Thank You goes out to Jim Lamb, Lenny Trinklein, Jim Hanks, and Tim Phillips for bringing out the race cars we had on display at the banquet. It was a wide representation from past to present, Oval Track to Road Racing. We had a Waterford Hills road racer, Old Yeller from Whittemore Speedway, 2 GLS Mini-Cups, and a Winged Sprinter from Must See Racing. Everyone enjoyed the cars and I also want to pass along kudos to Kyle Trinklein and Tim Phillips who were working on the Mini-Cups right up until the doors opened up and they looked fantastic. Many thanks to those who helped with set-up and tear down of this year’s banquet as without their help it would be impossible to get this thing done as efficiently as we do every year: Bob Capps, Chuck Horan, Jeff Horan, Bill Walters, Linda Walters, Laura Tucker, Sue Ginter, Scott Menlen, Larry Iacoboni, Al Peltier, and Wild Bill. Set-up was done in record time this year and tear down once again was smooth. Alan Lardie, the voice of Infineon Raceway did a wonderful job as our Emcee this year and was very well prepared and even worked through a few hiccups flawlessly. Paul Anton was once again right on top of everything as the official MARFC Photographer, Thank You Paul. I’d really like to thank our Board of Directors for being there all the time and helping out in any way possible, I appreciate it and I know the members do as well.
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.
Well, once again the weather cooperated and the 47th edition of the Annual MARFC Banquet is in the books along with a bunch of memories for a lot of people. It is now time to shift my focus into getting ready for the upcoming racing season. I would be remiss if I didn’t say Thank You to all who helped out by setting up or tearing down at the banquet hall as well as the following for their help in preparing for the Banquet. Larry and Sue Iacoboni as raffle prize chairpersons, Fran Russo as Ticket & Membership Chairperson, Laura Tucker, Dennis Trinklein, Barb Schalm, Al and Kyle Peltier for selling raffle tickets. You folks made a huge difference in the banquet and it is very much appreciated. I also want to thank Wild Bill Barnhart for all the work He does on the awards and the program. He works very hard at helping with getting the awards ordered and the program put together. Bill and these folks take a ton of work off of my plate and in doing so help us to give the best banquet anywhere. We are in the process of locking up our Fan Club Days for 2013 and will have a tentative schedule in the next month or so that you can use to begin planning your travels for the summer.
Happy New Year to all of our members and a prosperous one I might add. Let’s hope that the economy will be in an upswing this year and that the gas prices will continue to stay in the downward climb or at least not go back up to the levels they were in 2012. We had a great year of racing in 2012 with some exciting finishes and some very competitive racing. We have changes coming up in track management and promotion as well as changes in Series ownerships. I will keep you informed of the goings on as they occur and once again we hope for another great year in racing and for a continued reversal to the economic conditions that we have been suffering through the past few years. Our schedule is starting to take shape and we should be releasing that in the March issue of the MARFC Messenger. If you have not renewed yet for 2013 this would be the time to do so as the February edition will be the last reminder as after that you will stop receiving this newsletter. Membership cards will be included in the April Newsletter so you will have them in time for the beginning of MARFC Days. April will see the club’s bi-annual elections. There will be a few positions open on the Board so if you are interested please drop me a line at president@marfc.org, until then have a safe winter, hope to see you at the banquet or at a monthly meeting.
As has been stated in previous newsletters our top awards have been decided and here they are again: The MARFC President’s Award goes out to Harley Boeve and Port City Racecars. The Eddie Sachs Jr. Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award goes out to open wheel standout Tom Bigelow while the MARFC Writer of the Year Award goes out to the Voice of the Spartan Speedway and outstanding columnist for the “Midwest Racing Scene” Mr. “Big Ed” Inloes. Our other top awards are surprise awards and those recipients will be revealed as the awards are presented at the banquet on January 19, 2013. Our Master of ceremonies this year will be Alan Lardie, one of the voices of the Merritt Raceway in 2012. Our ticket printing sponsor is our friends over at the Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways. Tickets that have been ordered and paid for will be sent out by the first or second week of January and the deadline is the 12th as we must give the hall an accurate head count. Please remember that there are no tickets sold at the door and all tickets need to be paid in advance.
Yours in Racing!
Dave DeHem MARFC President
KID’S CHRISTMAS PARTY Sunday, December 2nd was our annual visit from Santa and it turned out great for all who attended! With over 35 children young and old along with their families all enjoyed a grand time with Da the Clown who gave a magic show and made animal balloons for all. There was a very special visit with the big man in the red suit that was arranged by Board Member Jeff Horan who very strangely disappeared about the time that Santa arrived, too bad Jeff, you missed your chance to tell Santa what you wanted for Christmas. Each child received a gift from Santa and then went home with a door prize as well. Lunch was provided to everyone attending By Jimmy and Barbara Gullett and Fran Russo. We wish to thank all those who made this event possible, especially Wild Bill for once again chairing the event and Cory Russell and Laura Tucker for doing the shopping for the children. Donations that make this event possible were received from Frank & Peggy Loving Jr., Vito Lopiccolo, Bill & Linda Walters, Bob & Diane Shalla, Paul & Iris Anton, 
Dave & Wendy Jacot, Edgar Brown, Dave DeHem, The family of Steve Stein, Richard Stevens, Tom Hunt, and Rudy Walkley as well as a couple of silent donations. Thank you all once again for your contributions and to Jeff Horan for seeing that his connection with Santa Claus got him there for the kids.
