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The highly respected MTM members working the
2026 Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta
From the desk of the WHRRI Flag Chief - Ron Cech
October 22, 2026
TRACK SHUTDOWN WORKBEE THIS SATURDAY.....9:00am!1
Greetings All
Can it already be the end of season 2026? YES IT IS! It's been another great season but it's now time to put the track to bed. Come join in as we empty the turn boxes, bring in the benches, take down banners, winterize the scales, and prepare the track for the off season. Coffee and donuts will await you at 9:00am [Oct. 24]. Sign in as this event is worth worker points.
With enough help we can get this done around noon. Let's do this!
See you Saturday, 9:00am!
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Many Thanks
Ron Cech
Flag Chief Waterford Hills Road Racing
(248) 982-2866
2026 WHRRI Vintage Race - Indycar
New WHRRI Record!
From John Firment July 26, 2026:
For you race fans, our Local track Waterford Hill Racing (WHRRI) Yesterday set a new track record.
The track is 1.5 miles length with 8 turns with one over a hill. Do not know the old record but the new one is 56.9 seconds..Top speed back straight is 157.9 mph.
The car is an ex INDY with a Judd V-10 engine. Quite impress to watch.
More Details from Mary Shiloff July 26, 2026:
FYI, Nolan [the driver] was able to lower the track record for fastest lap (although not during an official race) again on Sunday! A remarkable lad who went through the WHRRI drivers’ school in May 2020. Another piece of information is that he is the grandson of Lew Cooper, Jr. who was a multiple year champion at Waterford while also competing in SCCA National races. Lew was also a great supporter of Waterford and helped fund the repaving of the track.
Lew (who is in his 80’s) was at the track this weekend and even got to take a lap in Nolan’s car. He said that he was not quite as fast as Nolan and I suggested that they probably put a rev-limiter on the car for him. He was extremely proud of his grandson.
In addition, Nolan’s race sponsor, Faygo, sponsored the WHRRI Vintage Races by paying for all spectator/crew passes for the weekend and providing Faygo beverages for workers and others! Show your support by buying Faygo Rock-N-Rye, Red Pop, Root Beer or any of the other flavors…a great Michigan brand!
If you missed the Vintage Races this weekend, you missed a VERY fun event with some great competition. Try to put it on your schedule for next year…July 23-25, 2027!
Mary
Message from the MTM
Vice President-Ed Arthur
October 28, 2026
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Upcoming Events
We are thrilled to announce the exciting lineup of upcoming MTM events!
Make sure to mark your calendars and be part of the action at these exciting gatherings. Don't miss out on an unforgettable racing experience!
2026 WHRRI Awards Banquet November 7
Getting closer. Join us starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, November 7 at OverTyme Grill & Tap Room as we celebrate the season’s top performers and the volunteers who helped make 2026 a success. It should be a great evening with good friends and good times. But you must act before FRIDAY OCTOBER 30. Click here for all the details and to register.
Not Those Elections—SCCA Board Elections!
The Detroit Region is holding elections for its Board of Directors. One of the candidates is our own Mario Cortes. You should consider supporting his bid. He brings hands-on flagging experience, strong leadership traits, caring for volunteers, and strong technical background. Mario understands the region and wants to engage new members, support our events, and help DRSCCA grow. But hurry, voting for region members ends this Friday October 30.
The SCCA National Board of Directors election for our Area 4, Great Lakes Division is also underway, with voting open through November 16, 2026. Among the candidates is Detroit Region member Frank Schwartz who brings experience as both a competitor and a volunteer, helping to grow the B-Spec class and contributing to efforts to recruit and engage marshals.
Detroit Region SCCA members make your voice heard!
(scca.com logon required)
Get Involved
Don't miss out on these opportunities to make a difference.
Sign up now and be part of the Michigan Turn Marshals experience!
Michigan Turn Marshals (MTM) is an organization that provides leadership, promotes training and recruiting for Motorsports Corner Marshaling.
This web site is an informational source for MTM members of auto racing activities within the state of Michigan.
This site coordinates with sanctioning bodies of racing to promote their events and to encourage MTM membership participation at their events.
Empire Hill Climb Photos by John Firment
Empire Hill Climb - John Firment
Last week (September 19) was the Empire hill climb. This is located close to the sleeping bear state park sand dunes.
Three of SCCA flaggers went up on Thursday. John Firment, Doug Mitchel and Ray kach.
Stayed in a beautiful air b&b. lots of wood panels. Thanks Doug for finding that.
The paved tree lined track leaves the Empire village. Hay bales used to minimize impact damage., Yes there was some tree contact with minimal damage with no driver injury' The finish line is about 3/4 mile with good shutdown room.
Friday was a set up day. This year all electronic timing was provided by th Furion group if I spelled it correctly.
Saturday is race day. A one day event rain or shine with around 50+ entries. It was dry
All entries have to meet SCCA tech insp requirements including roll bars
Yes/ that is a actual Rolls Royce. gutted and race prepared with race tires and a Viper V-10 engine
Each group gets 3 runs up in the morning with a repeat in the afternoon
Two drift cars for spectator enjoyment
All turns were monitered by Ham radio operators for communications. All turns had a flagger, fire extinguisher and red flag
I worked midpoint which was equipped with EMS and a flatbed tow truck.
Spectator parking and viewing along the hill is free also with a food truck.
They fed us lunch at our turns Saturday with dinner on Friday and Saturday nights at the lyons park.
Most photo's are of the cars returning back down the hill
Empire Hill Climb 2026 - Thank You
Good day. On behalf of the entire organizing committee of the Empire Hill Climb, I would like to thank you for your efforts in making the 2026 Empire Hill Climb a success. The event ran very smoothly with one of the largest field of cars to date. That can be attributed to your time and energy during and after the event.
We will be announcing the date of the 2027 Empire Hill climb very soon. Watch our website (https://www.empirehillclimb.racing) or the Facebook page.
Also, if you have any suggestions or comments, please let me or anyone else on the organizing committee know. You can email me at dstone@mmaline.com.
Regards,
David Stone
Remembering Steve Balanecki
from Ed Arthur Oct 7, 2026
We’ve lost a great one. Our President, Steve Balanecki, passed away Tuesday, October 6. Steve was a longtime fixture at Waterford Hills and a driving force behind Detroit Grand Prix F&C and Formula SAE. He also spent countless weekends marshalling at tracks throughout Michigan, Ohio, and as far south as Florida. Steve was more than a fellow volunteer—he was a great friend and mentor to many of us. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendship will be deeply missed. Our deepest condolences go to Dorinda and the family.
Please keep them in your thoughts. When the time is right, we hope to gather at Waterford Hills to celebrate Steve’s life and the many friendships he made there
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NOTE: as of Dec. 1, 2025 all “non-certified” Divisional F&C license holders MUST complete the online certification course to renew their license!
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Click here and scroll down to “Becoming a Certified Flag Marshal: A Primer.”
Here’s the latest news from the
SCCA Great Lakes Division F & C DA
Ed Arthur (MTM Member)
October 1, 2026
Here’s News about Upcoming Events for
the SCCA Flagging and Communication team in our Great Lakes Division
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Ohio Valley Region Autumn Classic XLV October 10-11
The OVR Autumn Classic XLV is almost here! Join us for the final Great Lakes Division race weekend of the season at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Work Saturday, Sunday, or both and enjoy great racing, the annual Whistle Ceremony honoring Corner Worker trailblazers, Saturday dinner, and plenty of worker perks including a chance to win a $100 gas and other gift cards. Be sure to sign up on MotorSportsReg by Monday October 5. Come be part of the season finale!
Licensing, Licensing, Licensing
We have 3 Corner Marshals who are now affiliated with the Great Lakes Region:
Jeffrey Jennings South Bend Region
Ashley Spitzer Indianapolis Region
Paul Valenstein Indianapolis Region
Give them a warm Great Lakes welcome when you get a chance.
And per Topeka congratulations are due to the latest Great Lakes Division flagging team members who have their marshal certification.
Alex Prosser Ohio Valley Region
Luke Triemstra Western Michigan Region
Way to go!
A Look Ahead . . .
Here are some upcoming events on the calendar:
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See you in 2027!
Our website https://www.gldscca.com/road-racing has the complete GLD race event schedule, contacts, and more.