An Ultra4 racer lost his life Saturday night during the opening lap of the 4400 race at Crandon International Raceway. Zandy Willems was pronounced dead after crashing his race car on the track. The loss has hit the Ultra4 community hard. Just before Sunday’s race, Ultra4 racers made a lap around the track in a missing man formation in honor of Willems. Willems was part of the Rufus Racing team. According to his Facebook page, Willems is from Allen, Texas.
Ultra4 racing owner Jason Robinett released the following statement:
The sun came up and reality set in on the tragic events that unfolded yesterday evening. By now most have heard Zandy Willems has passed doing exactly what he loved. There simply are no words to express the sorrow and pain his friends and family and myself are going through.
Last night, like so many, I went to bed broken. I woke up broken and still at a loss for words. How do you move forward when tragedy of this magnitude presents itself? How do I properly represent and honor this man that unfortunately I didn’t know that well? Thankfully as the day goes on and the calls come in, this task has become much easier. I feel I know exactly the man, the friend, and the family Zandy is and always will be to so many. I am honored to have been able to be a part of his world. I have been shown how respected and loved he is. Zandy will always be a part of us all. He has given us moments that leave purpose in all our hearts.
This is a larger than life moment. He is a larger than life man and to honor that we will do as Zandy would. We will race!
Today we do it for you my friend.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
