Aug. 5th. 2016 – Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
On this day, tribute was paid to Tommie Bauer who’s personal and professional impact on snowmobile endurance racing will long be remembered well into the future.
A memorial tribute auto race hosted at Mt. Pleasant speedway here in Michigan was a meaningful and very impressive testament to the Bauaer family and tradition imbedded deeply into the oval ice racing community.
Tommie’s kind heart and love for the SOO I-500 was felt by many as specters and race participants were on hand to witness this outstanding memorial event. For decades the Bauer family gave of their time and efforts to help make the I-500 and oval racing all it can be. Offering a hand to help construct the I-500 track, bringing heavy equipment and man power as a volunteer gesture to help construct a track all racers of the sport would come to know as the “Grand-Daddy” of all oval ice racing tracks in North America, the SOO I-500. The SOO I-500 was Tommie’s love within the snowmobile ice racing arena.
Tommies legacy is one of integrity displayed in everything he did. His personal excavating business, competitive racing & raising a family in all the right ways. Tommie Bauer and his family are a class act and bring a sense of pride to the sport of oval ice endurance racing. A mainstay within the I-500 Project as a credited I-500 partner, his presence in the sport made competitors take note of a true team concept which has impacted many within the sport of oval ice racing.
Speaking on behalf of the I-500 Project, a history of volunteers and so many race fans, it gave us great pleasure to be a part of the ” Tommie Bauer Memorial Race” on Aug. 5, 2016. Tommie will certainly be missed by us all. We look forward to the Bauer family continuing it’s participation within the I-500 Project and wish to express our heart felt appreciation for all Tommie did and stood for.
R.I.P. Tommie, the # – 19 is forever remembered as you wanted and will be forever recognized well into the future…….
Special thanks to the SOO International I-500 Board of Directors and their families members who attended the Tommie Bauer memorial race.
With much mutual respect and gratitude,
Ric Federau
SOO International 500 Chairman