On September 14th, Prime Powerteam had the privilege of participating in the first annual Karting Minute Charity Race at our home track, the Hamilton Karting Complex. It was an exciting day filled with competitive racing, but more importantly, it was all for a great cause. Organized by the Karting Minute duo, Ari Theodoropoulos and Jackson Morley, this event brought together members of the Canadian Mini Indy and Hamilton Regional Kart Club for one unforgettable day of racing in support of several deserving charities.
A Unique Racing Format
The charity race featured a one-of-a-kind format where drivers competed as teams, each racing for a different charity. Prime Powerteam played a huge role in the event, with six out of the seven team captains hailing from our ranks. Each captain chose the charity they were racing for, creating a personalized connection between drivers and the causes they supported.
The team captains and their respective charities were:
- Ari Theodoropoulos: Racing for Ronald McDonald House
- Jackson Morley: Racing for Cole’s World
- Jordan Prior: Racing for the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation
- Frankie Esposito: Racing for the Canadian Cancer Society
- Ken O’Keefe : Racing for SickKids
- David Barnes: Racing for Tim Hortons Camp Day
- David Campbell : Racing for the Hamilton SPCA
Racing Highlights
The event kicked off at 2:00 PM with two practice sessions to give everyone a chance to get comfortable. This was particularly important because the race was open to drivers of all skill levels—some were first-timers, while others were seasoned veterans. This mix made for an exciting day of racing and a chance for our team to showcase the sport to newcomers.
After the practice sessions, drivers took part in timed qualifying, followed by a pre-final and final race. All the action took place in Canadian Mini Indy’s Arrive and Drive karts, so nobody had to worry about working on the karts, freeing up our team mechanics to get in on the fun as well. It was a rare treat to see our mechanics racing, and it added a lot entertainment to the event, especially with many of our team Moms and Dads getting in on the action.
The Big Finish
The scoring system was simple: the final race determined each driver’s points, which were added to their team’s total. By the end of the night, Jackson Morley’s team, Jacko 500, took home the win, for their charity, Cole’s World.
In total, the event raised raised $4,414.39. Of that amount, $2,375 went to the winning charity, Cole’s World, while the remaining funds were divided evenly between the other six charities. It was a huge success, proving that karting can be a force for good beyond the track.
Pie in the Face for a Cause
As part of the event’s festivities, we held a special fundraiser where participants could donate to throw a pie in the face of some brave volunteers. Our Team Owner, Trevor Wickens, along with Darren White and Mia Castell, stepped up for the challenge and took pies to the face—all in the name of charity. It was a lighthearted way to end an already amazing day and added even more fun to the event.
Looking Ahead
We couldn’t be more proud of the Karting Minute boys, Ari and Jackson, for organizing this fantastic event and for the dedication of everyone involved. The success of the first Karting Minute Charity Race has set a strong foundation, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event.
Thank you to all the drivers, mechanics, volunteers, and fans who made the day so special. Most importantly, thank you for helping us raise funds for seven incredible charities. This event showed how our sport can bring people together to make a real difference, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year!
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to support our community both on and off the track!
