By Jana Semeniuk, Staff Reporter
The annual Model T races, held in the town of Bruderheim since 2017, are cancelled this year due to a family emergency of the event’s organizer Matt Hotte.
The races, which showcase post-war era vehicles, was scheduled for Aug. 30 at the Bruderheim AG grounds, and cancelled via social media post by the group Alberta T Racing.
The post described a harrowing situation on July 22 where Hotte and his wife Cassie welcomed their fourth child, a daughter named Ida, to their family. Ida’s health quickly deteriorated after her birth, however, prompting urgent life saving measures by medical staff. The post said with Ida steadily improving, the family were finally reunited at home on Aug. 5.
Their joy was short lived when only three days later, on Aug. 8, Hotte suffered a head on collision and was ejected from his truck. According to the Aug. 10 post, Hotte was airlifted by STARS to hospital and has undergone several surgeries and remains intubated. The post described the difficult decision to cancel the much-anticipated annual event.
“As you can imagine, the Hotte family is enduring an incredibly painful and uncertain time. While we wish we could be counting down the days to our favourite event with all of you, right now, we are asking for grace, patience, and privacy as the family focuses on healing— physically, emotionally, and spiritually,” said the post. “This event, and this community, mean the world to the Hottes. Cancelling was not a decision made lightly. We know how much love and support surrounds this family, and we ask that you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”
