Three Rivers Karting in Leetsdale hosts charity fundraiser with pro racers, local talent

Pro go kart racers and local driving talent joined forces for a charity race at a Leetsdale indoor track.

Misson for Miracles, a nonprofit that supports medical facilities that treat neurological conditions, hosted a fundraiser at Three Rivers Karting Entertainment Park July 7.

The event was in partnership with Stars Championship Series, which features numerous professional drivers that race across the country.

Proceeds were to be split between the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation and the UPMC Concussion Program.

“It’s something we’ve never done it before,” said Mission president and co-founder John Throckmorton of Waynesburg. “We’re looking forward to having a good relationship and building something in the future here.”

Activities included a 45-minute race in which people could donate funds to make a team make a pit stop or slow down impacting the race.

There were nine teams of four drivers. Each team had at least one pro. The other spots were filled by racers who donated $100 each to participate.

“It’s good to help them out, plus it promotes the sport of carting,” said Three Rivers Karting owner Daryl Charlier. “That’s what we do here. We try to support the sport and grow the sport. It helps whenever we can also raise money for a good charity.”

Mission for Miracles was founded in 2014, two years after Throckmorton’s daughter, Meg’s, suffered life-changing accident. She was on a competitive dance team and attempted a move when she seriously injured her neck.

“Her prognosis was that she would never move below the base of her skull the rest of her life,” Throckmorton said. “She received these treatments from WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in Morgantown (and was able to move). Meg is 27 now. She was 16 at the time of the accident.”

Throckmorton’s other daughter, Anne, also sustained serious injuries in a car crash in 2020. She was underwent multiple treatments and was able to make great progress.

Jackson Gardner, director of business development of Stars Championship Series, went to school with Throckmorton’s daughters. They have worked together on various events over the years.

“One of our big goals with the series is to reach out into the communities and work with nonprofits and to attract people to the sport,” Gardner said. “We want to really grow the sport of go karting. It’s a great atmosphere. It’s a really fun sport. These kids learn and grow.”

His group was scheduled to compete at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex for Steel City Showdown July 7-9.

Gardner reached out to the Leetsdale business to see if it would host the charity event. The race also served as a warmup to the weekend competition.

“These indoor carting centers are a great way to get started in go kart racing,” Gardner said. “This event was kind of a way to give back to the communities that we come in and race at.”

Charlier said he was proud to host Stars and Mission for Miracles.

“There are a lot of charities out there that we would like to help, but this one … means a lot for the fact that it’s sports related,” Charlier said. “Even though we’re an entertainment facility, we are created and based off of the sport of racing and karting. To contribute to these charities with racing means a lot. I got goosebumps going down my arm just talking about it.”

The facility was packed with go kart racers and enthusiasts. Several former Three Rivers Karting employees participated in the race, including Dean Dailey, 22, of Sewickley.

“I played some racing video games and I came here and experienced the real-life thrill of it and really enjoyed it,” Dailey said about karting. “It feels pretty good (to compete). We love to come out and race, so we threw in some donation money so we can race for a good cause.”

Dailey, Chris Ragonese, 17, of Moon and Matt Pickel, 23, of Millvale were part of Team Carr.

Ragonese said he welcomed the challenge to go up against the pros.

“I’m excited,” Ragonese said. “It doesn’t really rattle my cage too much because I’m here once a week, if not more. I can lay down some fast times and I know I’m one of the fastest out here.”

Team Bayliff won the race on a fundraising technicality — it donated enough money to make the other teams pit.

The event was broadcasted by Kart Chaser, an independent group that posts races and related content on its YouTube channel.

More information about Mission for Miracles and how to donate is available at missionformiracles.org.