ESTEVAN — The Estevan Mtoor Speedway used the first night of the Riley Raynard's Dirt Wars program to salute one of its long-time volunteers.
Prior to the July 19 program, the track recognized the many contributions of the late Richard Mann to the history of the track. Mann's family and friends, and others, many of them wearing blue and white shirts with his No. 42, gathered in front of the grandstand recognize Mann, who died in March at the age of 67.
Track announcer Trevor Gowen noted Mann could light up any room with his infectious smile and laugh, and could leave someone feeling better about themselves.
"He was truly a joy to be around," said Gowen.
Reading from a bio, Gowen said Mann moved to Calgary to pursue welding, where he found two loves: his wife Sharon and racing. Mann and a friend built their first car there and raced in Alberta until Mann moved back to the Estevan area in 1984.
Mann and his brothers Jim and Bill raced for many years at the previous track location, Gowen said, and they travelled to other tracks. He raced a hobby stock until 1995 and then moved up to the modified class.
"Through the years, many competitors turned into long-time friends and remained a part of his life and story to this day: Ed Turnbull, Joren Boyce and Mike Hagen, along with many, many others," said Gowen.
When Mann moved up to modifieds, his nephews Geoff and Ryan took the hobby stock off his hands and started racing, Gowen said. Soon other family members were racing. His sons Corey and Rylan weren't strangers to the track, and the next generation has continued to race through seven great-nephews.
"Racing was always a part of life. Always part of family," said Gowen. "Being at the track on summer weekends was a given, and many late nights were spent in the shop with friends and family, twisting wrenches, some days visiting more than working, but that's all part of the game."
Mann was the owner and operator of Richard's Welding, and Gowen said Mann knew the importance of being part of the community. When plans were made to build the current Estevan Motor Speedway, Mann was involved with planning and making the facility what it is today.
"Not one to sit on the sidelines, he was here at work bees, he was a board member, volunteered on race days when not behind the wheel, donated his time and talents to build and upkeep the facility, like the grandstands you're all sitting in right now, and sponsored the Kids' Club for a number of years," said Gowen.
While Mann's loss has been felt by many, Gowen said it is a comfort to see the pieces of Mann remain in so many ways.
After the bio was read, his niece-in-law Alisha Mann sang the national anthems. The Mann family also sponsored added purse money for the weekend.
It's the latest tribute at the track this season for a driver. The track also saluted the contributions of Brian (Butch) Wagner, Randy Stepp and Devon Gonas for their support of the track and their racing accomplishments. A recognition for Alan Turnbull is also slated for later this year.
The speedway had racing in five different classes on July 19, but only four features happened before rain hit and the final feature was postponed.
Feature winners were Keenan Glasser (sport modifieds), Connor Hanson (stock cars), Hudson Mann (slingshots) and Aaron Turnbull (modifieds). Hanson's win was his first feature victory in a stock car. Hudson Mann is one of Richard Mann's grand-nephews.
The modified feature was called off with eight laps remaining due to the rain.
The precipitation also forced the hobby stock featured to be pushed back to July 20.
The July 20 program is slated to start at 6 p.m. and it is the annual kids' night. In addition to the rescheduled hobby stock feature, it will have racing in all five divisions.
Dirt Wars is an annual showcase of hobby stock racers. The driver with the most points from the two features is declared the winner.
SaskToday will have coverage of the races.
