Some
individuals know from the moment they first sit in a racecar that driving is
their destiny, or at least what they desire most; for Frank Seder this was
NOT the case. As a matter of fact, when the young farm boy from Alger,
Michigan first sat in a car at a “Kids Night” event at American Legion
Speedway (West Branch, Michigan); the first thing he said was, “Who would
want to race a car?!! It’s way too hot in there”.
Thankfully, by 1977 Franks childhood
impression had changed, and he has been putting a smile on the faces of
Michigan race fans ever since. Over the past 30-years Frank has amassed over
100 feature victories earning him the nickname of the “Flyin’ Farmer”.
In addition to wins, Frank has also
become one of the most highly respected dirt Late Model drivers in Michigan
history. This 2007 Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club (MARFC) driver of the year
has an impressive list of racing stats including:
Standish Speedway (MI) Sportsman Division track championship (1980)
Mini-Mud Slinger Sportsman Event Winner at Auto City Speedway (MI) (1980)
Won 7 of 8 Sportsman division events at Volusia Co. Speedway (FL)
“Speedweeks” (1981)
14 Merritt Speedway (MI) Late Model division track championships – (1984,
1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, and
2007).
Auto City Speedway (MI) Late Model division track champion (1985). Won all
but 2 events enroute to $10,000 championship title.
MSPA (Michigan Speedways Promoters Assn.) Late Model series championship
(1990)
Mansfield Raceway $10,000 to win Late Model event victor (1993)
2-Time Oakshade Raceway (OH) Barney Oldfield Memorial race winner (1993 &
1997)
8-Time Wood-Tic 100 race winner (Merritt Speedway)
Voted Michigan Racing Scenes “Favorite Late Model Driver” (2005)
Voted Merritt Speedways “Fan Favorite” (2006)
Named MARFC “Driver of The Year” (2007)
Since beginning his Late Model Career
in 1981 Frank has competed at 19 different speedways across the Midwest
including; Auto City Speedway (MI), Cherry Speedway (MI), Crystal Motor
Speedway, (MI), Galesburg Speedway (MI), I-96 Speedway (MI), Ionia
Fairgrounds (MI), Mansfield Raceway (OH), Merritt Speedway (MI), Mt.
Pleasant Speedway (MI), Oakshade Raceway (OH), Onaway Speedway (MI), Owosso
Speedway (MI), Silver Bullet Speedway (MI), Spartan Speedway (MI), Standish
Speedway (MI), Thunderbird Racepark (MI), Tri-City Motor Speedway (MI),
Whittemore Speedway (MI), and Winston Motor Speedway (MI).
There is very little that can keep
the “Flyin’ Farmer” out of a racecar. In the 2007 season Frank broke his leg
while tending cows. Two days later he was back behind the wheel of a racecar
and won the prestigious Wood-Tic 100 at Merritt Speedway (MI), a memory that
will remain one of Franks fondest for some time to come.
The 2008 racing season will see Frank
in action every Saturday night at Merritt Speedway and at certain other
special events throughout the state.
