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August 4, 2007
Not too much to report! No racing in our future - just family, fun, some trips and work!
Congrats to Stuart and Mary (Brendan's brother - the one with Brendan's kidney! lol) on the birth of their
child Aedon July 2006 and the upcoming birth of their second child in the new year!
July 30, 2005 - I went to Toronto today and brought Brendan home. His kidney function is back to normal.
He got home about 3pm and is happy to be here. He is in a lot of pain and unable to sit for very long, but other than
that, he is healthy and home and that is all that matters.
Stuart is doing exceptionally well! He was moved out of the ICU transplant room today into a regular room.
He was up for the first time as well today. We are all happy with the progress that Stuart has made. However,
he still has to be monitored and therefore will be staying in the hospital for awhile still.
July 29, 2005 - Day 2 post op - Things didn't look very good first thing this morning. When I arrived at the hospital
this morning, it was to find that Stuart had some problems during night and the new kidney was not working as it should have
been. They took him in the morning for an ultrasound to check things out and thought they were going to have to take
Stuart back into surgery. But as the day progressed, Stuarts body took over and fixed the issue itself. Hopefully
for good. The kidney function was back to normal and hopefully stays that way. Stuart, although sore, is doing
very well.
When I arrived this morning, it was to find that Brendan was going to be released today. This was great news.
However, as the day went on, Brendan's kidney was not doing what it needed and in the end, Brendan was not able to be released
today. Hopefully tomorrow. I will keep you updated!
July 28, 2005 - The kidney transplant surgery was a success! Both Brendan and his brother Stuart are resting very
uncomfortably!! They are both in a lot of pain at this time, but that is to be expected only hours after surgery.
They removed Brendan's left kidney this morning and transplanted it into Stuart early this afternoon. It began
working immediately, which was good news.
I will keep everyone updated on their condition. Hopefully, Brendan will be home on Saturday if all goes well.
Stuart unfortunately will not be released until the end of next week. Thanks to everyone that called today to
ask about the outcome. I will do my best to get back to everyone as soon as possible.
June 18, 2005 - We finally received a date for the operation and it is scheduled for July 26, 2005. So, based on
that, it doesn't seem likely that the 8 car will make the race track this season.
We haven't rebuilt the motor yet and it doesn't seem worthwhile to put out the money this year, without sponsor help,
in order to race in September only. However, Brendan will be the final authority on that, so this may or may not change.
June 18, 2005
I took in the Alstar event at Barrie Speedway with friends last night while Brendan was
off in Michigan for the Nascar Race. Hopefully I will have some good photos to post when he comes home as they had garage
passes. Somehow him being in Michigan doesn't compare with me being at Barrie Speedway! Oh well......
Last night at Barrie was about what I would expect. There was very little passing
through the race. Most positions were gained on restarted when they doubled up the field or by simple attrition.
It would appear that Barrie Speedway isn't all that everyone is trying to make it out to be.
Unfortunately, early in the race, the points leader, Derrick Tiemersma would break an axle
and end his night. The top three cars, #42, #30 and #11 would find some trouble coming out of corner 4.
The 30 touched the back of the 42 coming out of 4 and then ducked to the inside. As the 30 was going underneath, the
42 was trying to collect the car and the 11 decided to take advantage of the contact between these two and pass them on the
high side. However, with one car out of shape, one going to the inside and one going to the outside - add this all to
the fact that there isn't enough room out of turn four for three wide racing, this is a recipe for disaster. So, with
the 42 trying to save the car, he came into contact with the 11 car sending them both into the outside wall with substantial
damage. This was not surprising.
The tussle with the front three would see the 42 & 11 removed from the track and the
30 sent to the rear of the field. The 98 would inherit the lead, and the 67 should have been in second place.
Unfortunately, Steve Tiemersma would be hit by one of these cars and end up with a flat tire sending him to the pits.
Steve seems to keep finding himself in someone elses trouble. Better luck next week to Steve and Derrick!
Looking forward to Peterborough next week. Hopefully we will be able to make it there.
June 5, 2005
It's been a long time since I have had anything to update! Brendan's car is still sitting in the garage
in the same state it was months ago. However, the motor is at Aurora Automotive. It has been tore apart but that
is where it stands at this time. Brendan had originally hoped to be at the special at Kawartha in July, however,
we haven't got the final surgery date, but it is looking like it will be the end of June or the beginning of July. So,
any races in July will be out of the question. Hopefully we will be back out by August.
We made it to Sunset for the first time this year last night to take in the Alstar race. The car counts
for the race were low, but there were some good points to the race.
Robbie Thompson would start on the pole, not give up the lead and win the race. The hard charger for
the race was the #7 of Derrick Tiemersma, who started 15th and would finish in 3rd position. He is the new points leader.
It was unfortunate for the #67 of Steve Tiemersma as he would be running in the 4th position and be spun out by a lapped car. But
Steve would battle back and finish in the 6th position.
All in all, I wasn't overly impressed with the race. There was a bunch of cautions, the majority of
them caused by the same cars over and over.
It just didn't seem to be a great show over all. The highlight of the night was watching the 67 and
the 7 making outside passes on a track known to be difficult for this.
April 20, 2005
These are the races that we would definately like to attend this year, as well as a few Sunset regular nights.
LLM Invitationals
Kawartha - July 3
Mosport - July 16
Peterborough - Aug 6
Sunset - Aug 13
April 17, 2005
The season is almost upon us and the car is still pretty much in the same shape as it
was in October.
Brendan has finally had some time to get the motor into Aurora Automotive and see what
damage was done in October. . A new motor is in order. I think the only thing that is reusable is the valve
covers!
Brendan did a little bit of work to the car in the past few weeks, but not much.
As I have stated before, we won't be racing a full season this year, I actually suspect it would be something more along the
lines of about 10 races this year.
Since the rumours of Brendan's illness are getting more incredible by the day, let me
set the record straight. Brendan is not ill, his brother is. Brendan will be taking some time off this season
to donate a kidney to him, thus the reason for the limited schedule.
In the meantime, the car and trailer are both for sale. If it sells, it sells,
if not, we will race. However, I wouldn't expect to see the car on the track until July or August.
October 30, 2004 - Sunset Speedway Banquet & Awards
Last night we attended the banquet. It was a good time. The night was a sell out with many people unable
to obtain tickets. Glenn advised that next year, due to the demand, he will reserve two banquet rooms.
The awards were as follows:
~Most checkered flags - Amanda Connolly
~Rookie of the year - Amanda Connolly
~Most improved driver - Mike Bentley
~Best appearing car - Ron Lethbridge
~Most Sportsman driver - Ron Quesnelle
~Bayside award/gift certificate - Mike Bentley
Two of our sponsors were in attendance, Barb from CRRS, our primary sponsor, and Phillip and Gina from R &
M Homes. We are glad that they enjoyed themselves. However, the championship Barb wants! Many thanks to
Barb for the increased sponsorship for next year in helping us to try to attain this goals. However, this doesn't appear
to be a goal we can go after this year. Our apologies Barb! Unfortunately, real life has got in the way of racing!
Sometimes that happens.
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| Brendan and Jennifer |
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| Richard and his wife, Cathy |
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| Mat & Aimee - To be married February 2005 |
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| Brendan, Randy & Kelly |
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| Mat Chalmers & Aimee Latanville |
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| Randy & Kelly |
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