EDMONTON, ALBERTA – 17-year old Kelly Admiraal of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada driving the #83 Tribute to Canadian Forces of WWII Chevrolet will make his second career start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway located outside Avondale, AZ.
The one-mile paved oval will be the largest track the youngster has competed on but one that he has dreamed about for a long time.
The Admiraal team has competed in a variety of racing series in both Canada and the United States this season with both Kelly Admiraal and older brother Ian Admiraal behind the wheel.
Kelly, a high school senior in his hometown of Edmonton, is having the time of his life racing. “It has been a great season and I have learned so much. I cannot wait to turn laps at Phoenix,” Admiraal offered.
And while his younger brother has garnered most of the seat time this season, that is perfectly fine with Ian Admiraal. Ian has translated his business school education into real-world experience by managing all aspects of the family owned race team. From equipment purchasing, marketing, public relations, to employee hiring and sponsorship negotiation, the 19-year old has accomplished a lot in a very short time.
The Admiraal team will honor their Canadian heroes from World War II this weekend since the event at Phoenix falls on Remembrance Day in Canada. “We (Kelly and I) thought a tribute car would be a special and unique way for us to honor and recognize those who served and gave their life for our country,” Ian Admiraal said.
“Our dad (Menno Admiraal and owner of the team and a very successful business in Edmonton) has always held our fallen heroes in very high regard and we wanted to honor the commitment he has always had,” Admiraal continued. “Our family immigrated from Holland to Canada after World War II. The Canadian fighting forces have always had a great impact on our family.”
The team shares similar characteristics to their historical heroes in that they are a small team but full of fight and determination. “We still need to gain experience in this series but we are focused at the task at hand and looking forward to a great event at Phoenix,” Admiraal said.
The race from Phoenix will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel Saturday, November 10 at 5pm MT and also via NASCAR Home Tracks Radio via the internet at hometracks.nascar.com.
Admiraal Racing is owned by Menno Admiraal, a successful business entrepreneur and owner of Western Camp Services Ltd. based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The team is lead by Driver/Director of Race Operations Ian Admiraal and supported by crew members: Theo, Badge, Daniel, Nolan, Adam, Dan and Ben. Admiraal Racing has corporate partnerships with Williams Scotsman, Western Camp Services, Paradise RV, Gee & Gee Racing, and Emond Racing.
You can follow the Admiraal Racing team on their website, at NASCAR Hometracks, and Racing West.
Canadian Impact in World War II: The Second World War officially began on September 1, 1939, with the German invasion of Poland. Britain and France declared war on the Nazi Third Reich on September 3, 1939. Seven days later, on September 10, 1939, the Parliament of Canada likewise declared war on Germany, the country’s first independent declaration of war and the beginning of Canada’s participation in the largest combined national effort in its history. By war’s end, over 1 million Canadian citizens would serve in military uniform, and Canada would possess the fourth-largest air force and third-largest naval surface fleet in the world.
On June 6, 1944, the 3rd Canadian Division landed on Juno Beach in the Battle of Normandy and sustained 50% casualties in their first hour of attack. By the end of D-Day, the Canadians had penetrated deeper into France than either the British or the American troops at their landing sites, overcoming stronger resistance than any of the other beachheads except Omaha Beach. In the first month of the Normandy campaign, Canadian, British and Polish troops were opposed by some of the strongest and best trained German troops in the theater, including the 1st SS Division, the 12th SS Division and the Panzer-Lehr-Division. Several costly operations were mounted by the Canadians to fight a path to the pivotal city of Caen and then south towards Falaise, part of the Allied attempt to liberate Paris.
Canada’s military was active in every theater of war during WWII, though most battles occurred in Italy, Northern Europe, and the North Atlantic.
Over the course of the war, 1.1 million Canadians served in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Of these more than 45,000 lost their lives and another 54,000 were wounded. The financial cost was $21,786,077,519.13, between the 1939 and 1950 fiscal years. By the end of the War, Canada had the world’s fourth largest air force, and third largest navy. As well, the Canadian Merchant Navy completed over 25,000 voyages across the Atlantic. Canadians also served in the militaries of various Allied countries.
By D-Day, June 6, 1944, the landings at Normandy were accomplished by two beachheads made by the American forces at Omaha and Utah, two by British forces, Sword and Gold, and a final one at Juno made by the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.
The war had significant cultural, political and economic effects on Canada, including the conscription crisis which affected unity between Canadian Francophones and Anglophones. However, the war effort not only strengthened the Canadian economy but further established Canada as a major actor on the world stage.
About Admiraal Racing: Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the Admiraal Racing team competes in a variety of racing disciplines throughout the year including circle track racing, drag racing, and ice racing. The team is owned by Menno Admiraal who also is president of Western Camp Services, the largest independently-owned camp and catering company in Western Canada. Western Camp Services provides services to the Natural Resource Industry, offering new camps from 20 to 500 men in Western Canada; lodging, groceries, kitchen and housekeeping personnel are included.
From Admiraal Racing
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