The stories were plentiful from some of the greatest motorcycle racers to ever throw a leg over a two-wheel machine on Saturday night, February 1, at the fifth annual Hot Shoe Hall of Fame Museum and Motorcycle Industry Celebration in the Las Vegas Fremont Street Experience at the Las Vegas’ Notoriety Theatre.
Saluting over 50 new members to the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame, the bench racing and experiences had the big crowd in laughter, tears and many smiles with hosts Keith Mashburn, Terry Clanton and Jerry Bernardo directing the on-stage activities with names like Chris Agajanian, Bubba Shobert, Brad Lackey, Dave Aldana, Brad Oxley, Fred Hoess, Suzy Moody, Robie Peterson, Jack Penton, Doug Dubach, Billy Gray and Ty Davis.
In the crowd relating to the stories and giving out their own were the likes of “King” Kenny Roberts, Garth Brow, Ralph White, Jimmy Odom, Norm Francis, Gerrit Wolsink, Billy Grossi, Mike Konle, Miguel DuHamel, Jean Fink, Dave Joiner, Brian Uchida and Scott Rousseau.
With famed motorcycles from champions Robie Peterson (Hillclimb) and Joe Kopp (AMA Grand National) on display, Mashburn, Hall of Fame President, opened the festivities with some great stories and the presentation of the Hot Shoe Lifetime Achievement Award to the late, great Malcolm Smith, which longtime Yamaha representative Ed Burke accepted on Smith’s behalf.
A popular theme for the night was “Remembering Ascot Park,” with Agajanian giving some experiences of his childhood at the famed Gardena dirt track and watching riders compete in flat track, motocross and speedway events from 1957 to 1990.
“My brothers and I had an amazing time growing up watching and working with some of the greatest racers in two-wheel and four-wheel action at Ascot Park,” said Agajanian, the youngest of the three sons of promoter/race car owner J.C. Agajanian. “I think between the Agajanian family, that we promoted between 3000 and 4000 events. My dad was the ultimate promoter who had the biggest motorsports racing names at his events. And Ascot Park was always the crown jewel.”
White, nearly 90 years of age, was the oldest of the Ascot Park racers on hand, and the 1963 Daytona 200 winner talked about his weekly battles with legends like Sammy Tanner, Sid Payne, Johnny Gibson, Stu Morley, Don Hawley, Al Gunter and Dick Hammer, as well as taking on national competitors such as Joe Leonard, Dick Mann, Mert Lawwill, Bart Markel, Gary Nixon, Ronnie Rall and George Roeder.
“I live pretty close to Las Vegas [in Bullhead City, Arizona], and it is so much fun to come to the Hot Shoe event and visit with ex-rivals and friends over my racing career,” said White. “I miss seeing Sammy [Tanner] here, but it’s great to see his son, Jack. Sammy and I always teased each other that he only had one photo on the wall at his office, and it was he and I at Ascot. I had a photo with him and me at Ascot, too. There were a lot of battles there. And talking about racing there is still very special.”
Woods, whose Racing Experience karting track in Las Vegas houses all of the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame steel shoes and icon plaques, again put on another fun and entertaining affair that saw Las Vegas showgirls, the Angels of Dirt feature film, and the Hot Shoe Inductees Go Kart event.
“I really want to thank everyone who attended the celebration this year as well as our board of directors and staff for their assistance and guidance in another successful event,” said Woods, who started the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame in 2020 to honor many of the greatest two-wheel performers, tuners, sponsors, officials and behind-the-scenes personnel. “Each year, we work around the popular Mecum Motorcycle Auction for a party to salute the greatest to ride and participate for many decades. And each year we have unique interviews and incredible racing stories that bring people back. We hope that it brings a smile to everyone’s faces, and they plan to return next year.”
Another annual award, “The Zeckie,” named after longtime media member “Hardhat Howie” Zechner, was presented to veteran motorcycle competitor and media editor/podcaster Jimmy Lewis. Editor of Dirt Bike Test and former editor of Dirt Rider magazine, Lewis has served as an official, racer and media person for decades.
Lewis didn’t receive just one award on Saturday but also a second, as he captured the win in the 15-lap Hot Shoe Hall of Fame Inductees Go-Kart event over Garth Brow, Scott Hodgson, Norm Francis, Scott Rousseau, Bubba Shobert, Billy Grossi, Gary Jones, Billy Gray (at 87 years old) and Jim Barnes.
The Hot Shoe is the symbol that recognizes the cream of the crop of motorcycle racing stars who used a very specialized tool, the steel shoe, to assist them in navigating the dirt track corners.
For those accepted into the Hall of Fame, the honorees’ Hot Shoe is mounted on a Hall of Fame plaque. Recipients receive their own version of the plaque. Potential Hot Shoe Hall of Fame candidates can apply at www.hotshoehof.com. And those who want to attend the annual celebration can register at the same link. CN
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