A new chapter in Vermont Motorsports history will be written on Saturday, March 30 when the Vermont Motorsports Hall of Fame makes its public debut at the Vermont Motorsports Expo at the BOR Ice Arena in Barre.
Thirteen members of the Hall’s 19-person founding group – which includes current and former media members, competitors, promoters and industry stakeholders – met on March 5, 2024, setting in motion plans to incorporate as a non-profit organization and elect officials. Justin St. Louis of Bridport, VT was elected president, with North Bennington’s Marty Kelly Jr. as treasurer. Immediate goals for the new organization are to establish organizational bylaws and rules, nominate and vote on the first Vermont Motorsports Hall of Fame Class, to be announced in the fall/winter of 2024.
Induction of the Hall’s inaugural class will take place in the spring of 2025.
All disciplines of motorsport will be eligible for induction, including stock car, sports car, hill climb, motocross, snowmobile, truck/tractor pull, karting and demolition derby, with additional plans to present an annual VMHoF "Vermont Racer of the Year" award.
“This organization is long overdue,” said St. Louis. “The Green Mountain State has a lengthy and distinguished motorsports tradition, and it has been gratifying to see the enthusiasm expressed for our new endeavor. The green flag has barely flown on this project, but we are already up to speed.”
The official announcement of the VMHoF will come at 10 AM ET at the Vermont Motorsports Expo, simulcast on WDEV's "Music To Go To The Dump By.” The organization’s new logo will be unveiled, along with an autograph session featuring competitors from Vermont motorsports; both past and present.
Fans will have the opportunity to become a "Founding Supporter" of the Vermont Motorsports Hall of Fame with a donation of $25. Supporters will receive a limited edition VMHoF decal and access to email newsletters.
I sincerely hope one of the inductees at some point will be one of the most successful Pro Rally drivers to ever come out of Vermont. Paul Choiniere Jr. is an 8-time SCCA Pro Rally Champion, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 1997 and 2000. He also set the record for the Mount Washington Hillclimb Auto Race for three separate years, 1991, 1993 and 1995. When was that last time you went up that road in under 7 minutes?
Long overdue is correct, so many great choices for the first class of inductees those who do not make it will still be a who is who in racing list!