6/25/2016
Kendra Vollmer
Race Car Driver Organizes Cancer Awareness Race
By MARLOWE HEREFORD
mhereford@postregister.com
It doesn’t take long to pick out Kendra Vollmer’s car on the track.
Among the splashes of color and large numbers circling the Idaho Falls Raceway on Friday was a pink and black sports mod with the number 91 on the roof and doors.
It stood out a little more than usual Friday, however, because of the pink ribbon design behind the rear tires.
Friday was the first of a two-night cancer awareness race Vollmer organized for her senior project. She has had the pink ribbon design on her car for two years in memory of her grandmother, who died from breast cancer. Vollmer was too young to remember her.
A racer since age 8 and the daughter of two stock car drivers, Vollmer decided to giver her senior project a two-fold purpose by creating a race that benefited a cause close to her heart.
“I just know cancer touches a lot of people here,” Vollmer said before taking to the track Friday. “Why not do something to help people with what I’m passionate about?”
Snake River Stock Car Association president Josh Dingman, Friday’s master of ceremonies, could relate to Vollmer. Currently in his second bout with cancer, he said he was immediately on board with Vollmer’s senior project idea when she brought it up with him and other SRSCA members.
“It kind of struck a chord with me,” Dingman said. “We just knew we had to help her and get it done.”
All the proceeds from Friday, including admission, T-shirts and raffle tickets, benefit the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, which helps cancer patients and their families who are undergoing treatment at EIRMC.
Vollmer said work for her senior project started in January by visiting businesses to inquire about gaining sponsors for the race. She then created posters and distributed them throughout Idaho Falls and surrounding towns, made a Facebook page to spread the word and she and her mother met with EIRMC auxiliary volunteers.
A SRSCA member herself, Vollmer said several people offered their time and support for her project over the last five months.
“It took a lot of help with this,” Vollmer said. “I didn’t do it all on my own.”
K.C. Perez was among the registered racers Friday. He and his brother, Travis, also in attendance Friday, both said Vollmer’s project hit close to home for them. Their father, Terry, a raceway volunteer, is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, and both were touched by Vollmer’s efforts.
“I really thought it was pretty cool that a senior in high school would make her senior project like this for a good cause,” K.C. said.
“It’s awesome to see somebody so young do something so big,” added Travis, who is a teacher in the Shelley School District. “You don’t see that much.”
The brothers were there with K.C.’s 12 year-old son, Kagen, a first year go kart driver. Kagen raced Friday, as did K.C., a modified driver.
K.C. originally participated in BMX races with Travis before switching over to stock cars seven years ago.
“I’ve always loved racing,” K.C. said. “I’ve always had a heart for cars.”
Vollmer also competed Friday, as did her parents, and took second in the main sports mod race. A go kart driver before moving to sport mods at age 14, she said not many people know she races.
“When I tell them I’m a race car driver, they’re like ‘no way,’” Vollmer said. “I just love the track. It’s kind of like a stress reliever. I have met so many people through racing.”
Dingman said 17 sport mod drivers, 14 modifieds, three street stocks, eight minis and seven go carts raced Friday. Race for a Cure continues at 7 p.m. tonight at the Idaho Falls Raceway.
Submitted By: Kendra Vollmer
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