Ok Folks, For those of us who are not in Daytona this weekend don’t forget our MARFC Meeting on Saturday February 18th at the Gratiot Huddle Sports Bar & Grill at 6:30pm located at 31327 Gratiot, Roseville, Mi 48066 right next to the Days Inn formerly known as the Georgian Inn. I hope to have a surprise guest speaker that evening so come then watch the NASCAR CLASH RACE on the TV so, join us and help support our club and enjoy an evening with us. See you there! Wild Bill Barnhart MARFC President
2017 Minutes
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We here at MARFC are very saddened by the news that longtime club member Stella Lindahl passed away this morning at the age of 95. Stella and her husband Eugene were longtime supporters of the club selling raffle tickets and helping out whenever they could. She was the mother of Hall of Fame member Gary Lindahl, his brother Steve who worked with ARCA over the years. Jeannie Lindahl is Stella’s daughter and all three of her children have supported our club just like their parents over the years in one way or another. She will truly be missed by all who she came in contact with throughout her life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Lindahl family at this time. She stands with Eugene by the thrown of God now and forever! God Bless our friend! Service information for Stella are as follows: The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Friday, February 24 at 11:30 AM with Father Brian Lenz as the celebrant. The family will receive friends before the Mass, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. The family would like to thank the staff at Faith Haven and Great Lakes Hospice for their loving care. Instead of flowers, the family suggests that you please consider making a donation to St. John Catholic Church, 711 N. Francis St., Jackson, MI, 49201 or the American Legion Post 29, 3200 Lansing Ave., Jackson, MI, 49202.(Photo Top: Stella & Eugene along with son Gary at MARFC Banquet in 2008) (Photo Bottom: The Late Paul Zimmerman with Stella at the front gate of Spartan Speedway)
Well another great banquet goes into the books as our 51st Annual MARFC Banquet was well attended once again. It was fantastic to see some of our repeat champions return to collect their awards and it was priceless to witness those who had won for the first time. What an honor to have all three of our top award winners in attendance also. Butch Miller who was presented the MARFC Presidents Award was just full of stories and could have gone all night telling them. He was truly honored with this award and means a lot to him. Ron Hemelgarn was on hand to receive the Eddie Sachs Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award from Eddie Sachs Jr. who was presenting the award that evening. He said he was proud to receive the award and will continue to support racing for as long as he can. A very emotional Charlie Newby was just as honored by receiving the Vito LoPiccolo Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award. Both Vito’s daughters Janice & Linda presented the award. Charlie paid tribute to all who made it possible for him to be honored with this award and all who he built motors for as those who drove for him during his years as a car owner. But, his family was the most important ones who supported him over the years. Our special awards went as follows: Mechanic of the Year Rick Ridenour, Fan of the Year John Jackson, Promoters of the Year, Gene & Linda Henrickson & Mid-Michigan Raceway Park. Appreciation Awards went to Jimmy Tucker, Milt Wood, Doug Jakeway & Zbosien Racing. Ron Drager was on hand to present the MSPA Promoter of the year to Gary & Donna Howe of the Kalamazoo Speedway. Terry Fitzwater was unable to be with us to present his Annual Drivers of the Year Awards do to a family illness but, we were glad to be able to present them for him. Tyler Roahrig was the Pavement Driver of the Year and Dona Marcoullier was the Dirt Driver of the Year. If you did not attend you missed a great banquet! So, I’d write down JANUARY 20, 2018 for our next banquet now so you don’t miss out!
(Photos by Paul Anton & Rand Thompson) (Top Left: Butch Miller & Bill Barnhart) (Top Right: Bill Barnhart, Ron Hemelgarn & Eddie Sachs Jr.)(Bill Barnhart & Doug Jakeway) (Bill Barnhart & Conner Zbozien) (Bill Barnhart & Milt Wood) (Bill Barnhart & Jimmy Tucker) (Bill Barnhart & John Jackson) (Bill Barnhart & Gene & Linda Henrickson) (Bill Barnhart & Rick Ridenour) (Linda Sloss, Janice Thimlar, Bill Barnhart & Charlie Newby) (Larry Loynes Family & Bill Barnhart)
To all our MARFC Members & Friends, May the New Year bring all health, happiness, fast racing, and safety to everyone. So Happy New Year from all of us here at MARFC! Looking forward to 2017!
Wild Bill Barnhart MARFC President