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Luke Whitteker is selected Race 101 ‘premier driver’

 

When Luke Whitteker first spoke to The Leader about his racing, it was August 2005. He was 11 years old and was busy preparing for the final lap of his first year of competitive kart racing. He would enter grade 7 at Iroquois Public School in September.

Today, the 18 year old is a first year student at Carleton University, Ottawa, where he is studying mechanical engineering.

Recently, he became the first Canadian to win the prestigious Race 101 Premier Driver Award having graduated the one year scholarship program based in North Carolina with top honours.

He claims that had he been asked during that first interview, he would not have thought that seven years later he would be a veteran Dirt track racer about to experience his first ride in a late model car.

Asked if he is about where he wants to be at this time in his racing career, he says, “Right now I’m a Dirt racer, and I’m going to learn about asphalt racing.”

That is what the Premier 101 Driver Award will provide in the coming months. For the Iroquois youth, that is a good place to be.

Race 101 is an educational and consulting program for the auto racing industry. It offers yearly scholarships for up and coming racers and was founded in 2009, by veteran racing crew chief Tony Blanchard, longtime motorsports marketing/Pr consultant Annamarie Strawhand and television announcer Adam Ross. 

Students experience the driving, mechanical and marketing sides of motorsports and at the end of the year,  the ‘premier’ driver is announced.

The premier driver is then given the opportunity to drive the  Race 101 Howe super late model ‘house car’ in actual competition.

Luke says the program was “heavily weighted towards public relations, how to get money and how to establish yourself.”

Most of the program was delivered on line in weekly webinars. “We could all see each other on line, and we got the lectures together. We got together every week for the whole year.”

In addition, Luke travelled to North Carolina four times, Charlotte, North Carolina twice and to Florida once.

He explains that he was aware of the program through a friend who had gone through it. He applied on line and was thrilled to be selected as one of the 16 students for 2011.

He was even more thrilled when he was named the premier driver at the February 11, 2012, awards banquet held in Hickory, North Carolina.

For the premier selection, he admits “I wasn’t the best on the technical and I wasn’t the best in the marketing, but I was good enough at both to win the overall. I put my honest effort into both.”

He figures he did well in  the situations the students were put into at various events, that he did well in his radio interview and that he had three great references (which were a requirement) from a local O. P. P. officer, a fellow Dirt Car star and from a very good friend and Motivational Speaker.

As the Race 101 premier driver for 2011, Luke says his job now “is to represent Race 101. You can say I’m hired to represent 101.” He points out, however, that it is a two way track, so to speak, as he too will benefit  from the exposure.

“I’m guaranteed three events with the car and however much practise I need. This is special. In our area we are saturated with Dirt track racing. Down there it’s more asphalt tracks.”

With the 2012 season fast approaching the Whitteker Motorsport Team is now busy getting ready. Last year, Whitteker competed at the popular Autodrome Granby track in Drummondville where he was named Top Rookie Driver.

Attracting sponsorships is important for racers and the Whitteker Motorsport team is now in the process of securing sponsorship for the upcoming season. 

Since he first began racing in 2005, Luke has been sponsored by Rust Check and Parcoll Products/Napa Auto Parts. Some other major sponsors include Toy Storage & Boat Transport, the 730 Truck Stop, Steve Summers and C Double J Harvesting. Another eight businesses, several of them local, were on board in 2011.

As he wraps up his current semester at Carleton, Luke is busy putting the marketing portion of his Race 101 studies to the test for the first time as he approaches would-be sponsors for the 2012 race year.

 

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UCP Ribbon Cutting for New Addition

 

Although it has experienced a solid test run since July of 2011, Upper Canada Playhouse’s new addition, containing an attractive and versatile box office and new administrative offices for Playhouse staff, was officially opened on Friday, February 17, 2012.

“We decided to wait until now to officially open it,” said artistic director, Donnie Bowes, “to coincide with the opening of our first show of the 2012 season, the hilarious comedy, The Foursome.”

Upper Canada Playhouse is one of Ontario’s most successful theatres. To accommodate its growing audience and the increasing number of shows the Playhouse is presenting in a season, the theatre had to expand its facilities.

“The box office is a separate part of the theatre at the west end, conveniently connected to the main lobby where audiences enter the theatre at show time,” Bowes explained. “The box office is a spacious, customer-friendly area with plenty of seating and three efficient areas to book tickets. It also provides new offices for our administrative staff. They appreciate the increased space.”

This new facility has drawn rave reviews from the public and the staff.

The original box office, located at the east side of the Playhouse, was directly attached to back stage and production zones. As Bowes joked with his guests, “people waiting to buy tickets might have to dodge stage crew carrying planks and sets through the area.”

The Playhouse addition was built by Swank Construction.

Following this new addition, the Playhouse is preparing to enter phase II of its expansion project: development of the production department’s storage space which the theatre’s increased programming demands. 

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds, on hand with other dignitaries to help cut the official ribbon, said that the new addition was a real asset to the theatre.

“It’s great that we were here to celebrate the opening of this box office,” he said. “Upper Canada Playhouse has experienced phenomenal growth and is a vital part of the South Dundas community. We look forward to continuing to work with the Playhouse.”

Following a brief reception, Bowes invited members of the South Dundas recreation and economic development committees, as well as Playhouse board members and councillors back stage for a quick look at the outstanding sets  under construction for the March 16 opening of the riotous Norm Foster golf “classic,” The Foursome. 

“March is a new time slot for us, and we can’t think of a better show to start the season and  officially open our new box office than this  comedy production,” said Bowes. 

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Sens Alumni are coming to town

 

The South Dundas Minor Hockey Association is planning a huge evening for Saturday, March 3, an evening of hockey that will see a team of Ottawa Senators Alumni players skate onto the ice to challenge some of South Dundas’ finest.

All proceeds from the evening will go to the South Dundas Minor Hockey Association to help offset some of the costs of running the program for the youth of the community.

Preliminary plans have the Sens Alumni players on the ice from 7-7:45 p.m. when they will skate with local minor hockey players and their families. At 8 p.m. the opening ceremony will see the puck dropped to kick off the game between the Sens Alumni and representatives of South Dundas Minor Hockey.

There will be between periods entertainment and a reception will follow the game at the McIntosh Inn.

Admission for the evening is $10 for adults and $5 for students (4-18). Children under three will be admitted free.

Advance tickets will be on sale at the Morrisburg Arena on February 22 from 7-8 p.m. and on Friday, Feb. 24 from 3-7 p.m.

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Golden Gears Car Club taking off

 

With over 30 enthusiasts turning out for the inaugural meeting of the Golden Gears Car Club on February 16, organizers are confident that interest in cars,  car mechanics, car shows and vintage automobiles is high in South Dundas.

Named for the original Golden Gears Club, which used to meet in the 60’s at Chuck’s Esso (present day Stinson’s), this Club has been organized by long time car enthusiasts Brian Erratt, Jeff Beaupre and Henry Swank. 

 At this first gathering, Swank stressed that the club will be properly established with by-laws, a constitution, a board, an executive and activities, events and program organizers. 

Erratt discussed cruise nights and building camaraderie in the club through group tours and car rallies. 

Beaupre introduced five members of the original Golden Gears: Wayne (Chick) Barkley, Paul Judson, Mac Casselman, Arnie Fader and Wayne Barkley. They shared a lot of memories of the old days, of drag races and parades and charity work.

The reborn Golden Gears Car Club welcomes any and all area car lovers (over 18) to come out to their next meeting, Wednesday, February 29, at the Iroquois Legion, at 7:30 p.m., to share ideas and a common passion for the automobile. 

Owing a car is not a necessity for membership. Real enthusiasm for cars is all that is needed.

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Fire on Beckstead Road

 

On February 16th a two story century home on Beckstead Road was consumed by fire.

According to South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services (SDFES) Fire Chief Chris McDonough, no one was injured in the fire, but there was approximately $180,000 worth of damage to the property.

“South Dundas fire crews responded from Williamsburg and Morrisburg,” said McDonough.

“It was confirmed that the owners recently purchased the home and were completing renovations,” he continued. They “were planning to move in the following weekend.”

McDonough reported that “this incident has been ruled non-suspicious. However,” he added, “the cause is undetermined due to the extent of the damage.”

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Heart&Stroke Bonspiel

 

Ten teams took part in the annual Curling 4 Heart&Stroke Bonspiel held at the Morrisburg Curling Rink on Saturday, February 18. “The participants all seemed to be really enjoying themselves,” said Greta McGann, organizer, for the third year, of the event. “We were able to raise $1,014 for Heart&Stroke. We had great support from our community and from businesses in Morrisburg and Williamsburg, who donated team prizes.” “All the funds raised go to research and to seeing that defibrillators are available in public buildings,” said Lise Kosloski, volunteer for the Heart&Stroke Foundation. New to this year’s event was a just-for-fun skills competition set up by Jack Barkley and won by Kathy Norg and Wendy Casselman. Pictured above, with Foundation representatives, are the members of the ‘Pas and Daughters’ team (l-r) Dave King, Becky King, Kosloski, McGann, Laura Barkley and Jack Barkley. 

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Iroquois Legion holds Chili Cook Off

 

Iroquois Legion, Branch 370, was the site of the “hotly” contested great chili cook-off on Saturday, February 18. The impartial judges for the annual event, who sampled 16 delicious pots of chili, definitely had their work cut out for them. Judge Brian Clifford (l), Cardinal Branch 105, Judge Sharon Murray, (c) Legion Zone Commander for G3 and Danny McLauglin, local businessman, were ready to take hearty helpings at the fund raiser for the Legion Ways and Means Committee. “I like a little spice, mushrooms and something other than just hamburger,” said Judge Clifford, while Judge Murray wanted “a little spice, not too much, and limited mushrooms.” As for Judge McLaughlin, he looked for “hot and spicy.” “This meal, open to the public, is a great way to start shaking off the winter,” said Vicki Tetley, past president of the Iroquois Legion.

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Breakfast with business

 

The Township of South Dundas and the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre have joined forces in an effort to provide “interactive training experience addressing the fundamentals of on-line business” for local businesses.

The first three seminars planned focus on e-business topics. Each seminar begins at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast and networking opportunity followed by an informative presentation on the topic of choice, ending at 10:30 a.m.

While the first seminar, How You Can Profit from E-Biz, has come and gone, there are two more left in the series: February 28th, Social Media Marketing; and, March 27th, Increasing Traffic to Your Website.

The first session, according to South Dundas Economic Development Officer, Nicole Sullivan, “was very informative. It provided a blend of practical information for businesses looking to create a website as well as those looking to improve their current site.”

“Of particular interest to attendees was the pattern in which users read websites and how that determines the way a website should be laid out.”

She explained that the seminars are part of a “larger goal of being able to offer initiatives that support the business community as a whole and build partnerships and networking opportunities.”

“The next seminar will be led by the same presenter as the first. I have no doubt it will be of equal quality and encourage all businesses interested in increasing their presence on the internet to attend.”

At the February seminar, Sullivan is hoping to distribute a survey to determine what other topics might be of interest to the business community in South Dundas.

“If successful,” she said, “hopefully we’ll be able to continue on” with the seminars.

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Addition to D.E.S. Environmental Services Inc

 

South Dundas council passed a by-law on February 7th to enter into a Site Plan Control Agreement with D.E.S. Environmental Services Inc.

According to paperwork submitted by Manager of Planning & Enforcement Don Lewis, the landowner wanted “to construct a building which will alter the current site plan.”

Council members were told that the Ministry of Environment had already given their approval.

D.E.S. Environmental Services Inc. is located in Iroquois.

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South Dundas supports Healthy Food Supplement

 

A letter from the city of Kingston was received by South Dundas on January 11, 2012, requesting “support and endorsement of the $100 Healthy Food Supplement.”

At the February 7th council meeting, South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I was the one that asked for this to be pulled out and for council to look at it for consideration.”

The call for support came from a motion passed at the city of Kingston’s December 6, 2011 council meeting. The motion included the following statement: “That Kingston calls on the government of Ontario to immediately introduce and fully fund a $100 per month Healthy Food Supplement for all adults on social assistance as a first step toward meeting basic needs.”

Byvelds reminded council, “as we’ve been told in the past by the House of Lazarus, there’s a lot of poverty in South Dundas.” 

“This,” he continued, “is a fairly easy way to get the province to take a look at this.” 

Council was unanimous in their support of the request.

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