CAMS HALL OF FAME INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS

The Hall of Fame, an initiative of CAMS and presented by Speedcafe, saw 30 inaugural inductees in 2016. Joining them for 2017 were 21 more, covering competitors across a number of motor sport disciplines, as well as engineers and administrators.

Two special awards this year honoured legendary engineer Ron Tauranac, of Brabham fame, and administrator John Large, while successful rally navigator, Coral Taylor, was the first woman to be inducted.

At the induction dinner, FIA President Jean Todt and Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff were special guests, with Todt presenting Tauranac with his special award.

Speaking at the inauguration dinner, Hall of Fame chairman Garry Connelly said: “Tonight’s list of inductees will again create plenty of opinion and debate and that’s what programs like the Hall of Fame are all about.

“I think the 2017 list of inductees is a terrific tapestry of contributors from all sections of the sport, whether two wheels or four, or from the dirt to tarmac.

“When you go to work to put the list together each year, you realise what a great depth of talent and history we have in every aspect of Australian motor sport.”

A new addition this year was the ‘Spirit of Speed Volunteer of the Year’ award, presented by Dunlop, which went to Paul Rogers Sr, who has been a volunteer at Victorian drag racing events for the past 50 years.

Covering speedway, circuit racing, drag racing and rallying, the 2017 list of inductees is as follows:

Motor Racing - circuit

Alexander “Lex” Davison

Frank Gardner

Vern Schuppan

Jim Richards

Mark Skaife

Kevin Bartlett

Larry Perkins

Rallying

Peter “Possum” Bourne

Neal Bates