2001 Minutes

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

If you have just dropped in to check out our site please be sure to sign our guest book.  We would like to know what you think of our site.  Our club will be celebrating it’s 37th year next month and are proud to have numerous members all across the state of Michigan as well as other members across the United States and Canada.  Please check our site out and if you would like to join our club please print out and send in the membership form.  Hope you enjoy your racing season where ever that may be.

Always Keep Racing,

Bill Barnhart
President MARFC

P.S.  A very special Thank You to the Appalachian Associates for inviting our members up to their suite at MIS over the CART race weekend. We hope all enjoyed the visit.

August 24, 2001

The Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club offers it’s thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of ARCA driver, Dean Roper, who died last Saturday at Springfield, IL.

Attention Members!!  We are considering the addition of a Members’ Racers page to our site.  The page will contain photos of members’ race cars displaying the MARFC sticker.  For more information please contact webmaster@marfc.org

National Association of Auto Racing Fan Clubs Breakfast

On May 26, 2001, The NAARFC held its annual Convention/Breakfast.  At this convention, auto racing fan clubs from around the country meet to and recognize fan club members for their achievements.  At the 2001 Convention, The Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club’s very own Vito LoPiccolo was awarded the NAARFC Tony Hulman Award.  Other MARFC members were on hand to celebrate the occasion with Vito.  Congratulations Vito!!

Above:  (l to r)Club members George Adastik, Bill Stone and Jim Buckley.

Right:  (l to r) Unknown supporter, Paul Anton, Bill Walters, and Bill Walters.

Modified and Late Model driver Travis Smith, shown here with Sue Ginter, was awarded the MARFC helmet/uniform bag.  Travis hosts the weekly radio show "Live in the Pits", which airs in the Owosso area on Wednesday nights.

Mt. Pleasant Speedway

Left: Modified driver Steve Doty is presented the MARFC uniform/helmet bag by or very own President, "Wild Bill" Barnhart.  Steve has had a run of bad luck this season, the bag was a definite pick me up.

Right:  Board Member Dave DeHem(l) and Vice President, Bob Michon(r) manned our membership display.

Crystal Speedway

Below:  Jim "Mad Dog" Kelly, voted the "Racer’s Racer" by his fellow competitors was awarded the MARFC uniform/helmet bag for his sportsmanship and generosity.  Two things the fan club helps to promote for all racers

Spartan Speedway

Above:  The Prez presenting the MARFC uniform/helmet bag to late model driver, Leroy Magoon.  Talk about fast…Leroy has set fas time every night this year in the late model division.

Right:  Board Member, Bill Palmer and Secretary/Treasurer, Sue Ginter signing up new members.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Let me take a minute and talk about Sportsmanship. We are all race fans and competitors and being part of  a group such as ours Sportsmanship is just part of the deal. When a driver has a bad day starting off with a crash during practice and his car is a mess it is great to see others give a helping hand to see that he gets the chance to race that night. That’s Sportsmanship!  Fans who band together to help raise funds for a injured driver no matter if they like or dislike that driver.  That’s Sportsmanship!  During a race drivers are aggressive and Sportsmanship is pushed to the limits but, in most cases it is a matter of give and take.  Other times Sportsmanship just goes out the window and that is what make our sport look bad.  So as fans and competitors I encourage all members of MARFC, as well as everyone in our sport to remember that Sportsmanship makes for the best racing around.  This is just one race fans opinion.

Until next month,

Bill Barnhart
President MARFC

P.S. Please be sure to sign our guest book and let us know what you think of our site.

Kyle Larson of the ASA has contacted us regarding their upcoming program at Winchester Speedway.  They are searching for old photos, programs, historical items, etc. which may be used in the event program. The full letter containing all details and contact info may be viewed by clicking here.

Attention Members!!  We are considering the addition of a Members’ Racers page to our site.  The page will contain photos of members’ race cars displaying the MARFC sticker.  For more information please contact webmaster@marfc.org

June Fan Club Days

For a second season, ARCA RE/MAX Series driver, Roger Blackstock proudly disolays the MARFC logo on the hood of his car at Michigan International Speedway in June.  Thank you for your continues support Roger!!

Late Model Driver Dennis Strickland was presented the MARFC Uniform/Helmet bag at Toledo Speedway.  Dennis competes weekly at both Toledo and Flat Rock Speedway.  "Wild Bill" Barnhart, elected to another term as President made the presentation.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

The racing season is here and many of our membership tracks are very busy with their weekly racing venues.  Let us go out and support your local tracks and be sure to try and check out one you haven’t been to yet and spread your support of auto racing around.  Be sure to let others know that you are proud member of the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club and help us encourage others to join and make our club grow.  Have a safe and race filled season and hope to see you at one of our Fan Club nights soon.

I would personally like to take a moment to say Thank You to all the Club members and Board members who sent cards or called after learning of my father’s passing last month. Many thanks to the club for sending a beautiful basket of flowers.  My family and I appreciate all the kindness you have all shown us in these past couple of weeks.  My father was a big race fan as well as a driver and car owner back in the days of the Mt. Clemens Race Track during the 60’s.

Thanks again!!

We here at MARFC wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Paul Anton and his family after the passing of his mother Antoinette Anton in California.  Paul is our club photographer and we send our thoughts and prayers to him and his family at this time.

That’s it for now.

Bill Barnhart
President MARFC

president@marfc.org

June 17, 2001

Once again I must do what has to be done.  On Saturday, an unfortunate incident at Auto City Speedway claimed the life of long time racer Dennis Brooks.  The Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club extends its sympathy to his family and friends.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time of sorrow.

Bill Barnhart

President, MARFC

For more detailed info click here.

Kyle Larson of the ASA has contacted us regarding their upcoming program at Winchester Speedway.  They are searching for old photos, programs, historical items, etc. which may be used in the event program. The full letter containing all details and contact info may be viewed by clicking here.

Fan Club Days are Here!!

Our first fan club day for the 2001 Season was May 21 at Flat Rock Speedway.

Robbie Loving was awarded the MARFC Uniform/Helmet bag.  Robbie participates in 3 divisions weekly at Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways.  Robbie (middle) is pictured here with board member Larry Iacoboni (left) and President Bill Barnhart (right)

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Well the elections are over and with only eight board members nominated all were elected. The Executive board ran unopposed so there was no need for a ballot vote. The members of the new board will take their offices on June 1, 2001. So at this time I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the newest members of our Board of Directors. They are:  Dave DeHem and Cory Russell with current Vice President Jim Buckley moving over to the Board and Rob Michon as our new Vice President.  Susan Ginter has retained her position as the club’s Secretary/Treasurer.  Also, I would like to say a very Special Thank You to parting board members Ken Pachla, Tim Gietzen, and Jody Hallin for serving the club for the past two years.  I look forward to working with the new board and to continue to move ahead to make MARFC the best Fan Club across the country. Michigan has the best race fans anywhere and I am proud to continue as President of MARFC.

Kyle Larson of the ASA has contacted us regarding their upcoming

program at Winchester Speedway.  They are searching for old photos, programs, historical items, etc. which may be used in the event program. The full letter containing all details and contact info may be viewed by clicking here.

Bill Barnhart

MARFC President

The April meeting was held at the R. S. Eastin Hotel in Roseville.  Guest speaker was 2000 Legends Champ Billy Simmons.  Elections for MARFC Officers and Board members also took place.  Our formal meetings are now finished for the season and will resume in September.  Be sure to participate in the many Fan Club Days sponsored by our member and non-member tracks.

2000 Michigan Legends Champion, Billy Simmons, offered lots of insight on his and his father’s racing careers, boldly stating that the fans are what makes all the time and effort put into racing worth while.