Once again, we have lost a member of our racing family. Rose Calabrase passed away last weekend. She was an outstanding person to have as a friend and she supported racing across our state for many years. An avid sprint car fan she was always willing to help anywhere she could for race teams here in Michigan. Her lifelong passion for auto racing made her a perfect fit to be on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame for so many years. Always with a smile for everyone she encountered, and she made some of the best cookies to share with all the promoters at the Michigan Speedways Promoter meetings throughout the years. Rose was a member of MARFC for many years and supported our club when and where she could. I will deeply miss her smiling face and her Hi how are you when we would see each other at the speedways or meetings. We send our condolences to the Calabrase family and her racing family. She took her final checkered flag of life at one of the speedways she loved so much and now is receiving the green flag as the gates of heaven open for her to pass through. Rest Well My Friend Until We Meet Again!
Sincerely Bill Barnhart MARFC President
Back on May 9th the racing world lost a true legend. At 91 years old Ralph Baker passed away. He was an icon in our sport for over 70 years and a member of the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame. We will miss his great wit and one liners he was always known for. As he has taken his final checkered flag in life, he is now receiving the green flag in heavens eternal race. Rest Well Raphie!
Also, sadden at the news of Indy car racing legend Bobby Unser. Quite the guy all around racer, broadcaster, and mentor to many. I had the fortunate chance to meet him at the Motorsports Hall of Fame Press Party many years ago and was intrigued as I listened to a few stories he was talking about and thought his was a great guy to talk too. Our Thoughts & Prayers are with the Unser family at this time! Rest in Peace!