By Marc Bergeron
Senior Project Manager, Corporate IT
This year marked a milestone I’ll cherish forever—both as a father and as a longtime racer. From 2000 to 2016, I took part in our local annual dirt track derby, a community tradition that was about more than just speed. It was about camaraderie, teamwork, and family. For years, my daughter stood on the sidelines, cheering me on, dreaming of the day she’d take the wheel herself.
That day finally came. At 17, freshly licensed and determined, she stepped into the driver’s seat for the first time.
Mentoring her through the journey was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. We spent hours reviewing old race footage, strategizing, and getting hands-on at my parents’ farm—tuning, tweaking, and just getting comfortable with the car. But as any racer knows, nothing truly prepares you for the adrenaline of race day.
Watching her not only qualify but dominate the final race and take home the win—it was nothing short of surreal. The composure she showed, the focus, the determination—it all came together in one unforgettable moment.
But the victory wasn’t just hers. It belonged to all of us. Our whole family was there—my parents, siblings, cousins—each one pitching in with advice, encouragement, and more than a few greasy hands. We laughed, we worked, and we built more than just a race car. We built memories.
In the end, the most meaningful triumphs don’t happen at the finish line. They happen in those shared moments—when we guide, support, and grow together. Whether we win or lose, it’s those experiences that last a lifetime.
