A Hall of Fame with a slightly different twist
Many of you know my wish to create a hall of fame dedicated to rewarding those of racing's past who have made unrecognized contributions to the history of our sport, a hall of fame dedicated to the heroes among us whose impact on the sport has been felt but not celebrated.There is an urgency to recognize these individuals while they are still living. All efforts should be exhausted to reward them personally, while they are alive and able to cherish the kudos and feel the gratitude and appreciation of racing history fans.Friends of RacesReunion.com have formed an advisory committee to create, organize and introduce this hall of fame. Our first meeting was held December 9, 2008. The initial members of the committee are Bill Mangum, founder of the Virginia-Carolina Early Dirt Racers Association; Mike Sykes, President of the Old Timers Racing Club; Paul Lewis, founder of the original Racers Reunion; Bob Hissom; Dustin Gilder; and Jeff Gilder. An agreement has been secured with Alex Beam allowing us to house the hall inside Memory Lane Museum in Mooresville. NC.You, the members of RacersReunion.com, have the opportunity to participate in making more history. You have a chance to recommend individuals to the nominating committee for the inaugural 2009 induction. We have created a page on this site labeled "Hall of Fame" for accumulating your recommendations. Please post your information on the "Comment Wall" of that page. With your post, please provide as much information as possible about the accomplishments of the individual(s) you are recommending. Once the nominees are established by the committee, you will then be allowed to vote for your choices.Additionally, much thought has been given to the name of our new hall. Originally, we considered calling it the "Independent Racers Hall of Fame," but we have not yet settled on a name. We would love to hear your ideas. If we accept your idea for the name, you will be recognized and invited to attend the inaugural ceremony as our guest. You may also post your ideas for a name on the Hall of Fame Comment Wall.For those desiring involvement in this exciting, historic endeavor, numerous volunteer positions are available including fund raising, public relations, coordinating the banquet, and more. If you are interested in participating, you may leave an email for me or post your interest(s) on the Hall of Fame Comment Wall.Please help us spread the word about this exciting time in racing history. Invite as many people as possible to make recommendations for nomination. For the most part, we are a group of like-minded individuals who enjoy celebrating racing history. Now, with this new hall, we have the chance to "kick it up a notch." It is a massive undertaking requiring hundreds of hours of work. But its a labor of love, and we welcome and need the input and assistance of many. Please join us in making this an exceptional effort. Thank you in advance for your support.Jeff
Jeff, Is there going to be criteria to be nominated and how many will be inducted. I am truly looking forward to this. It will be really special to see some folks recognized that have been overlooked. You guys and gals continue to amaze me with your efforts. I feel honored to be a member of this site. I nominate racersreunion.com the best racing site on the web.
Thanks, Tommy. I really appreciate your comment. We are thinking that the inaugural induction may be a large one. We're still not set on a number, but I feel we have some catching up to do. Also we are thinking that we might make being alive and able to personally receive the award an eligablility requirement for the first year. But all this is still being decided. Our next committee meeting will be in mid-January. I'd like to see the list of recommendations from RacersReunion members prior to that meeting....and I'd like to see the members recommendation for a name prior to that meeting. I'm really interested in seeing what the racing history fans have to say about the whole thing.Jeff
the great racers of yester years wall of fame
GLAD TO SEE THIS HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THE HALL OF FAME WILL MAKE THOSE LIKE YOU SAID" FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS IN AUTO RACING "THE HONOR THAT THEY DESERVE. AWSOME!!!! JEFF AND TEAM.
I would like to help with any type of graphics and design work you need, like logos and letterhead, writing, editing and photography, including my model photography. These guys have always been my heroes and I just want to be involved. I'm just a poor ol' country boy but so were most of them when they started and some even finished that way. I'd be proud just to be a small part of whatever ya'll do.
i thank you , i will try to put something togather after chirstmas,i also wish everyone safe hollday,kent
Jeff,I am there with you guys. This is an awesome undertaking. Kathi and I are more than willing to aid in this endeavor. I have several ideas that I would love to share with the committee. I will email them to you Jeff.Pastor Ken
Jeff, As I'm understanding the Racers-Reunion HOF, its purpose is to recognize those who may have not received recognition in previous or existing halls of fame? Or could candidates have membership in the R-R hall and in others, too?
At this point...I'm not sure. My guess is that there will be some who have been inducted into other halls that we will still want to recognize. I guess the thing I would like to see is a complete accounting for the sports foundation...rather than just the ones that continually get recognized. We all know there's more to the story. There are many who have won hundreds of races...many who have been mechanics, and crew chiefs behind those in the winner's circle, and many more who have made contributions that haven't been recognized. Hope this helps.
How about this; The Rolling Thunder of Yesteryear Hall of Fame. or maybe this; The Rolling Thunder of the Past, Hall of Fame. I also have come up with the Golden Memories Hall of Fame, and Turn 4 Hall of Fame.THere could possibly be 5 groups for the nominees for each time there is entries to the hall of fame.1948 to 19591960 to 19691970 to 19791980 to 19891990 to 1999Maybe 5 from each era. This would be 25 at a time, this would allow for those who are with us still to be inducted, while they are still with us. Just my thoughts, Jeff.Pastor Ken
I think I understand your concept, and I agree that many have been overlooked. But, there could be a tendency to continually nominate those who are forever on the forefront, and in the limelight. We've got to get beyond the obvious, or the new R-R HOF will mirror the many existing ones.
We will not allow that to happen, Bobby. Those who have joined me in this endeavor feel the same way that I do. What's the use...if you just induct the same ones..? And what have you accomplished if you only induct one or two a year. And why wait...? If we wait any longer many of these pioneers will be gone and part of our goal is to give the honor while they are alive.
Good! We're on the same page, and time is of the essence.
Jeff, anyway I can be of help let me know. Sorry I couldnt make the meeting, I had a Dr appt. I had to keep.Keep in touch,Clyde Mangum
Clyde, we will schedule another meeting in mid January....maybe somewhere that is centrally located for everyone. Maybe Alex's place is as central as we can get with Paul being from Johnson City, the Mangums from Danville, Mike from Archdale, and me from the beach...any ideas on that?