With fast cars, a nice day and a passion to bring people together for a few hours of adrenaline filled fun, the staff from Kids Cancer Care and Gage Sweeney shared their thoughts about an event that’s enjoyable but also spreads awareness for an important cause.
Cardel Homes’ Ride Of A Lifetime, was held at the two-year-old Rocky Mountain Motorsports racetrack located just outside of the Calgary area. The participants had to pay a set fee, ranging from $150 to $200, based on the car they took a ride in around the track. The event’s main purpose was to raise money and awareness for kids with cancer.
The cars ranged from a track-enhanced Squadra Corse Lamborghini to super cars like the Lamborghini Huracán STO, a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and a McLaren 765LT. Car owners were from Calgary and surrounding areas. The event started in the morning offering exclusive rides for those affected with cancer and their families. Then later in the day, it was open to the public along with friends and family of the organizers and those with their own cars.
Marlee Higginson is the outreach program coordinator at Kids Cancer Care, who said, “the Ride Of A Lifetime is an amazing community fundraiser. At Kids Cancer Care, we call these ‘can do’s’ for kids and the ride really showcases the can-do attitude of Calgarians.”
Sweeney was a first time participant who was eager to express his excitement. He rode in several cars, stating his favourite was the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider. He donated $120 for six laps and said, “The first time was amazing enough to convince me to go ten times more.”
Not only were there cars going around the track, there was also an interactive and engaging car show in the paddock next to the track. Individuals could register their cars that were positioned in the general walkway and then have their pride and joy admired by like-minded petrol heads.
While waiting for the next adrenaline filled laps, attendees had access to food trucks, racing simulators and could sign up for a membership that includes racing throughout the season.
Shon and Kim Carey were two of the many individuals that entered their cars in the charity event — Kim drove a Lamborghini Huracán STO, and Shon a McLaren 765LT Spider.
Kim, an experienced driver, said this was the first time she had ever driven her car at high speeds around this track: “The overall experience of this event is a good one for me. We are all here for similar reasons to show support and unity and share it through a personal passion.”
Shon, her husband, was enthusiastic about the work it takes to put on an event such as this one: “The passion it takes for a group dedicated to making our city and province a better place to live is uplifting. With people coming together, anything is possible.”
Jennifier Young, a Member Liaison from Rocky Mountain Motorsports, said the event successfully raised $15,700. She added, “We had an amazing team of 35 drivers, and 40 volunteers to put the event together. We were able to provide a Ride Of A Lifetime to several families nominated by Kids Cancer Care.”
The Ride Of A Lifetime event will happen again this September with hopes to continue to raise awareness and funds for such an important and necessary cause.