Kids Korner – I Wish You A Merry Christmas & A Happy Race Season

DeLayna poses in front of the Birch Run Speedway grandstands on a chilly December day

On December 7th I got to go to the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club Kids Christmas Party at the Birch Run Speedway and Event Center. It was so cool to go to a racetrack in the winter…literally!

MARFC is an awesome organization that does a lot to help fans learn more about racing and get kids like me more involved.

DeLayna poses with MARFC Secretary Nancy May and Board Member Al Larde

DeLayna stands alongside MARFC President John Jackson before the start of the MARFC Kids Christmas Party

The Christmas party was so awesome, they had hot dogs (my favorite track food), face painting, a visit from Santa and then MARFC Ambassador Eric Fitzpatrick was the race director for some super fun games that we called “heats”. Each one was different and age didn’t really matter as some games were easier for littles and others were easier for the older kids.

Kids compete for a trophy in the bow blowing “heat race”

DeLayna shows off her pick for the Hot Wheel race A-Main. Each competitor gets to pick their own racecar from a wide selection

If someone tried to “jump start” the game they had to turn around and start the game backwards…I mayyyyyyy have had to do that a time or two myself.

Races were announced by MARFC Board Member and track announcer Al Larde which was cool. But, the best part was that race winners got a real trophy and every kid got something even if they didn’t win.

MARFC President John Jackson and MARFC Ambassador Eric Fitzpatrick stand with the race winners from the 2025 Christmas Party

Not only did I have fun playing the games, but they also had some guest speakers. We got to hear from David McManus who will be racing his #7 Modified at Birch Run Speedway this year and Chad Colley who races the #40c Mini Sprint (I even got to sit in it!). It was nice getting to learn a little bit more about them and their 2026 plans.

MARFC President John Jackson stands between guest speakers Chad Colley (left) and David McManus (right)

I also got to make new friends, like Suzie Colley who is a race fan like me and Kamille Fitzpatrick who is a racer who will be racing a Street Stock this coming summer.