Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

respectively. Each brother won two heats with Eric finishing second three times while Doug had two seconds and a third. Eric finished the main in the fourth position and Doug took fifth. Sixteen-year-old Brian Bigelow of AuGres, Michigan, made the main and finished sixth in his second pro indoor race. Bigelow went against the tide and rode a Suzuki, the only one on the ice in the 250cc Pro class. Knapp Racing's Pat Buchanan of White Lake, Michigan, finished the night in the seventh spot. (Right) Defending event champion Chuck Springsteen (1) blasts off the line next to Jack Mayer Jr. (91). Springsteen finished second in the main event after practically "pushing" Butler across the line ahead of him. (Below) Corey SIBvek claimed the 65ccclass win. (Left) TIffany Long powers down the front straigh1 en route to the 50cc victory. After collecting her prize money, Long promptly dona1ed it to the charity the event benefils. A race rich in history_ T he Flint Motorcycle Oub has held ice races every year since 1961 to benefit the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Greater Flint. The partnership between the two organizations has raised more than $150,000 to support the activities of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, a non-profit corporation that attempts to match volunteers with boys and girls who have only one parent, or maybe no parents, in their home. Gary Haggarty, fund-raising coordinator for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, said the marriage between his organization and the Flint MC is both one of the most unusual and one of the longest-lived he knows of. 'When you think about it, it is an unusual marriage, a non·profit agency and a motorcycle club," Haggarty said. "And I can't think of a single fundraise< in our area that has been in place as long as this one." For 37 years the club and the charity have managed to bring off a race, in spite of Mother Nature sometimes trying to spoil the show. Until 1979 the races were held just east of Flint on Potter Lake. Weather was a factor in many years, v..;th races being postponed and sometimes moved altogether. "We never canceled a race," said Ethel Boulis, Flint MC secretary. "We did have to move it one year to Auto City Speedway, though, and have the race on the dirt." One year Mother Nature even managed to alter the race course. "One of the officials' trucks went through the ice and the riders had to swing wide in tum three to avoid the open water," Boulis said. The race used to attract 700 or more racers when both pros and amateurs were allowed to compete. Since moving indoors, the races have been restricted to pros and around 30 minibike racers. Some of the top names in AMA dirt track action got early racing experience in the annual event. Former three-time Grand National champ Bart Markel, three-time champ Jay Springsteen, Garth Brow, Corky Keener and seven-time and defending Grand National Champion Scott Parker have all participated in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters races. This year the race drew another huge crowd to the Sports Arena. More than 4000 spectators filled the arena to watch the races. Crowds of this size have allowed the Flint MC to donate an average of $12,000 a year to Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. "It's nice when you have a partnership like we do," Haggarty said. "When you know the money's coming you can just go ahead and write it into your budget." Ethel Boulis and her husband, Bob, president of the Flint MC, have been involved in putting on the race since Bob's election in the late '70s. The reasons for wanting to undertake such a huge task are simple, according to Ethel. 'Well, it helps create a good image for motorcycle clubs," she said. "And besides, it just makes you feel good." Flint's own Tiffany "Tazz Tiff" Long won both her qualifying heat and the main in the 50cc stock class. The victory gave the Ray C's Cycle/ Answer Racing/ Torco Racing Fuels rider a perfect record on the IMA ice. Long also won the SOcc class at the Kold Kutter event in December. Travis Thierbach took second and Abbey Moreland was third in the 50cc stock class. Kurtis Lee was the winner of the 50cc super class with Corey Lovell second and "Smokin'" Joey Boulis third. Corey Slavek was the top dog in the 65cc class with Nick Cummings and Carter Myers rounding out the top three. £N IMA Sports Arena Flint, Michigan Results: January 25, 1997 so S11(, 1. TIffany Long (Yam); 2. Tram Thierbach (Yam); 3. Abbey Moreland (Yam); 4. Austin Collier (Yam); 5. Chance McCormiclc (Yam). 50 SUPER: 1. Kurtis Lee (KTM); 2. Cocey Lovell (Cob); 3. Joey BouHs (K1M); 4. Trav;s Myers (Act); 5. Cody Rabideau (LEM). 6$: 1. Corey Slavek (Kaw); 2. Nick Cummings (Kaw); 3. Carter Myers (Kaw); 4. Grant Moreland (Kaw); 5. Logan Myers (Kaw). 250: 1. Dan Butler (Han); 2. Chuck Springsteen (Hon); 3. Craig Piclcett (Hon); 4. Eric O'Boyie (Hon); 5. Doug O'Boyte (Hon). cousin Mike Parker of Mike's Motorcycle . Repair put up ... purse for the Mini' racers_ First. Class Construction. and Brunner ·Farms also contributed to the purse. Winners 'got $75 and .... The .crowd· at the IMA Sports Arena contained' evel)( Mini racer won something: a veritable Who's Who of Grarid National.dirt trackers.· Seven-time arid defending champ . J~Y Springsteen ciffer~d a $50 bili. t; any . Scott 'Parker was 0n hand: as was three- girl fo win a main. When 1'iHany .L.ong got. tIme former Grand' National champs and dirt. . her money. the PA announcer. asked her what track legends Ba'rt Mar.kel and. Jay she wo.uld dp wi\h her $~25 and she replied; "I'm giving it to thE: Big.Sisters and Big BrothSpringsteen. Total Control riders Kevin ers," brin'ging a toar from the crowd.. Touched -!\.therton and WiD .Davis were there, Ather- . by her generosity, Scott Parker and Kevin ton in the stands and Davis in the lineup. Atherton dug in their pockets. and came up with $200 cash for her. She said she'd put that Steve· Morehead was also in attendance, money.in the bank and save 11. until she:had ciling that· Cycle News issue number .one.'s $1000to buy a new motorcycle. stQry .about the December race force.d him to' _ come'. "You could 'Iell from'that'$tory that .Six-year-old. NSinokin'~ Joey .Boulis·kept'a. everybody was goona be' gunnin' for Chuck,' Big Brothers/Big' Si.sters tradition alive: He'sand I wanted to see it," Morehead said. the third generation in his family .to have ~ced "Besides, these guys -gelling out and racing' if' the event: His'grandfather, Flint MC presilOr charity is just great. This. is III(hat rna'kes me . dent Bob Boulis. rode in the T960s, when the race. was stili nerd o'titdo"rs on Potter proud to be a motorcycl~ racer. ". Lake. His uncle, Rick Boulis. alSo compeied in'lh~ outc!oor races in th!, '70s !ind 'BOs, 25

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