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 Thunderbird Ski Club
RACE TEAM       

Wanna’ Be Racers>>>>Listen Up!
The Thunderbird Race Team is a group of app 50 members of the Thunderbird Ski Club who participate in downhill ski racing (slalom and giant slalom) in the Metropolitan Detroit Ski Council [MDSC] – Michigan Alpine Competition Committee [MACC] ski race program.  The program consists of 12 races over 5 weekends, primarily at Boyne Mountain in northern Michigan, with one weekend at the Searchmont Resort, outside of Sault St. Marie, Ontario. 

Am I a good enough skier to race?
The answer is an emphatic, “YES”!  You need no prior race experience to jump right in. Coaching by the TBird veterans will help you along.  Racing is done versus other persons of the same gender and similar ability [adjusted with handicaps] on courses that are set for the ability level of that class.  If racing has ever, even remotely, entered your mind, you need to try it!

Why participate?
It's FUN to race, and it will clearly make you a better skier.  There are also after-race activities on race weekends like Hot Tub parties, a pizza party, spaghetti dinner, and an on-the-hill barbeque with your fellow racers.  The last race weekend features the MACC Awards Banquet.  We are working on other activities for next season.  The emphasis, however, is still on having fun.

When do the races take place?
See the 2007 schedule below.  You don't have to make all of the races.  Make as many as you want or can.  And being a “GUEST RACER” for your first time out makes trying it easy and inexpensive.

Check out more information about racing on the  MACC Website.

How do I sign-up?
At this time, just provide your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address, to
Jim Michon, Director of Marketing/Recruitment, 313-258-4522 Email: Jim Michon.  He will make sure that you receive the information and registration forms when they become available as the race season approaches.

 

Racing Schedule for 2010

January 9-10 Boyne Mountain
January 23-24 Boyne Mountain
February 5-7 Searchmont
February 20-21 Boyne Mountain
March 5-7 Boyne Mountain
   

THUNDERBIRD RACE TEAM
Newsletter:  January 22, 2009

First Race Weekend: January 10 & 11:



The first race weekend, with great snow and some sun, was a success, with 22 TBird Racers going through the courses on Saturday and Sunday.  We are still the largest race team in the MACC program. The TBirds that made the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows:

Giant Slalom (Saturday):
1st        Mike LeVan (VE1M), Janie Guiliani (E2W),
Gail Kovaleski (CW),
3rd        Frank Dusina (E2M ), Hunter Brisson (AM), Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM), Tim Loula (BM), Ron Glowzinski (SVCM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)

Slalom (Sunday):
1st        Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
2nd        Mike LeVan (VE1M), Will Heckman (AM), Mike Jablonski (SVBM), Dale Pacynski (VBM), Scott Soucie (BM),
3rd        Doug Fellman (SVCM),

Our TBird “racer of the week” is Mike LeVan (VE1M) with a 1st and 2nd place finishes.  Not far behind is Dick Synowiec (SVDM) with a 1st and 3rd.  They were the only TBirds with two podium finishes.    The TBirds had 63% of our racers (14 of 22) make the podium at least once, an excellent showing.  Hopefully, we’ll continue at this pace at the next race weekend.


This Weekend’s Party:


As usual, the party will be at the Vollmer condo in Boyne Falls.  The meal will be sub sandwiches and salad. The cost is $7 per person, payable on Saturday to either Mike Jablonski or Steve Vollmer.  As usual, bring your own drinks.  Dinner will begin as soon as possible after the Saturday awards, which will be in the Snowflake, starting at about 4:30 PM.


Mike’s Musings:
The first race weekend came off very well, though a few of the TBird Race Team were enjoying great skiing at Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  I don’t know where I’d rather be . . . Jackson Hole or Boyne Mountain.  Oh well, I made my choice.

Most of us that were here enjoyed a great pizza party at the Vollmer condo in Boyne Falls. There was plenty of food, and the leftovers provided lunch for a number of TBird racers on Sunday at the Othmar Chalet.  The microwave oven (that was used by my kids in college and Ted carried up the hill) at the Othmar heated the pizza and made it almost as good as fresh.  All in all, it was a fun weekend and it was good to be racing again.

The battle of the brothers started with Saturday’s GS.  I had a reasonable 6th place finish (only 1.5 seconds off the podium), while Ted decided to have a ski binding pre-release and didn’t realize it until he put the foot with no ski into the snow, which made part of the body rapidly stop, causing a spectacular face first fall.  Fortunately, he is sore, but not really hurt, so no lasting damage was done.  Of course, this did provide an excuse for Sunday where, after leading the group in the first run (with six racers within ½ second), I beat him in the slalom, taking 2nd place after a fast second run. So, I lead 2-0 after the first weekend.

Of course, as is becoming usual, young (14 year old) forerunner Zach Jablonski, beat me and everyone else on the course except the winner of SVAM and the pacesetters.  Not a bad performance and an indicator of what is to come next year when he becomes eligible to race for real.

See you this weekend.


THUNDERBIRD RACE TEAM
Newsletter:  February 3, 2009

Second Race Weekend: January 24 & 25:
 


The second race weekend was another success, with 28 TBird Racers going through the courses on Saturday and Sunday.  We continue to be the largest race team in the MACC program. The TBirds that made the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows: 

Slalom (Saturday):
2nd        Eric Klaban (E1M),
Janie Guiliani (E2W), Dale Pacynski (VBM), Art Ellwanger (SVCM)
3rd        Brian Dusina (VAM), Scott Soucie (BM),
Gail Kovaleski (CW), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)

Giant Slalom (Sunday):
1st        Eric Klaban (E1M), Janie Guiliani (E2W), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
2nd        Hunter Brisson (AM), Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM),
Gail Kovaleski (CW)
3rd
        Tom Klaban (VE2M), Tim Loula (BM), Bob Rentschler (VBM), Art Ellwanger (SVCM),

Our “racers of the week” are Eric Klaban and Janie Guiliani, each with a 1st and 2nd place finishes.  Not far behind was Dick Synowiec (SVDM) with a 1st and 3rd place finishes.  Other two podium racers included Gail Kovaleski (CW) and Art Ellwanger (SVCM), each with a 2nd and 3rd.   The TBirds had just under 50% of our racers (13 of 28) make the podium at least once, another great showing.


New Racers:


I neglected to mention it in the last newsletter, but the TBird Race Team has two new members.  They are Brad Robertson (E2M), who is the nephew of Rick and Lori Eggen, who was 2nd in the January 11th slalom and Alan Peacock (SVDM), who raced years ago, and is back to do it again.  Please welcome them to the Race Team.


Searchmont Weekend Coming Up:


The next race weekend on February 5-8, 2009 is our annual trek to Searchmont Resort, north of Sault St. Marie, Ontario.  This is a four day weekend of training, Super G, and the normal Slalom and GS.  However, the Searchmont courses are higher, longer, and steeper, which makes for a LOT of fun.  The TBird Race Team has two condos at the base of the hill and a great meal plan developed by Gail Kovaleski.  All of us should come home a little bit heavier, unless you have strong will power.  Other racers will be staying in accommodations in Sault St. Marie, so there should be a strong representation of TBirds present here.  Anyone who hasn’t been to Searchmont should consider attending, as the racing is great and the activities are fun.


Mike’s Musings:


The “battle of the brothers” continued in earnest this past weekend.  Ted beat me decisively in the slalom on Saturday while I beat him in Sunday’s GS when he blew out of the course.  Of course, he wasn’t the only one that blew out, as about ten racers and two of the three pacesetters blew out where one of the turning gates was at a rut from a previous course, which, though noticeable during the inspection, was a LOT more noticeable during a high speed GS run.  Of course, if you don’t stand up for two runs, you don’t win.  Though we tied this weekend, I’m up 3 to 1 for the season.

Because this past weekend was the highly successful Boyne Bash (hosted by former racer Jim Michon), some of the racers partied with the group of non-racers, but great partiers.  However, we still had a crowd at the Vollmer condo in Boyne Falls for the sub sandwich and salad dinner.  The highlight was Mary Ann Jablonski’s “HoHo cake”.  It was a chocolate cake with chocolate and vanilla frosting.  However, the cake came out of the oven slightly crooked, causing the frosting to run off of it before it solidified.  The look was not Martha Stewart perfect, but no one complained since the taste was great, and it was gone by the end of the night.

See you this weekend at Searchmont.


THUNDERBIRD RACE TEAM

Newsletter:  February 19, 2009

Third Race Weekend (Searchmont): February 6-8:


The third race weekend was our annual trek to Searchmont, 30 miles north of Sault St. Marie, Ontario.  We were treated to great snow, fun race courses, moderate temperatures, and a good amount of sun.  Some of us weren’t sure that we really were at Searchmont.  We had 16 TBird Racers going through the courses on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  The TBirds that made the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows:

Super Giant Slalom (Friday):

1st        Janie Guiliani (E2W), Will Heckman (AM), Tim Loula (BM),
Gail Kovaleski (CW), Doug Fellman (SVCM)
2nd        Jill Jablonski (E2W), Art Ellwanger (SVCM), Bob Rossi (CM)
3rd        Mike Jablonski (SVBM), Steve Vollmer (SVCM)

Slalom (Saturday):
1st        Will Heckman (AM), Tim Loula (BM),
Doug Fellman (SVCM)
2nd        Ted Jablonski (SVBM),
Gail Kovaleski (CW), Art Ellwanger (SVCM)
3rd        Ron Glowzinski (SVCM)

Giant Slalom (Sunday):
1st        Mike LeVan (VE1M), Janie Guiliani (E2W), Will Heckman (AM), Tim Loula (BM),
Gail Kovaleski (CW), Art Ellwanger (SVCM)
2nd        Jill Jablonski (E2W), Mike Jablonski (SVBM), Ron Glowzinski (SVCM), Bob Rossi (CM)
3rd        Steve Vollmer (SVCM)

Our TBird “racers of the week” are Will Heckman (AM) and Tim Loula (BM) with three1st place finishes.  Not far behind is Gail Kovaleski (CW) with two 1st and a 2nd place finishes. Also with three podiums is Art Ellwanger (SVCM) with a 1st and two 2nd place finishes.  The TBirds with two podium finishes include Janie Guiliani (E2W) and Doug Fellman (SVCM), each with two 1st place finishes, Jill Jablonski (E2W) and Bob Rossi (CM), each with two 2nd place finishes, Mike Jablonski (SVBM) and Ron Glowzinski (SVCM), each with a 2nd and 3rd place finish, and Steve Vollmer (SVCM) with two 3rd place finishes. The TBirds had 75% of our racers (12 of 16) make the podium at least once, a really excellent showing.  Hopefully, we’ll continue this pace at the next race weekend.


Upgrade:


Art Ellwanger not only skied so fast this weekend to reach the podium three times, he skied himself from C to B class.  Congratulations Art!!!


New Racers:


I again neglected to mention that Ellen Weber is another of our new racers.  Welcome Ellen!!!


This Weekend’s Party:


This weekend, the party will move to dinner at the Boyne River Inn in Boyne City, to be followed by dessert (bring your own drinks) at the Mike and Mary Ann Jablonski cottage (5.5 miles NW of the BRI).  Let me know if you need directions.  Dinner at the BRI will begin as soon as possible after the Saturday awards, which will be in the Snowflake, starting at about 4:30 PM.


Mike’s Musings:


The Searchmont Race weekend was a great success because of the efforts of Gail Kovaleski’s dinners and food coordination, Bob Rossi’s steaks, Ron Glowzinski’s condo and financial coordination (and Yvonne’s cookies), Arlene Bellas’ nut rolls, Tim Loula’s wines, and Mary Ann Jablonski’s cookies.  Everyone’s efforts (including those who I have not mentioned) are what makes this a GREAT weekend on and off the hill.

The battle of the brothers started with Friday’s Super G, where I edged Ted by 0.19 seconds.  In Saturday’s slalom, Ted skied well, taking 2nd place.  Ted led the class after the first run, with me behind by almost two seconds.  Being that far behind forced me to be a lot more aggressive in the second run, which ended in me hooking a gate in the first flush and losing a ski.  My second run was not sucessful, but it was better than two of the pacesetters who blew out earlier in the course than I did.  In Sunday’s GS, I took a 2nd (only 0.06 seconds out of 1st), winning easily over Ted. So, I lead 5-2 after the first three weekends.

Of course, the true measure of success is beating my nephew and forerunner Zach Jablonski.  I actually beat him in the GS, which indicates that I was skiing fast.  However, I need to enjoy this while I can, since it may not happen again.

See you this weekend.


Your Thunderbird Race Team Director:

 
Mike Jablonski
734-283-5510                     
 (Home)
231-582-7339                     
 (Cottage)
mtjablonski@wowway.com

THUNDERBIRD RACE TEAM

Newsletter:  March 3, 2009

Fourth Race Weekend: February 21 & 22:

The fourth race weekend was another success with 27 TBird Racers (including two guests) going through the courses on Saturday and Sunday.   The TBirds that made the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows:

Slalom (Saturday):
1st        Will Heckman (AM),
Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM), Scott Soucie (BM), Doug Fellman (SVCM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
2nd       
Dale Pacynski (VBM), Chuck Trewin (BM)
3rd        Hunter Brisson (AM),
Ron Glowzinski (SVCM)

Giant Slalom (Sunday):
1st        Mike LeVan (VE1M), Frank Dusina (E2M), Will Heckman (AM), Mike Jablonski (SVBM), Scott Soucie (BM)           Doug Fellman (SVCM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
2nd        Chuck Trewin (BM
)
3rd
        Dale Pacynski (VBM)

Our “racers of the week” are Will Heckman (AM), Scott Soucie (BM), Doug Fellman (SVCM), and Dick Synowiec (SVDM), each with two 1st place finishes.  Just behind them are Chuck Trewin (BM
) with two 2nd place finishes and Dale Pacynski (VBM) with a 2nd and a 3rd.  The T-Birds had 48% of our racers (12 of 25) make the podium at least once, a nice showing, which hopefully will continue into the last weekend of the season.

Of course, this was not the whole story.  Doug Fellman was smokin’ fast in GS on Sunday, with strikes in both of his runs, leading to his UPGRADE to B for the next weekend.  Congratulations Doug!

In addition, you may be getting accustomed to seeing Will Heckman on the top of the podium.  The two 1st place finishes this weekend made it five in a row and six for the season.  With the addition of newer slalom skis from Glenn Arendsen for Saturday’s race (as opposed to the noodles that he was previously racing slalom on), he beat the 2nd place racer by over five seconds.  Will is hot!

Our two guest racers this weekend were Robert Dusina, temporarily returning from exile in Chicago, and long time member, Ron Lacasse, who would have finished in the middle of the SVCM class in his first try at serious racing.  Hopefully, Robert will make more appearances and Ron will join us and become a full time racer in the future.


Last Weekend’s Party:


On Saturday evening, about 20 TBird racers and friends gathered at the Boyne River Inn in Boyne City for dinner.  After a loud and filling meal, most (18) of the group headed to Mike and Mary Ann Jablonski’s cottage for desserts.  Mary Ann made two cakes and Arlene Bellas made another cake, so no one went without satisfying their sweet tooth.  In fact, some of us had to try all three cakes, so that no one’s feelings would be hurt.  Apparently staying up past 9 PM was too much for Ron Glowzinski, as he promptly fell asleep in a comfortable chair, in spite of the din going on around him.  It was another full and fun evening for the Race Team.


The March 6-8 Marks Weekend Plans:


The final race weekend of the 2009 season brings the world famous TBird on-the-hill barbeque, which is often imitated but never duplicated.  Here, the TBird racers will enjoy a three day feast of angus burgers, Kowalski kielbasa dogs and franks, Better Made chips, beer and pop.  No one has ever gone hungry.  The cost is $12 for the whole weekend, payable to Mike Jablonski.

The Daily Awards will take place on Friday at about 4:30 PM in the Snowflake.  Awards will be presented for the past race weekend Sunday race and the Friday, March 6th race.  After the awards, there are a couple of alternatives:  Steve Vollmer is leading a group to Schuss / Shanty Creek for the Chicago Carnival Friday night welcoming party.  Let Steve know if you are interested.  Whether or not you plan to attend the party, you can also go to the Boyne River Inn for their Friday fish fry.  We will be going there after the conclusion of the Friday awards.  Real party people can do both.

The Saturday, March 7th race awards will be presented at the Awards Banquet on Saturday night.  If you have not picked up any other awards that you earned during this season, you can pick them up at the conclusion of Saturday’s banquet.


Saturday evening is the annual MACC Awards Banquet.  Tickets are available now at a discount through Friday, March 6th.  Everyone should plan to attend to receive your awards or to cheer for your fellow TBird racers.  It is great food, followed by the awards and LOTS of prize giveaways.   Adult ticket prices are $25 (through March 6th), $30 (March 7th).  Kids tickets are also available.


Mike’s Musings:


The “battle of the brothers” was split this weekend, as Ted beat me in Saturday’s slalom and I won the Sunday GS (for my first win in SVBM after a few close misses).  This puts me up 6 to 3 over Ted for the season.  This should make for an interesting final weekend of the 2009 season.

The other battle of the brothers took place for the first time this season, as Robert Dusina came from Chicago to challenge Frank for the family bragging rights.  Robert apparently is not getting the right training in Chicago, as Frank won the slalom by 4 seconds and the GS by 2 seconds.  He appears to be letting things like a job get in the way of important things, like ski racing.  Oh well.  Hopefully, we’ll see more of Robert in the future, though he does not like the drive from Chicago to Boyne in the winter.

See you this weekend.


Your Thunderbird Race Team Director:


           
Mike Jablonski
734-283-5510                     
 (Home)
231-582-7339                       (Cottage)
mtjablonski@wowway.com


THUNDERBIRD RACE TEAM

Newsletter:  March 11, 2009

Fifth Race Weekend: March 6-8:

 The fifth race weekend at Boyne was another success, with 24 TBird Racers going through the courses on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  We continue to be, by far, the largest race team in the MACC program.  The TBirds that made the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows:

Slalom (Friday):
1st        Eric Klaban (E1M), Tom Klaban (VE2M), Hunter Brisson (AM), Tim Loula (BM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)

2nd        Will Heckman (AM),
Scott Soucie (BM), Dale Pacynski (VBM), Steve Vollmer (SVCM)
3rd        Janie Guiliani (E2W), Bob Rentschler (VBM), Doug Fellman (BM), Gary Sonnenberg (SVCM), Bob Rossi (CM)

Giant Slalom (Saturday):
1st        Eric Klaban (E1M),
Will Heckman (AM), Tim Loula (BM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
2nd        Mike LeVan (VE1M), Doug Fellman (BM)
3rd        Janie Guiliani (E2W), Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM), Bob Rentschler (VBM), Chuck Trewin (BM), Gary Sonnenberg (SVCM)


Dual Slalom Cantor Cup (Sunday):
1st        Mike LeVan (VE1M), Janie Guiliani (E2W), Tim Loula (BM), Steve Vollmer (SVCM)
2nd        Patrick Smithbauer (SVCM), Bob Rentschler (VBM), Chuck Trewin (BM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
3rd        Doug Fellman (SVCM)

Our “racer of the week” is Tim Loula, with three 1st place finishes. However, not far behind with three podium finishes are: Dick Synowiec with two 1st and a 2nd, Janie Guiliani with a 1st and two 3rd, and Doug Fellman and Bob Rentschler, each with a 2nd and two 3rd.  With two podium finishes were: Eric Klaban with two 1st, Mike LeVan, Will Heckman, and Steve Vollmer, each with a 1st and a 2nd, Patrick Smithbauer and Chuck Trewin, each with a 2nd and a 3rd, and Gary Sonnenberg with two 3rd.  The TBirds had 71% of our racers (17 of 24) make the podium at least once, another great showing.

Final 2008 Season Results:
The 2008 season was a great success, with 32 TBird Racers going through the courses at least one time.  The TBirds are the still the largest racing club in the MACC program (out of 12 clubs).  This participation is the true measure of success for the program, but the club is also quite successful in the winning part of the equation.

After a full season of racing, the TBird Race Team finished 3rd (out of 12 teams) in the overall combined standings.  In the giant slalom standings, we were in 3rd, while we were 4th in the slalom standings.

The individuals that made the season long World Cup podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows:
1st        Janie Guiliani (E2W), Will Heckman (AM), Tim Loula (BM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)

2nd       
Mike LeVan (VE1M), Scott Soucie (BM), Doug Fellman (SVCM)
3rd        Dale Pacynski (VBM), Gail Kovaleski (CW), Ron Glowzinski (SVCM),

Of the 32 TBird racers, 26 made the podium at least once during the regular season (not including the Cantor Cup), 23 made it at least twice, 19 made it at least three times, 15 made it at least four times, and 10 made it at least five times.  The top racer who made the podium six times include Gail Kovaleski..  Making it seven times are Janie Guiliani and Tim Loula.  Making it eight times was Dick Synowiec.  The king of the hill, Will Heckman, made it to the podium in 9 of the 11 races.


Racers of the Year:

The female “TBird Racer of the Year” is Janie Guiliani.  Last season, Janie finished 5th in E2W.  This season, she really stepped up her game, beating some very tough competition in taking 1st for the season, with 7 podiums, including 4 first place finishes.  She also won the Cantor Cup to finish out a successful season.   Congratulations Janie!!!

The male “TBird Racer of the Year” is Will Heckman.  Will easily won his class and made the podium nine times, with seven 1st place finishes.  He improved his handicap by 13.05 (second best among all men racers), of which almost 9 of that is in GS, where is at the limit (35.0) of being upgraded to E2M, which will happen next season.  It just shows what better skis and proper tuning can do to help natural ability succeed on the race course.  He may even have to trade in his “hillbilly speed suit” next season.  Congratulations Will!!!

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the large number of other TBird racers that had remarkable seasons.  Starting with Art Ellwanger, who was dominating the SVCM class when he was upgraded to B.  Despite making only 5 of 11 races, he just missed the WC podium for the season.  He also improved his total handicap by over 11 points, 4th best in the program.  Dick Synowiec, returning from last season’s injury, came on strong to dominate the SVDM class, taking 8 podiums, including six 1st place finishes.  Patrick Smithbauer, in his first season in SVBM finished in 5th place, not far from making the season podium.  He also improved his total handicap by over 10 points, 5th best in the program.   Tim Loula finished 1st in VBM, making 7 podium appearances. Though he didn’t have a large number of competitors, he was often the fastest racer in B, which was reflected in his upgrade to A at the end of the season.   In addition, Doug Fellman, who finished 2nd in SVCM, probably would have won the class if he had not been upgraded to B, where he continued with 2 more podium finishes to go with the 5 that he had in C.  We can’t forget Mike LeVan, who finished 2nd in the very tough VE1M class, finishing with 5 podiums, including three 1st place finishes. On the women’s side, Gail Kovaleski would probably have won the CW class if she had not had to miss the last two race weekends because of work.  In spite of that, she still finished 3rd, with 6 podium finishes in the 7 races that she made.  Congratulations to Art, Dick, Patrick, Tim, Doug, Mike, and Gail!!!


The Social Side:

The TBird Race Team is also the best and most multi-dimensional race team, having a strong social side with a party for the racers and friends every race weekend.  There was the pizza party and the submarine sandwich party at the Vollmer condo, the lasagna and great steaks at Searchmont, and the fun and noisy dinner for 20 at the Boyne River Inn, followed by desserts at Mike and Mary Ann Jablonski’s cottage. The Marks weekend brought a large turnout for Saturday’s MACC award’s banquet, and the usual great annual T-Bird on-the-hill three-day barbeque at the Othmar Chalet at Superbowl.  No other club has this kind of race season festivities.  Thanks also go out to Gail Kovaleski, Arlene Bellas, Mary Ann Jablonski, and many others for making these activities the success that they were.  It was a season-long good time for all!!!

Mike’s Musings:
The TBird Race Team continues to be the best all-around team in the MACC race program.  A few other teams may have finished higher in the team standings, but the TBirds were not far behind.  We have the most racers, the most winners, the largest group of improving racers (5 of the top 10 in the entire MACC program), the best social activities, the best Mark’s weekend barbeque, and best of all, the friendliest group of people on the hill.  This is hard to beat (but we will try to do so next season).  

The battle of the brothers went to me this year, as I beat Ted in 8 of the 12 races.  All of his victories were in slalom, so I know what I have to work on for next season.

I again finished 4th (invisible award) for the season this year, which is the third time in the past four years that I accomplished that dubious feat.  This season, I was only one point out of third, but the result is the same.  I did get my first 1st place finish in B this season, and just missed another by 0.06 seconds, so there are positives to consider.  Oh well, I’ve got to figure out how to go faster, which is easier said than done.

Again this season, future racer, nephew Zach Jablonski, ran as a forerunner for most of the Course #3 races.  Again, he regularly posted times better than his dad (Ted) or mine.  In fact, most of his handicaps were in the A class.  This is an indication that another racer on Team Jablonski will be a force starting next year.

See you next season on the race course and between now and then at other TBird activities.

Your Thunderbird Race Team Director:

           
Mike Jablonski
734-283-5510                       (Home)
231-582-7339                       (Cottage)
mtjablonski@wowway.com



For more information about TBird Racing contact:
Mike Jablonski
Director - Thunderbird Race Team
Chairman - MACC

h734 283 5510
 
or Jim Michon
Director of Marketing/Recruitment
313-258-4522