On the eve of their 26th Induction Class, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America announced an ambitious $7.5M campaign to build a new, permanent home at Daytona International Speedway. The move coincides with the scheduled January 2016 completion of DAYTONA Rising, the Speedway’s $400 million renovation project currently underway.
“The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America celebrates every form of American motorsports," stated John Doonan, Chairman for the Board of Directors. "This is racing’s Cooperstown. And like Cooperstown, we will now have a permanent facility in which to showcase all of the special personalities that we have honored through time and to give this sport and its immortals the recognition they deserve.”
Once it’s completed, the Hall of Fame will be one of the main stops on every track tour – welcoming and enthralling hundreds of thousands of visitors per year.
“Daytona is the perfect home for the Hall of Fame,” said MSHF President Ron Watson, “because it is home or near home to all the forms of motorsports the Hall of Fame honors. The biggest stock car race, the biggest sports car race, the biggest motorcycle race, as well as an area known for great achievements in drag racing, powerboating and aviation.”
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America represents the diversity of motorized competition including Open Wheel, Stock Cars, Motorcycles, Aviation, Drag Racing, Sports Cars and Powerboats. The 2014 class that will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 6 include Ole Bardahl, Raymond Beadle, John Bishop, Ricky Graham, Arie Luyendyk, Marshall Teague and Rusty Wallace.
“Motorsports is the intersection of people, technology, and sport," commented Al Speyer, Chairman for the Board of Trustees. "Thousands of companies, drivers, mechanics, and teams have contributed to this history. This campaign will allow us to take 26 years of proven success from a sport that dates back to the 19th century. Now is the ideal time for everyone who has participated and prospered from motorsports to join us in charting a fitting future for so many who deserve to be recognized.”
Plans call for a new 10,000 sq. ft. Hall of Fame exhibit area, featuring interactive displays, vehicles, images, artwork, stories and bronze sculptures of 216 icons of American motorsports. The $7.5 million will be used to develop displays that tell both the people and technology stories within motorsports.
“This new space elevates all aspects of our sport," added Elliott Forbes-Robinson, 2006 Hall of Fame Inductee/Board Member. "As an inductee it is thrilling to think about sharing space with such a diverse, yet select group of racers. This is an incredibly exciting time as we prepare to put our story in front of hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.”
The Motorsports Museum & Hall of Fame is operated by the Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc.
