New England Auto Racers seeking nominations for the class of 2024
The New England Auto Racers (NEAR) are already gearing up for their 26th Hall of Fame induction ceremony to be held once again at the Log Cabin Delaney House in Holyoke Ma on Sunday November 3rd. President April May Preston-Elms announced we are currently accepting nominations for this prestigious honor and look forward to another exemplary pool of applications for consideration to become one of the eight individuals honored and added to the prestigious NEAR HoF roster.
New England Auto Racers was formed and incorporated in January 1981. The sole purpose of the corporation is to encourage the restoration of Auto race cars, display same at racetracks and sporting events, honor outstanding people in the field of New England automobile racing and develop and foster knowledge of the history of automobile racing in New England among interested individuals and groups as well as the public. Club functions have included exhibitions at race tracks and auto shows.
In 1998, NEAR held the inaugural NEAR Hall of Fame banquet, inducting twelve racing legends. 2024 will be the 26th induction ceremony for the Hall, which now comprises of well over 250 members.
With the likes of racing legends Dick McCabe, Ed Flemke Sr & Jr., Randy Lajoie, Ray Miller, Rollie Lindblad, Ronnie Marvin, Kenny Tremont Jr, Tony ‘Jap’ Membrino, Andy Santerre, Brad Leighton, Red MacDonald, and media greats Mike Joy, Dr. Dick Berggren, and Ken Squire to name but a few, it is truly a who’s who group, and considered one of the most prestigious honors to be nominated into.
The criteria are simple:
- Retired from their line of work in auto racing for at minimum five years OR
- The date used for basis of retirement will be December 31 minus five years from the current year.
- Over 60 years of age OR
- Deceased
In general, successful candidates should have had a distinguished, successful, and lengthy career in New England auto racing or should be from New England and had a distinguished, successful, and lengthy career elsewhere. Successful candidates can come from any discipline of New England auto racing (e.g.: track operator, driver, crew chief, inventor, constructor, owner, media personality). Out of New England nominees must have been involved in winning at least one championship at a New England Track.
The selection process starts out with nominations being submitted to the HoF committee throughout the course of the year. The nominating committee meets to review the nominations and narrow the pool to sixteen (16) eligible candidates. Ballots are then sent out to all HoF members for their vote. The sealed ballots are opened during a HoF committee meeting and counted.
The nomination form can be found here. Once completed, they can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to NEAR, HoF Nominations P.O. Box 492 Bradford VT 05033.
