In this edition of the ORMHOF eNewsletter: Links to the 2017 Nomination Packet and information on how to nominate someone for the Hall of Fame -plus- Casey Folks Celebration of Life set for February 12, ORMHOF on the Road in February at the Parker 425, King of the Hammers and BRC’s 30th Anniversary event. Read more here.

OFF-ROAD MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2016

Reno, Nevada – The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) is proud to announce the Class of 2016. Twenty members of the off-road community met to evaluate a record number of nominations and have selected the following individuals to be inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame for 2016: Land use advocate Don Amador, racing pioneer Bud Feldkamp, Trackside Photo’s Jim Ober, five time Baja 1000 winner Larry Ragland and racing team innovator Tracy Valenta.

Don Amador (land use advocate) Don currently serves as the Western Representative for the Blue Ribbon Coalition and is owner of Quiet Warrior Racing, a recreation consulting company. Don has designed political and legislative strategies on both the state and national level to combat unnecessary restrictions on off-road sports.

He has ridden thousands of miles of roads and trails to better understand the needs of enthusiasts who love motorsports. His mastery of the administrative, legislative and political processes that make this country run is unmatched in the off-road world. Don attends countless meetings, writes official comment letters on hundreds of issues every year, blogs nearly daily on off-road issues and updates, and sets a standard for other land use activists to follow.

Bud Feldkamp (racing pioneer) To a whole generation of off-road racers, the combination of Dr. Bud Feldkamp and Malcolm Smith represented the pinnacle of the sport in the late 1970’s. In his blue and white Funco SS II (aka The Belray Bullet), Bud Feldkamp not only posted overall wins in two Baja 1000’s, three Baja 500’s and two Mint 400’s, but he also earned two consecutive desert championships, along with two Bilstein Madonna awards.

Since motorcycles were Bud’s first passion and ultimately what brought him to desert racing, it is fitting that he has taken that passion to Glen Helen Raceway where, as president, he has created a world class off-road venue, hosting such events as the AMA U.S. Motocross Nationals, FIM U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross and Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

Jim Ober (Trackside Photo) Trackside Photo pioneered off-road photo journalism, and is where dozens of photographers got their start in the industry. Trackside Photo photographers not only captured great images, they were also taught how to shoot safely and to respect the land. There was a time when photography was something only a few could do, and Trackside Photo was exceptional at capturing dynamic action shots of off-road racing in both the U.S. and Baja.

In the early days of off- road, the only coverage of the sport was in newspapers and magazines. Photos were rare, good ones even more rare. Trackside Photo was awarded SCORE Photographer of the Year a remarkable 17 times. Without Trackside Photo’s photographic record documenting 40 years of off-road, much of the history of the sport would be lost forever.

Photo provided by: Mad Media

Larry Ragland (five time Baja 1000 winner) It would be hard to tell the history of off-road without Larry Ragland. Larry stepped off a dirt bike and into a Class 1 unlimited off-road FUNCO built rig, racing into an off-road career that has spanned four decades. Larry and teammate Jim Halford won the 1981 Parker 400 overall, followed up by wins at the Baja 500 and Mexicali 300.

Larry started his own team in 1982, winning the SCORE championship for Class 1 in both 1983 and 1984. In 1987 Larry moved to the Chevrolet team in a Class 7 mini truck. From 1986 to 1989, Larry won multiple races, including the Class 7 championship in 1988. In 1990 Larry moved to Class 8, where he won two more championships and his first Baja 1000 overall. 1995 marked the beginning of the trophy truck era, and Larry was ready. He won four more overall Baja 1000s, including an impressive string of three consecutive victories.

Tracy Valenta (Racing team innovator) Tracy Valenta began off-road racing in 1971 and soon his passion for the sport exploded. One of his many significant impacts on the world of off-road motorsports was his promoting a foundation of a Team concept and a professional image for his drivers and as a team owner. Tracy and his Party Ice team were considered the premier off-road racing organization of the 1970s and ‘80s by the media, race promoters as well as by his competitors. He promoted his team to increase publicity to not only put fans in the stands, but to help his competitors as well harvest sponsorships and grow the sport.

Tracy’s team consisted of some of the most talented drivers in off-road racing including legendary Malcom Smith and Bud Feldkamp, Rick and Roger Mears, stunt drivers Bobby Ferro and Kitty O’Neal, rock legend Ted Nugent and motocross superstar Bob Hannah.

The Inductees will be celebrated at the ORMHOF Induction Ceremony on Monday, October 31, 2016 at the South Point in Las Vegas to kick off SEMA week. South Point owner and ORMHOF Inductee Michael Gaughan will host an open bar during the cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by the banquet and Induction Ceremony. The event is open to the public. For ticket information visit www.ormhof.org.

The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame was established in 1978 by racing promoter and NORRA founder Ed Pearlman to recognize and honor those individuals and organizations whose lifelong contributions to off-road motorsports have set a standard for others to follow. In 1995, legendary off-road racer Rod Hall began working to find a permanent home for ORMHOF. The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame display in the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada is the result of Hall’s efforts.

ORMHOF is funded through donations, individual memberships and industry partners, including BFGoodrich, FOX, Glen Helen Raceway, Jackson Motorsports Group, NORRA, Skyjacker, Best in the Desert, Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series, McMillin Racing, South Point Hotel Casino and Spa, Rod Hall Drive, Ultra4 Racing and the National Automobile Museum.

The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

In this edition of the ORMHOF e-Newsletter: Release Date and Submission Deadline for 2017 Nomination Packets -Plus- Meet 2007 Inductee Gil George, On The Road with ORMHOF and more.

Our off-road community has lost a true icon, ORMHOF Inductee Casey Folks. Read the official announcement from Best in the Desert on Casey’s sudden passing here.

Read about the sweet story of Walter Prince and the Great Candy Cane Off-Road Race Team in the holiday edition of the ORMHOF eNewsletter. Click here.

Congratulations to the ORMHOF Class of 2015

L-R Michael Gaughan, Curt LeDuc, Jerry Penhall, Shannon Campbell and Chris Collard.

Make plans now to attend the 2016 Induction Ceremony, on Monday, October 31, at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a formal/ black tie optional event.  The public is welcome to attend. Tickets will be available starting August 1.

Did you know that anyone can submit a nomination for the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame? Check back for a link to the 2016 Nomination Packet, beginning February 1. Nominations are due by April 30.

Become a voting member of the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame for just $25, and you’ll be on the voting committee for the Rising Star Awards, ORMHOF’s salute to the up and coming young talent (and possibly future Hall of Famers!) in our Industry.  Rising Star voting takes place in September and October, with the Rising Star recipients announced at the gala black tie Induction Ceremony at the South Point in Las Vegas, during the SEMA Show. Head over to the Membership tab for more details on how you can become a voting member.

Racing legend Rod Hal’s championship Bronco is undergoing a full restoration. Hall, who has achieved more podium finishes that any American off-road racer, once again piloted his classic steed down the Baja peninsula in the General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000.

The Bronco, which was built by Bill Stroppe, has a past as storied as Hall himself. After Hall and teammate Larry Minor drove it to an overall win in the 1969 Mexican 1000, it was sold, raced, resold, and then retired to a wrecking yard in Southern California. Half buried in sand and nearly forgotten, it was discovered by a local race fan and put on display in front of a Denny’s restaurant. In 2003 the Bronco was donated to ORMHOF and found its way back to Hall.

Samco Fabrication will manage the arduous task of restoring the vehicle back to its original glory; which will include a crate 302 from Ford Racing, BFGoodrich tires, and products from Summit Racing, Mastercraft Safety, KC HiLiTES, and Fox Racing.

ORMHOF, a 501c (3) non-profit, is dedicated to honoring the rich history of off-road motor sports and those who have crafted it.