Santa Pod honours 9/11 victims with USAF Tribute

Santa Pod Raceway will be honouring the thousands lost during 9/11in a respectful ceremony during this weekend’s European Finals event. As an ex USAF base, it is fitting that the Northamptonshire venue pauses the weekend’s racing and festivities to pause and reflect on this tragic anniversary.

Colonel Jeffrey Yocum, Vice Commander of the 501st Combat Support Wing from USAF Alconbury, will be present to represent the United States Visiting Forces and to commence a break in the day’s proceedings to allow both guests and drivers a moment to pay their respects.

Colonel Yocum will also start the action from the Top Fuel race session on Sunday 11th, which is the finals day of the event - starting the cars with the traditional American motorsport fire-up instruction of “Gentlemen start your engines!” around 10am.

Later in the day, the Royal Artillery Black Knights parachute display will pay their own respects to the fallen by leading their impressive routine with a Stars and Stripes flag. As they descend, both the British and US national anthems will be played, before the lead parachutist lands and presents the US flag to Colonel Yocum upon landing.

Commenting on the day’s itinerary, Santa Pod general manager, David Lloyd Jones said, ‘As a venue that has such a longstanding affinity with the American people, we felt it was appropriate to mark this day with our own small gesture to remember those who have been lost. We’re very grateful to Colonel Yocum for joining us and hope it will be a fitting tribute.’

For more information, visit santapod.com.