Yearly Archives: 2023

The weather did not deter many from attending the Inaugural MARFC Season Launch Party at Birch Run Speedway on Sunday, April 16th. The crowd began arriving before noon. The light rain did shorten the on-track car show and autograph session by 15 minutes, but it was great to see the race cars up close and get driver autographs. 

Special thanks to Birch Run General Manager Jason Lord, Events Coordinator Dana Gagne, David Damon, Jeremy Kelley and Todd Boughner for all your efforts to make the event a success.

MARFC is grateful for all those racers who brought their cars to display. Here’s some (not all) of the race cars in photo form:

Nick Lechota’s Modified and Stock

Anthony AJ Bunch and his Legend

Blake Childers’ Wheeler Trucking Super Late Model

Charlie Baur’s Sprint and Connor Hoag’s Quarter Midget

Talen Diehl’s Mini-Wedge

James Gokee’s Truck

Austin Kryta’s Modified

Kamille “Go Kart Kami” Fitzpatrick’s Go-Kart

Great Lakes Quarter Scale Racers – Rick Kilbourn

Robert Dickey’s MARFC “Mascot” race car

Those attending the meeting that followed the car show, heard from racers Lonnie Saumier Jr. (left), David McManus (middle) and James Gokee Jr (right). Thanks to Rich Frantz, Horsepower Happenings and MARFC Board Member, for doing Victory Lane type interviews of the speakers.

There was also a nice showing of promoters to speak about their season. 

Top Row: Joe DeWitte-Auto City, Alan Lardie-Tri-City and Merritt, Matt Hoonhout-Silver Bullet, Rex Wheeler- Owosso, Jason Lord-Birch Run, Jim Hanks-Must See Racing Sprints

Bottom Row: Hunter Schmid-Mid-Michigan Raceway Park, Eric Fitzpatrick-Arthur and Motor City Kids, Rick Kilbourn-Great Lakes Quarter Scale Racers

The day was capped off with a fun time in the Gas Alley Bar under the grandstands with entertainer Tyler Roy. Based on this year’s success, look for us to do this again.

Sunday, April 16, 2023, 1:00 – 5:00 pm

The Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club will launch its 58^th season on Sunday, April 16, 2023 with an inaugural event featuring several driver speakers, an opportunity to see race cars and meet drivers up close, track/series promoters from other tracks in Michigan with information on their season events as well as great food. We will conclude the day with a performance by country music entertainer Tyler Roy. There is no admission charge and the event is open to the public.

We are grateful for Birch Run Speedway offering their facility for this event. The Speedway is located at 10945 Dixie Highway, Birch Run, MI 48415. The itinerary for the day is:

12:00 – Gates open with race cars on display on the concourse.

12:30 – Food service opens with tasty menus items available for purchase

1:00   – Track and Series promoters’ display tables open on the concourse with 2023 information

2:00   – MARFC meeting in the Club House with special guest speakers

4:00   – Entertainment in the Gas Alley Bar next to the Club House

The number of racers who will be displaying their race cars is growing by the day. We expect attendees to be able to collect driver autographs, photos with drivers and hear special interviews.

Birch Run Speedway management will have special menu items attendees will want to try out.  

Not to miss is the Tyler Roy performance after the regular meeting of the Fan Club. It will take place in the Gas Alley Bar under the Grandstands featuring a multitude of TVs and Michigan’s longest bar extending 104 feet.

Members who have not yet renewed their memberships will be able to do so at the event. MARFC T-shirts will also be available for purchase.

There will be the usual 50/50. Those holding tickets who do not win the money prize will have a “second chance” with a number of additional drawings for t-shirts, caps and other racing items.

January 20, 2024 is the date for the 58th Annual MARFC Awards Banquet and Dinner Dance. After a sell-out crowd in 2023, we are returning to Zuccaro’s Banquet Hall in Chesterfield Township, MI. We look forward to once again welcoming and honoring champions and special guests. Please mark the date on your calendars.

The 6th Annual MARFC Bowling Tournament Presented by Northside Towing and Service will take place at Royal Scot Golf & Bowl on March 18th.
The cost to bowl will be $12 to bowl two games and that does include the shoes. Proceeds from the bowling as well as the prize and raffle table will go to the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer Association and the MARFC Randall Ginter Memorial Benevolent Fund.
Times for the event are as follows:
12- Doors Open/Sign-in Starts
12:45- Sign-in Ends/Draw For Teams
1- National Anthem/Bowling Starts
3- Awards Ceremony/MARFC Meeting
The awards ceremony will again feature presentations of the Men’s High Score, Women’s High Score, Team High Score, The Greg Yost Never Give Up Award and the Chris Throgmartin Spirit Award. After the awards have been presented, the MARFC will hold their March meeting that will feature various speakers from the racing community.