winger4800

iTrader: (12)

This will be my 3rd Long Haul Power Tour. In Dec. 2009, my Dad was diagnosed with stage 3 Lung Cancer. At that time he lived in Texas I was in Chicago area. Once I found out, I immediately packed up my life and came to Texas to be with him and help out. Within a couple months (Feb. 2010), doctors removed the right half of his Lung. He made an amazing recovery and went through dozens of radiation and chemo treatments and never got severely sick. I told him about my experience during the 2009 Power Tour and he decided he wanted to go with in 2010. Without any issues we did the Long Haul. He even competed with me in the Comp Cams Trike races! (and we won Comp Cams Power Tour Photo Contest on Facebook!) It was an unforgettable time and I will never forget it!

Unfortunately in Nov. 2010 Doctors found a Brain tumor. They removed it and he survived a few more months until it came back in late January along with tumors on his spine. He passed away on Feb. 11th. I promised him I will do my best to take care of Grandma who lives here in Texas in a nursing facility battling Leukemia and Dementia. I also promised I would never sell his Corvette. He saved for years to be able to afford it. Thats why this year in memory of him I will driving his 2003 50th anniversary edition convertible on the Long Haul.

I will always remember the good times I had with him and will never forget him! I LOVE YOU DAD!


RIP
Kenneth "Rooster" Wing
1955-2011

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

That is a great dedication. You will always have great memories.

GoatPilot87

Great post man. Good luck this year. I went to Bham and Mobile last year and caught the last two days of the tour with my Grandfather. I always wanted to go with my Dad also, but he passed away June 22nd, 2009 16 days after his 47th birthday. Im building his 67 Camaro that weve had since before I was born. Good luck on the tour this year man, be safe.

YellFellow

He will be along for the ride, Hang in there have some fun on the tour

PlatnumStatuz

iTrader: (6)

Good luck man, have some fun, sound like some painful stuff you had to go through. I have high respect for what you're doing.

softballnrd27

iTrader: (4)

Man, I have knot in my throat after reading that. My Grandfather passed away from Lung Cancer the day I graduated boot camp. I stayed in the Marines bc of him and will do it for another 9 yrs until I retire. My Dad told me that my Grandfather was proud of me and it has kept me going strong for the last 11 yrs. Awesome way to remeber your Father. I am buying my Dad a 66-67 Chevelle the day I retire so that we can build it together.

will69camaro

iTrader: (19)

Wow man amazing story. Look forward to seeing your trip breakdown after the tour. We'll be going again this year. Last year was our first Ptour and did the long haul. If you see a white 2010 w/ orange stripes stop in and say hi!

William

BigBronco

iTrader: (2)

That is awesome. I hope I can participate in my third Power Tour this year, given that I can get the time off.

winger4800

iTrader: (12)

Thanks everyone for the support! It's still been a rough time but it's slowly getting better....can't wait for the tour. There will be a memorial quilt thats being raffled off that has squares on it from others too that have recently lost a loved one.

http://bangshift.com/forum/showthrea...ancer-research

bonecrrusher

iTrader: (1)

Did you autocross that TA last year? The SOM and dark wheels looks familiar...

winger4800

iTrader: (12)

Yes, I did....I was running in the top 10 for most of the day (with my dad in the car too!) but we had to leave before they did eliminations for the top 10.

Fbodyjunkie06

iTrader: (10)

You are doing a great thing by remembering your father that way.

I have a similar experience that happened in April, when my father passed away from pulmonary Fibrosis. He fought for 8 months to hang in there for me, until his body couldn't fight it off anymore.

We always wanted to build a race car, and be able to go to the track every week.

I did that after my dad passed, because it only seemed right to do what we couldn't do, when I am able to do it now.

He will be there riding shotgun with you at all times, like I feel in my car when I drive it.

Just don't push the memories away to try and forget. You have to keep those memories alive, and your doing a damn good thing to do that.

God speed on your trip...!

Wicked 94TA

iTrader: (5)

Thats great that you're gonna honor your dad by driving his car this year, its something I'm sure he'd be proud of. The Power Tour is something I've always wanted to do and I'd love to be able to catch at least part of it with him within the next few years.

Camarosteve44

iTrader: (8)

Great way to honor your dad, good luck on the tour