Daily Archives: March 5, 2011

It is really March already so that means that the local racing season can’t be too much further away. Before we know it we will be back at our favorite tracks watching some excellent racing action. My wife, Julie and I weren’t able to attend the MSTRC Bowling tournament that was held at the Capital bowl in Owosso but from all reports it was another succeseful event that raised a good amount of funds for this years two benefactors, Brock Cogswell and Dick LaPratt who each received $892.50 from the 102 bowlers that took part in the event. Since I wrote this before the Daytona 500 and know that I will not be able to witness the 500 as I have in recent years I have to say that watching the Gatorade Duels was both exciting and nerve wracking. With the draft being what it is these days I was chewing my fingernails off watching the brothers Keselowski work together to get Brian a starting spot in “The Great American Race”. Brian remarked after the race that he didn’t he had taken a breath the last 15 laps of the race. Well, I didn’t either and I don’t know about you but I am not so sure I like seeing it where just two cars are faster than a group of cars the way it used to be. I know that wasn’t the intention when the rules were devised but racers being racers will always find the fastest way around the race track given any particular set of rules and as it turned out, a good race and a Cinderella story for Trevor Bayne.

Enclosed in your regular mail newsletter are your 2011 membership cards for those who have renewed for 2011 so there will be no e-mail of the newsletter this month just like last month. If your name iwas highlighted in ORANGE and you did not receive membership cards you need to renew right away and no later than March 20^th 2011 or you will be taken off our mailing list and miss out on all of our fan club day events and other MARFC outings for this year and that would be an unfortunate thing in my opinion. So take the time and renew now. Once again, we are asking those who have an e-mail address to contact us and let us know if you would like to be put on the e-mail list only. If you can send me a quick note by e-mail at president@marfc.org so I will be sure and have your e-mail address and name just in case it has changed.

Yours in Racing!

Dave DeHem

President MARFC

(Top Left: Bill Long, Top Right: Joe Shuryan & Bottom Left: Steve Martin)

Howdy Race Fans, we had a bunch of hardy MARFC Members brave the elements this past Saturday night and make the trek on over to the Kart to Kart indoor karting facility for our February meeting.

First up was Bill Long, the main man and chief cook and bottle washer for the Michigan Dirt Cup. Bill brought along his partner Andy Stebbins and gave us a rundown of just what the Michigan Dirt Cup is all about and explained a bit about the different venues the tour will be at this coming season. Bill has been working with Betty Crook over at the Mt. Pleasant Speedway the past few years and his love for dirt track racing is what brought him to start the tour up. They will focus on the dirt mods this year and hopefully somewhere down the line they will be able to work in a Michigan Dirt Cup for the Late Models. This looks to be a very exciting happening in the world of Michigan Dirt Track Racing.Next out of the chute was Joe Shuryan the head of the United States Super Trucks/Great Lakes Series. Joe let us know a lot about the trucks, how they are put together, a little bit about their rules and explained the costs associated with running in the series. Joe is very proud of where he is able to take his drivers to and put on a race. This is not only a regional series but has ties to and reaches out to parts west and south which will give the local driver some added experience as well as some exceptional exposure to the various racing media and movers and shakers.

Steve Martin of the Midwest Classic Racers brought us to the checkered flag. Steve is the founder of the organization and is not only a promoter but a racer as well. Steve explained to us just what a Dwarf Car is and how they are built and powered. He said the one thing that has always impressed him is the family atmosphere and camaraderie within the drivers and participants in the series. The MCR Dwarfs have a schedule for 2011 that will take them to a race every weekend during the summer months.50-50 winner was Cory Russell who donated the winnings back to the Kid’s Christmas Party, Thank You Cory.

The next meeting is at the Toledo Speedway Bar & Grille on Saturday March 12^th at 6:30 PM. Come early in the day as it also the annual Racers Reunion which gets started at high noon. Not only will the Bar & Grille have drink and food specials all day, there is always a ton of old pictures and displays to look at as well as many old drivers hangin out and swapping stories about the old days in racing.