Despite suffering a heavy blow shortly after the commencement of last weekend’s Australian Wingless Sprint Championship at Carrick Speedway in Tasmania, Burnie-based racer Narelle Blight was still encouraged to race, after the speedway community rallied behind her.
Arriving at her motel following practice and the calcutta on Thursday night, Blight and her husband, Robbie, discovered that their tow vehicle, which had been loaded with all of their spare parts and tools, had been cut free from their trailer and stolen, after the thieves had broken into their motel room to steal their keys.
In spite of being faced with such adversity, Blight made the decision to continue with her Australian Championship campaign, after being flooded with support from fellow racers, teams, family and friends, in what was a remarkable show of comradery.
“We were absolutely shattered on Thursday night and with all of our spares and tools gone, along with our tow vehicle, it was going to be physically impossible for us to race the Australian Championship that weekend,” expressed the secretary of the Australian Wingless Sprints Racing, who still managed to keep a smile on her face throughout the weekend.
“That’s when the support began pouring in. We received countless phone calls and text messages from a number of different people when they learned what had happened, offering to help us in any way they could, such as dropping off tool boxes and spares.
“Robbie and I can’t thank the whole speedway family enough for the wonderful help and support they gave us. It means so much to us that everyone banded together to assist us in whatever way possible during what has been an extremely difficult time for us.”
Blight would like to say special thanks to Andrew and Mellissa Coward, and Tianna and Deidre Smith, who they wouldn’t have made it through the weekend without. They would also like to thank Jake Power, Michael Parry, Liz and Neil Hammond, Glen Harris, Freddy Walsh, Tania Walsh, Greg Readett, Tim and Brad Herbert, Justin Sadler, Luke Walker, Ryan Harris, Daniel Powell, Greg Foster, Maria and Chris Olsson, Darryl Sloan, Gary Pendlebury, Big Joe, Tank Walter, Kelly Smith, Kelly and Rodney Stubbs, Jake Blight, and Jess Blight, who all helped out in some way, along with the entire speedway community for the incredible support.