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Corey Antonelli honoured at rally race

4x4 fans remember young logger at annual event

The annual Pemberton 4x4 Rally Race last weekend was something a bit more than just an off-road vehicle event.

It also served this year as a memorial to Corey Antonelli, a huge fan of off-road 4x4 driving.

The Pemberton Offroad Rebels organized the two-day event at the Green River Motor Cross Track June 2 and 3 and Antonelli’s presence was felt.

Antonelli’s mother, Michelle Humchitt, said her son’s truck was rebuilt for the weekend of competition and his father, Nick Antonelli, drove the vehicle in the competition.

“There was a standing ovation for Corey’s truck,” said Humchitt.

Nick Antonelli said he hadn’t competed in a 4x4 event for a long time and was happy to place sixth overall at the competition driving his son’s truck.

“The four by four rally community and all the players is like one big family and he was part of it,” Humchitt said of her son through tears after the weekend event. “He was a champion and in my heart always will be a champion.”

Antonelli was a faller and he died on June 13 of last year. A monument at the rally grounds was put in place in centre of the rally track, said Humchitt.

Sunday’s All Terrain event had competitors vying for a trophy made from parts taken from the blown transfer case out of Antonelli’s truck.

Saturday featured the Hill Climb and the Mud Bog. The Sunday schedule included the All Terrain competition and the Powder Puff.

Kirk Frost was the top Road Rally finisher while Jason Fraser placed first in the Hill Climb, Ryan Mercer was the top Mud Bog competitor and also the winner of the All Terrain event.

Justin Davies was named the overall event winner at the 33rd annual event.