P20 - Cargill Area News, Volume VIII Issue 01
LOCAL NEWS
Freiburger’s # 37 Races For Easter Seals
2010 was an amazing second year of racing for Marvin Freiburger
and the team that supports the car that wore the number 32. In 2010,
the $7,350.00 raised by Marvin through donations and winnings was
donated to Easter Seals.
Marvin races in the Thunder Car Division at Sauble Speedway, owned
by Jason and Amy Thom, his home track. For one race, Marvin “ran
with the big guys” (the late model cars) for the fun of it and won
$150.00.
Although racing was the primary focus, the highlights of 2010 include
more than just racing. Marvin travelled to Peterborough, Kawartha,
Sunset, Flamboro, and Barrie to race in the Steffco Racing Series and
was 3rd overall for a purse of $350.00. At the Peterborough Speedway
he took 4th place for $225.00; at Flamboro he took 18th place
but still won $80.00; and with a Feature win at the Kawartha Speedway
in August, he raised $650.00.
On August 21st, Marvin took his steam engine to Sauble Speedway to
raise more funds for Easter Seals by holding a corn roast. This event
was organized by members of the Saugeen Snowmobile Club and representatives
from Easter Seals.
While the corn was cooking, Marvin won the Feature Race which
added $300.00 to the $285.00 already raised by the corn roast in support
of Easter Seals.
In 2010, Marvin took home a three foot high trophy and a cheque for
$650.00, donated to Easter Seals, for placing 1st at Sunset Speedway
in the 50-lap feature. At the year-end banquet of Sauble Speedway,
Marvin won the prestigious “Willie Schwippl Dedication to Racing
Award”. During the banquet, Natalie McDonald, a young girl with
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, thanked Marvin for raising such a
large amount of money for Easter Seals which “helps me and others
who are in need.” Following the speech, Jason Parker, 2010 champion
driver in the late model class, challenged every driver in the room
to make a donation to Easter Seals and an astounding $1500.00 was
donated.
Although 2010 was a great success, the year-end inspection of Car 32
revealed that the wins did not come without a cost. Even though #32
still has the heart of a champion, she required a new body for the 2011
season. She is currently undergoing a transformation into a blue
2010 Ford Mustang with 37 printed on her sides. #37 will be introduced
to the public during a Car Show in Toronto on 20 January
2011. The reason for the number change is that Andy Schmidt, who
has been helping Marvin for the last two years, is coming out of retirement.
About eight years ago he retired from a 35 year racing career
and “took up restoring antique tractors”, and according to Andy “I
got the bug again helping Marvin.”
Marvin mentioned that he is “extremely grateful and thankful to his
family, pit crew, and sponsors for their generous support”. His pit
crew consisted of Andy Schmidt, George Paulin, his family, and lovely
wife Angela who did all the racing video footage for the year. Further,
in 2011 all the winnings of #37 will be donated to Easter Seals. Marvin
also mentioned that as of yet, #37 has no names of sponsors on the
sides, so there is lots of room for your name. If interested in being a
sponsor, having your company’s name on #37, or providing a donation,
please contact Angela at 519-881-1379, toll free at 1-877-661-
1379 or email amfsinc@wightman.ca. CAN wishes Marvin, his crew,
and Car #37 a very successful 2011.
by Anne-Louise Gibbons with information from Angela Freiburger