Monthly Archives: August 2011

9 posts

MARFC on the dirt at Merritt Raceway!

July 23rd Board members Bill Walters and Dennis Trinklein made the terk to the Merritt Raceway for some outstanding dirt racing. Upon arrival to the raceway club members were treated to a VIP wrist band seating up grade by promoter Rick Ancel. Thanks Rick for all your support of the club and it’s members. The MARFC Uniform/ Helmet Bag was presented to three ladies, Kara Cade, Cheryl Erickson, and Nora Erickson who have donated their time in heading up prizes and games for the annual Wood Tic Kids which is part of the Wood Tic weekend event.

Our MARFC members raffle winner was Diane Hilliker wife of UMP # 21 Modified driver Steve Hilliker. Many Thanks to “The Chief” Lego Pego and Alan Lardie for their great PR work for the club all night long.

Mt. Pleasant Speedway Hosts Fan Club Day!

July 22nd took the club up to the “Cleanest Show on Dirt” at the Mt. Pleasant Speedway. A fantastic night for racing was had with great attendance by many of our MARFC Members. Leo “Chief” Pego gave us some great plugs all night and Betty & Mario Crook gave us a warm Mt. Pleasant welcome. THe MARFC Helmet Bag went ot Alvie Haynes of the # 18 Late Model. Albie suffered a horrendous off-season accident and is unable to drive but continues to work on the car and works daily towards being able to climb back in the seat. His Spirti is truly to press on towards the goal in the face of adversity. The MARFC raffle was won by Randy Kinne. Thank you to Betty & Mario and all our table helpers.Dennis, Schalm, Dennis Trinklein, Chuck Horan, Kenny & Larry Letts, and Barry Meschke.

(From Left: Dennis Trinklein, Chuck Horan, Dave DeHem, Alvie Haynes and Kenny Letts)

 

Galesburg Speedway Closes it’s gates!

Hello Fellow MARFC Member,
 
It is with extreme disappointment that I pass along to you that the Warning Family has closed the Galesburg Speedway for the remainder of the 2011 Racing Season. According to the track’s website, the track has not been sold or leased and it is being closed due to economic conditions at this time.
 
Galesburg was built by the Beebe family back in 1947 and had been continuously providing racing action for all these years. Many big names and Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame members have come from the tight little 1/4 mile oval over the years and it truly is a sad day to see the history from Galesburg stop for the time being. This doesn’t mean the speedway is done but like many other facilities these days were struggling with car and fan counts, which make it impossible to continue in these depressed economic times.
 
Galesburg is owned and promoted by the Ralph Warning family and they have poured their heart and soul into the facility and have been loyal members and attendees of the Michigan Speedway Promoters Association. In addition, the Speedway has been a long time member of the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club and with that said, I will miss our regularly scheduled MARFC Day that was to be held on August 13, 2011. Please, as loyal MARFC Members, get out to a track somewhere that day and support them so that we as race fans, racers, and a community do not see anymore of our beloved playgrounds shutter the doors.
 

On behalf of all of the members of the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club I want to say Thank You to Ralph, Ryan, and the entire Warning Family for all the support they have shown us over the years and we pray that 2012 can bring a re-birth to the Galesburg Speedway.

 
Fans, get out to the races and support the greatest sport in the world, Auto Racing. “We’ll See You at the Races”
 
Yours in Racing,
Dave DeHem
MARFC President

MARFC Travels to Whittemore Speedway!

 

On Saturday July 16th was our second time at the Whittemore Speedway and what a night it was with some great racing. Club Members Don & Nancy Rathbun as well as Barry Meschke volunteered to take care of the MARFC Member table and presented the MARFC Helmet Bag to Rich LaFleur who just recently took home his first feature win and also won the Australian pursuit that night. Rich is very dedicated to the track and the fans of the Whittemore speedway. Jack Colpean Sr. was the MARFC Raffle prize winner. Thanks to Andy Hess and the Board of Directors and staff at the Whittemore Speedway for being a part of MARFC and having us out for some great racing action up in God’s Country.