(Left: MARFC President Dave DeHem & Dr. Robert Hubbard BottomLeft: Bob Varney Jr., Dave DeHem & Edddie Sachs Jr.)

Bob Varney represented the four generations of the racing Varney family that was in attendance to receive the MARFC/Eddie Sachs Jr. Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award for their over fifty years of activity in the sport and for the contributions that all of the Varney’s together as a family have made.

The MARFC Media Award was presented to the SPEED TV Program NASCAR Raceday. Unfortunately with the Hall of Fame inductions in Charlotte the same weekend, representatives of SPEED TV were unable to attend although a nice acceptance was recorded by cast member John Roberts.

Tri-City Motor Speedway owners Steve and Denny Puvalowski were very surprised and honored to be presented with the MARFC Promoter of the Year Award. These two gentleman have done an excellent job bringing a track back to life that for all accounts and purposes was dead. In listening to their acceptance it is very clear that these two fellows have an excellent work ethic and are here for the long haul.  Jim 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.

(Left: Jimmy Gullett, Steve and Denny Puvalowski & President Dave DeHem)

The MARFC Mechanic of the Year Award went to two individuals this year, Kirk Reinbold and Chris Metdepenningen were recognized by the Board of Directors for their accomplishments not only in 2011 but over the years leading up to their championship seasons.

(Left: Chris Metdepenningen, President Dave DeHem & Jay Reinbold in for Kirk Reinbold)

Co- Fans of the Year for 2011 are Barry Meschke and Nancy Rathbun. Both of these individuals helped out at numerous events this past summer even to the point of taking on an event on their own. Their individual contributions are immeasurable and once again this award was sponsored by Jim’s Industrial catering in memory of “Big Jim” Gullett. Both Barry and Nancy were surprised and honored.

(Left: Nancy Rathbun, Jimmy Gullett, Barry Meschke & President Dave DeHem)

MARFC Appreciation Awards were given out to Greg Hillman of Pettipren distributors for their many years of continued sponsorship of the banquet with the many Budweiser items given for the door prize giveaway. Jim Gullett was honored for his years of sponsoring the Fan of The Year award and most recently the Promoter of the Year as well as his donations so that the MARFC Children have a great Christmas Party. Laura Tucker was recognized for her many years of service as Board Member and for the work she has done for the Kid’s Christmas Party and many other functions the club has taken part in. An appreciation award was presented to the Michigan Speedway promoters Association in recognition for all they do as an organization to continue to promote and grow Auto Racing in the State of Michigan. Michigan is truly unique as no other states have an organization such as this that draws nearly every track owner in the state to meet twice yearly and work together for the betterment of the sport. MARFC is an associate member and attends these twice yearly meetings. The last appreciation award was given to my First Lady, Julie DeHem. While she is my wife and my partner, she helps me out every month with the newsletters and with different mailings that go out each year as well as making the trip to the printer each and every time we have something ready to go out. In addition she helps me clean up before and after Board Meetings at our home. As far as I can see, anyone who holds the office of President of MARFC needs to have a good partner at home to be able to do what we need to do to tend to the different functions and tasks the job of President entails.

Ron Drager presented the Michigan Speedway Promoters Association (MSPA) Promoter of the Year Award to a surprised and grateful Ron Flinn and the Crystal Motor Speedway. Ron, like last year’s winner, Jim Leasure, was very quick to say that it isn’t just He who makes Crystal Motor Speedway a great place to be, it is the staff that works so hard with the drivers and fans to make it a great place to be on Saturday nights and said that this award was as much theirs as it his.

(Left: MSPA Presient Ron Drager, Ron Flinn, & MARFC President Dave DeHem)

Terry Fitzwater was on hand to present the Henry J. Fitzwater Driver of the Year award to a very deserving Super Late Model driver Phil Bozell.

(Left: Terry Fitzwater & Phil Bozell)

Terry also presented the Tom Carnegie Announcer of the Year award to the voice of the World of Outlaw Late Models, Rick Eschelman. Rick shared how honored He is to be selected for this award and spoke of his roots as a leading Michigan Announcer.

(Left: Terry Fitzwater & Rick Eschlman)

(All Photo’s Provided by Paul Anton Photo’s)

The Michigan Automobile Racing Fan Club is proud to be part of the Michigan Speedways Promoters Association. It is an important thing that race fans and promoters understand what it takes to help keep our sport alive here in the state of Michigan. The input we as fans give the promoters on what we like in racing and how much we are willing to pay for this form of entertainment is very important to both sides.

At the Annual MARFC Banquet held this past weekend MARFC presented the MSPA with a special appreciation award for their service to the racing community and our club. With over 18 track & series promoters on hand at the banquet it truly shows that they are behind all of us race fans and racers in committing to help keep our sport of auto racing around for many years to come. They are not in this sport to make the big bucks because it takes big bucks to maintain their racing facilities each year. They do it because the love the sport as much as we do as racers and race fans.

We should be proud that Michigan is the only state that has this kind of association in the country. Each year they attend the National Speedways Work Shops in Daytona and have been asked to speak to other promoters about what they do as a group. Back here in Michigan they meet twice a year to discuss track insurance, race rules, and what it will take to keep the fans coming back to each of their racing facilities each week. These are just a few of the reasons why MARFC presented the MSPA with this special award this year. Congratulations to the MSPA and wish them much success through out the 2012 racing season.

(Promoters pictured above from: Seated Left: Tri-City Motor Speedway, ARCA Series, Flat Rock Speedway, Toledo Speedway, Crystal Motor Speedway, Dixie Motor Speedway. Standing back row Left: Spartan Speedway, Michigan Legend Series, Mt. Pleasant Speedway, Auto City Speedway, Winston Speedway, Merritt Raceway, Springport Motor Speedway, & I-96 Speedways others not pictured were: Bishop Legend Club, Renegade Sprint Series, Michigan Dirt Cup Series, MCR Dwarf Car Series, MTS Sprint Series, Onaway Speedway & Kinross Speedpark)(Photo by Paul Anton)

We send out thoughts and prayers to the entire Marcum and Drager families at this time. May the Lord Bless and Keep You Always!

For funeral arrangements and more about Mrs. Marcum check out the ARCA web site at www.arcaracing.com

(Former MARFC President Vito LoPiccolo with Joy Fair in winner circle at Flat Rock & Vito once again with Joy at MARFC Banquet back in early years of the club) (Above photos provided by Brian Norton)

(Below: Joy Fair honored at 2000 MARFC Banquet with Lifetime Achievement Award by then President Bill Barnhart)

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Midwest and Michigan Short Track Racing legend Joy Fair. Joy passed away suddenly while enjoying his regular breakfast with his buddies on Saturday December 10, 2011. Joy was a legend not only in Michigan but also in the entire Midwest region as the driver of the school bus yellow #1. Joy took numerous championships at the Flat Rock, Toledo, and Mt. Clemens Race Tracks as well as one at the Sandusky Speedway. Joy was honored by the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club for championships no less than 20 different times and was honored with the MARFC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. Joy was also inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 in recognition of all He had accomplished over his career.

Visitation for Joy will be at the Modetz Funeral Home located at 100 E. Silverbell Rd. in Orion, Michigan 48359 (248) 317-3777. Times of visitation will be on Wednesday December 14 5-9 PM, Thursday December 15, 2-8-PM with funeral on Friday morning at 10 AM from the Funeral Home.

Gods Speed Joy and condolences to the Fair family.

Yours in racing,

Dave DeHem

MARFC President

Gods Speed Joy and condolences to the Fair family.

Yours in racing,

Dave DeHem

MARFC President

(Top Bubbles with magic helpers) (Bottom: Santa and the MARFC Board)

The November membership meeting was held at Papio’s Food & Spirits in Reese, Michigan. Board Member Dennis Trinklien hosted and put the meeting together as I was recovering from my surgery. Denny promised some great speakers for the day and He didn’t let us down. Steve Puvalowski of the Tri-City Speedway shared what it was like for the first year of operation and let us know about some of the great things on tap for 2012. Racing writer and Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame Board Member, Darcie Fuzi spoke about her roots in racing as well as what She is up to these days with her racing column “Pitside with Darcie” and a bit about her involvement with The Sno* Drift Rally held in Montmorency County held in January. Kyle Trinklein & Chuck Darling were on hand and talked about being announcers for the MCR Dwarf Car this past season & the MSTRC Bowling Tournament coming up this February. Thanks Denny for pulling this great meeting together up in the Saginaw/Midland area.

(Top Left: Kyle Trinklein & Chuck Darling Top Right: Darci Fuzi)

(Bottom: Steve Puvalowski)

Merry Christmas to all from the Board of Directors of MARFC!