Dan Wheldon Memorial Kart Race Pushed Back To 2017
One of IndyCar’s most beloved charity events won’t be happening this year, as the Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Race has been pushed to 2017.
It’s one of IndyCar‘s most notable charity events, but the Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Race won’t be happening this year.
Dan Wheldon’s younger sister Holly Wheldon took to Twitter on Thursday in response to fans asking about when this year’s race was going to be scheduled.
She revealed that the Wheldon Memorial won’t be happening in 2016.
But in the same tweet she also assured everyone that the event will return next year:
Holly didn’t give a reason for why the Wheldon family has decided not to stage the event this year, but at least fans can take solace in the fact that it’s not a permanent decision to retire what’s been such a wonderful event for the IndyCar community.
The Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Race is a charity go-kart challenge originally named for and staged in memory of 2005 IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon, who passed away in 2011 from injuries sustained during a multi-car accident in the season’s final race.
2015 was the third year the event had been run and it was renamed last year to also honor Justin Wilson after Wilson’s death from injuries incurred at Pocono Raceway. You can watch footage of last year’s kart race here:
The Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Race has quickly become a memorable outing for IndyCar drivers and fans alike. It brings out a unique group of competitors from across the board; last year’s race was won by incumbent IndyCar champion Scott Dixon but other drivers included James Hinchcliffe, team owner Sarah Fisher and NBCSN IndyCar pit reporter Katie Hargitt, just to name a few.
It’s also a special event for fans to be a part of, whether it’s just watching the race or participating in the autograph session; it’s something that’s fun and different from the experience of a regular IndyCar race.
Most importantly it raises money for the Dan Wheldon Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association, and in 2015 also supported the Wilson Children’s Fund.
Of all the many charity events that IndyCar participates in this is one of, if not the best. Here’s looking forward to the event returning in 2017 and continuing on for many more years to come.
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