Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
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Hoping that the fans who subscribe to Flat Out Magazine will take the time to read my column about my thoughts on the HoF not recognizing international driver accomplishments. If you know any of the folks on the NSCHoF&M Board of Directors please discuss this topic with them. It's a travesty that someone like Garry Rush and other international competitors who have done so much for the sport are not recognized into the HoF. All we need are people to let their concerns to be known that the bylaws should be tweaked so we can call this a "International" Sprint Car Hall of Fame. And if you don't subscribe you can probably pick up a copy at the HoF gift shop. Thanks!

Eric Arnold
@EricArnoldBHG

Eric Arnold
Social Media Manager & Track Historian
Knoxville Raceway

Eric, I enjoy reading the columns you post on Hoseheads, including the the 2012 Knoxville Raceway Preview one you very recently posted. Thanks for your efforts concerning those interesting subjects you write about. I also feel everyone should have the opportunity to properly communicate their ideas-- which I feel you did concerning having international sprint car drivers inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum located in Knoxville, Iowa. Personally I disagree with your opinion. The following is my personal opinion and thoughts. The NSCHoF&M continues a long time, good relationship with sprint car racing organizations, tracks, media members, drivers, owners, manufacturers, etc. There is a good size display of racing memorabila in the NSCHoF&M from Australia and New Zealand. I support those displays but I feel the inductees into the HoF should remain as they are--that is, to my knowledge, only for people that had the vast majority of their OUTSTANDING sprint car racing career and results on North American soil.

Garry Rush was an outstanding sprint car driver in AU, and he did have some minor good results in the USA but not NSCHoF&M worthy. I think Garry has earned induction into multiple HoF's in AU, and deserves to be in them. The name says it all NATIONAL--not International and in my opinion that's the way it should stay.

One thing I personally feel is if a driver, mechanic, owner from a foreign country does have a long and outstanding career racing sprint cars here in the USA they should be considered by the Induction Committee for possible induction into the NSCHoF&M.

Respectfully,

Larry Janicsek (Badger Boy)

the master blaster should be in there, i agree!!!

Eric,

I respectfully disagree. Garry Rush has not accomplished enough on American Soil for Inclusion in the NATIONAL Sprint Car Hall of Fame (it's not the international sprint car hall of fame).

Other Australian drivers have accomplished a lot more on American Soil than Garry Rush ever did, those include: Garry Brazier, Skip Jackson and Max Dumesney. One of those names would/should be considered prior to Garry ever getting a nod (and I'm not convinced that any of those have accomplished enough stateside for inclusion either).

I have no problem with foreign drivers being included in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, but in order to be elgible, they need to prove their worth in the states (just like any American Driver has to prove their worth in Australia to be included in any Hall of Fame down there, they don't just get a free pass because they race good here).

What you are suggesting would be like putting Randy Smith, Danny Lasoski or Terry McCarl in the Lincoln Speedway or Williams Grove Speedway Hall of Fame, they don't belong because they didn't accomplish anything there (except maybe a win or two tops), just like Fred Rahmer and Lance DeWease don't belong in the Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame (not to be confused with the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame), becuase they don't race Knoxville regularly. For the record, I do believe that Fred (already a Hall of Famer) and Lance have EARNED induction into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, just like Danny Lasoski (already a Hall of Famer) and Terry McCarl may have as well due to their accomplishments.

While I'm not a voter, I am a fan and in my 37 years of attending races, I sure don't put Garry Rush anywhere near the top of the list for the best drivers I have ever seen (he just never races enough in the states).

Other Australian drivers have accomplished a lot more on American Soil than Garry Rush ever did, those include: Garry Brazier, Skip Jackson and Max Dumesney. One of those names would/should be considered prior to Garry ever getting a nod (and I'm not convinced that any of those have accomplished enough stateside for inclusion either).

I think Kerry Madsen, Skip Jackson and Brooke Tatnell should be in the mix.