Glen McArthur’s solemn vow to honour the memory of best mate, Anthony Rees, will be realised tonight when he rolls out in a custom-built tribute car at the Gunnedah Speedway.
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He reckoned Rees, who was killed in a car crash near Tamworth in June, will be smiling from the heavens at the sight of his mug plastered on the fender- bender entry which features Anthony’s #13 car number.
“Anthony would be rapt to see the car,” Glen said.
“He and I did a lot of racing together so it will be good to sit in the seat where he would normally be and drive it for him.
“Hopefully he’s looking down on us and we will go really well.”
It was a promise made by McArthur and Rees’ brother David at the funeral, to one day build and race a car in honour of the bloke they affectionately called “Shorty”.
To see the car finally up and running, gleaming in the late afternoon sun, was a proud moment for them both, David Rees said.
Fittingly, tonight’s fender-bender division has been dubbed the Anthony Rees Memorial.
As a friend, Anthony was as loyal as they come and always willing to lend a hand to a mate in need.
It was this generosity and “all the good times” that Glen remembered most about him.
“He was the sort of bloke to give you the shirt off his back,” he said.
“He was the only mate who I could rely on and trust to always be there.
“He was great with the kids, too. It was always ‘Uncle Shorty’.”
An 18-year member of the speedway club, Anthony was well travelled in many race categories – from street stockers, four-cylinders and of course, the fender-benders.
“He gave a fair number of the divisions a run,” Glen said.
But despite Anthony’s best efforts, the cars could never quite keep track with his competitive edge.
“He had a couple of times when he went really well, but the old motors didn’t keep up with him,” he said.
Glen is racing one car in one event and hopes it all comes together tonight.
So what would it mean for this driver to collect a win in the inaugural Rees memorial event?
“It would be terrific ... it would be a long couple of days of celebration,” he said.
In addition to the metre-high perpetual trophy, $500 has been donated thanks to Steve Trainer Electrical and Kevin Cunningham Automotive.
Anthony’s family of Ellen, Wayne, Lynette, Barry and David thanked Glen for his tireless efforts to get the tribute car ready for race day. Gates open 5pm at the Gunnedah Speedway.
– Namoi Valley Independent