2013 FAN CLUB DAY EVENTS AS OF MARCH 1, 2013
Note: this list is incomplete and will be updated in April as other dates are confirmed.
FLAT ROCK SPEEDWAY SATURDAY MAY 4, 2013
SPARTAN SPEEDWAY FRIDAY MAY 10, 2013
KALAMAZOO SPEEDWAY SATURDAY MAY 18, 2013
TOLEDO SPEEDWAY FRIDAY JUNE 7, 2013
CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY SATURDAY JUNE 8, 2013
SPRINGPORT SPEEDWAY SATURDAY JUNE 22, 2013
OWOSSO SPEEDWAY SATURDAY JUNE 29, 2013
TRI-CITY MOTOR SPEEDWAY FRIDAY JULY 12, 2013
WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY SATURDAY JULY 13, 2013
WATERFORD HILLS RACEWAY SUNDAY JULY 28, 2013
ONAWAY SPEEDWAY SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2013
Our February meeting was held on the 23rd at the DeCarlos Banquet Center. First up was Joel Hershoren of Waterford Hills Raceway located off of Sashabaw Road in Oakland County. Joel shared his passion for motorsports and for the last remaining race track in Oakland County, Waterford Hills. Joel shared the history of not only the race track but also his history with the track going back to his Dad taking him and his brother to the track way back in 1968, which started his love of road racing and the Waterford Hills circuit. Not many know this but Waterford Hills is the most demanding road course in the country with its 1 ½ mile length featuring 13 turns and 6 elevation changes. Joel also shared how fan friendly the track is and that from nearly every viewing area, one can see 85–90% of the race track and in only one area the track visibility is about 60% which is the best of every road course in the country which really makes it feel like a short track to all of us oval track fans. Waterford does have sound restrictions on its race cars as it needs to co-exist with the suburban area that has built itself up to nearly the edge of the race track in a few areas but even with the 70 decibel limit, it provides for some fantastic racing action. The club will have its fan club day there in July during the Vintage Racing Weekend which is Waterford’s biggest event of the year. Joel also spoke a bit about the quarter midget track that is also located on the grounds which has churned out many of our top racers today not only at the local level but on a national level as well. Next up were the promotional team of Rick and Jennie Miracle, promoters of the Owosso Speedway located between Owosso and Ovid on M-21. Rick and Jennie have been at the helm of the speedway for the past five years and are now headed into the sixth year of promotion and management at this historic venue. Rick and Jennie spoke about how when they took over the speedway it was literally on life support with only about 25 cars in the 
pits and less than 300 spectators in the stands. Finishing up the 2012 season they were averaging 79 cars in the pits for a regular night and just over 850 spectators in the stands. Still small numbers when compared to what we used to see at ALL tracks in the 80’s but for these days, that is a respectable number and shows how people will come out and support a speedway when the promoters put family values along with consistent and fair teching in the forefront along with some great racing. Rick and Jennie shared how these days when promoting a racing venue it is so very important to not only be a good neighbor but to also get to know the area, the township in which the track is located and work to become an integral part of that community and while it has taken time, they have been able to accomplish that goal and while they had some very tough times in 2012, they were able to continue on with much support from the racers and the racing community and will be there in 2013. The schedule for Owosso Speedway is still in the hands of the city council awaiting approval but should be out very soon and early indications are for some very good racing and a few specials along with “The Nationals” which last season saw 150 racing machines in the pits ready for action. (Above: Joel Hershoren Below: Jennie & Rick Miracle)
Our President’s Award went to Harley Boeve and Port City Racecars and it was great to be able to visit with the Boeves and learn a bit more about their business and talk a bit about the success they have enjoyed over the years. One thing that I already knew but was surely reminded of is that these folks are extremely committed to racers, their safety, their success, and their employees. They truly put everything into their business along with the folks working on and assembling every Port City race Car and component that leaves their shop.
The MARFC/Eddie Sachs Jr. Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Open Wheel Veteran and USAC standout, Mr. Tom Bigelow. Tom is the winningest Sprint Car driver in USAC History and is also one of the outstanding color commentators for Must See Racing. Tom’s career and accomplishments at tracks all over the United States and his prowess in a USAC Indy Car and many starts in the Indianapolis 500 made Tom a worthy choice for this honor. While Tom is a racer, he is also very active with many of the Fan Based organizations and Clubs in the Mid-West.
“Big Ed” Inloes received our MARFC Writer of the Year Award and gave us a lively acceptance speech and some banter with yours truly. Ed is very deserving of this award for all of his efforts not only this past season but for the many seasons leading up to this past year as well. Ed and his wife Linda can be found at many of the area race tracks when Ed is not in the announcing booth at Spartan Speedway on Friday nights. Ed also directs his energies to the Michigan Short track racing Club’s annual Bowling Tournament that raises funds for racers that need a hand up financially. This year’s event is on February 9th at the Capital Bowl in Owosso.
Our MARFC Promoter of the Year Award was given to Betty Crook of the Mt. Pleasant Speedway. Betty and her Son Mario celebrated 25 years of ownership and promotion of the speedway in 2012. Jimmy Gullett of Jim’s Industrial Catering helped present the award that he sponsors in memory of longtime Toledo and former Mt. Clemens Promoter Sonny Adams.
The MARFC Mechanic of the Year Award once again went to two individuals this year, Jeff Erickson and Richie Lee were recognized by the Board of Directors for their accomplishments not only in 2012 but over the years leading up to their championship seasons.
Fan of the Year for 2012 went to longtime club member and supporter Bob Ryder. Bob helped out at numerous events this past summer at the table and with helping to sign up new members. Bob’s contributions to the club over the years are immeasurable and once again this award was sponsored by Jim’s Industrial Catering in memory of “Big Jim” Gullett. Bob was very pleased and surprised to be honored with this award. MARFC Appreciation Awards were given out to Jim Lamb, Lenny Trinklein, Jim Hanks/Must See Racing, Tim Phillips/GLS Mini-Cups and John Turnbull Sr.
Joe DeWitte presented the Michigan Speedway Promoters Association (MSPA) Promoter of the Year Award to a very happy and honored Tom Sprague Sr. of the Winston Speedway located just off of US-31 in Rothbury just north of Muskegon.
Terry Fitzwater was on hand to present the Henry J. Fitzwater Driver of the Year awards to Terry Senneker Jr. for asphalt and to Brandon Thirlby for dirt. Both drivers had phenomenal seasons with some very big wins in 2012.
Terry also presented the Tom Carnegie Announcer of the Year award to the voice of the Attica Raceway and the Fremont Speedway, Brian Liskai. Brian shared how very honored and excited He was to win this award and it showed in his acceptance speech. Brian extended an invitation to all present to venture down to Ohio for some great Dirt Track Racing action at both of these excellent race tracks.