RPW Exclusive: Wing Champ Racing Series Has Special Purpose; Their Way Of Making A Difference

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – GLOVERSVILLE, NY – Every year that the Wing Champ Racing Series (WCRS) has been in existence (this will be its third full season), it’s given back to a special child and family that has been dealt a bad hand in life.

Champ Kart Racing, according to series director Tom Varin, has been on the rise in the past couple of years. However, what they do away from the track is what needs to be praised.

The story that needs to be told is how racers and the series come together to help other, unselfishly.

With the 2019 racing season ramping up, the drivers in the WCRS have always realized just how lucky they are to participate in the sport they love, and how fortunate they are in life. They also know what it means to help those who are less fortunate.

Their goal is not just focusing on themselves when they get to the track. It’s also about the meaning of helping make a difference in a child’s life.

During the last two years and while setting new goals for 2019, the Series is proud to have an impact on families with children dealing life-threatening medical illnesses.

Wing Champ Racing Series drivers are a group of competitors that race throughout New York State at tracks including Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Caroga Creek, Dodge City, Can Am, Paradise and Lebanon Valley Speedway among others. With healthy fields, the series is one of the fastest-growing in the state. From the first race in 2016 when they had just three karts, they are now at over 50 competitors running in just the adult class alone.

This will be there third full season of racing and will be the third family that they have reached out to in the local areas of Fulton and Montgomery County. They have dedicated their season in making a small impact on getting the medical care or just daily living needs for those not so fortunate.

This year’s child the series is donating to is a two-year old toddler who has a rare brain Tumor called Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid or ATRT. Baby Cintos is from Gloversville, NY and was diagnosed when he was just two months old.

When I reached out to his mother, she was overwhelmed in what the WCRS is doing for her son.

“They are a great bunch of people for doing this.” she said.

She’s glad that the series was getting recognition for their caring contributions and needed to be applauded.

With so many children out there with life threatening illnesses, how do you choose?

“Names are brought in front of the board and we do the tough task of narrowing it down to one,” series director Tom Varin said. “We do try to stay in our area as a criteria.”

When each driver pays their entry fee to participate in a race, one-hundred percent goes directly into the fund. At the end of the year, it goes to the family.

In addition, Runnings, the series’ main sponsor, donates different items to hold auctions which also contributes to the fund. Raffles are a bonus as well.

“The money we receive to make the payout for each race and to compensate for the entry fee is from our dedicated sponsors,” Varin said. “A lot of our purses pay up to $700, so we are very thankful for our great partners.”

Last season was a big year for the series and their helpful program.

“We raised over $5,000 last year for a child who needed help and thankfully she went into remission and is now cancer free,” he said. “To know that we could help and be just a small part of her ability to get well is very gratifying. It means a lot for everybody that’s involved in contributing. Our goal is to try to double the amount each year and so far we can proudly say we have been able to achieve that the last two years.”

The Wing Champ Racing Series will be displaying their Champ Karts in Gloversville, NY at the Runnings store on Saturday, April 20th from 8am-6pm. They had an excellent turn out last year and can’t wait to get back to show the karts off.

Their first race of the year will be at Caroga Creek Speedway on Saturday, May 11th. Make sure you get out to see the Champ karts that have the wings on top powered by Briggs and Stratton Animal motors.

You don’t want to miss out on the racing action this series has to offer. They support classes ranging from five year of age right up to thirty five years and older expert classes.

Its great to see such support from a racing series that gives back to someone in need. Their tireless efforts are making a big difference and their kindness is truly overwhelming.

Hats off to the Wing Champ Racing Series.