Dawsonville, Ga. – With sunny skies overhead, several hundred race fans traveled to Dawsonville, Georgia Saturday to celebrate the grand reopening of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
Race fans were treated to two new displays honoring two potential future hall of famers, Dawsonville’s Chase Elliott and Spencer Davis, as well as an opportunity to meet several Hall of Fame members during an autograph session, which featured Hall of Famers Bruce Brantley, Jack Jackson, Hoyt Grimes, Charlie Mincey and Hubert Platt, along with veteran racers Jabez Jones, Donald Tyson and Bobby Whitmire.
The grand reopening was held to celebrate the Hall of Fame’s rebirth as a 501(c)3 organization, operating under the volunteer run Dawsonville History Museum, INC.
Festivities included a ribbon cutting by Hall of Fame board members, volunteers and local dignitaries, along with a classic car show that included more than 50 entrants.
“It was an absolutely great day,” said Hall of Fame board chairman Gordon Pirkle. “We were thrilled that so many race fans came out to share this very important day with us. It was a great chance to reintroduce ourselves to the community here around Dawsonville and to race fans that traveled from all over to be with us. With all the great comments and positive feedback we got, we know they’ll be back to see us and tell their friends and family about the work we’re doing here.”
Up next for the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame is the annual Lakewood Speedway Reunion, which will be held on August 6. That will be followed by the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony, when the 2011 class of inductees to be added to the Hall will be inducted. That ceremony and banquet will be held on October 21.
For more information on the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, call (706)216-RACE (7223), or go online to www.georgiaracinghof.com.
About the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame - The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame is owned by Dawsonville History Museum, INC. The Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2002, and became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2010. The museum, recognized by the state legislature as the official home of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, recognizes prominent members of Georgia’s racing heritage. The Hall of Fame also plays host to other events saluting the state's racing history, including the annual Lakewood Speedway reunion. The Hall of Fame and Museum are housed in the Dawsonville City Municipal Complex just outside of downtown Dawsonville, Georgia on Hwy. 53. The museum is open Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sunday 12 a.m. - 4 p.m. Holiday and Summer hours vary. Guests can visit the museum for free — there is no charge for admission. We run on donations. For more information, call (706)216-RACE (7223) or go online to www.georgiaracinghof.com.
For more information on this press release, please contact Brandon Reed at raceinfoga@gmail.com.
