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Racing community holds 48-lap memorial event for Jason Trinca

JENNIFER GUSTAVSON PHOTO | Many attendees to Saturday's races wore Jason Trinca memorial T-shirts and sweatshirts.
JENNIFER GUSTAVSON PHOTO | Many attendees to Saturday’s races wore the Jason Trinca memorial sweatshirts and T-shirts that were on sale.

If you heard three load roars parceled out after 3 p.m. on Saturday in Riverhead, then you heard the local racing community’s way of remembering one of their own.

JENNIFER GUSTAVSON PHOTO | JENNIFER GUSTAVSON PHOTO | 25 drivers participated Saturday.
Organizers said 25 drivers participated Saturday.

The third annual Jason Trinca Memorial Go Kart Event was held Saturday at Riverhead Raceway.

The event is run in memory of Jason Trinca, a racing enthusiast who died at the age of 7 in a car accident.

His mother, Keri, 30, also died in the Oct. 8, 2011 accident. Jason’s siblings, Marialena and Christopher, now 6 and 4, survived the crash.

The family was on its way to the Route 58 raceway that morning.

The East End Kart Racing Club and East West Marine in Manorville organized Saturday’s memorial, in which 25 drivers participated. The 48-lap race — to commemorate Jason’s racing number — was broken down into three segments so that drivers would have an opportunity to refuel.

Jason’s father, Jay, attended Saturday’s event with his children, friends and family, many of whom were bundled up in black memorial hoodies. Purple and yellow balloons — Jason’s colors — adorned the raceway.

Mr. Trinca walked onto the racetrack holding his son Christopher’s hand and climbed to the official spot where the two got to wave the green flag during the race.

TRINCA FAMILY COURTESY PHOTO \ Jason Trinca in an undated photo.
COURTESY PHOTO | Jason Trinca in an undated photo.

Shortly before the race began, Mr. Trinca told the News-Review that auto racing was always family affair.

“I’m here every Saturday in the spring and summer,” he said. “I got my son involved with racing and it’s something that’s been a part of our family. It’s what we do.”

Mr. Trinca said that he’s grateful for the racing community’s support — and for their prayers for his children.

“We’re two years into it and everybody is still with us,” he said. “Their support is overwhelming.”

A trust has been set up to help support the Trinca family.

Donations can be made to Trinca Family Memorial Trust, 41 East Main St. in Riverhead.

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