As a reader for 35 years and a columnist for 9 years, it is great to see the return of the MARC Times Racing News. Some things you can cancel, stop doing, or plain forget, and you never really miss it. But this darn paper was something I always looked forward to seeing Thursday after work. With many publications, the Internet certainly didn't do the paper any favors, but with some ideas Patrick and Dennis have in mind, they have my full support.
For those of you how don't know me, or don't remember me, my name is Ron Verash. I live in the Michiana region and my passion is Vintage Racing. I was with the Times until the very end, or at least what appeared to have been the end. I still sent in my stories, not knowing the paper had shut down. After the 3rd week of no paper, I called and found out the news. I called Dick Beebe and we chatting some, I could tell he was heartbroken over the situation.
Speaking about Dick, his passing was a sad day. He did so much for racing, that I will ever be grateful to work for him, and be part of the MARC Times Racing News. I attended his funeral, along with Carl Smith and Ozzie. The Church was filled with racing greats and he will be missed.
Speaking of the MARC Times Racing News, I read where Patrick McNamara was going to start it up again, back in January. I had heard the name before, but I didn't know Patrick beforehand. I gave him a call and I am on-board. By keeping stories fresh, and having entertaining columns, we can all hope for this endeavor to succeed, and make the MARC Times Racing News & Michigan Racing Scene a priority for tracks and fans.
Seeing as how I have been away from you for awhile, I thought I'd let you in on some of the things I've been working on. As some of you know, the South Bend Motor Speedway closed in 2007. A group of us got with the Promoter, Mike Bird about having an event. The track had not ran in over a year, and it looked terrible. With over 100 volunteers, we pulled weeds, cut grass, repainted walls and buildings, and everything in between. We put together an event set for Oct. 18, as the final allowable time to hold an event was late Oct., otherwise, the track would be closed for good. End result was over 170 cars, close to 4800 fans, an event one could only dream about.
Over this Winter, some talk about perhaps a sale or lease, but nothing concrete. With the interest and support generated over that show, and knowing that the place is still in decent shape for last Fall, we asked Mike about doing an event this year. He was all for it, and the date will be May 24. No area tracks are running that day, and cleanup is not a major job. The group thought with the recent passing of Dick Beebe, we'd honor him with the race. So we called Kathy and got her blessing so in honor of Dick the race will be called the Dick Beebe Memorial. The least I could do, for what he did for racing. More on this as time gets nearer.
You know how I like to keep you informed about Michiana Area Racing. The next event for Michiana will be the 4th Annual Race - Rama at Concord Mall, in Elkhart, Indiana. The dates are April 3-5, with regular Mall hours. You can visit http://www.marctimesracingnews.com/xx for more information.
Our Vintage Car group, the Michiana Vintage Racers, has a nice schedule set for 2009. New this year will be the Thunderbird Speedway in Muskegon, and the Angola Speedway in Indiana. We return to Baer Field, after a few years absence, plus we going to Berlin, Galesburg, Hartford, New Paris, Plymouth, M-40, and the May South Bend date.
That about does it for this column. Thanks again to the entire team at the MARC Times Racing News & Michigan Racing Scene for getting the papers back in print. Bye Now.
