OK did I miss the darn announcement?

Still not seeing it ?

Coming very soon!

wasnt the announcement scheduled for 7/15/09?

That is what I recall

Announcement was going to be poseted on 15th of July.

Cash what is taking so long?

Going on 9 days later and still no posting on ABA site.


Thanks

David

I believe voting closed on the 15th. Nothing about an announcement date.

Coming soon guys, just a few details that took a little longer then expected.

Deanna

Frome the ABA site:

The Voting for 2009 is closed. Results will be announced on July 15th, 2009 as well as exciting new additions to the ABA BMX Hall of Fame ceremony!

Koollay, just so you know, the response above from Thumperpilot is the response you need to pay attention to. He works for the ABA. That would be Shannon Gillette.

Shannon does have his hands full and is waiting for a couple of last minute details. This is gonna be a great year for the BMX Hall of Fame!!!

It has been anounced that Buff and RL are in the hall. Have we heard about anyone else?

Mx Mug

Red Barron I realizee that.

My response was to Deanna whom said it did not have a posted date.


I was posting what ABA had

Thanks

David

ABA BMX HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES INDUCTEES FOR CLASS OF 2009
by Shannon Gillette

For Immediate Release - July 28, 2009

For Further Information Contact:

Shannon Gillette, ABA BMX Hall of Fame (480) 961-1903 X-144
Mike Kitts; Sponsorship Director, San Diego Sports Commission (619) 699-2337
Tracy Lamb, Exec. Director, Chula Vista Olympic Training Center (619) 656-1500


ABA BMX HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES INDUCTEES FOR CLASS OF 2009

Chandler, AZ - Seven legendary members of the BMX Racing and Freestyle community will be inducted into the National BMX Hall of Fame at the San Diego Hall of Champions on September 17, 2009. The Chula Vista Olympic Training Center will be the new home of the National BMX Hall of Fame and on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 10:00 am there will be a dedication ceremony to unveil the new facility at the training center.

The seven honorees represent BMX racing and Freestyle BMX from the 1970’s and 1980’s and one industry contributor. The inductees are Danny Oakley (1960’s and 1970’s pioneer); D.D. Leone (1980’s Professional Racer); Troy Lee (BMX Industry contributor, Troy Lee Designs); R.L. Osborn and Mike Buff (legendary BMX Action Trick Team); Eddie Fiola (freestyle Pioneer); Jeremy McGrath (past BMXer lifetime achievement award). There will also be special recognition given to Clayton John (retired ABA President) and Bernie Anderson (retired ABA Chairman of the Board), current BMX Hall of Fame members, for their recent induction into the U.S. Bicycling Hall Of Fame in Davis , CA .

“It is a great honor to induct these individuals into the National BMX Hall of Fame and it is only appropriate that these individual`s accomplishments will be highlighted for future generations in the BMX Hall of Fame” stated B.A. Anderson, American Bicycle Association’s CEO.

INDUCTEES FOR CLASS OF 2009:

Danny Oakley : Danny began organized BMX racing in 1970 and retired in 1981. He was instrumental in establishing organized BMX racing, and numerous tracks in Southern and Northern California , during a time when organized BMX did not formally exist. A few such tracks are The Downhill Track of Baldwin Park in 1970, Landels Park , Hamann Park and The Downhill Track of Mount Tamalpais in 1974. Danny Oakley, a true Legend of our sport, raced for such legendary teams as Bikette & Dirtmaster, Rick`s Bike Shop, Silver Shield, MotoPRO, Speedo and Mongoose. He was instrumental in forming Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO and Speedo. Moreover, Danny was instrumental in designing product for Pro Products, Inc., MotoPRO, Speedo, B.M.X. Products, Inc., and Mongoose, including the infamous Moosegoose, a 20 inch BMX race frame Danny designed for taller riders and racers (Danny is quite tall himself). He has conducted BMX Racing Clinics and Demonstrations in the United States and in Europe . He has participated in NBA, UBR, NPSA, CBA and ABA sanctioned races. Danny raced and won numerous titles and championships, such as 4-Time West Coast Champion, 6-Time Northern California Champion, NPSA National Champion and NORA CUP, to name a few. Danny was one of the racers that were featured in the BMX episode of CHiPs.

D.D. Leone : Born Dominick Donald Leone Jr., but better known in the BMX world as "D.D.", he began racing in 1980, at the age of 14 years old. From Louisiana , D.D. was known as the original "Ragin` Cajun" and helped put Louisiana and the Southeast on the BMX map. He raced for over 12 years, participating in over 2000 races and won or placed in 1300. Like most racers, he started off racing for local shops. His determination and winning ways on the national scene got him some much needed recognition and before long he was hooked up by Redline with a "Factory" sponsorship 1982. Later in his career, he rode for Free Agent and Kastan. D.D. was always in the hunt for the ABA Pro Cruiser title. He officially retired from BMX and is currently working and living in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana . He is also involved with the local BMX scene in Louisiana helping out at ABA `s Gretna BMX track.

Troy Lee : Troy was a long time motocross racer that started Troy Lee Designs in 1981 by following in his father`s footsteps of helmet painting. Troy first worked with BMX racer Dave "Custom Cully" Cullinan by custom painting his helmets. This led to Troy working with many of the top BMX pros around the world. Troy expanded his business from helmet painting to helmet manufacturing in the mid 90`s, with the "Edge" helmet being the first. Then in 1998, Troy launched a full apparel line. Today, his business has grown from helmet painting to one of the top brands in the industry. Troy Lee Designs now has a catalog that spans over 50 pages of product, including the innovative bicycle helmet, the D2, and a line of protective gear. Troy enjoys working with "the world`s fastest racers" from F1 to Indy Car to NASCAR, Motocross to Enduro to Freestyle, Dirt Track to Road Racing, MTB to BMX, and everything in between. Troy `s main goal is to make and design the best products in the world for the "the world`s fastest racers".

R.L. Osborn & Mike Buff: Although they are best known as the "Godfathers of Freestyle", both R.L. and Buff got their start as BMX racers. At age 11, R.L. was part of the first ever "BMX test team" for Bicycle Motocross News (from late `75 to late `76). An entrepreneur at the early age of 14, R.L. started up his own company, Hot Stickies. As the son of BMX Hall of Famer, Bob Osborn, R.L. went on to become one of the main test riders for BMX ACTION magazine. In 1978, R.L. teamed up with fellow BMXA employee Bob Haro to form the very first freestyle team, which made its debut at ABA `s Winternationals in Chandler , AZ. Local Torrance hot-shoe racer Mike Buff joined the BMX ACTION test team in 1979. Buff soon crossed over to freestyle and in the absence of Haro, the longtime teaming of R.L. & Buff began. As the "Nerd herd", R.L. & Buff were vital in setting BMX trends during the 80`s, from jumping styles in bike tests to the 4x4 vehicle craze, to clothing fashions and hairdos. Each year from `82 until `88, the BMX ACTION trick team (as well as R.L.`s later sponsorship with Redline and General) spread the BMX gospel. In all, R.L. and Buff took their annual Summer Tours to 48 states in the U.S. and over 15 countries, taking BMX to places where racers and tracks couldn`t, turning many kids on to BMX in one form or another.

Eddie Fiola: Eddie is a true legend in BMX and arguably the best rider to EVER ride a skatepark. Eddie is credited with being the first rider to do a 540 in a pipe. Eddy won four " BMX Action Nora Cup" awards and five " King Of The Skatepark" titles. At the time, the " King Of The Skatepark" competitions were as big in the freestyle world as the X-Games and Dew Tour are today. In the early days, Eddie was sponsored by Bottema Forks, SE Racing, Haro, and Premier Helmets. At the end of 1982, Eddie was hired by Kuwahara to design, ride, and promote the E.T. Freestyle bike. Eddie was also the man behind one of the most famous freestyle bike designs to this day, the GT PRO Performer. It had a very unique design for it`s time and is a stand-out among collectors. He also brought the Potts mod to the table by working extensively with Steve Potts. Eddie is credited for taking his idea to Steve who designed the technical end of things. Eddie applied it in the skatepark and the Potts mod is still in use to this day! Eddie was known for running many "different" things than the norm in his day. He ran 1 3/8th wheels in the skatepark when no one else was. He would show up with either an all white, all black, or all yellow bike and uniform with his trademark, an upside down #1, on his back. Eddie toured all over the world and brought freestyle to the masses, performing at BMX tracks, BMX nationals, bike shops, arena`s, and even performed at Anaheim Stadium at the Superbowl of Motocross. You name it, Eddie performed for the fans. But before all that, Eddie was a racer. He was an Orange Y and Ascot local and has a great history in the BMX racing scene. Even in his heyday, the "KING of skateparks" would show up unannounced and incognito to race at local races. He was known for getting out front and busting out some tricks, which were HUGE for that time, like a 360 over a double jump, to impress the fans. It is rumored that the character of Cru Jones in the movie "RAD" was loosely based on the life story of Eddie Fiola. Although Eddie did not play the main character, he was a stunt double in the movie. Today, Eddie works in the movie industry as a stunt man and is credited with working on such great movies as The Italian Job, Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and The Dukes of Hazard, just to name a few.

Jeremy McGrath: Often referred to as "MC", "Showtime", and "The King" (meaning the "King of Supercross"), Jeremy is the winningest Supercross racer ever, winning seventy-four 250cc Main Events and capturing seven 250cc Championships between 1993 and 2000. He also earned twelve AMA Motocross titles, 2 Motocross Des Nations titles, and an X-Games Gold Medal and Bronze Medal in his career. As a young boy he began racing BMX and became one of the leading BMX racers in the nation and even had a "factory" ride with VDC. At the age of 15, McGrath decided to try his luck at BMX`s big brother, motocross, where he was able to translate many of the racing skills he had mastered throughout his years of racing BMX. After just three years riding as an amateur, McGrath made his AMA debut in 1989 and the rest, as they say, is history. Throughout all his fame and success in motocross, Jeremy always kept his BMX roots. He worked with GT bicycles and even had a complete BMX bike dubbed the "Showtime" model.

The ABA BMX “Hall of Fame” is the who’s who of BMX and consists of riders and industry members who have made notable contributions to the sport of BMX racing. Each year since 1985, a select few BMX (Bicycle Motocross) riders and industry veterans have been inducted into this elite group of individuals. In addition to the “Early BMX Pioneers”, “BMX Racers” and “Industry Members” categories, a “Freestyle Pioneers” category is being added to the BMX Hall of Fame for the first time ever. This will be a great addition to the National BMX Hall of Fame, allowing many talented riders to be honored.

The public is encouraged to attend the September 17th , 2009 ceremony. The ceremony will be limited to the first 300 individuals to purchase tickets; all proceeds will go directly to the National BMX Hall of Fame Scholarship fund. The ceremony will include a reception, dinner, silent auction, and the opportunity to meet and greet all of the honorees. Sales of event sponsorship and table packages as well as individual seating will begin on July 29th, 2009. The ceremony will be held at the San Diego Hall of Champions located in San Diego ’s Balboa Park at 2131 Pan American Plaza , San Diego , CA 92101 . http://www.sdhoc.com/

For more information and updates on the 2009 Induction Dinner and Award Ceremony, go to www.ababmx.com

While I agree with most of the inductees, I can't believe D.D. is getting in, no offense. I can name 10 guys off the top of my head that deserve to get in before him, with titles! Whose next, Galen Starlin?!

Let the flaming begin..............

b.

Congrats to all, especially DD !!

Congratulations to all the Inductees. I couldn't think of a better class for 2009. All are very deserving of their spot in the Hall of Fame.

Congrats to all the hof inductess. Ihave got to admit I am a bit disapointed as I believe that Jason Jensen should have long ago been inducted. No one dominated his era with the consistancy that he did.

Mx Mug

DD way to go man glado see you finally get it!!!

Well, as I just said in a thread in the present day "Racing" forum about D.D. getting in. I don't agree but the decision has been made and set and irrevocable and nothing to be said any longer. I also say there were far more deserving men and women who still isn't in (albeit I am glad that Danny Oakley and Fiola is in along with Buff and R.L.). Can't wait for next year's poll!

Anybody know why the decision was delayed nearly two weeks beyond the original July 15th date?

Oldtimer1980s

I do, t takes time to get a hold of all these people. We figure it's better to hear it from us first then just throw it out there. There's schedules and such. A lot more goes into it then you would think.

Which is why I asked. I was curious as to the specific reason.

Oldtimer1980s

Congrats to all of the HOF Inductees! Cya in September!

Shannon, I went to ABA site.

Looking to go out and be in the # of 300.

Where can I get ticket info?

I may have missed it.

"Would love to be in tht number"

David

Looks like a real good class of 2009 from where I'm sitting.

There are so many riders deserving of this honor. Each of us has a unique perspective on this. For instance, from my perspective here in Nebraska, I'd like to see someone like Joe Baumert, Dave Christensen, Chris Heyden, or any number of guys from the Midwest get inducted. We all played a major role in spreading BMX throughout the country. Having Cash and Grubber in there over the past couple of years meant a lot to us here in the Midwest, and were steps in the right direction.

Furthermore, I can also look at total years involved in the sport. Some of the guys in the H.O.F. raced in the formative years of the 70's, but then retired by the early 80s. If you look at total years in BMX, through all of the different eras and changes, then there is one guy who stands out. That's Woody Woodruff. Top NAG rider for several decades. Industry innovator in frame and component design.

I never got to meet or race with Danny Oakley. Starting tracks in 1970, instrumental in all of those early BMX companies...sounds like he earned his place long ago. Congrats Mr. Oakley!

DD Leone. I did get to meet him. I was the Editor/Photographer for ABA when DD came on the scene. That guy was a hell of a rider! Congrats Mr. Leone!

Its going to take many years to get all of the greats into the H.O.F.

No disrespect to Jeremy McGrath as he is certainly hof worthy. Mayby not the bmx hof. This is a good example of how the hof voting is more of a popularity contest. The popularity contest would almost work if the popularity came from racing bmx. In this case he earned his popularity in by dominating the supercross world. Meanwhile we have a rider who won three grand nationals and the world championship in the same year not inducted to the hof.

Mx Mug

Jeremy has always given props to BMX. He even talked about it his book. He wasn't voted in, we, ABA decided to honor him for always giving props to BMX and never forgetting where he came from. He is more than worthy of the honor and he's vey excited to be recognized.

I' been texting w/ MC for the last half hour, all I can say is he is very humbled and honored by this induction.

he has always told me his skills on a MX bike came from his skills on a BMX bike.

he told my son TJ MADDEN that "BMX is the best sport for a young kid, and to always try your best, and it will make you a better dirt bike rider"

he told him this when he was 5, my son is now an 8 expert, in the ABA.


RV JAY

I dont understand MC either? So if I go make it big in something else but give props to BMX, im in?

He's gotten of exposure for BMX. Ever seen the GT "showtime" model? Ever seen the two page spread GT ads in the SX programs when he was racing? Big time stuff for BMX racing. He was a legit racer, on VDC with Eric Carter and so on.

He raced some ABA nationals on the late 90's, you should have seen the crowds.

"He raced some ABA nationals on the late 90's, you should have seen the crowds"

I've been trying to get him to come out and ride, I told him it would be the one two wheeled sport, I could beat him at.

Shannon maybe you could tell him, "In order to get in, he has to sign up and race on sunday at the national"

RV JAY

I dont want to be disrespectful but, a Tony Hawk bike was made also.

Hell you guys all keep speaking about the "guys" how about the females? Just trying to be an advocate for female racing but there were standouts outside of Cheri. Nothing like standing in the shadows as many don't even know about the females that raised the bar for our sport. Many of the females held many more titles then the males yet there is only 2 of us in and the two left hold many more titles in the sport than I have been seeing inducted with the males these days, what gives? Did we not jump well enough, did we not live on the west coast? It's actually funny your all bitching about guys not getting in when there are 10 times as many guys inducted in since the Hall formed to the female inductees.

I'm not being angry over not getting in I just want to see more deserving females in without a classification of our own. I thought the next generation would be better as most have had baby girls and want the best for them. Equal rights and all. Wait until your baby girls start in the job market and your still preaching the "guys" and all. BMX is VERY much a male dominated sport as is everything in life. How do we make it equal for all? It's clearly one sided.

Biting my tounge on the rest of the subject.

Congrats again to the current inductees, couldn't be a better class of Guys. Love them all! Personally I feel sorry for the Alise Post, Sammy Cools, Arielle Martins and Felicia Stancils of the future none of them stand a chance with the current mentality.

Flame away......................

what a joke.

Congrats to all!!!!

I truly believe this honor has been greatly dimished by allowing anyone the opportunity to vote, it makes it a general popularity vote....

Industry and HOF members should be the only people voting, you would get the real deal then...Letting the fans and anyone vote is great for an all star game, it is lame for the HOF...

GH

Danny Oakley won a NORA Cup?

An entire hof class without 1 single major championship title?

If I ever write a cookbook I'm gonna mention BMX.

You guys outta be ashamed, there were plenty of DESERVING riders on the ballot that should get in the HOF before some celebatory motocrosser. Instead of putting people who have no business in you should have had like a veterens pick, someone who has been on the balot for a while that you KNOW is deserving but for some reason just didnt make it. I agree with Deanna also something has to be done about the women, lets face it some of the nominees have triple the credentials of half 75% of the male racers nominated or already in the HOF.

Nobody was exclued to make room for Mr. McGrath. It is an honorary thing done well by the ABA. Clayton John never won a title either but he is deserving of his honor as are many of the industry people. When viewing the 70's era, only a few held any sort of title. Bottema, Ruminer, Dain, Skip Hess, Gary Turner and a host of others never won a title either. Jeremy will bring great exposure to bmx as well and was a great ambassador to our sport. There are lots of ways you can have accomplishments in BMX without winning a national title. Service to the sport certainly is one measure.

The girls are a tough issue, I agree. It would be a disservice to create their own category, in my opinion as I believe their success stands on its own merit. Deanna and Cheri had amazing careers in the sport.

The public has been given a vote for the past few years. There are certain changes coming to the HOF that I believe will be for the better on all levels. The ABA has done a fantastic job of creating the framework and obtaining a full time space for our sport. We ought to be focused on what is right about bmx and the HOF and less time worrying about possible flaws. Isn't it fantastic that we now have a full time spot at the US Olympic facility? I hope you will give this new era some time to mature and become what it is supposed to be. I honestly believe the best of bmx is in front of us.

The roster of former bmx racers is so amazing and I feel the same way everyone else does. It is easy to look past a new inductee in favor of someone you liked better, but that doesn't minimize what any single person has done. I am so proud for this years class of inductees and even prouder that difficult work is being done so that their legacy, and the legacy of all racers will be appropriately enshrined for 100's of years to come. Our sport is still in its infancy. The cream will indeed rise to the top and we can all celebrate when your favorite racer, industry type, or honorary inductee makes it up to the podium at the National BMX Hall of Fame.

We are on to something great here. Give it a chance.

lol, I concur

Cash...There is a lot of what you are saying that is good, getting a new home for the HOF, that is really nice...

The HOF in other sports is reserved for people who dedicated a huge part of their lives to that sport, it's not for people who rode BMX a few times and went on to success in other sports...

I have the utmost respect for Jeremy, met him a few times and he's a great guy...If were talking Morocross, the guy rules..He is Mr. Supercross, never have we seen a better more talentd rider in the history of Supercross...Having said that it does not make any sense to me that he was given an honorary induction, this in my opinion is purely a move to get BMX publicity, that's all..I know Jesse James rode BMX back in the day, he gets massive publicity so perhaps he needs to be put into the HOF..If this is how we think, while putting people who do not belong there, can they please remove my name from the HOF because this is a total joke.....I busted my butt for a lifetime, BMX has been my life sinse 1974 and I quite frankly think it sucks to allow anyone into the HOF without the proper history that it takes to be there....

I speak my mind, I know every single person who resides in the HOF, most who will not say a word and will keep quite about this so let me speak for 90% of the group now and just simply say...THIS SUCKS!

GH

Where is Evil Knievel in this whole mix up of nominees/ inducties. Heck he is one of the real reasons most kids swung their leg over a bicycle hit a jump and went flying through the air. As a kid from Minnesota, I knew about and personally saw Evil in person way before I knew the likes of Roger DeCoster, Brad Lackey, Bob Hannah, and so on. Evil had several bikes indorsed by him. And by no means is this a rip on the Jeremy McGrath induction. I think it is right on with the decision, as a matter of fact I have a copy of his book on my dresser. It gave me goosebumps to read that his roots were in BMX and he still follows the sport. Props, Jeremy!

I think the current ABA HOF is great just the way it is, keep it the way it is, but do one thing. Name it the Peoples Choice Awards (PCA).

The whole Hall of Fame or Legends of the sport needs to be revamped. In the current system people are voting with their heart and alot of things get over looked. Like Deanna had mentioned, past, current, and future girls don't have a chance. The same goes for foriegn Riders.

QUOTE

While I agree with most of the inductees, I can't believe D.D. is getting in, no offense. I can name 10 guys off the top of my head that deserve to get in before him, with titles! Whose next, Galen Starlin?!

Let the flaming begin..............

b.

BND, I honestly think I could name 100. But, thats my opinion..

I still can't believe Tim Judge or Steve Veltman are not in. Huge BMX icons as both Racers and for the industry.

Oh well, what do I know!!..

Just like the current situation with this Nation.. I have faith it will all work out!

cruzertodd


post Jun 27 2009, 04:49 PM
Post #14


A Pro
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 1,045
Joined: 4-January 06
From: Austism, Tx.
Member No.: 8,174




I'd like to see someone get voted in and say "no thanks, I think this hof bs is a stupid popularity contest"


that would be punk rock

Which I agree, however, I think most of the complaints are concerning the racers, not those who get in on the Industry line. I think no one begrudges Skip Hess and Clayton John and Gary Turner. Their contributions are like the brilliance of the sun and are obvious for induction. Skip Hess for example virtually started the modern BMX industry single handedly. Turner stated the most powerful BMX company ever seen. Clayton John probably had the longest tenure at the helm of a sports governing body in almost all of sports never mind BMX presiding over massive changes in the sport. As for the racers Bottema, Ruminer and Dain, I do judge them on a different standard than I do the racers of say 1980 on. Most if not all of them, don't have national titles-since they hardly existed at the time they started their careers-do have regional and track series titles including the just inducted Danny Oakely, so I don't think anyone begrudges them either. I know I don't.

I agree with you on this point. I don't see the need for segregation by gender. I do agree with Deanna that the girls do get the short shrift repeatedly and in my opinion obvious candidates, including Deanna but most glaringly IMHO Kathy Schachel being passed over repeatedly. She and a lot of other female racers have both the titles and the contribution to the sport, particularly fighting for and starting entire divisions of BMX. That is a huge point for service to the sport. The HoF has pretty good job with the guys with, to me, only Terry Tenette being a obvious, glaring omission with the old school and mid school racers not being in. But the girls? Greatly under appreciated by the HoF.

I do however, think there should be a special category for kids 14 years old and younger who for some reason quit/burned out or otherwise didn't become a pro or older top amateur but still dominated while they were racing. They are under represented as well I believe.

I agree but I believe there is constructive criticism to be given and certain racers being shut out year after year who to once again borrow from baseball should be first ballot HOFers is glaring. And yes it is mostly the girls who are getting it in the neck. However, you are right there is a lot right that is going on and things should be given a chance. The ABA has done a fine job, it is the method of selection is that got some people concerned. As long it is not mean spirited and nasty there is always room for discussion.
(snip)

Oldtimer1980s

Im with Greg!!!!


Except my jaw dropped on this one....






IMO, John Purse should have been a first ballot induction.

ROFLMAO!! How apt! Unlike the Oscars!

I wouldn't say the girls don't stand a chance but yes they have been over looked greatly, and yes some foriegn racers too. Then again this is supposedly the National BMX HoF now, but if it says it represents ALL of BMX then it should include foreign BMXers that raced internationally IMHO.

I can't believe they're not in yet either, not so much Judge, but doubly especially Veltman!
(snip)
Oldtimer1980s

Im with you guys on the popularity issue .I Completely agree.
However how can you say Steve Veltman,and Terry Tenette wasnt popular -despite thier titles /records?Someones got thier head in thier rear here .

I think Mike Carruth should be nominated and am formally doing it right here right now .For god sake fast track him !

Just announced.....The ABA has selected Jeff Gordon to the Hall of Fame. He also raced BMX at some point. MC getting into the BMX HALL OF FAME is an absolute JOKE.

Michael Jordan played minor league ball, should he get into the MLB Hall of Fame?

Absolute JOKE. Does nothing but discredit the incredible lifetime of contributions others have made.

No flames from me, I completely agree. There are plenty of women that should be in there and you are definitely on the list. We've listed plenty of them in the other threads about this. Maybe they should induct two or three women riders in addition to the men riders every year? Seriously, I don't think most men will vote for the ladies when they see their favorite racers on the list. Maybe they should be reserved a spot or two each year?

What kind of gets me is that DD Leone makes it in before Eric Carter... something is really wrong. I liked Leone when he raced, he was certainly fast but whatever reasons that you can throw out that he deserves to be in there, his career didn't come close to ECs on any level. Not even close to Todd Lyons and some of the others. I appreciate the Louisiana boys wanting him in there but it's the Hall Of Fame not the Hall of Favorite Riders. It would be like me starting a petition to get Paul Gossrau, Tim Kikarous, and Travis McGhee in the HOF.

Either way, congratulations to everyone that made it. Hopefully, next year's new committee/process will make more sense than this.

Yeah I forgot about him, Terry Tennette and Steve Veltman. Tough year for sure.

I really don't have a problem with MC being an honorary inductee, I really don't.


This has turned into a NBA All-Star balloting type of thing, just not right.
How do you fix it?
You let everyone who is in the HOF have a vote then you get a who's who in BMX, past title winners & retired contenders. You also have people like Redman who get a vote. You have a powwow & see what becomes of it. Shannon has said & is on board with me that Steve Veltman NOT in the HOF yet is a complete & utter JOKE (well, he didn't say that, I did). He's got the titles & racing career to back it up with what should of been a 1st year shoo-in.
I love the ABA & all the guys there but honestly this needs to be addressed & fixed.

b.

I'll say it cuz I speak my mind too, give me a break!

b.

Oh yeah, Deanna, I'll put you in the Utah BMX HOF with Air, the Allreds & Alisha Headley (90's local that brought home a TON of Nags & WC's).