2005 Minutes

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May 2005 Minutes

As Memorial Day approaches I take the time to remember all those who have given their lives to allow us the freedom to do all the things we love to do. With out their sacrifices who knows where we would be or if you would even be reading this newsletter or allowed to be apart of this club. We all need to take a few minutes to remember all those who lost their lives and remember those who are still fighting to help keep our freedom and country safe. Let us pray that each and everyone returns home safely soon. If you have a loved one serving in our armed forces please let us know and we will post them on our web-site under our new link MARFC Members in the Military.

We are currently working with the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and M.I.S. on a fund-raiser walk in August. Ernie Irvan sustained life- threatening injuries in a horrific crash at MIS. Irvan triumphantly returned to the NASCAR circuit only to suffer a career-ending traumatic brain injury in a crash at the same racetrack exactly five years to the day after the 1994 incident. After a long road to recovery, which included learning to walk and talk again, Irvan became increasingly determined to use his NASCAR popularity and personal experience to help others. Ernie Irvin and others will be on hand at this event. If you might be interested in this event as a volunteer or as a walker please feel free to contact me for more information at president@marfc.org.

As Always Keep Racing,

Bill Barnhart

President MARFC

 

April Meeting

We had a good turn out for our April meeting. Unfortunately Bill Janitz was unable to be will us to let us know all the changes going on at M.I. S. Bill is very busy with all the major changes going on at the speedway and also working on his upcoming wedding. Congratulations to Bill and the future Mrs. Janitz!

First up our Secretary Treasurer Sue Ginter informed us about a charity event that was held at R.M. Motorsports in Wixom, Mi run by Buddy Bennett and family. Charity funds were raised for “HELP’S on the Way”, which benefits people in need.


 

Terry Fitzwater owner and editor of the Michigan Racing Scene filled in as special guest speaker and did an outstanding job. Terry told us all about how his paper got started and in what direction it is headed in the future.

April 2006 Minutes

President’s Desk

I can hear the sound of the engines and the smell of the racing fuel and tires. It won’t be long and we will be back racing again here in Michigan.

We would again like to send out a big thank you to all our membership tracks and wish everyone racers, officials, track owners & promoters along with the fans a safe and outstanding racing season.

We would like to extend a big welcome to the Butler Speedway who is once again apart of our club. The Butler Speedway was purchased by the owner of the Galesburg Speedway Ralph Warning and now will be on our 2006 Fan Club Days Event Schedule. Also there is a change in the starting date of the new Motor City Motor Sports Radio show with its new host Eddie Sachs Jr. The show is now scheduled to start on Tuesday April 25, 2006 at 7 PM to 8 PM on WSNL AM 600 in the Flint area and will be expanded in the coming weeks to cover the Metro Detroit area so tune in to see all the happens that will be going on with the new show.

A VERY IMPORTANT CHANGE IN OUR APRIL MEETING LOCATION:  Sorry to say that the event outing at the Motor Sports Hall of Fame of America has been cancelled due to the Novi Expo Center totally closing its doors by the end of March. Ron Watson President of the Hall sends his regrets that they were informed with the short notice to find a new location ASAP. Ron & I thought the Expo center would give all ample time to close the facility. So on Saturday April 8, 2006 at 6:00 pm the MARFC meeting will be held at the Best Western Hotel in Birch Run, MI located at 9087 E. Birch Run Road phone 989-624-9395 just east of exit 136 off I-75 at the top of the ramp. This will be our first general meeting in the Flint area in many years. Surprise guest speakers will be on hand so come on out and join us for some fun.

See You at the Races!

Bill Barnhart

President MARFC

 

April 9, 2006

Jack Bowsher (1930 – 2006)

The Michigan Automobile Racing Fan Club sends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and fans of racing legend Jack Bowsher. Jack passed away yesterday on April 8th, 2006 he was 75 years old. He was a true racing legend not only as a driver but as a car owner also. Jack was a three time ARCA National Champion driver as well as a six time Championship car owner. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and race team at this time. He will truly be missed by all who knew him. For more information about Jack’s career go to ARCA’s website, www.arcaracing.com.

We here at MARFC wish to send out a very speedy recovery to one of our clubs founders and first President Vito LoPiccolo. Vito is in our thoughts and prayers and hope to see him up and running again soon.

We also send our thoughts and prayers for a get well soon to Arlene Stone wife of our Board of Directors Bill Stone. She has been battling a very long illness for sometime and could use some extra prayers.

Sincerely,

Bill Barnhart

President MARFC

 

March Meeting

Our March meeting was held at Capers Restaurant in Mt. Clemens. It was a little different menu to hold a meeting on a Sunday afternoon but we had a good time.

“Load the car up, I misunderstood God!” – Preacher Danny Slater

 

The first of our guest speakers was the “Preacher” Danny Slater street stock driver from the Flat Rock Speedway. Danny is a for real Minister at a Baptist Church in the down river area. He told us of how he got started into auto racing just a few short years ago and how the members of his church are his biggest fans.

Terry Bogusz Jr. was on hand to tell us of how he started racing go karts and then he worked for Jomar Racing Engines before he started racing in the Super Pro Late Model Series and plans on running at Auto City Speedway along with the series again this season.

It was also great to see our friend Scott Fow in attendance after his motorcycle accident in the Charlotte NC area last February. He is on the mend and sends his Thanks for all the well wishes that he has received. 

April 2005 Minutes

At this time I’d like to welcome the Galesburg Speedway to our membership.  It is great to have Ralph Warning and his staff become part of our club.

Look at our fan club day schedule for the event date at their racing facility. Once again Welcome to the Galesburg Speedway! Sonny Adams former owner of the Toledo Speedway who had a stroke last year in February is doing nearly 100% as of February of this year.That’s great to hear. Last chance to renew your membership for 2005! We have many exciting things in store for our 40th Anniversary this year and you don’t want to miss any of it so renew now or if you would like to join us just go to the membership link and click and print then mail.  Just that easy!

As Always Keep Racing,

Bill Barnhart

President MARFC

 

March Meeting

In March at our meeting at the Imperial House Banquet Hall Chaplin Jerry Stewart spoke to all about what Focus Motorsports Ministries does for racers and fans alike from saying prayer before the racers to being with an injured driver as they go to the hospital. Bring the Word of God through racing and to help anyone in need. Bonnie Stewart talked about how DRIVEN WOMEN got started and how the wives of racers and fans get together to help drivers and families in need. Newly started they have assisted 2 families during Christmas and raising funds to help others in the future. Contact me for more information on either of these great organizations at president@marfc.org anytime.

March 2005 Minutes

Reminders to all racers and race fans alike. SAFETY is always at the forefront of racing. Racers must always keep up to date belts, helmets, and fire bottles on hand. As race fans we must remember to stay clear of the catch fences and drive safely to and from the speedways.

Returned from Daytona last month and now I am ready for some great Michigan Short Track Racing. I know that next month a lot of our tracks will be opening and I just can’t wait. I believe that this year will be a great year for all the tracks & fans alike. Good luck to all the racers across the state.

We here at MARFC hope to have one of the safest racing season ever.

As always, keep racing!!

Bill Barnhart

President MARFC

 

February Meeting

We had 3 speakers.  Scott Schultz brought us up to date on Flat Rock.  Fans will see many improvements.

Rob Michon spoke about our web site.  It is getting bigger and better all the time.  We are always looking for more drivers to get involved.

Ron Drager talked about Flat Rock and ARCA.  He spoke about what race day is like for him at the track.  He used Daytona as an example of what can go wrong did go wrong. Hearing about the behind the scenes issues of dealing with the track, sponsors, TV, and drivers, made the day more exciting than just the race itself.