Max Power - Don't Ever Give Up

Editor’s Note: At the final Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge event at Mid-Ohio, Michael Duncalfe of Exclusive Management Inc. had placed a couple of his driver’s in the #81 BimmerWorld Racing BMW 328. One of those drivers was Prince Albert, Saskatchewan’s Jayson Clunie. Clunie told me a story, one that I felt had to be retold. One that should inspire the rest of us and show us we can learn from others, even ones no longer with us.

Clunie takes up the story, “Earlier this year our family lost three very important people, Max “Power” Clunie, Danny Mantyka and Wade Cooper. Max was my brother Rusty’s son, Danny was my niece’s husband and father to the newest member of our family, Lucy, who is just eighteen months and Wade, who was like family to us all. Wade’s brother Cameron also amongst the deceased. “The boys” had gone up to northern Saskatchewan to a fly-in fishing camp on Bus Lake. It was a trip that they had all wanted to do for a long time. They were so happy and excited to experience the hunting, fishing and adventure in such a beautiful northern location, its all they talked about during the weeks prior to the trip. The experience was just as they imagined but on their way home the float plane crashed just after takeoff, there were no survivors. Max had his camera in his pocket when the plane went down and we were able to retrieve all the photos from their “trip of a lifetime” so they called it. Included was one of all the happy travellers as they were about to board the plane for their trip home.

When Max was very young he informed us all that his name was Max Power. We really did not pay much attention to the significance of it at the time, but none the less, from the time he was three or so, he was “Max Power” to family and friends, everyone knew him by that name. He created the logo when he was still young and had stickers made that were put on everything he and others owned. Max played all kinds of sports and even though he was usually the smallest one on the field or rink he always made an impact and was usually captain of the team that he was on. He was a natural leader, people of all ages respected him. He always helped the underdog, lending a hand to his team mates or kids from school. He was able to make a connection and relate to people of all ages. Everyone called Max a friend (this became very evident when over

2000 people showed up to Max’s funeral). There was nothing that Max could not do, according to him. He tried everything, never gave up and would not quit until he had succeeded. Experiencing all that life had to offer was what he was about and he experienced much in his short life.

This spring I made a decision to back away a bit from racing to concentrate on work. A choice that Max could never understand. When the opportunity to drive the 81 BimmerWorld car with David Levine at Mid-Ohio came up, I knew I had to take it, even though racing was the furthest thing from my mind. That same Max Power logo he designed as a youngster was a constant reminder of Max’s approach to life. ‘Like anything you do, DON’T EVER GIVE UP! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t! Have confidence, live for today, chase your dreams, love your family and friends and cherish every single minute with them. No matter where you finish - win or lose- success is in the enjoyment of the experience.’

I went to Mid-Ohio because of Max, it was my tribute to him. I will continue to follow my dreams because of what I have learned from him. I will not give up, EVER! Can’t is a word that no longer has a place in my life! When I have doubts about what to do or about myself, I think of what would Max do and I am able to push on. “MAX POWER” was a great person! “MAX POWER” stands for a state of mind! “MAX POWER” was my Co-driver that weekend in Ohio and will be every time I set foot in a racecar!”

Jayson followed Max’s instructions to the letter, he did not give up and got progressively quicker every time he got in the BimmerWorld BMW 328 at Mid-Ohio.