It is almost time to go racing again. The race cars are just about finished up and the smell of paint is everywhere as the lettering is getting done and the set-ups are being tweaked. Practice days have begun and the sound and smell of exhaust permeates the air at our local tracks. I can hardly wait for that first green flag of the season. Enclosed in your regular mailed newsletter are your 2013 pocket schedules and 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. While you are at it please include “Wild Bill” at vicepresident@marfc.org as well. Our first MARFC Day is April 27th at I-96 Speedway so get ready, get set, let’s go racing. On another note, I feel it is proper to let you all know that I will not be seeking the office of MARFC President at the April General membership meeting and elections. I have totally enjoyed my time at the helm of the club and don’t regret any part of it but it is time to make room for someone else as I move into a different phase of my life. I thought it only fair to announce this now rather than have everyone find out in the next newsletter when we post the results. I intend to stay on the board in some capacity but no longer have the time to be able to perform the duties of the office as they need to be performed and this club means too much to me to not give it my all. I am continuing my association with Michigan Legends and will be at many of the fan club days so you will still be seeing me. There will also be a few positions opening up on the board so please consider your participation to continue this club into its future.
April Meeting: Our April meeting will be held on April 13, 2013 at the DeCarlo’s Banquet Center in Warren, located at 6015 E. Ten Mile Rd. The April meeting will be our last monthly meeting until we get back together in the fall and is also when we will be holding nominations/elections for our next slate of Executive Officers and Board Members. The meeting gets the green flag at 7:00 PM. Our guest speakers will be the new owners of the Owendale Speedway located on Sebewaing Rd. in Owendale located in the heart of Michigan’s Thumb. This new team has many exciting plans in store for the speedway as well as a re-naming of the speedway which is now known as “Silver Bullett Speedway”. Stay tuned as there are many positive things coming up to further enhance dirt track stock car racing in the thumb. If you have the desire to serve on the MARFC Board you will need to be present at that meeting in order to accept the nomination. The requirements for serving on the board are as outlined:
MICHIGAN AUTOMOBILE RACING FAN CLUB Officer and Board of Directors 1. Person must be a current club member in good standing. 2. Must be willing to commit to the office taken. 3. Must be present at 2/3 of the set board meetings and regular monthly meetings. 4. Must be willing to take charge of a club function such as a fan club day or chair any other event. 5. Willing to take part with all other officers for the Annual Awards Banquet 6. Must be present at the April meeting in order to be nominated and except the nomination. 7. Should be willing to follow the above for mentioned items for your two-year term of office.
Yours in Racing Dave DeHem MARFC President
Our annual trek to the Toledo Speedway Bar & Grille for our March general meeting was once again well attended. ARCA President Ron Drager was on hand and shared the highlights of the 2013 ARCA season prior to watching the year in review video from the 2012 ARCA season that is shown at the ARCA banquet. Then next we had General Manager Scott Schultz who gave us an informative rundown of the upcoming and exciting seasons coming up at both the Toledo & Flat Rock Speedways. To start out the night, I had the pleasure of sitting down with leading historian and championship winning driver Brian Norton. Brian has long been a staple at the Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways as well as taking his talents on the road to some of the tri-state areas race tracks. Brian shared about his first start in an enduro car way back at the Butler Motor Speedway. Brian spent some time in the Enduro’s before moving up into the 
more powerful Street Stocks Division at Flat Rock where He achieved much success in winning races and championships. Brian also shared that one of the highlights of his driving career was to be able to step into the famed school bus yellow number one of the legendary Joy Fair and take a turn in the wheel house of the driver that has done so much not only in the mid west but all over the country as well. Brian shared a bit about some of his favorite races and even more about his vast collection of racing pictures and memorabilia. Brian is also the driving forces behind the annual Racers Re-Union that is held at the Toledo Speedway Bar & Grille each March and is also the site of the MARFC March Meeting every year. A great time was had by all and a big Thank You to Ron Drager and Scott Schultz for hosting the event as well as adding in some door prizes along with Dan Markey. Suzie Drager won the MARFC 50/50 and donated her share back to the Randall Ginter Memorial Injured Driver’s Fund. Thank You Suzie for your generosity and support of the club.