The American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation Board of Directors will conduct a supplemental vote for the inclusion of Derek “Nobby” Clark in this year’s Hall of Fame induction class, the board announced in a press release this afternoon.
The decision is in response to errors that occurred in the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame balloting process. The supplemental vote does not affect other 2012 Hall of Fame inductees, according to the release.
“We believe Mr. Clark is worthy of induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame,” said Jeffrey V. Heininger, the chairman of the AMHF. “It’s important to stress that the balloting errors were not of Mr. Clark’s making, and the entire board offers its sincere apologies to Mr. Clark.”
The AMHF Board moved to put Clark’s name to a vote that could see him inducted to the Hall of Fame at this year’s induction ceremony in November.
“The only people who can elevate Mr. Clark to the Hall of Fame are the voting members, which include the living Hall of Famers,” Heininger said. “A clear vote in light of all that has happened allows Mr. Clark to enter the Hall with the honor he deserves. We expect to start contacting voting members for balloting early next week.”
The action follows a recommendation of the AMHF Executive Committee on Monday, July 16, when a report detailing problems with the 2012 Hall of Fame balloting process was discussed. The full report can be found at http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/News/12-07-13/Statement_and_review_of_the_2012_Hall_of_Fame_induction_class.aspx.
Also in response to the errors in the 2012 ballot, Heininger told the AMHF board that the executive committee would convene a review panel to evaluate the Hall of Fame selection committees’ structure, along with procedures to ensure the adherence to, and checks and balances within, the induction process.
“There were errors made at the staff and committee levels in the formulation of the 2012 ballot.” Heininger said. “Those errors were rightly investigated, and the process must – and will be – corrected going forward.
“Recent events show that while the procedure for selecting Hall of Famers is sound, the implementation of that procedure leaves too much room for mistakes,” Heininger said. “It is important, for the integrity of the selection process and the Hall of Fame itself, to make sure our balloting is beyond reproach.”
