When Ron Letourneau, of Stuart, first learned in 2007 that his lifelong friend, Danny Scopano, had purchased both a champ kart to race with the South East Champ Kart Series, and a late model to race at Desoto Super Speedway, he immediately became an integral part of the PBS Sales and Service Inc. Racing Team. As Ron and Danny worked to prepare the champ karts for Danny, friend Alan McKinney and Ron’s 16 year old nephew PJ Letourneau, Ron would make the three hour drive from Stuart to Tampa almost every weekend. Ron enjoyed the excitement of the competition, as he watched the champ karts and late model speeding around the race tracks.
On October 13, 2007 a scheduling conflict developed between the late model and champ kart races, and Danny asked Ron if he’d like to drive his #96 champ kart at Auburndale Speedway in Winter Haven, Florida. Ron immediately jumped at the chance. Although the results in his first race were not stellar, Ron was hooked. And, after seeing how much Ron had enjoyed his first race, Danny knew that he had found a permanent driver for his #96 champ kart.
Ron Letourneau poses with his #96 champ kart
Over the next year, Ron continued to work on the race vehicles, gaining speed and confidence at each event. On May 16, 2009, Ron collected his first heat race win with the South East Champ Kart Series, with a last lap pass for the win! Ron’s heat race win was a popular victory, as he received numerous congratulations in the pits afterwards from his fellow competitors.
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However, as the 2009 racing season progressed, Ron began to experience physical discomfort at each racing event. As he climbed into and out of his champ kart, Ron noticed piercing pains from his pelvic area, and leg. At first, Ron dismissed the pains as “old age”, and laughed them off. However, the pains continued.
As his performance improved, Ron’s passion for racing grew, and he was quick to share his generosity with others. As the owner of Flight Training International in Stuart, Ron works daily with flight instructors, and parts vendors for various aircraft.
At a racing event in early 2010, Ron awarded free sightseeing air flights over Martin County, Florida, for three lucky drivers and their guests. A few weeks later, Ron donated an expensive digital fuel tester to the South East Champ Kart Series, to improve its racing program.
As the 2010 racing season began, Ron had his eyes fixed firmly on one goal, to win his first feature race. On April 3 at Punta Gorda Speedway in Punta Gorda, Florida, a large field of 26 champ karts entered the South East Champ Kart Series event.
Ron Letourneau celebrates 2nd Place Finish on April 3, 2010
As Ron waited on the grid for his heat race to start, he was quietly confident of his chances. He had turned some of the quickest lap times in practice.
When the green flag flew, Ron immediately moved to the second place position, as he drafted behind the leader, accomplished karter Wesley Gonzales. On the last lap, Ron made his move, taking the lead, and claiming the win! Ron hoped that this might be the day that he would win his first feature race.
When the 25-lap feature race began later that evening, Ron quickly moved to the front, patiently keeping pace with the leaders. With two laps to go, Ron made his move for the lead. Although he was unable to complete the pass of the leader, Ron finished in second place. It was his best career finish! Afterwards, a happy Ron celebrated his great run with many well-wishers in the pit area.
However, his joy was short-lived. As Ron walked around the pit area later that night, he was noticeably limping, and grimacing in pain. The next week, Ron visited his doctor, who administered a variety of tests. However, nothing could have prepared him for the news. Ron was diagnosed with Stage Four Lung Cancer that had spread to his bones.
Ron’s friends and family immediately rallied around him, and he quickly made the decision to undergo a very aggressive treatment of radiation and chemotherapy, to try and stop the progression of the cancer, and push it into remission.
On July 31, the South East Champ Kart Series will dedicate Race #2 of the 2010 Florida Triple Crown Series at the Punta Gorda Speedway in Punta Gorda, FL as the ‘Ron Letourneau Tribute Race’. The race will be sponsored by PBS Sales and Service of Tampa, National Semi-Trailer Corp., Vega Tires and Impact Racing Products. In addition, Terror Grafix has created small decals of Ron’s #96, for all drivers who would like to display it on his/her champ karts, as a tribute to Ron’s passion for the sport of karting.
Following the race, Ron Letourneau will award the Feature Winner’s trophy to the race winner.
SECKS Series Sponsor - VEGA Tires
SECKS Series Sponsor - Impact Racing Products
SECKS Series Sponsor - PBS Sales and Service, Inc.
SECKS Series Sponsor - National Semi-Trailer Corp.
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