From the President
This is not a good way to start off a newsletter but, we must go on. What a sad month for racers here in the Michigan area. First off former ARCA driver Jerry Churchill died Saturday, June 7, after a brief hospitalization. He was 69. His driving career spanned over the course of four decades. Jerry was one of our special guest speakers at an old timer’s round table many years ago and had great stories to tell all. He will be missed by many in the racing community.
Then sad news to report on the night of our Fan Club Day event at the Toledo Speedway we learned that long time member and club supporter Neil Perlick passed away just hours before the race night started. Neil owned Action Video Productions and was the video man at both Flat Rock & Toledo Speedways for many years. Neil was 58 years old. Our thought and prayers go out to his wife Margret and his family at this time. “God’s Speed our Friend”. Then add the news of the terrible tragedy hearing of the lost of Scott Kalitta who died at the young age of 46 last month when his Funny Car burst into flames and crashed at the end of track during the final round of qualifying for the NHRA Super Nationals in New Jersey. Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Kalitta family and team at this time. With all these passing’s it sure makes for a bad month in the racing world. “May the good Lord be with them and theirs always”!
Just a reminder about our MIS Fan Club Day event is on Friday August 15th and you will need to go to the main ticket office near GATE #24 and show your current membership card at that time to receive a hard event ticket to use at the entrance gates. Remember GATE # 24 ticket office only! Hope to see many of you there and have a great time.
Sincerely,
Bill Barnhart
President MARFC
June Fan Club Days
FLAT ROCK SPEEDWAY
Finally sunny & warm weather on hand for a great night of racing. Longtime car owner Robert Martel was awarded out MARFC/ Uniform Helmet Bag for his continued support of racing over the year bringing 2 to 3 figure eight cars to help fill the field each week with various drivers and current Flat Rock Champion Robbie Loving. Winner of our MARFC members raffle was new member Daniel Bowman. Thank you to Scott Schultz, Ron Drager and the staff of Flat Rock for a great time.
Photo by Paul Anton
TOLEDO SPEEDWAY
Once again nice weather on hand for an outstanding night of racing for all. Our MARFC/ Uniform Helmet Bag was presented to Kevin Little a former Late Model owner for Ron Allen and now Factory Stock # 00 driver. Thanks to Gary Lindahl for all the PR for our night and Special thanks to Ron Drager, Roy Mott and Scott Schultz for once again having us this season and look forward to our return next year. Congratulations to Patti Bihn who was the winner of our MARFC membership prize.
Photo by Paul Anton
CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Great amount of cars in all divisions on hand made for awesome dirt track racing. Late Model driver # 10 Tom Dusen was given our MARFC/ Uniform Helmet Bag for having hard luck the week before in destroying his car and rebounding to race again on this race night along with his support of the speedway. Our membership raffle winner was Kim Edsall of Auburn, MI. To Ron Flinn and the entire Crystal Motor Speedway crew we say thanks for a great night. To “Shut Up Roger” thanks for all the announcements about the club while we were there.
Photo my Mark Fuzi