February 2002 MTM Newsletter

VSCDA Race/Worker School

By: Ricky del Rosario, Event Chair

Hello CenDiv regions, Michigan Turn Marshals and Furrin Group, my name is Ricky del Rosario and I’m the event chair for the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association’s “Spring Brake” race weekend, that this year includes a Worker School, and will take place on May 4 & 5.

I’m a firm believer in the “I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine” philosophy. VSCDA’s race weekends would just not take place if we didn’t have the worker staffs to help run the show. So to scratch the back of the local SCCA regions, we are teaming together to conduct a worker school in conjunction with the drivers’ school during the “Spring Brake” weekend. VSCDA’s Gary Peterson has been appointed Chief of Worker Appreciation for the event. He will work closely with Verne Wandell of SCCA’s West Michigan Region to help make the worker school as much of a success as the drivers’ school has been. Thanks to both of you. I’m very excited about this new facet of the “Spring Brake” weekend.

There are many different worker disciplines involved in a race weekend. You’ve got flaggers, corner workers, starters, communicators, stewards, scorers, grid workers, pit marshals, etc… So, if you’ve always wanted to get involved in auto racing, here is your chance to get close to the action. There will be a “ground school” Saturday morning, May 4^th from 7:00-9:00. After which the workers will go to their stations for the remaining “on the job” training. Sunday is a single day race event, so you can put to use what was learned the day before.

Any workers committing to a full day’s work, Saturday, Sunday or both, will be taken care of by the VSCDA with a worker gift, meals and door prizes. Gary Peterson, our Chief of Worker Appreciation will see to that.

This is an excellent opportunity to hone new skills for those that attended the worker seminar in South Bend. So, if you’re interested in participating in a vintage race school and race, and learning how to work the event, contact Verne Wandell of the WMR at (616) 353-9381or WANDELLV@cs.com. Thank you.

Gingerman Raceway is about six miles east of Interstate 196, exit #20 on Phoenix Rd. For more information on Gingerman Raceway, please visit their website at www.gingermanraceway.com.

For lodging, there are many beautiful places to stay in the South Haven, Michigan area. Near the exit off of Interstate 196, VSCDA has reserved blocks of rooms at the Hampton Inn, (616)639-8550, the Guest House International, (616)639-9900 and at the Holiday Inn Express, (616)637-8800. Rooms are limited so call early. Camping is also allowed at the track.

I definitely think that my first order of business as the new Chairman of MTM is thanking all the previous members of the board and appointed positions. THANK YOU. Without you guys we definitely would not have made it this far. I also feel the need to thank the volunteers that stepped forward to help carry MTM into the future. Thank You. Hopefully with this great bunch of people we can turn MTM into the organization that it deserves to be, and one that its members are proud to say "Yes I am an MTM member"

They’ve created a very fun site with message boards and I think a few games to play.

For licensed SCCA marshals, this session will count as a Detroit Region SCCA event, so please remember to bring your logbooks to the school. In addition, Detroit region marshals receive worker points for their attendance at the school. Waterford marshals (non-licensed with SCCA) are welcome and encouraged to come to the school. SCCA membership is not required.

Lunch will be provided for all attendees. Space is limited to 40 participants and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Register today to assure your place at the school! Registration is available on the MTM web site at http://www.michiganturnmarshals.org/ or by emailing or calling Debbie Martens at the contacts given above.

Lunches provided (good lunches) and worker "thank you" goodies. Dinner Saturday night (Mardi Gras style)

(To the tune of Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer.)

You know Michael and AJ and Helio and Montoya.
Ralf and Jacques and the fellow sponsored by Goya.
But do you recall, the ones who make racing possible
for all?

Rudolph the red skinned worker
Had a very bad sunburn.
And every summer weekend
You'ld find him on a turn.

All of the pro race drivers
Use to ignore his waves.
They would only give a thumbs up
To the spectators who were babes.

Then one rainy race car day
The chief steward came to say
Rudolph in your suit so bright,
You go do the flagging right.

Then how the pro drives loved him.
As they wanted to drive.
They now give old Rudolph
A really big high five.
(With many apologies to Gene Autry.)

Please block May 18th, Sat. on your calendar for the Formula SAE endurance event. There are about 117 university prepared cars for this all day event run just like a race with an autocross tossed in for fun. Please contact Phil Schilke (pschilke@peoplepc.com) for details.

EMAIL NOTICE:

2002 Winter Party News:

New Board Members for 2002

President – Scott Whitehead

Vice President – Melissa Wojciechowski

Secretary/Treasurer – Tim Martens

From Where The Temperature is Above Zero…