CRIDERSVILLE, OH (WLIO) - A memorial race honored the impact of a late go-kart racing community member.
Hicks had been involved in the Cridersville Speedway for over 30 years, doing everything from maintenance to getting sponsorships and taking the position of president this year.
Racers from kids up to their sixties came out to pay tribute at the Joe Hicks Memorial Race. Hicks had been involved in the Cridersville Speedway for over 30 years, doing everything from maintenance to getting sponsorships and taking the position of president this year. After he passed in May, racers and the Hicks family decided creating the event was a great way to celebrate his memory because the sport was such a big part of his life and because he had made an impact on so many people in the racing community.
"It meant a lot to him. It kept family together. It was something that every weekend you knew where the family was at. Four generations. Started with my father, Ron Jacobs, and then I raced, and I had two sons that raced. Now I have an 8-year-old grandson that is racing in the Junior 1s," said Dawn Hicks, Joe's widow.
Hicks was also a Shawnee Township volunteer firefighter and served on the Shawnee Township Cemetery Board.
"Everybody looked up to Joe; he was kind of liked the mentor. I learned a lot from Joe; he helped me out with a lot of stuff over the years. The community-wise and in the racing industry, Joe was part of everything," added Kelly Bowley, the current president of the speedway.
Hicks was also a Shawnee Township volunteer firefighter and served on the Shawnee Township Cemetery Board.
