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2001
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| Monday, December 16, 2002 | |
| WEATHER UNABLE TO DAMPEN ENTHUSIASM FOR NOISE FOR TOYS II | By Robin Smith Miller
The dreary, wet weather of Friday, December 13 did not dampen the enthusiasm of the local racing community as they held the Second Annual Toys for Noise car show in the parking lot of the Wal-mart SuperCenter on Lee Boulevard.
Despite a lower car and people count from last year due to the weather, die-hard race fans, drivers, their crews and families surpassed last year's tally in the collection of toys and money to give the needy families in eastern Lee County a happy holiday.
Once again, local stock car racer, Randy Fox and his wife, Scarlett, filled up their racing rig with toys and food that was delivered to Lehigh Community Services at the end of the evening. Almost $400 in cash was also raised in the effort.
The event showcased the area motorsports community and gave race fans a chance to get up close and personal with their favorite drivers; be it in stock car racing, monster trucks, mud boggers, racing lawn mowers, sprint cars, Autocross, or show vehicles. Approximately 30 wheeled vehicles were on display and many of the area drivers who did not bring their vehicles came to support the event and brought bags of toys along with them.
Fox, who just clinched his second limited late model championship after battling cancer much of this year, and his wife, Scarlett, spearheaded the event which was put together this year in less than three weeks. Fellow limited late model drivers Smokin' Joe Sumasky, Mike "Hobo" Hovis, Frank Welch and Richie Anderson brought their cars for the show.
Florida Pro Series driver, George Richardson, joined his old friends along with his brother, mini stock driver Brian. Sportsman division driver, Kenny Eaton, had his new car for the upcoming season on hand. Pure stock drivers, Danny Caylor and Joe Butler joined the Thunder Trucks of 2002 champion Cheryl "The Pearl" Weaver, Randy Layman, and John "Taz" Garrett. R.C. Roper showed off his sprint car and 16 year old, Cory Cullum had his outlaw modified but left his limited late model at home.
Brothers Larry and Dude Hale, who raced in their youth at the long gone Suncoast Speedway in Punta Gorda brought their twin mud boggers "That's the One" and "Double Vision" and cranked their loud engines every half hour along with the rest of the drivers to let the people in the area know they were there for a good cause. The Iron Warrior monster truck and its owner, Len Boland, paid a return visit to the show.
Newcomers to this year's show were representatives of the local Autocross racers who race in Buckingham each month. Tom Boehm had his ES Mazda and Pete Eissler showed off his beautiful Blakely.
The NASGRASS racing lawn mowers were represented by ladies division champion Rose Stevens, Rex Schad and John Gilbert. Several beautiful show vehicles glimmered in the street lights including a red Mustang, black truck and the red and yellow Harley Davidson of Gil Drake.
Although pure stock driver, Randy Miller, was unable to bring his wrecked stock car to the event, he brought a 2001 red Monte Carlo SS and a challenge to all of the Top Ten finishers in points at Charlotte County Speedway. He threw down the gauntlet to them by pledging his point money winnings to Noise for Toys.
Several other drivers who left their race vehicles at home but supported by attending the event were Buzz "The Bomb" Martin, Chris Dean, Christine Gibson, Keith Risinger, Lee Collins, Doug Wilson, and A.J. Mandala.
Charlotte County Speedway owner/promoter LeRoy Davidson and wife, Connie, marveled at the show of support by the area drivers. Davidson, the brain child of Noise for Toys, has been doing these shows in Charlotte County on and off for the past decade and said the largest car count he has had was over 60 cars some years back.
The Bayshore Elementary Cloggers entertained the crowd. Later in the evening a karaoke machine was turned on and area residents took turns at the mike in between the roar of the racers engines. Thunder truck driver, Layman and his wife were spotted waltzing through the asphalt more than once.
Fox said "We had to do this despite the weather for the kids of the area. We would like to especially thank the drivers and their crews, as well Walmart SuperCenter, for letting us have the event here again; and to Clear Channel Broadcasting for their public service announcements the past several weeks. Next year's event will be bigger yet."
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