MMSHoF – Keeping History Alive.

This past Sunday (November 7, 2010) I attended the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

MMSHoF is an organization that I am so proud and honored to be part of.  As a board member since 2005 I have been able to see firsthand what a great impact the organization has on motorsports in Michigan.

What is so unique about MMSHoF is that the inductees are not chosen by the board members; instead biographies are submitted by various individuals, reviewed by the board for validity to the best of our ability and ballots with each candidate’s name are sent to every past inductee and board member for voting.   The inductee’s are truly chosen by their peers which is what makes the induction so much more special.

This year’s inductee’s included;  Auto City and Dixie Motor Speedway 20-time Champion Tony Brabbs, amazing engine builder Butch Dowker, Spartan Speedway and ARCA  standout Jeff Finley, 5-Time World Top Fuel Hydro Drag Boat champion John Haas, Inaugural Indianapolis 500 winner Ray Harroun, Drag Racing Innovators Ron & Gene Logghe, The first female to ever compete in the Soo I-500 Diane Miller, Drag Racing standout Ray Paquet, Open Modified legend Jim Slade, and two individuals who made dirt track racing in mid and northern Michigan what it is today, Ed and Carmen VanDuinen.

Over 300 individuals were in attendance to honor this class of 2010 as well as the three individuals who were given our special board-decided awards; Fred Alberts was honored with the Lifetime Dedication award for his commitment and service to Sprint Car Racing.  Paul Fletcher was the recipient of the Mick Schuler Media award for his contributions through National Speed Sport News and Late Model Illustrated.  And Sue Lincoln was awarded with the Dick Beebe Memorial Award for her years of dedication and service as an amazing scorer and official.

It is so wonderful that we have an organization committed to honoring individuals from all forms of motorsports that have represented our state well, either on a local or regional level, or with national acclaim.   This annual awards dinner is one that I look forward to; not only do we get to honor deserving individuals, but it is also a great way to catch up with old friends away from the rumble of engines.

I would like to congratulate all of this year’s inductees, the honor was well deserved.