August 3, 2012 MARFC Made the trip to Winston Speedway on a hot and sticky Friday night to see some fantastic racing at the 1/3 mile dirt track located on the “Sunset Side” of Michigan. The MARFC Helmet bag was presented to the driver of the #63 UMP Street Stock, Justin Gilmore. Justin and his family have been long time supporters of the speedway and Justin is early on it what He says will be a long career in Motor Sports. He was very thankful for the honor and urges all young folks to get involved in racing as he knows that they are the future of our sport. The winner of the MARFC Member prize was new member Garry Scharphorn and my table helper was Julie DeHem. It was good to see some MARFC Members in attendance and to visit with Mike and Emily Berck. A tip of the hat and a big Thank You to track owner Tom Sprague Sr. and to track P.A. Announcer Andy O’Riley for the great welcome and hospitality. (Top Left: MARFC Raffle winner Garry Scharphorn & Top Right: Andy O’Riley and Justin Gilmore)
July 29th saw the club go “Road Racing” for possibly the first time in club history as we were guests of the track on their biggest weekend of the year, “Vintage Weekend”. We had at least a dozen or so members present for a day just to relax, walk around and enjoy all the different views and types of racing the venue has to offer. The MARFC Helmet Bag went to Toronto Ontario driver Richard Paterson who is actually a native of New Zealand. Richard won the Trans Am Challenge on Saturday with a car that is one level below what normally races in that classification and he just plain put on a driving clinic on the 1.5 mile 12 turn road course. It was a great day to roam around and see so many vintage road racers and cars. This is one event that you won’t want to miss out on in 2013 and suggest that you check out the Waterford Hills facility as you won’t be disappointed as the facility is extremely fan friendly with ample seating areas, concessions, restrooms, and a very affordable ticket price. Many Thanks go out to MARFC P.R. Director Rand Thompson for setting this event up and for taking the Prez for a really cool ride around the track in his vintage Mercury Capri. Additionally a big Thank You goes out to Kathy Arnold and Joel Hershoren from the Waterford Hills Raceway for their hospitality and for having the club out to this beautiful facility. (Top: Rand Thompson & Julie DeHem Welcome MARFC Fans) ( Middle: Road Racing Action) (Bottom: MARFC Board during MARFC Bag presentation)
After being rained out at Mt. Pleasant Speedway on Friday night the 27th of July the club was able to get in a great night of racing the very next night, July 28th at the Merritt Speedway where track owner/Promoter Rick Ancel treated the MARFC members to VIP access and treatment all night long along with the Board Members and inductees of the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Denny Trinklien, Barry Meschke, and the Fuzi Family, Mark, Barb, and Darcie helped out at the MARFC Membership table along with a visit from one of the founders of MARFC, Willis Flokstra. The MARFC Helmet bag was given to the driver of the #33 Pro Stock, Bobby Timmer. The winner of the MARFC member raffle drawing was Paul Smith. Many thanks to Rick Ancel and the crew at Merritt Raceway and to P.R. Announcers Leo Pego and Alan Lardie for all the mentions of the club. Alan Lardie will be the Master of Ceremonies at the next MARFC Banquet on January 19, 2013. Also thanks to Mark Fuzi for providing pictures of the event.
(Board Member Chuck Horan & Jeff Owens)