Tony Talks about the MSZ Banquet and pictures

Well what a night and what a long week this has been. I am very glad it is over. You never really know what it takes to do an event such as a banquet until you host one. Let me tell you it is no fun. I organized this event over the past 4 months. I had plenty of time to prepare and think about everything yet issues still occur and some folks leave with more negative comments then positive. This is life and we learn from the issues at hand and grow on them for the future.  
 
Four long months ago the idea was tossed around to do a Michiana Speed Zone Fan Choice Awards and let the fans vote. I began researching categories and awards from other events then posted our awards and categories on line and began the fun. As it turns out 2000 votes came in from 15 states and every type of person under the sun. We allowed one vote for  each email and I assumed this would be a good plan to keep things fair for all. As it turns out I was wrong. The list of made up emails began to pour in and on the last day of voting we had 115 made up email address. It took hours each day to tally the votes and keep a record. The last week was horrible as votes came in down to the wire.  
 
It was decided we would announce the top 2 in in category and the winners would be announced at the banquet.. The texts, calls, and emails the following few days was out of control with folks begging to know who won.  Then came the long process of finding a banquet hall and a caterer. This sounds easy but with 8 tracks being represented and some guys driving 4 hours away we needed to find a central location. Finding a place big enough was the next issue and then finding food.

I have seen on SCE that people have complained a lot about the price of a ticket for these banquets and I am guilty as well as of doing this. 
 
 Here is the break down on how it worked out for us. $20 per ticket. We gave the Late Model Drivers each 1 ticket free. We gave our advertisers each a pair of tickets. The folks who helped out with the show a ticket as well so we are at 45 free tickets. Ticket sales came out to 140!!!  
 
140 tickets sold at $20 each equals $2800 
Awards for the event $1000 (awards sponsors $500) 
Banquet Hall $600 
Food $1500 
So as you can tell we made $200 profit for the evening. Then you need to add gas to go get awards, gas to check out banquet halls, paying the folks that helped you set up and clean up. So now we are left near breaking even for a night of fun. I am showing you the figures so everyone understands that Michiana Speed Zone did not host this banquet to make money. We hosted this banquet to bring folks from all over short track together and to say thank you for all each driver does to put on a good show for our fans. 
 
With all this said I need to THANK all the award sponsors and door prize sponsors for the help they gave us and a very big thank you to April Doty Raymond who did so much work behind the scenes and at the banquet. Also thank you to Ginger, Teresa, Clayton, and Adam Patti for all you did before during and after the banquet on Saturday. 
 
If you missed the banquet here is what you missed. Scott and I arrived at 4:30 pm to finish setting up and the doors were to open at 5-m. As we pulled in nearly 25 people waited out side and by the time I unlocked the doors over 60 people stood in line to get a good seat. When we say we sold out we mean SOLD OUT as it was a standing room only crowd which was our first obstacle to over come. Next up as people had drinks and talked amongst them self my second issue of the night was brewing. We started food a tad bit early to work the crowd threw the line. As  I watched people make plates I noticed that some folks where going above and beyond taking 5 or more pieces of have and 4 or more scoops of chicken. Yes as pointed out today on face book I should have had servers and ordered more food. As for the servers I have been to many banquets and have never been served. As for more food 179 people came to the banquet and I had food for 250. This goes to show you that some people took a lot of food while others got none. For this I do sincerely apologize and can say it will not happen again. (this is also a reason for higher ticket prices) 
 
As the everyone finished eating we began to give away 200 door prizes. Door prizes are great and we all like freebies. The issue here is that handing out 200 prizes takes so much time that we begin to get bored with the program which is the next lesson I learned. 
 
As the 8 pm hour rolls around we start the awards and things go fairly smooth. (One thing I wanted to do was make the awards different and unique so they stood out on any trophy shelf) We would like to take time to congratulate the following on their award wins..... 
 
* 2011 Most Talented Driver - Phil Bozell 
 
* 2011 Best Appearing Car - Bryon Kiser  
 
 
* 2011 Most Popular Driver - Jonathan Martin  
 
* 2011 Most Improved Driver - Bryon Kiser  
 
* 2011 Car Owner of the Year - Mike Schewchuck  
 
* 2011 Best Appearing Crew - Doughboy Racing 
 
* 2011 Sponsor of the Year - Russell Automotive Inc.  
 
* 2011 Hard Luck Award  - Austin Maynard  
 
* 2011 Most Impressive Win - Randy Day Winning the A Main at M 40 Speedway  
 
* 2011 Move of the Race Award - Andy Bozell Setting a new World Record 
 
* 2011 Biggest win of the Year - JR Roahrig Sizzler and Big Gun 
 
* 2011 Rookie of the Year- Jacob Maynard  
 
* 2011 Fan of the Year - Adriene Martin / April Raymond  
 
* 2011 Driver of the year at each track 
 
- New Paris Speedway - Corey Presller  
  
- Baerfield Speedway - Tristan Crago  
 
- Kalamazoo Speedway - Phil Bozell  
 
- Mottville Speedway - Josh Dunnuck  
 
- Plymouth Speedway - Nick Pressler  
 
- Angola Motor Speedway - Jack Landis 
 
- South Bend Motor Speedway - Rodney Smith 
 
- M 40 Speedway - Todd Taylor  
 
- Berlin Raceway - Terry Senneker 
 
- Springport Motor Speedway - John Trudell 
 
- Spartan Speedway -  Andy Bozell  
 
 
* Most Popular Race Track - Kalamazoo Speedway  
 
* Cleanest Race Track - M 40 Speedway  
 
* Best food at a Race Track - Kalamazoo Speedway  
        
* Best Value Race Track - Kalamazoo Speedway  
 
* Favorite Race of the Year -  Super Shoe Nationals  
 
* Best Flagman - Rick Bebee 
 
* Best Announcer - Tony Eldridge  
 
* Best Promoter/Owner - Gary Howe  
 
* Most Popular CRA Driver - Derrick Griffin 
 
* Most Popular Asphalt Sprint Driver - Hank Lower 
 
* Most Popular Mod Driver - Ben Raber 
 
* Most Popular Late Model Driver - Andy Bozell 
 
* Most Popular Sportsman Driver - Kenny Head 
 
* Most Popular Street Stock Driver - Jacob Maynard 
 
* Most Popular Mini Stock Driver  - Eric Frazier  
 
* Most Popular FWD Driver - Doug Smith  
 
* Most Popular PURE STOCK Driver - Keith Wilfong  
  
* Most Popular Dwarf car Driver - Steven Bobek 
 
* Most Popular Super Cup Driver - Tim Phillips 
 
Michiana Speed Zone/New Paris TV Championship Awards 
 
1   Corey Pressler    
 
2  Eddie Santora    
 
3   Steve Stacey    
 
4    Corey Ryman     
 
5    Donny Klotz III    
  
-    Bobby Schisler      
 
7    Josh Sommers       
 
8    Kenny Whitman     
 
9    Mark Vance        
 
10   Travis Schlabach 
 
 
Sportsman of the Year: Mike Tutino 
 
Hard Luck: Tom Smith 
 
Most Improved: Mark Vance 
 
Rookie of the Year: Jason Howard 
 
Special Appreciation Awards: 
 
Clayton Bell 
 
Teresa Witmer 
 
Jason Seltzer 
 
Andy Jach 
 
Jamison Corn 
 
Sponsor Awards: 
 
Afdent Dental 
 
Pro Fleet Transport 
 
Scotts Computer World 
 
Razors Edge Tool Service 
 
Monteith Tire 
 
Rheda Motor Co 
 
Maynard Fab 
 
The Freddy Knauss Special Achievement Award went to Teri Hughes. 
 
Again thank you to all who helped support Michiana Speed Zone / MWRacingNews in 2011 and we look forward to a bigger and better 2012! 
 
 
Well with the awards ceremony in the books it is time to start working on 6 web shows that will lead us to opening night at the M 40 Speedway April 27th. The first web show will begin Thursday Night Fe 9th at the Red Bird Tavern in Bristol and will feature Michianas Stars. We are working on our guest list now and look forward to seeing you all out and about, 
 
"Until next time race fans we will see you at the races"