About Us

What is MotorSport for Life

• Every kid has a dream – being a fireman, riding on the fire engine, being a policeman or riding in the police car but most of all every young person wants to be a racing car driver and race a fast car. MotorSport for Life makes the most of this dream for the purpose of treating terminally ill children and giving them the opportunity to fulfil a dream.
• The second opportunity is that with these high profile teams and drivers that are associated with Australasian V8 motor car racing, many opportunities present themselves to raise funds for the Child Cancer Foundation.

 

Who is Behind MotorSport for Life

Bruce Tronell
Bruce is a former cancer survivor himself but his lifetime love of motor racing, he feels is his way of paying back some of the favours bestowed on him by this most generous community.

Bruce is no stranger to hard times through illness, as a work place accident created havoc for him when he fell from a building badly damaging one leg and hip. In fact medical people told him that he may never walk again but Bruce was adamant that this would not happen and exercise became a regular part of Bruce’s lifestyle. Pain killers and modern medicine became an addiction that Bruce had to over come before he was able to regain full time employment.

Diagnosed with prostrate cancer in 2003 a nine hour surgery ordeal meant that he hopefully will not have to endure the longevity of chemo or radiation therapy and two weeks after this surgery took part in the Child Cancer Foundation Walk for Life relay. He has since participated in another two relays, this time being sponsored and a major contributor for Child Cancer.

In Bruce’s own words he states “If it wasn’t for motor racing and the racing community allowing me to be part of the scene during my own trials and tribulation I would perhaps have given up long ago.” Now Bruce feels that he can use this to help others less fortunate than himself and wishes to keep up his involvement in walking for life as he says “If I didn’t get fit before my operation I would not have recovered as fast and now having done 400 walking kilometres has no intention of backing off only to make the opportunity to fund raise even greater.”

I feel extremely lucky when I see young children who are terminally ill and the opportunity to give these kids and their families something to remember is what MotorSport for Life is about.

Celebrities, a privileged thrill and doing something that only a few people get the opportunity to do or pay dearly for is the least I feel I can do. “To watch the smile of joy and sheer excitement when a child realizes that he or she will be in the car and not just a spectator is a very gratifying occasion”.

Margaret Baird
As central co-ordinator for the Child Cancer Foundation it has been Margaret’s pleasant and sunny disposition that has made creating the opportunities a lot easier. With Margaret’s input to MotorSport for Life we feel that this is a crucial link between the targeted children and of course the Cancer society. Margaret will ensure that the monies raised will stay locally and be put to the designated uses within the Child Cancer Foundation so that transparency will be maintained at all times.

Others Who Assist

Mathew Cooper
Former All Black and now CEO of Sport Waikato, Mathew Cooper and MotorSport for Life will always be able to fulfil the fitness component of life which Bruce is so adamant is an important part of living. The Trust hopes that if any of the youngsters don’t wish to be racing car drivers then the opportunity to mix with All Blacks may be a reality.

David Rodger
World Campion oarsman and America’s Cup sailor, David Rodger and Bruce have an association that goes back a long way. While David admits that he has not had the time to be the ultimate petrol head his involvement with Bruce has enabled David to appreciate the skill and dedication that goes into making racing cars go fast. A professional sport development coach David feels being involved with MotorSport for Life is part of being well rounded in the community and ensuring that everyone can be their best regardless of the challenges.

Motorsport for Life Committee Members

Bruce Tronell
Dave Rodger
Kim Raggett
Shanelle Barrett
Stacey Cole
Wayne & Storm Powell
Trent & Andrea Andrews

 

What MotorSport for Life Offers

It is envisaged that apart from a day of excitement for terminally ill children, this day will be recorded for the family and participants to marvel over by way of photographs and celebrity signed certificates bound in an album that will hold the occasion for a life time and may in this day and age become some form of investment for the family.

• The racing teams practice five times a year and during these practices it is possible to take people for a ride. For the Waikato and its surrounds the two tracks involved are Pukekohe and Taupo. With the street circuit of the Hamilton 400 being held annually.
• Every team has a shadow car and by using these cars it is envisaged that people can ride with celebrity sportsmen at a cost to raise funds for child cancer.
• With driver consent it is envisaged that a celebrity dinner and auction would be held with cancer children guests of honour. If the Boar Race can make the town buzz, then so can V8 Supercars and teams.
• For the sponsors of these teams it is one way of contributing philanthrotropically without being harassed and showing that V8 Supercars assist communities.

 

What the Child and Family Receive

• A day out at the car trials
• A bound book of photographs of the occasion
• Signed photos of the celebrities involved