EDMONTON, AB – The run for the 2006 Northern Alberta Pipelines Ltd. Late Model Series championship was far from the mind of Arvid Fonstad and his race team on Sunday, May 21st.  The Chemserve/Trailblazer RV sponsored #2 Late Model was one of the active display’s at the 2nd annual Children’s Wish Foundation Ride Along at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway.  “It’s such a simple way to help out this tremendous organization”, says Fonstad, “all the rides here, the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a race car.  People will be talking about this event for a long time.”  Chemserve also sponsored the chuck wagon which was the official ‘shuttle’ from the parking lot to the main spectator entrance.  On the Castrol Raceway grounds, over 50 vehicles were ready to give thousands of patrons a ride.  For some families the choices at times were overwhelming.  Army tanks, police cars, a mini train, ambulances, big rigs, motorcycles, hot rod’s and the Edmonton Oilers Fanboni, just to name a few, were at the track.   Most of the rides were either down Castrol Raceway’s ¼ mile IHRA dragstrip or in the drag pit area.  All proceeds from Ride a Long 2006 went to the Children’s Wish Foundation which grants very special wishes to courageous children coping with high risk, life threatening illnesses.  Sunday’s event raised over $20,000, surpassing the goal set by organizers.  “It’s a lot of work but it’s so worth it” says Ilya Kaplar, Edmonton event coordinator of the Children’s Wish Foundation.  “There are a lot of CWF chapters across Canada that are taking a look at mirroring this event right now.  This is only the second time we’ve done this so we are still in the ground breaking stage.”  Attendance at this years event was up more than 50%.  Volunteer participants who brought out their hot rods, motorcycles and other ‘equipment’ to Castrol Raceway was up sharply as well.

Arvid Fonstad and the rest of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series get back to business this Saturday night May 27th at Castrol Raceway.  It’s Race #2 of the 2006 NPP Season.