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SAAC-MCR takes part in Ford Fan Appreciation Day
by Dean V. Ricci (photos by Jeff Finley)

Wednesday August 12th 1998 -- The Metro Detroit Ford Dealers held a fan appreciation day at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. This was the perfect facility to hold the throng of the estimated 30,000 fans that showed up for the event. This was the first year the event has been open to the general public, previous events had been held on the grounds of Ford Motor Company for their employees and friends.

This year's event was also unique in that the Motor City Region of SAAC was allowed to have some of their cars on display. This part of the event was organized by long time club member Austin Craig. Members having cars on display were:

John and Sheryl Audritsh - Yellow Boss 302
Jeff Finley - Grabber Green Boss 302 Eliminator
Craig Shefferly - Dark Blue '67 GT500
Mike and Rebecca Moore - Red '69 GT350
Austin Craig - Red '96 Mustang Cobra
Kurt Fredrickson - Yellow Sunbeam Tiger
Phil Jacobs - God Awful Yellow '68 Trans Am Mustang

Fans were treated to a fun day that allowed them to collect autographs from their favorite drivers of Ford powered vehicles. Drivers were mostly from the NASCAR series, but drivers from CART, NHRA and Truck Racing were also available to their fans. The complete list included:

Joe Ruttman
Mike Bliss
Stacy Compton
Greg Biffle
Kevin Cywinski
Tammy Jo Kirk
Adrian Fernandez
Bill Elliot
Tony Raines
Michael Waltrip
 
Bryan Reffner
Boris Said
Tony Pedregon
Wayne Anderson
Ricky Rudd
Johnny Benson
Scott Taylor
Rick Mast
Rob MacCachren
Dick Trickle
 
Rick Crawford
Bryan Herta
Rusty Wallace
Scott Douglas
Geoff Bodine
Kenny Irwin, Jr.
John Force
Jerry Nadeau
Clint Vahsholtz
Dale Jarrett
 

Bill Elliot
 

Michael Waltrip
 

Greg Bifle

Rusty Wallace's NASCAR Taurus

The event was covered live by four local radio stations, WOMC, WRIF, WBBR, WYCD and by local ABC TV station WXYZ. In addtion to the long lines of fans seeking autographs, there was an obstacle course setup for kids, many racing cars on display and free ice cream for all.

Fans were treated to a Question and Answer session with drivers (l to r) - Johnny Benson, Adrian Fernandez, Brian Herta and Dick Trickle

It is hoped that this will be an annual event sponsored by the Metro Detroit Ford Dealers, held in conjunction with the NASCAR race at Michigan Speedway.

 

 

 

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Originally formed as the COBRA Club in 1972. Established as a Region of SAAC in 1975. One of the oldest SAAC Regions in the United States