This year the winner of the 'Achievement Award' is Sam Polito out of New York.
Sam was a major help on Friday doing everything from hanging track banners to setting up canopies and he even received a bruise on his forehead for his efforts but come first thing Saturday morning Sam was back asking if we needed anything done.
For Sam's unselfish efforts he was awarded a 'BIGGIE' from us to show him that we really appreciated everything he did for everyone all weekend long.
Sam receiving his award at the Saturday night banquet.
If you have ever attended THE BIG ONE you know that on Sunday we ramp up the Free Raffles plus we have the special 'BONUS' Raffle which this year was for a 1961 Bird Kart powered by a Mc-6 donated by Indiana's Kyle Moody and restored by Donnie Cain also hailing from Indiana.
In typical REAR fashion we pulled 5 tickets and then let those 5 finalists sit and wait with the hearts beating at full steam while we went back to the regular free raffles. Halfway through the regular raffle we pulled 3 tickets from the remaining 5 and Mike Everland, Rick Brown and Joey Lovett were left standing.
A few more regular raffles later we handed out all of the great parts and pieces that everyone donated and it was finally time to see who would take the Bird home. First eliminated was Mike Everland, so it was down to Rick or Joey. The one ticket that was left in the bucket was going to be the winner. As everyone stood in total silence Rick Brown's ticket was pulled leaving 10 year old Joey Lovett out of Derby New York as the pround owner of his first kart, a 61 Bird with a MC-6. The place erupted in cheers as veryone was happy Joey won even Rick who later said even if he would have won the kart he would have gave it to Joey.
Joey with his new kart.
L to R - Donnie, Robert, Kyle, Tracey, and Joey in the middle
As a special side note we would like Thank Kyle Moody, Donnie Cain, Tracey Turner and Robert Cain all from Indiana for donating not only the BONUS kart but some super nice Homelite and West Bend clocks along at Dart Kart A.J. Foyt Diecast race car for this year raffles.
Thank you Gentlemen.
R.E.A.R.