From Dick Jordan
The annual induction ceremonies for the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame will be held the week of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. On Friday January 11, 2013 at a luncheon ceremony held in Central Park Hall located on the Tulsa State Fairgrounds, just across the parking lot from the Chili Bowl race track, nine individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
This year’s group of Inductee’s is made up of primarily drivers, some who went on to be car owners and promoters. One is a Car Owner and master mechanic who went on to build a parts company that still operates today. The “traditional” four Inductees were voted in by our Induction Committee, while five others were selected from a group of the sport’s pioneers and early participants.
Traditional inductees voted in are the 1956 and 1957 URA Champion Don Cameron, early midget driver, turned owner and promoter and CEO of one of the most well know automotive companies STP, Andy Granatelli, BCRA and USAC standout Don Meacham and AAA/URA car owner Gordon Schroeder.
Historical inductees to be honored will be Bronx based AAA/ARDC driver Tony Bonadies, Illinois hard charger Don Branson, Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Champion of 1942 Roy Leslie, California’s 1953 URA Champion Johnny Moorhouse and Long Island native Bayard Douglas Tewksbury, known to the racing world as Dave Randolph.
The luncheon will begin at 11:00 AM with registration, the buffet line will open at 11:30 and the ceremony will start around 12:30. Our masters of ceremonies this year will be historians Pat Sullivan and Jim Childers. Dress will be casual so that everyone can come from the track without any inconvenience or delay. We plan to have a few vintage cars on display, along with our slide presentation “Years Gone By”. The Hall of Fame will also have shirts and items on sale.
Reservations are required and must be paid for in advance as we expect another large crowd for this event. Cost for attending this year’s event is $30 per person and includes buffet luncheon, slide show presentation and souvenir program. Central Park Hall is within walking distance of the Expo Center on the grounds. The final reservation deadline is December 31, 2012. Please use the form in this newsletter and mail with your check to NMARHoF, 4967 W 12th Street, Speedway, IN 46224. Calls for additional information can be made to Barb Hellyer 317-697-2230. All reservations will be held at “Will Call” at the registration tables.