son Rod has been racing Sprintcars for quite a while, although we have not seen Rod race for most of the season because he has been caring for his father. Rod got to race on Saturday night in front of his Dad and I know that every time Rod hit the track John had that great big car salesman grin on his face. One of the younger faces around the pits on Saturday night was Sean Richards, son of sprintcar competitor Mark and photographer Jo. Sean was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer late last year but that hasn’t stopped him smiling as was evidenced Saturday night. Sean is still battling with the chemotherapy treatment right now but he surely forgot about it on Saturday night when he got to watch his Dad race the B-main from the TPCR infield, while out there I asked Sean if he would he like to stay for the A-main because we had an idea to keep Sean smiling. I took him out onto the edge of the track with James Camilleri (crash crew) whilst the cars were forming up so he could feel the ground rumble as twenty-four 850 horsepower sprintcars cruised past. While standing there, numerous drivers who know Sean noticed him and waved at him, but the highlight for Sean was when Steven Hopping asked Sean to come back out and give the drivers the one lap to go signal before the race “went green.” Seeing that happen really gave me goose bumps as it did for some of the fans on the hill who commented later to me. Even though both these families have been back at the Speedway, it was great to see the Darley and Loudoun families there supporting their loved ones on the track. Words just cannot explain how wonderful these two very strong families are. Saturday night just proves that Speedway is not always about what happens on the track, it can be about the wonderful people we have around the sport. To each of the families who are mentioned above, you are all amazing people who give support to each other in very difficult, sad and trying times. Saturday night was one of those nights that re-enforced to me that, IT’S NOT ALWAYS ALL ABOUT THE RACING! To borrow a line from Scotty Palmer (Herald Sun Newspaper, Melbourne) “Keep Punching”. Stuey…

cool story

leave a good name and a legacy behind. then die ;) and 
then cum back to life! now thats living baby! do a 
good dead and help your neighbor. dream as if you live 
forever and live as if you'll die today. always 
remember where you came from. ;)

Sprint Car Racing people have alot of heart. It is one big family wether it's "down under" or across the USA.

It is great to see the appreciation and support we give one another in a time of need.