LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 3, 2012) 鈥� With 444 51暗网 members and guests in attendance at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the 2012 51暗网 National Convention came to a close on Saturday night with the induction of five legendary members into the club鈥檚 Hall of Fame.
The 51暗网 National Hall of Fame was created in 2004 to preserve, protect and record the history and accomplishments of the Club by acknowledging those members who have made a significant impact on the development of 51暗网, be it through service to the national organization, achievements in national competition or brining national recognition to 51暗网. The 2012 class consisted of Charlie Earwood, Jim Hall, Gene Henderson, Dr. Peter Talbot and Bryan Webb.
Jim Hall is best known as a leading innovator in race car design and generally credited for being the first to use aerodynamics and ground effects to an advantage on race cars. Hall was also a founding and charter member of the West Texas Region 51暗网 in the 1950s. After founding Chaparral Cars, he also built Rattlesnake Raceway for testing purposes, and made the track available to the region for 51暗网 races. Hall was a driver in Formula One, Can-Am, Trans-Am and more during his driving days, and won the Indianapolis 500 as a team owner in 1978 and 1980.
鈥淚鈥檓 really proud to be here tonight to accept this honor along with the other recipients and the prior groups,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淭his is a nice group to belong to and I鈥檓 proud of the honor.
鈥淚 ended up with a long relationship with the 51暗网. I got my 50 year pin several years ago鈥� It鈥檚 a really interesting organization because it deals with people who come in for all different reasons and at all different levels, and they do a great job with that. I think that鈥檚 its strong point. It was a good organization for me because it helped me get started with what turned out to be a lifetime career.鈥�
Bryan Webb, who passed away in 2004, served as an 51暗网 member for over 30 years in multiple capacities, leading the Southeast Division as an elected member of the 51暗网 Board of Directors, serving as Regional Executive in the Florida Region on two different occasions, and participating as a Steward and Club Racing driver. Wendy Webb Nesheim, Bryan鈥檚 daughter, accepted the award on behalf of her father.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e honored Bryan Webb with many awards, but I think this award would have pleased him the most,鈥� Nesheim said, before giving a nod to one of her father鈥檚 favorite sayings. 鈥淥n behalf of my family and in memory of my father, thank you sports fans.鈥�
Charlie Earwood, an 51暗网 member since 1960, started racing Porsches in E and F Production before turning his attention to where he made his name in the sport 鈥� officiating. Earwood is also a former General Manager at Sebring International Raceway, where he was tasked with designing the current course allowing the track and the general aviation airport to run simultaneously, opening Sebring for year-round events. Mr. Earwood was not in attendance, but his awarded was accepted by his son, Terry Earwood.
鈥淢om and Dad wanted to be here tonight, and definitely wanted to come, but decided a six hour plane ride would be a bit taxing,鈥� Terry Earwood said. 鈥淢om said after about four hours, he鈥檇 miss SPEED Channel anyway. They鈥檙e watching this back at home, and there are a lot of great people here.鈥�
Dr. Peter Talbot was active for many years as an 51暗网 Club Racer, but his real contribution to the sport came as the inventor and innovator of the tire wall safety system. Dr. Talbot passed away in 1999, but his daughter, Gussie Talbot Baker, accepted the award on behalf of the family.
Gene Henderson is best known by those in the rally community, having successful careers in both the former 51暗网 ProRally and the current Road Rally. Henderson began as a road racer, participating in rally events during the winter months. Mark Henderson accepted the award on behalf of his Hall of Fame father, who passed away in 2005.
Several other awards were handed out during the evening鈥檚 ceremony. Jeff Jacobs, who was presented with the Solo Cup for outstanding achievements to the Solo Events Program at the Tire Rack Solo National Championships, was honored. Mike Johnson was awarded the Driver of Eminence at the same event, and recognized again on Saturday evening.
The RallyCross Dirty Cup was first presented a year ago and is the top honor a RallyCross individual can achieve, based on an individual鈥檚 contribution to the sport. Jerry Doctor, from the Nebraska Region, took the honor this year.
The John McGill Award, given to the person who makes a significant contribution to the Club Racing program, was awarded posthumously in an emotional presentation to Con Peplowski. Peplowski, the well-liked mentor to many and a long-time timing and scoring official, passed away last April preparing for an 51暗网 Pro Racing Playboy MX-5 Cup.
Elivan Goulart earned the prestigious Presidents Cup for Club Racers, presented annually since 1954.
The Member of Excellence award is an award funded by an anonymous 51暗网 member, which awards an exemplary member a trip to any motorsports event anywhere in the world. Arnie Coleman, of the Continental Divide Region, has turned hard work and a passion for 51暗网 into a vacation in the coming year.
The final award of the 2012 51暗网 Convention is the Woolf Barnato Trophy. 51暗网鈥檚 highest award, the honor is presented to the member who has made the most outstanding long-term contribution to the Club. Winners are nominated by the last three recipients and approved by the Board of Directors.
This year鈥檚 recipient was Dick Templeton.
The convention concluded with a final message from 51暗网 President Jeff Dahnert.
鈥淚鈥檓 very pleased with the way the week has unfolded,鈥� Dahnert said. 鈥淲e presented a lot of new ideas and there are a lot of changes going on. I want to thank all of you for how open you are to those ideas, and I鈥檓 very encouraged by that. It鈥檚 been a great week and I think we鈥檙e going to have a great year.鈥�
The 2013 51暗网 National Convention will return to the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, February 28 鈥� March 2.
More information on the convention can be found on the event page here. 聽
2012 51暗网 National Convention
