Bucket-list burn on Manfeild race track
On Friday, he could barely manage to walk out to the garage. But the chance to make his dream come true carried Jarred Townsend to the racetrack on Saturday.
Diagnosed with leukaemia, Townsend, 24, has been told he has just weeks to live.
But taking the Nissan Skyline he has spent two years building out on the Manfeild track was on his bucket list for his final weeks.
‘‘[Racing] is really going to be the icing on the cake,’’ said Townsend, of Wellington. ’’The past week my health has taken a bit of a fall but I’m feeling so good today and happy I can be here.’’
Townsend began his battle with leukaemia almost two years ago. He underwent three lots of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, but relapsed about two months ago and was given two weeks to live.
Getting the car finished and out on the Fielding track was one of his top priorities, he said.
Barry Townsend said his son was so crook he couldn’t even walk out to the garage on Friday.
But he was such a ‘‘petrolhead’’, just like his parents, and pulled through, Barry said.
‘‘He had two or three motors in this before he was inspired by this motor.’’
Jarred’s stepfather, George Hibbert, had been a huge help in getting the car race-ready, Barry said.
Hibbert had worked tirelessly on it the past two months to get it up to scratch.
Jarred’s mother, Jenny Hibbert, said the past few weeks had been touch and go.
Since Jarred was diagnosed with cancer it had been tough going for the whole family, but seeing him enjoy the day was great, she said.
Unfortunately, Jarred was too sick this week to tick off spending a night at a bach with his friends, Hibbert said.
He was supposed to have a sleepover with 12 of his mates, she said.