01 Jan. 2012 HDJ

The Hero
Driver’s
Journal
January 2012
Furrin Group members Ed Boyer, Matthew Huizing, Wilhelm Rumpf, Eric Anderson,
Andrew Nienhuis, and Curt Rosenstengel at Graveyard Motorsport’s winter autocross series
The Furrin Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 1665, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-1665
Dave Vanderschaaf
616-453-0073
541 Collindale Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-4626
Vice President
[email protected]
Matthew Huizing
616-676-0236
2357 Grand Valley Dr. NE, Ada, MI 49301-9264
Treasurer
[email protected]
Blake Forslund II
616-813-6021
643 Marietta NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Secretary
[email protected]
Mary Savage
616-364-4563
2308 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-4251
Membership
[email protected]
Peter and Debra Hansen
616-895-7661
12194 74th Ave., Allendale, MI 49401
Member at Large
[email protected]
Eric Duram
404 Avery, Lowell, MI 49331
Past President
[email protected]
Nic Boris
616-459-0349
1340 Penn Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-5265
Resident Agent
[email protected]
Bob Shedd
616-243-2109
1506 Johnston SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507-2831
Journal/Mailing
[email protected]
Matthew Huizing
616-676-0236
2357 Grand Valley Dr. NE, Ada, MI 49301-9264
Rally Committee
[email protected]
Jeff Boris
616-364-9677
320 Eleanor NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-4077
Nic Boris
616-459-0349
1340 Penn Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-5265
[email protected]
Speed Committee
[email protected]
616-897-4050
[email protected]
Curt Rosenstengel
616-460-9581
4787 W. Goodemoot Dr., Lake Odessa, MI 48849
Dave Vanderschaaf
616-453-0073
541 Collindale Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-4626
Jason Porritt
616-453-0704
1118 Parmalee Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Mark Wiser
616-257-7899
2501 Byron Center Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49509
Social Chair
[email protected]
Mary Savage
616-364-4563
2308 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-4251
Web Committee
Jason Porritt, Curt Rosenstengel
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.furrin.org
President
[email protected]
The Hero
Driver!!
The Hero Driver’s Journal allows its contibutors the fullest latitude in voice of opinion. Therefore, the views
expressed herein may not be aligned with the Furrin Group, Inc. The H.D.J. is published by the Furrin Group,
Inc. of Grand Rapids , MI.
2 The Hero Driver’s Journal – January 2012
Furrin Group General Meeting Minutes, December 20, 2012
Meeting starts at 7:43pm at El Barrio Restaurant
Secretary – Mary Savage is not present. Curt Rosenstengel is filling in. Please speak slowly. Last month’s
minutes were published and read by many. Mostly accepted!
Treasurer – Blake Forslund II not present. We have plenty of money in the treasury. No bloodless coup
tonight!
Vice President – Dave Vanderschaaf motions for money, cash, moola, etc for end of year trophies. Dave
requests $600, seconded by Cloyde Cady. Discussion ensues. Cool trophies will be bought (no crappy
trophies, Dave!). Discussion closes. Ayes have it on closing the discussion. Ayes have it to spend the money.
Nays are overruled and flogged.
And the hat sang! (You had to be there!)
HDJ Editor – Matthew Huizing had no report. They were mailed!
Social – Matthew and Christina Huizing are hosting the New Year’s Eve party (Sec. – You missed it!). Like
the Huizings on Facebook. Directions in the HDJ. Bring food, adult beverages, GPS, etc. Pop will be supplied
by the Furrin Group stash.
Points – Everyone signed in to get points today! Suzy does not want to do it in 2012 (volunteer?).
Speed & Ice – No speed, no ice. This sucks.
Rally – A winter rally is on order. Do you want fries with that? Possibly end of February.
Membership – No Report. Actually, we have 150+ members in 2011.
Member at Large – No report. Members must be happy. Happy Happy, Joy Joy!
Old Business – Jay Hoult made a presence, and now we have it in print!
New Business – None. New board stuff. Whatever.
Annoucements – Furrin Group members are welcomed to BMW CCA events at the Tire Rack. Info will be on
our event schedule for 2012.
Curt is collecting funds and gas cards for St. John’s Home Thanksgiving wish.
Karting date is April 28, 2012 at MRP in Indiana. Info soon.
Team Bori (Nic and Jeff) ran Where the Pavement ends. They were 4th in class, 5th overall. Great job!
Meeting adjourned at 8:06pm and the hat didn’t sing. (Those crappy foreign batteries).
Respectfully submitted,
Curt Rosenstengel, Substitute Secretary
The Hero Driver’s Journal – January 2012 3
2012 Event Schedule
All dates and locations are tentative. Please check with the chairperson or the website/email list for up to date information.
January 17
General Meeting 7:30 p.m. at El Barrio Mexican Grill
January 22
January 27-28
January 28-29
February 4-5
February 5
February 11
February 11-12
February 12
February 18-19
February 19
SVR SCCA Ice Run on Ross Lake
Rally America Sno*Drift in Atlanta, MI
MIRA Ice Racing on Chippewa Lake
MIRA Ice Racing on Chippewa Lake
SVR SCCA Ice Run on Ross Lake
Detroit SCCA Rallycross in Williamston
MIRA Ice Racing on Chippewa Lake
Graveyard Motorsports Autocross #4 in Kalamazoo
MIRA Ice Racing on Chippewa Lake
SVR SCCA Ice Run on Saginaw Bay
February 21 General Meeting at El Barrio Mexican Grill
Feb. 25-26
March 3-4
March 4
March 10
MIRA Ice Racing on Chippewa Lake
MIRA Ice Racing on Chippewa Lake
SVR SCCA Ice Run on Saginaw Bay
Detroit SCCA Rallycross in Crystal
March 20
General Meeting at El Barrio Mexican Grill
March 25
Graveyard Motorsports Autocross #5 in Kalamazoo
April 17
General Meeting at El Barrio Mexican Grill
April 22
SBR SCCA Solo #1 at Tire Rack
April 28
May 4-6
Graham Porter Memorial Karting at Michiana Raceway Park
VSCDA Spring Brake at Gingerman Raceway
May 5
May 5
Graveyard Motorsport Autocross #6 in Kalamazoo
Tire Rack One Lap of America at Tire Rack
May 12/13
May 15
Autocross #1/2 at West Michigan Auto Auction
General meeting at El Barrio Mexican Grill
May 19
May 20
Detroit SCCA Rallycross in Marshall
SBR SCCA Solo #2 at Tire Rack
June 1-3
Autocross Weekend in Muskegon
June 2-3
June 3
June 17
June 21
June 23
June 28-29
July 7-8
July 21
July 27-29
August 3-5
August 12
SBR SCCA Solo #3/4 at Grissom Aeroplex
Kalamazoo Corvette Club Autocross
SBR SCCA Solo #5 at Lake Michigan College
Flint Corvette Club Autocross
Detroit SCCA Rallycross in South Lyon
Capital City Corvette Club Autocross
Michigan Autocross Group at Tire Rack
SCCA National Rallycross in Adrian
SCCA ProSolo at Toledo Express Airport
SCCA Solo Nothern States Championship at
Grissom Aeroplex
SBR SCCA Solo #6 at Lake Michigan College
Aug. 17-19
VSCDA at Grattan Raceway
August 18
Detroit SCCA Rallycross in Crystal
Sept 9
March of Dimes Bikers for Babies Autocross
September 16
October 6
October 14
November 10
December 8
SBR SCCA Solo #7 at Tire Rack
Detroit SCCA Rallycross in Marshall
SBR SCCA Solo #8 at Tire Rack
Detroit SCCA Rallycross in Adrian
Detroit SCCA Rallycross at South Lyon
4 The Hero Driver’s Journal – January 2012
FG Speed and Ice Wrap-Up 2011
Another stellar year for the Speed and Ice committee. We had 8 weekends and 12 total events! We were able to
buy some new equipment and give a bunch of money to charity.
The beginning of the year started slowly. We were very
prepared to go ice racing at the end of January.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature produced too much snow so
the lake did not freeze properly. Then in May, for our first
autocross of the season at West Michigan Auto Auction,
Mother Nature again used precipitation (rain) to curb
entries. WMAA is usually a big event, but with the poor
weather conditions, and two other autocross events in mid
& west Michigan, entries were down. But, you have to take
the good with the bad. We’ve been blessed in the past years
with great weather for our events, and we have to keep running them in any conditions (mostly).
June and July had some excellent events. In June, we were at US 131
Motorsports Park for our first of three events at this venue (we also
assisted Porter’s Performance at one of their events at US131). We
always have a great course setup at US 131 and it is always a great
venue to have an event. In July, at GVSU, we had great weather. We
usually have a chance of rain, but this was not an issue this year.
Entries were down from previous years, and we had a little problem
with the lots due to construction on the campus. We already have
plans to be back at GVSU in 2012, but we will be in a different area.
(We should be back to our regular area in 2013).
August and September were busy months for the Speed
committee. Furrin Group had three events during the month of
August. Two autocross weekends and the VSCDA event at
Grattan (plus an SCCA autocross at MSU). Originally, we had
picked an MSU date that the SCCA wanted. Fortunately, it
worked out better for us (and when I say ‘us’, I mean ‘me’) to
have a weekend break between events, so we selected an earlier
weekend for MSU. The MSU event was great, but we did have
issues with the wireless lights. It ended up being a software
glitch with the new timing board, which was purchased just
before the MSU event. The new wireless timing board and the
lights have been working flawlessly ever since.
The other autocross was in conjunction with Metro Cruise. I had
been working all year to secure a lot for this ultimate car event
weekend, and was able to do so within a week of the event.
Unfortunately, this event did not go as planned. The local and State
police sent out a welcoming committee on Friday night, and then had
the school superintendent shut us down on Saturday. Needless to
say, we will not be back at Metro Cruise next year. There was a lot
of time and expenses put into this event, and while we did raise some
money for March of Dimes, it did not give me an interest to pursue
in the future. (We have bigger plans in 2012 for a charity event!).
The Hero Driver’s Journal – January 2012 5
In September, we had two of our biggest events: My Auto
Import Center and the Bikers for Babies charity event. The
MAIC event had EXCELLENT weather! We had a great
turnout, including a police car from Fruitport (invited by
MAIC). They let us remark the cone locations, so we will
be back in 2012! The Bikers for Babies event, with March
of Dimes at US131, was our second year (and we will be
back in 2012). Furrin Group members and friends raised
almost $3000 for the charity! Steve McNeal raised over
$400 and will receive free autocrossing in 2012 for his
efforts.
Our last event of the season, always weather
permitting, was the US131 Motorsports Park in
November. Mother Nature shined on us for this
event. Our second biggest number of entries for
the year (behind MAIC). The biggest problem
drivers had was getting any heat into their race
tires. I’d like to think that we are just prepping
them for ice racing.
We are already gearing up for 2012. I’m
optimistic that we will have good ice by February
1st, since as of this writing, we haven’t had a
good stretch of 20 degree weather. But we may
have other winter options that we are working on.
As for autocrossing, we already have verbal agreements with most of our current venues and we may add some
new locations, as well as possible rallycross dates. The biggest new event will be in Muskegon during the first
weekend of June with the Cruising Muskegon/Hot Rod Power Tour. Watch for information for this great event!
The only equipment I’m looking at purchasing in 2012 would be more cones and a backup wireless timing light
and charger. For 2011, this was the first year since I’ve been coordinator that we did not finish in the black, as
far as income vs. expense. In past years, we have been $800 or more in the black. This year we were $220 in the
red, but we bought a $3000 timing board, gave $3000 to charity, and still had a lot of fun. I’m sure we can make
it up in 2012!
At the end of this great season, I have some requests to see if I can get some assistance in the off season. I am
looking for help with the following items:
1. Trailer maintenance – the front of the trailer box needs some reinforcement (the box, not the frame); also,
the lights are not working (bad ground?).
2. I would like to have someone make some type of hard sided case (with wheels, preferably) with foam
surrounded pockets to hold the wireless timing lights and sensors.
3. I have one sensor that I think needs a new switch (soldering small items experience necessary).
4. I am looking for someone who would be willing to work closely with me in 2012, to be able to supervise an
event in the case that I am unable to attend.
If you can assist with any of these items, please email me at [email protected] or 616-460-9581. I am willing to
bring the trailer and/or timing equipment to you for service. I will continue to be the S&I Coordinator in 2012
and then some.
See you on the snow, ice, or asphalt in 2012! Let’s keep having fun with our vehicles!
Curt Rosenstengel, Furrin Group Speed and Ice Coordinator
6 The Hero Driver’s Journal – January 2012
Membership & HDJ Advertisement Information
2012 Membership Rates:
Single Membership
New $17.00 (Renew $12.00)
Family Membership
New $27.00 (Renew $17.00)
(Renewals must be received by March 31st, 2012)
(Membership rates are reduced 50% after 10/1/2011)
2012 Hero Driver’s Journal Advertising Rates for one year
2”x3.5” = 30.00 Half Page = $60.00
Furrin Group General Meetings are held
the third Tuesday of every month. Our new
permanent General Meeting location is
El Barrio Mexican Grill restaurant at
545 Michigan St., Grand Rapids, just
east of College, 616-301-0010. There is
plenty of parking behind the building.
Meetings start about 7:30pm, come
earlier for dinner and drinks. El Barrio
is affiliated with the Beltline Bar and has
excellent burritos! Full menu listing is
available on the internet. Come see what
our club is all about!
Sherman Williams
Memorial Ad
The Hero Driver’s Journal – January 2012 7
Matthew Huizing, Editor
The Furrin Group
2357 Grand Valley Dr NE.
Ada, MI 49301-9264
Return Service Requested
First Class Mail for First Class People
«FIRST NAME» «LAST NAME»
«ADDRESS»
«CITY» «STATE» «ZIP»
Time to Renew Your Membership
(unless you already have)
Renewal for 2012 is still only $12 a person or $17 for a family.
If you and your spouse or other relative are going to participate
in any of our 2012 events, your best deal is to renew as a family
(even if you had single membership in 2011).
The unlucky few of you who are not yet members,
can join our club right now for the low, low price of
$17 a person or $27 for a family.
Furrin Group membership includes a full year subscription
to this high quality newsletter and discounts at all Furrin Group events.
The Hero Driver’s Journal – January 2012
What a deal!