Scotlyn Helm, ready to run you off the track. (Photos courtesy Jerry Helm)
#LetOurKidsRace.
That’s the hashtag catching fire, as parents, including some from Coupeville, are asking Snohomish County Council members to help them preserve access to a facility in Monroe built and funded by racing families.
The property in question houses the Washington Quarter Midget Association and sits near the Evergreen Speedway.
WQMA has used the property since 2007 to train young drivers and give them their first racing adventure.
Among those behind the wheel have been Coupeville sisters Finley and Scotlyn Helm, who have been piling up the trophies and the stories here on Coupeville Sports.
Finley Helm
Scotlyn Helm
Their dad, Jerry Helm, is the Chief at Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue and has been bitten by the racing bug himself.
Mom Lindsey is a teacher at Coupeville Elementary who specializes in kicking unholy amounts of booty as an internationally feared taekwondo champ.
With precocious lil’ bro Kasen already working as a mechanic for the family’s racing dynasty, the Helms care deeply about their racing future.
Jerry, writing about the WQMA:
We’ve poured our hearts, time, and resources into creating a space where kids can learn, grow, and race.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been invested by our non-profit organization to build and maintain the track and its facilities.
This place has been a pillar in the lives of so many of our young drivers — a place where they’ve made friends who are like family and shared memories that will last a lifetime.
Now, our future is uncertain.
The county is putting our beloved track up to the highest bidder, asking for a minimum 2.5 times what we pay now.
For our non-profit kid’s organization, that’s a huge challenge, and it threatens to take away the only location our kids have for the sport they love.
Some kids choose baseball or football, and they’re provided with fields. Our kids choose both, and they deserve a track.
Our drivers aren’t just kids playing a sport — they’re the future drivers for Evergreen Speedway next door, a big part of our community.
Our races bring in visitors from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada, supporting local businesses and enriching our community.
Please, Snohomish County Council help us continue to be here for the next generation of racers.
We’re asking for your support to let our kids race, to keep their dreams alive, and to allow this track to stay their home.
To add your support, email:
Jared Mead – SCOJMM@co.snohomish.wa.us
Megan Dunn – SCOMDD@co.snohomish.wa.us
Nate Nehring – SCONAN@co.snohomish.wa.us
Sam Low – SCOSEL@co.snohomish.wa.us
Strom Peterson – SCOSHP@co.snohomish.wa.us
Tom Teigen – Tom.Teigen@snoco.org
Dave Sommers – Dave.Sommers@co.snohomish.wa.us
“Do it!”
