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Grand Rapids Street Racers
Attitude
from the Beginning
The Grand Rapids area has always been the hot spot in West Michigan for Automotive activities from the surrounding areas, people made the downtown circuit the place to be on Friday and Sat. nights. There were car clubs formed, one genre or another, but a group of friends who gathered didn’t fit in with any. Their hi-performance cars with the fancy paint jobs, along with the attitude they carried formed the Grand Rapids Street Racers Association. From Mustangs to Firebirds, Mopars to Chevelles. The Street Racers owned and raced them all. Dan Jackson had his 'Boss Mustang, Troy Brewer had his Trans Am. Mark Telder had a Mustang with huge tires, Vito had his Bronco. Carl Foster was sporting a six-pack in his Roadrunner and Lyle Buffem had a big block Chevelle. John Plantenga wandered until he found his mighty Duster. Rick Robinson had his '56 Chevy, Mr.Gasket, Rick Jansma had his early Mustang. This all started late 1973 into 1974. Ken Furlick had his wild Nova. Ron Sheldon had his Black "One Trick Pony" Maverick. later on Greg Wyeth with his big block Chevelle and Randy Closser running his '69 Z/28. This tight knit group got together whenever they could, when work would let them or their better halfs would allow. But when they got together, people knew they were out. You would hear them long before they came into view. And what a parade of muscle and sound you would see! They hung out Downtown and ran the circuit until it was shut down. In the late seventies they congregated at the blood bank on 28th St. after hours. It was a small lot, if you were lucky you could find a parking spot. But they didn't just park! A challenge would go down and off they would go to settle up you might say. Or just go for a cruise, having fun along the way. Or go to a park and make it a car show, wherever the Street Racers went their impact was felt. Malls even asked if they would display their cars! Party? They knew how to have a good time! Their expoits are legendary! Love it or hate it, if you didn't have a good time with these guys, there was a serious problem. They had their bar spots,2 or 3 or more, but they worked hard and played harder, theres just nothing wrong with that! As the years past, the club got slowly larger and things changed also. Dues were in now, t-shirts and jackets and other club stuff. But bigger brought cars shows and Autorama, Memorial Day and Labor Day parties at Vitos that can never be equaled. From Indianapolis to St.Louis, South Bend to DeQuoin, the Street Machine Nat's were a magnet for the Street Racers. They would take their cars and make sure that they were noticed! And noticed they were, Magazines featured the cars of Dan Jackson, Ken Furlick,Vito Lombardo and I think Ron Sheldon too! But year after year, the Nats were the planned event to see! The women behind the Street racers get a lot of credit too! They supported their men and their hobby and enjoyed it along with them. They helped with events and parties, did newsletters and stamps and took care of the messes! Without them a lot of things could have been different. Thanks Girls! Now in 2006, the Street Racers are planning for the new season. we wouldn't be here today if not for the guys that started it all! Thanks Vito and John, Dan and Troy, Rick and Lyle, Ken and Gasket, Mark Telder, Ron Sheldon and Greggy, Randy! You're a part of this too! Just a few words can't describe what the Street Racers really are! It would take a book to tell of their adventures. But we are carrying the name on and hope to do it the Street Racer way!
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