2001 Minutes

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

It’s getting closer and I can just hear the motors being tuned and just a slight smell of the racing fuel in the air. Another racing season soon to commence. Here’s to the soon to be crowned 2001 champions and have a safe and fantastic racing season to all of you race-aholics.

Last month we lost a special racer in John Fedricks. John was a great driver back in the 40’s & 50’s in USAC Sprints & Midgets and was inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame a few years ago.

Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family.

Also, long time member Alex Spence passed away on March 18th after a long illness. His wife, Adele, had been our Secretary/ Treasurer for many years and we send our deepest sympathy to her and her family at this time.

Bill Barnhart
President MARFC

president@marfc.org

April 14, 2001

Nominations/elections for MARFC Officers took place at the April meeting.  My thanks to those re-electing me and congratulations to those members who will begin their term on the Board beginning June 1, 2001

President- "Wild Bill" Barnhart

Vice President- Rob Michon

Secretary/Treasurer- Sue Ginter

Board of Directors- Jim Buckley, Dave DeHem, Larry Iacoboni, Cory Russell, Fran Russo, Bill Stone, Laura Tucker, and Bill Walters

I look forward to working with the new Officers and Board Members to continue improving our organization.

Bill Barnhart

MARFC President

Kart2Kart hosted the March meeting.  Steve Lee and Sandy Heng offered much information about their respective involvement with auto racing which brought up some very insightful conversation and discussion.

Steve Lee, former Flat Rock Speedway  Late Model Champion and long time driver, explained his son’s beginnings in racing and their plans for the future.

WXYZ-TV sports reporter, Sandy Heng, was on hand to offer some very comical and serious topics.  She expressed her concern for driver safety research and let us know just what one may hear on a scanner on any given day.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Another racing season is just about upon us and I can’t wait. Our club is growing with all kinds of new members and any old members have returned again after long absences. Racing is a major part of most of our lives and we should be grateful to our families who allow us to continue our most favorite past time. Remember your family is most important and racing is and can be a family sport. Keep safe and race hard for those 2001 Championships.

Bill Barnhart
President MARFC

president@marfc.org

The February Meeting was held at the Toledo Speedway Bar and Grill.  Unfortunately, business committments prevented scheduled speaker Ron Drager, ARCA President, from attending the meeting.  There were however, plenty of folks on hand to make the meeting informative and entertaining.

Greg Riddle, Assist General Manager of Toledo Speedway informed all about some of the changes the speedway will incur in 2001 including a new pit road between turns 1 and 2 of the 1/2 mile.

Jack Calabrase from Auto Value Super Sprints was on hand to talk about his series and the special show between the AVSS and the ISMA Supermodifiieds at Toledo on June 8, 2001.

Dan Ford Jr. announced his return to full time competition at Flat Rock and Toledo in the Late Model Division for the 2001 Season.

Regan Ford also made the announcement that he will run the entire 2001 season at Toledo in the LM division.

Dennis Strickland let everyone know about his trip to Atlanta when he drove an ARCA car.  A trip scheduled for 4 days turned into 7 after all the bad weather and race postponement.

"The Rebel" Dennis Whisman also enlightened us with his race plans for 2001.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENTOnce again another fantastic banquet for the Fan Club. With nearly 400 people in attendance made it one of the best banquets in years. Welcome to all the newest members who joined that night and we hope that you enjoy all your future newsletters to come. As we start our 36th year the club has a lot of plans and hopes to bring you yet another racing facility to be able to attend as a MARFC Fan Club day. A list of Fan Club days will be listed in next month’s newsletter. Best Wishes and a speedy recovery to Earl Baltes after heart surgery last month.

Bill Barnhart
President MARFC

president@marfc.org.

February 22, 2001

Once again the world of auto racing has lost a true and great legend of our sport. Many people around the world are mourning following the death of Dale Earnhardt.  The name Earnhardt will be remembered for many generations to come.  NASCAR has lost not only a friend but also, one of its largest icons.  The Intimidator passed away in a crash during the 2001 Daytona 500.

We here at the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club send our thoughts and prayers to the Earnhardt family, the entire DEI family, as well as the family of Richard Childress Racing.

We do know that God has a purpose for all things even though we might not understand them.  He has taken Dale to be with him and Dale now stands beside him in the most glorious victory lane there will ever be…”Heaven”.

God’s Speed Dale!

Bill Barnhart
President MARFC

Farewell to the Champ
In Memory of Dale Earnhardt

January 20, 2001-Warren, MI—The 2001 MARFC Awards Banquet was enjoyable as always.  Honored were Champions from member tracks and a host of others dedicated to auto racing and true race fans.

All Photographs on this page courtesy of Paul Anton Racing Photos.

HONOREES

Michigan Auto Racing Personality of the Year, Ron Drager. ARCA President, Ron Drager(m), received MARFC’s top honors as Michigan’s Auto Racing Personality of the Year.  Shown here with Herb Fishel(r)-past recipient of the award and President, Bill Barnhart(l).

 

Lifetime AchievementBob Studt Bob had quite a story to tell.  After many years of Driving he is now Helping his son Gregg tear up the 8 just as he did. Bob Studt(l), Bill Barnhart(r)-MARFC President

Electronic Media AwardSandy Heng-WXYZ/Channel 7 Sports Sandy Heng of Detroit’s own WXYZ/Channel 7 News received the Electronic Media Award.  Sandy made light of other sportscaster’s lack of interest in reporting motorsports and told of us her upcoming assignments. Bill Barnhart-MARFC President(l) and Sandy Heng(r)

Motorsports Writer of the Year Mike Pryson of The Jackson Citizen Patriot   Based on his acceptance speech mike has learned alot about motorsports—the hard way!!!   Mike Pryson(l), Bill Barnhart-MARFC President (r)

Mechanics of the YearKen (Pap-Paw) Ahlgren and Bill Meade   Most appropriately, this honor was awarded to two fantastic mechanics for the first time in MARFC history.   Top-Bill Barnhart-MARFC President (r) Ken Ahlgren (l)   Bill Barnhart-MARFC President (r) Bill Meade (l)

Promoter of the YearMerritt speedway   Ed and Carmen Van Duinen   Ed VanDuinen (l),  Carmen Van Duinen (m) Bill Barnhart-MARFC President (l)

Michigan Auto Racing Fan of the Year Dave DeHem   Bill Barnhart-MARFC President (l), Dave DeHem (r)

CHAMPIONS

Quarter MidgetThese kids really steal the show.  Congratulations!!

Crystal Motor Speedway ChampsPictured left to right Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President Jeff Reist-Pro Stock David Dancer-Pro Truck Greg Wiles-IMCA Modified Larry Carman-Hobby Stock

Flat Rock Speedway ChampsPictured left to right Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President Rick Knowles-Late Model Ron Allenl-Street Stock A Bill Kollinger-Street Stock B Ken Ahlgren-Figure 8

Spartan Speedway ChampsPictured left to right Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President Rick McDaniels Representing Doug Finley-Late Model Lee Taylor-MMA Modifieds Rob Marten-Street Stock

Springport Speedway ChampsPictured left to right Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President Brian Huntley-Street Stock

Toledo Speedway Champs Pictured left to right – Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Don St. Denis-Late Model, Ron Allen-Street Stock, Paul Duffin-Factory Stock, Ken Ahlgren-Figure 8

Owosso Speedway Champs Pictured left to right – Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Rick McDaniels representing Doug Finley-Super Late Model, Marty Babbit-Late Model, Laci Donnert with daughter Jessica-Street Stock

ARCA Series ChampsPictured left to right. Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Jim Clarke representing Frank Kimmell-ARCA Bondo Mar/Hyde, Kevin Bockstanz representing Gene Lee Gibson-Midgets, Robbin Slaughter-Trucks

Michigan Legends SeriesPictured left to right Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President Mike Lowe.-Semi Pro Series Todd Clees-Rookie Champion John Turmbull Jr.-Pro Series Bill Simmons-Masters Series

Michigan Modified Asphalt SeriesBrad Roberts   Pictured left to right Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President Brad Roberts

Butler Speedway ChampsPictures L to R, Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President Terry Sroufe-UMP Late Models Ken Mackey-Sprint Car Eric Wilson-Street Stock