Staff Writer
CARIBOU – AMHC is getting support once again this year, spreading awareness of the issue of sexual assault, from a well-known name on the NASCAR circuit in the agency’s annual effort to raise funds for sexual assault awareness.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
ANDY SANTERRE will serve as host this year for the 4th annual AMHC Sno-Run, scheduled for Feb. 9. Participants will travel by snowmobile from the Caribou Inn and Convention Center in Caribou, head through Washburn to the Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle, then return to the inn. Organizers indicate tickets for this year’s event sold in a hurry. With temperatures predicted in the mid-20s for Saturday and plenty of white stuff on the trails, the event is expected to be a big success. Here, Santerre, with the ball cap at center, joins event organizer Joe Chamberlain as Chamberlain speaks to riders prior to last year’s event.
Andy Santerre returns to Aroostook County, serving as host of the fourth annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run charity event on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. Proceeds from the day’s events will help spread awareness of sexual assault and what’s being done help victims.
“Proceeds from the event will support AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services in Aroostook County,” said Pam Wyman, of AMHC, one of the event organizers.
Santerre is pleased to be serving as ‘host’ for the event again this year.
“I’m excited to come back to Aroostook County for this cause, because it has grown every year and has a lot of support from the people of the County and beyond. It speaks for itself, when you get this many people together, it creates awareness,” said Santerre.
Joining Santerre will be several of his friends from the racing world. Also joining Santerre this year is the grandson of racing legend Dale Earnhardt. Famous for racing #3, the elder Earnhardt had racked up seven NASCAR championships before his sudden and tragic death on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
“We will have an Earnhardt attend our fund-raiser on Feb. 9,” said Joe Chamberlain, of JFK Motorsports, an event organizer.
According to Chamberlain, Jeffery Earnhardt, son of Kerry Earnhardt and grandson to Dale Earnhardt, will be in attendance for Saturday’s festivities.
“His flight is booked and his room is reserved,” said Chamberlain, noting, “this surely will be a big draw to have Jeffery Earnhardt attend our fund-raiser. He will take part in the Sno-Run event, along with the autograph session and the night’s festivities at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.”
Following in his grandfather’s tracks, the younger Earnhardt is involved in racing.
“Jeffery raced in the Busch East Series for Andy Santerre Motorsports in the 2007 season. He earned the 2007 Rookie of the Year and finished fifth in the final points standings in his first season in the Busch East Series,” explained Chamberlain.
Also attending the event from the racing world are: Jamie Hayes, #54 of Hendrick Motorsports/Ken Schrader Racing; and Rogelio Lopez, #3 from Mexico City, Mexico, along with team owner Dave Davis. Also this year there’ll be at least three representatives from Hendrick Motorsports and at least one from Dale Earnhardt Inc. attending.
“Again this year George Campbell and Greg Fish, from the Busch East Scene newspaper, will join us for the ride and evening events,” said Chamberlain. “Also Team Maine Racing will be joining us this year for their first time at this event. They are a team of four guys from Winthrop that compete in the ‘Cains Quest.’ This is a 2,000 km (1,200 mile) endurance race across Labrador’s vast wilderness on snowmobiles.”
Santerre’s racing honors include the title NASCAR Busch North Series champion for the years 2002 through 2005. A racing team crew chief for and owner of Andy Santerre Motorsports, he will also serve as the driver for the newly formed Old School Racing Championship Tour, slated to kick off in May of this year.
“Santerre will kick the event day off at 8:30 a.m. with a 100-mile snowmobile ride. He will be joined by members of his racing team and fellow NASCAR drivers, crew team members, racing fans and snow sledding aficionados. The ride will leave from the Caribou Inn, head south through Washburn, traveling through beautiful Aroostook State Park, before circling back to the Caribou Inn,” explained Wyman.
While at the park, located in Presque Isle, the group will stop to have lunch.
“We’ll stop in Presque Isle to have lunch at the Presque Snowmobile Club’s facility. They’re planning to make a nice meal for us,” said Chamberlain.
Chamberlain said the route changes from year to year with the intent of drawing participants from new areas.
“Last year we went to Limestone. It was a great ride. We change every year to make things interesting, travel new routes and hopefully attract new participants each year,” explained Chamberlain.
Following the snowmobile ride, Santerre, members of his racing team and other elite NASCAR racing professionals will host a cocktail reception and autograph session poolside at the Caribou Inn, said Wyman.
“The evening will be capped off by a sumptuous banquet dinner and fun-filled NASCAR memorabilia auction, led by Santerre,” said Wyman.
A familiar face is lending his support – and voice – to the auction once again this year.
“Steve Richard will be serving as our auctioneer again this year. He knows how to work a crowd and folks love him,” said Chamberlain.
Those taking part in a raffle during the event will be eligible for a drawing for a 2007 ATV donated by County Sports Polaris.
“We’re selling raffle tickets on this item, and Andy will be drawing the winning ticket on Feb. 9, the night of the event. You don’t have to be present to win,” said Chamberlain.
Over 100 items have already been donated for the auction, with more promised. Items include several donations from Santerre’s buddies in the racing world. Items include: an authentic black NASCAR hood from DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.); as well as a ‘new’ helmet from Hendrick Motorsports autographed by Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and team owner Rick Hendrick.
Presque Isle business owner and sledding enthusiast Kevin Freeman looks forward to taking part in Saturday’s activities.
“This is the first time I’ve had the time to take part in the activities. I’m looking forward to joining the ride as it passes through Presque Isle and having lunch with the group at the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club. This is a great fund-raiser for a worthy cause. I’d like to see this event continue to grow in years to come,” said Freeman, owner of The Sled Shop.
Tickets for the dinner/auction are going fast, according to Chamberlain.
“We’re ahead of last year’s ticket sales. Some folks bought tickets this year and gave them as Christmas gifts,” said Chamberlain. “This event has grown every year. This year’s event is looking really good,” said Chamberlain.
Thousands of dollars have been raised for the organization through the generosity of snowmobiling enthusiasts from near and far. Last year, over $20,000 was raised for AMHC to spread awareness of sexual assault, with the organization working to help victims and educate the public of the problem.
“We want to create awareness of the issue of sexual assault. It affects not only the victim but those around them. More people are getting on board every year by supporting this event,” said Chamberlain. “We’re positive this will be another great year.”
Tickets for the event are $30 per person for the ride, poolside reception and autograph session. Tickets for the banquet dinner and auction are $25 per person. In addition to Santerre and AMHC, major event sponsors include Clukey’s Auto Parts, County Sports Polaris, Cushman’s Embroidery and Maine Savings Bank.
Santerre, who has a residence in the St. John Valley and now considers Aroostook County as a second home, is looking forward to the weekend event.
“I’m looking forward to being with all my old friends and to meet many more new friends at this charity event,” said Santerre.
For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Wyman at 498-6431 or e-mail her at pwyman@amhc.org.
