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Mark Donohue Mark Donohue was unique in the racing community. The son of a lawyer in Summit, New Jersey, Donohue was a graduate engineer from Brown University. To him, the challenges of auto racing boiled down to problems that could be solved by scientific analysis.Donohue obviously was able to put his conclusions into practice, as he chalked up an outstanding record of achievements in his racing career. His 29 career victories and 10 wins in a single season (1968) in SCCA Trans-AM racing have never been equaled. Donohue was hot out of the chute in his first year of competition, capturing a SCCA National Championship. He eventually went on to add six more national championships to his record in sports club racing. The high banked oval was Donohue's next challenge, and he made his debut there in the 1966 Daytona Continental, as part of the Ford factory team. Driving for the first time at speeds over 200 mph, Donohue's performance would have satisfied a veteran, let alone a rookie; a third place at Daytona. He followed with a second place finish at Sebring in his Mustang. The same year, Donohue was invited to join forces with Roger Penske. It would become one of the most successful owner-driver associations in the history of the sport. Driving in both the USRRC and Can-Am series, Donohue finished the season, number two in Can-Am, behind John Surtees. Donohue was on a roll. The next two years (1967-68) saw him take honors as U.S. Road Racing Champion. Ford had a tight grip on the TransAm series, but in 1968, running a Penske-prepped Chevrolet Camaro, Donohue showed the others his tail lights, taking 10 of the 13 races. Turning his sights on the Indianapolis 500, Donchue's first time out in 1969 saw him honored as Rookie of the Year when he finished seventh. The following year he came home second. In 1972, Donohue finally made it to Victory Lane at the Brickyard. Mark helped Porsche establish a place in the high echelons of American racing in 1973 when he drove his 917/30 to the Can-Am championship. His six victories in eight events crushed the competition. Donohue went into retirement after the 1973 season, but was convinced that a solid effort in Formula One could win the championship. He began an assault in 1975 on the Formula One Grand Prix circuit. Mark's career was tragically cut short in a crash during practice for the Austrian Grand Prix that year.
Dan Gurney drove his first race at California's old Torrey Pines circuit in 1955, and within four years was sitting in a factory Ferrari at the French Grand Prix. Two years later he stood alongside Phil Hill on the rostrum at Monza as Hill became American's first World Champion. Even though he won more Grand Prixs, four than any other American until Mario Andretti, Gurney was never able to duplicate Hill's feat during a Formula One career that spanned 11 seasons. He was, however, one of few in Grand Prix racing able to run with the legendary Jim Clark, and at the fleet Scot's funeral Clark's father confided that Dan had been the only driver his son had feared. Versatility was Gurney's trademark, he could drive anything, anywhere, and take it to the front. Victories came in Formula One and Indy Cars, the Can-Am and Trans-Am and at LeMans. He won the 500-mile stock car race at Riverside five times in six years, and was an integral part of the Ford Cobra team that brought a World Manufacturer's Championship to the USA. Stronger even than his seemingly boundless ability was an overpowering will to win, the continual urge to go faster and do better. This eventually led to the creation of All American Racers to build the successful line of Eagle racing cars that continues today in the form of Toyota-powered prototype sports cars. His victory in the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix remains the only Formula One win by an American driver in a car of his own construction, and he is generally regarded as the man who fundamentally shaped the modern era of the rear-engined Indy Car. An engaging man with an active intellect and a sharp sense of humor, Dan Gurney is far more than just a string of statistics. An outspoken advocate of fairness and decency, he will always be an excellent ambassador for motorsports. ARMSTRONG, CHITWOOD, KULWICKI, McGRATH, SQUIER, TITUS & VOGLER TO BE INDUCTED INTO MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME DETROIT, MI – Racing luminaries Dale Armstrong, Joie Chitwood, Alan Kulwicki, Jeremy McGrath, Ken Squier, Jerry Titus and Rich Vogler will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America when the organization stages its annual induction ceremony on Aug. 25, 2010 at The Fillmore Detroit. “The Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2010 features champion drivers who doubled as an innovative crew chief, a showman and stunt man, a race team owner and a magazine editor. Joining them are an all-time win leader in sprint cars and midgets, a ground breaking broadcaster and a legendary Supercross rider whose nickname was ‘Showtime.’ Their exploits on and around the race tracks of America make them true hall of famers,” said Ron Watson, president of the Hall of Fame.
Induction Ceremony Corporate Sponsorships & Tickets are now available. Click on links or call 248-349-7223 for more information. The Motorsports Museum & Hall of Fame is operated by the Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc. Currently housed in the Detroit Science Center in the Motor City’s Museum District, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America features the sculptures and stories of 181 Heroes of Horsepower along with racing and high performance vehicles representing the broad spectrum of America motorsports. The constantly changing collection features racers from the world of Indy cars, stock cars, motorcycles, drag racing, Can Am, sprint cars, powerboats, truck racing, karts, aviation and even snowmobiles. About the Detroit Science Center The Detroit Science Center is a hands-on museum that inspires its visitors to pursue and support careers in engineering, technology and science. The Science Center features five theaters, including Michigan’s only Chrysler IMAX® Dome Theatre, the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium, the Toyota Engineering Theater, the DTE Energy Sparks Theater and the Chrysler Science Stage; a 9,000 square-foot Science Hall for traveling exhibits; hands-on exhibit galleries focusing on space, life and physical science; the United States Steel Fun Factory; an exhibit gallery just for pint-size scientists; and a Special Events Lobby. For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org.
Who will be the next enshrinees in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America – 2010 Ballot Announced Early next month, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America will introduce its Class of 2010, which will be inducted at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit on August 25. Voters are currently filling out their ballots. One question remains. Who will be selected?
In addition to Open Wheel, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America annually honors racing legends in six other categories. The 2010 Stock Car ballot features two members of the “Alabama Gang,” Davey and Donnie Allison, back-to-back Cola-Cola 600 winner Neil Bonnett, “Handsome” Harry Gant, team owner extraordinaire Rick Hendrick, 1992 Winston Cup King Alan Kulwicki and 1989 Cup Champ Rusty Wallace.
Sports Car contenders in 2010 include IMSA Founder John Bishop, the “Kansas City Flash” Masten Gregory, pioneering driver and car builder Dick Guldstrand, four-time Trans Am Champion Tommy Kendall, 1960 SCCA Champion Augie Pabst, Chaparral driver and team manager Hap Sharp, as well as 1967 Trans Am Champ and writer Jerry Titus.
The Hall of Fame’s Historic Category honors racers who made their mark prior to 1970. Those being considered this year are NASCAR’s first champion Red Byron, racer and stunt driver “The Chief” Joie Chitwood, motorcycle sidecar racer Pop Dreyer, industrialist and tire pioneer Harvey Firestone, mechanic/car builder Ray Nichels, 1955 Indy 500 winner Bob Sweikert and two-time NASCAR Grand National Champion Herb Thomas. For the At Large Category in 2010, voters will exclusively consider media candidates. Their choices are the original radio voice of the Indianapolis 500 Sid Collins, broadcaster and historian Donald Davidson, Petersen Publishing Co. founder Robert E. Petersen, historian/promoter/publicist Bob Russo, the broadcast voice of stock car racing Ken Squier, plus Car & Driver editor, commentator and author Brock Yates. This year’s ballot is a result of an earlier vote by the Motorsports Hall of Fame’s permanent Nominating Committee, which consists of experts with an outstanding general knowledge of motorsports and/or are especially knowledgeable in specific categories. Finalists were selected from a Master List of 193 eligible candidates. Nominees receiving the most votes in each category upon final count of the ballots will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. The class will be announced in early February and the induction will take place at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit on August 25, 2010.
2010 is going to be a good year. As the calendar comes to a close and you are thinking about organizations for year-end donations, we ask that you consider supporting the MSHFA in its quest to preserve the history and advance the values of American motorsports. In 2009, challenges came to the Hall of Fame in waves – often, and from many angles. All were met with an energy and passion that can only happen when there is a worthwhile purpose. The economy was tough on individuals, businesses, and especially nonprofits. We were determined to forge ahead because the values we stand for – leadership, teamwork, innovation and competitive spirit – are more important than ever in hard times. We were blessed once again with an extraordinary group of inductees. Relationships built over the years showed their strength when companies dipped as much as they could into newly limited budgets to support the event. Many people donated time and services. The result was one of the most meaningful and inspiring Induction Ceremonies in Hall of Fame history. Later in the year, a chain of person-to-person recommendations led to our new relationship with the Detroit Science Center. At the DSC, we will be part of a world-class museum operation. For many years, a key segment of the Hall of Fame’s mission statement has been the encouragement of careers in science and technology through the colorful and exciting inspiration of motorsports. This part of what the Hall of Fame is all about will be greatly enhanced and gain unprecedented vitality in 2010. To be able to continue pursuing such important objectives, we must depend on our friends and believers in the cause. As someone who is interested in the work of the Hall of Fame, your financial support is vital. This is the time of year that we ask folks to make or renew a commitment to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the values it represents. We trust that you feel our mission is a worthy one. Your monetary contribution is the best statement of support for that mission you can possibly make. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation. Please give generously. Keeping the legacy of American motorsports alive depends on it. Best wishes for a Happy New Year from the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America!
DETROIT SCIENCE CENTER BECOMES THE NEW HOME OF THE MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME OF AMERICA The Detroit Science Center has reached an agreement with the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America to bring a significant portion of the Hall’s collection of vehicles and displays to the Science Center. The Hall was formerly located in the Novi Expo Center in Novi, Mich. Cars, exhibits and other displays began arriving at the Detroit museum last week. Among them are Art Arfon’s "Green Monster Cyclops," a Kenny Bernstein Funny Car and Sebastien Bourdais' Championship Indy Car.
“We are honored to welcome the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America to the Detroit Science Center and to share its wonderful collection with our visitors,” said Detroit Science Center President & CEO Kevin F. Prihod. Admission to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America at the Detroit Science Center is included in Science Center museum admission. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is operated by the Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation, Inc. Its collection features racers from the world of Indy cars, stock cars, Can Am, TransAm, sprint cars, powerboats, truck racing, drag racing, motorcycles, air racing, and even racing snowmobiles. It also showcases exhibits and photographs of the personalities, manufacturers and machines of all kind of racing and their rich legacy. The Detroit Science Center is a hands-on museum that inspires its visitors to pursue and support careers in engineering, technology and science. The Science Center features five theaters, including Michigan’s only Chrysler IMAX® Dome Theatre, the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium, the Toyota Engineering Theater, the DTE Energy Sparks Theater and the Chrysler Science Stage; a 9,000 square-foot Science Hall for traveling exhibits; hands-on exhibit galleries focusing on space, life and physical science; the United States Steel Fun Factory; an exhibit gallery just for pint-size scientists; and a Special Events Lobby. It is one of the 10 largest science museums in the country. For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org.
Save the date: August 25, 2010 The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America will honor its new class of Inductees on August 25, 2010. The 22nd Annual Induction Ceremony will be held once again at the historic Fillmore Detroit. INSPIRATION AND EMOTION RULE AS BERNSTEIN, HOBBS, PARKER, RICHTER, UNSER JR, WHEELER AND WEATHERLY ARE INDUCTEDINTO MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME OF AMERICA
NOVI, MI – Racing legends Kenny Bernstein, David Hobbs, Scott Parker, Les Richter, Al Unser, Jr., H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler and Joe Weatherly were inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America during an inspirational and emotional ceremony on Wednesday, August, 12, 2009 at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit. In addition to those being honored, several racing notables took part in the proceedings. Track announcer Jim Mueller served as master of ceremonies. Hall of Fame hydroplane racer Mira Slovak read the stirring patriotic “My Creed” by Dean Alfange. Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, whose Lucas Oil Co. supporter nearly every form of motorsports, were on hand. At this year’s Induction Ceremony, the list of presenters was nearly as impressive as the list of those being honored. Speed Channel’s Bob Varsha introduced Hobbs. Harley-Davidson’s Willie G. Davidson presented Parker. Roger Penske inducted Richter. Hall of Fame stock car legend Ned Jarrett presented and accepted on behalf of Weatherly. Long-time racing broadcaster Ken Squier introduced Wheeler. NHRA President Tom Compton presented Bernstein. And four-time Indy 500 champ Al Unser inducted his son. Each year, those in attendance are treated to stirring video presentations that document the accomplishments of the honored Heroes of Horsepower. This year was no exception. Bernstein’s video detailed how he became the King of Speed in 1992 when he was the first NHRA driver to break the 300 MPH barrier. He is a four-time Winston Funny Car champion and an IHRA Winston World Funny Car champ. Bernstein also is a two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion. He is still actively involved in drag racing as an owner. The Hobbs presentation followed his exploits from three decades driving sports cars to his current role as a television broadcaster on Speed Channel. His driving career saw him win the SCCA Trans Am championship and close to 40 major race victories. Hobbs also fared well in his four Indy 500 starts and his Formula 1 debut in 1966. Parker rode Harley-Davidsons for 21 years amassing 94 wins and a record nine dirt track championships. He is the only rider to have been named American Motorcyclist Athlete of the Year three times. Richter was a former eight-time Pro Bowl football player with the Los Angeles Rams before becoming one of the co-owners of Riverside International Raceway and helped turn that track into one of the finest in the world. He also co-founded the International Race of Champions, became a vice president of NASCAR and played a dominant role in the development of California Speedway. Unser, Jr. is known in racing circles as “Little Al” but his accomplishments are as big as his family name. Unser visited the winner circle at Indianapolis twice and also captured the CART crown and the IROC title two times. For nearly three decades, Wheeler was the innovative president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte and helped make it one of the premiere racing facilities in the world, being the first to offer extensive VIP suites and condominiums. Weatherly began his racing career and won three championships on motorcycles before switching to NASCAR, winning the 1953 Modified championship. Then, he went on to win the Grand National (now Sprint Cup) championship in 1962 and 1963. He ranks 19th in all-time Cup wins with 24. He died in a 1964 accident at Riverside Raceway in California. Plans already are underway for the 22nd annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony.
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