Waldie presented with first 'Big Man, Big Heart' Award
An emotional highlight of the Crowning of the King ceremony that closed the year for the JEGS ProMod Challenge Sunday night in Las Vegas was the presentation of the Steve Engel "Big Man, Big Heart" Award to longtime drag racer and Pro Mod proponent John Waldie.
The award was created by JEGS officials in the wake of Engel's untimely death due to medical complications brought on by his high-speed accident during qualifying for the U.S. Nationals. The Steve Engel "Big Man, Big Heart" Award will be handed out annually to a member of the Pro Mod community that best exemplifies Engel's gregarious spirit and generous nature. The award was accompanied by a $10,000 cash prize that Waldie will present to Racer's For Christ in Engel's name.
"There's no doubt in my mind at all that if Steve were here he would have picked John to receive this award," said Tonya Engel, Steve Engel's wife who presented the trophy to Waldie at the ceremony with help from her sons Stevie and Michael.
Waldie is a governor of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame and former chairman of the nominating committee. His own racing career spans more than four decades and includes action in most of the current classes contested in the sport.
"When our group got together to select the first winner of this very special award, John's name came up right away," Troy Coughlin said. "The fact he was so close to Steve and the Engel family made our choice very easy. Then, when we called Tonya and asked her if she would help with the presentation of the trophy and she heard we were giving it to John, her reaction was so positive that I knew we had made the right choice.
"It is our hope and desire that the Steve Engel 'Big Man, Big Heart' Award is carried on forever. It's our way of remembering a great racer and a wonderful man. Steve was a big man with a big heart and his love for Pro Mod racing and the people involved was unsurpassed. The JEGS ProMod Challenge will always honor his memory."
Renowned artist Dan Dreisbach, owner of Naked Sculpture of Baltimore, Ohio, created the Engel trophy. A fabricator at Rahal-Letterman Racing, Dreisbach has created trophies and sculptures for a wide variety of clients over the years, including the JEGS ProMod Challenge. (photo courtesy JEGS) [11/10/2008]
Knoll auction today
We don’t know if they’re accepting online bids, but if you’re near Decatur, Michigan, today is the day part of the Evan Knoll inventory goes on the auction block. Among items on the list are five dirt bikes, seven snowmobiles, a Top Fuel dragster, a luxury motor home, several semis and three sprint cars.
Many of his business properties reportedly have been purchased by competitors or former employees. Knoll owes about $15 million to various banks. We doubt the auction will make much of a dent in that amount. [11/10/2008]
Menard named President of Motorplex
Veteran event and facility manager Glenn Menard has been named President and General Manager of the Texas Motorplex, home of the O'Reilly Auto Parts Super Start Battery Fall Nationals in the fall as well as multiple other events throughout the year. Menard has been the track's interim General Manager since August.
"Glenn was a valuable addition to the team during our largest event of the season and can be an even bigger asset leading the team permanently," said Motorplex owner, Billy Meyer. "He is someone that I have known for a long time and it means a lot to me that he comes to the job with extensive knowledge of racing along with an equal amount of passion for the sport."
Menard's racing experience includes opening the Texas Motorplex, where he served as VP and GM from 1986-1993, and managing Irwindale (Calif.) Raceway and Southland Dragway. He was most recently the General Manager of the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena. [11/10/2008]
John Gates suffers fatal heart attack
On Friday, November 8, John Gates passed away at California’s Barona 1/8th Mile Dragstrip where he was racing with his son, Erick, in a match race. He collapsed on the starting line while backing up his son in the groove.
John's family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to help his wife, Kathy, with final expenses. They are in the process of setting up a Memorial Fund. In the meantime, cards and donations can be sent to Kathy Gates, 8552 Big Rock Road, Santee, CA 92071.
Following John’s wishes, there will be no memorial service, but friends and family will gather on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7:00 PM at Vince's Spaghett, 1206 W. Holt Blvd. in Ontario, CA, to have dinner and share memories of John. For those wishing to have dinner, please let Staci Cannon know by Tuesday, Nov. 11, at scannon@sceda.com. [11/10/2008]