Mark Kariya | January 30, 2024
The Hot Shoe Hall of Fame welcomed some 70 legends from various arenas of motorcycle sport and industry in its fourth annual induction ceremony at the world-famous Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas.
While hot shoes are a crucial piece of equipment for flat track and speedway racers—and a number of those athletes were inducted—the more inclusive definition is someone who’s pretty quick on two wheels.
As such, in addition to five-time Speedway World Champion Ove Fundin, Bart and Harlan Bast, six-time U.S. Open Speedway Champion Warren Diem, flat trackers Chuck Joyner, Keith Mashburn and Larry Palmgren (among others), off-road heroes Kurt Caselli, Toby Price, Larry Roeseler and Brandy Richards, drag racer Russ Collins, MX/SX champ Donnie Hansen, noted mechanic Jon Rosenstiel and record-setting FMX star Robbie Maddison also joined the rapidly growing list of inductees.
In addition, 2021 inductee Mert Lawwill became the recipient of the 2024 Maely Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the industry. Health issues prevented him from attending in person, but he sent a video of acceptance.
Those present, as well as those viewing the new livestream, enjoyed emcees Jerry Bernardo and Terry “Ike” Clanton interviewing a number of current and past inductees, including Mickey Fay, Jimmy Odom, Warren Reid (standing in for father-in-law Rosenstiel), Kevin Schwantz and Jill Singleton (widow of the late Keith Singleton).
The interviews were easily some of the highlights of the evening and encapsulated bench racing at its finest with tales of rental-car shenanigans, racing exploits and heartfelt remembrances.
“If you are a motorcycle racer, mechanic, or just an enthusiast, the annual Hot Shoe Hall of Fame Celebration is a must,” said Gene Woods, the founder and curator of the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame Museum.
“Each year, it is so much fun to get all the legends together to tell their stories and bring back racing memories. Our popular question-and-answer session has proven to be great entertainment for the racers and the audience. We hope everyone had a great night with old friends. Our ‘Hot Shoe’ Board of Directors and staff want to thank everyone for their attendance with renewing past relationships and talking about their racing experiences.”
“We had such a great time with the legends on stage as well as the many former racers, mechanics and motorcycle industry people who told some incredible stories,” said Clanton, Speedway racing’s famed track announcer. “Thanks to Gene and the entire Hot Shoe staff for putting on a sensational event. The event brings many folks together with stories and past experiences. It’s a great motorcycle celebration.”
“It was another tremendous event here in Las Vegas,” said Bernardo, the long-time ESPN X Games host. “Gene and his Hot Shoe crew really organized a great presentation for the annual event to the motorcycle community. It’s fabulous to salute the great racers like Mert Lawwill and the behind-the-scenes people like Howie Zechner. Please tell your motorcycle friends to come each year. They will have a blast.”
While the induction ceremony is enjoyed once a year, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame’s charitable outreach provides “heart shoes” to the needy in the Las Vegas area.
For more information and to view the comprehensive list of inductees over the years, visit www.hotshoehof.com.