Along with the points champions and rookies of the year awarded at the Estevan Motor Speedway (EMS)’s Annual Awards Banquet Dinner and Auction on Nov. 5, there were also some idnividuals recognized, whose accolades honoured long years of dedication to and success with the organization.
Ken Steinke and Brian Brandon were inducted to the Wall of Fame at the banquet, and were acknowledged for their long years of hard work with the EMS. Steinke and Brandon worked at the racetrack from the very start. They served as machinists, building engines for the racers in their shop, literally making the cars go around the racetrack.
“I look around this room, and see someone I recognize at every table,” said Steinke at the Nov. 5 banquet. “It’s been such an awesome time with you guys. All I can say is thanks a lot!”
Steinke and Brandon were avid followers of the races their work made possible, and Brandon was once a racer in the 1980s. As club members, Steinke and Brandon also held positions on the board, contributing to the administration of the speedway, along with the physical engines that made it a success over the years, working a twofold integral position to keep things running smoothly for the EMS.
“It was great to be recognized and it was awesome to find out on Saturday,” said Steinke in a call with Lifestyles. “We’ve been working with racers in the area for almost 40 years, working at the racetrack over the years, at the track they have now, and the one back at the airport.”
Steinke said he couldn’t pick a particular moment or race that stood out to him, because every event he helped with and every project he undertook were all special to him.
He said, “We enjoy it all. We’ve been working with three generations of guys now. Brian and I have been working together in the shop since 1977.”
Brandon was away at the time of the induction, and was unavailable for comment before the press deadline of Lifestyles.
Also Hobby Stock driver Riley Raynard was called up in front of the crowd for more than just his 2016 runner up award. He was presented with the prestigious Clint Prette Memorial Award at the end of the ceremony, to the standing applause of everyone present at the banquet.
“I don’t know what to say,” said an awestruck and thankful Raynard, upon accepting his award. “I’m flabbergasted. I did not expect this at all. I want to thank everyone in my life, and all the people at the track.”
Raynard’s presentation of the Clint Prette Award was an acknowledgement of his many successes, over the years, with the EMS, including the Ken Schrader Real Racer Award for his commitment to the sport feature wins at several events, including the Border City Dirt Wars, the dedication he has shown through donations to organizations like Muscular Dystrophy Canada and an all-around demonstration of his passion.
All of what Raynard accomplished was done as he battles with muscular dystrophy, as he uses a wheelchair—something that turned out to be no impediment for the ambitious and talented Lampman racer.
