By Jimmy Dearing
St. Louis, MO (May 30th, 2012) Belle-Clair Speedway & Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 are mourning the loss of track announcer Mike Meurer. Mike suffered a heart attack and passed away Tuesday evening while visiting family and friends in California. Both tracks send their heart felt condolences out to Mike’s family and friends. Mike and his wife Tina were considered part of the family to track promoters Don Hoener (Belle-Clair Speedway) and Ray & Sue Marler and Ken Schrader (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55).
Many of the young racers racing today at both tracks grew up listening to Mike announce and dreamed of some day having Mike announce their name while racing. Mike had a special relationship with the fans and drivers at both tracks. His voice was unforgettable and even out of town fans looked forward to returning just to hear Mike announce a race.
Arrangements for Mike have not been set yet. Due to specific guidelines that have to be followed in California, it will be Saturday before the family can get Mike back home to southern Illinios from California. They hope set arrangements for Mike for early next week.
After special consideration and consulting with Mike’s family, both tracks have decided to race their scheduled events this weekend. Mike’s family stated that “Mike would want the show to go on!”
Both tracks ask fans to wear “purple” this weekend to the races as that was Mike’s favorite color shirt to wear on race night.
Belle-Clair Speedway will run their full program of UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP/AARA Sportsman, UMP/AARA Pure Stocks and UMP/AARA Pro 4 Stocks along with the Gateway Vintage Cars this Friday night. Racing starts at 7pm.
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 will run their MARS DIRTcar vs UMP DIRTcar Late Model special event paying $5,000 to win along with UMP Modifieds, UMP/AARA Sportsman and UMP/AARA Pro 4 Stocks on Saturday. Qualifying is set to start at 6:30pm.
