International Motorsports Hall of Fame - Talladega, AL - remember the legends of racing

Those that made considerable contributions to the world of auto racing as a developer, driver, engineer or owner are included in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. The majority of inductees have been American drivers in the domestic series, mainly NASCAR, although drivers of people of several varying nationalities have been included. In 2005 Nigel Mansell was the last non-American national to be inducted.

The hall of fame was founded by NASCAR founder Bill France Senior during 1982. It is currently adjacent to the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. Nominees have to have been retired for a minimum of three years from their motorsports specialty or have been in the top of their specialty for twenty years unless specially approved. There are one hundred and fifty members of the panel formed from the racing media around the world that vote on the inductions.

The Horsepower award is a bronze statuette that Michael Curtis designed. It is given to every inductee. The Wednesday before the NASCAR Sprint Cup race is held at the Michigan International Speedway and the Woodward Dream Cruise is when the August induction ceremony is held. Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc. operates the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama. There is also a museum that has over forty high performance and racing vehicles.

The machines, manufactures and personalities of every type of racing and its legacy are showcased through photographs and exhibits in the museum. There are also displays of memorabilia, driver uniforms, driving simulation, games and videos of racing.

The International Motorsports Hall of Fame is open from 9am until 5am Central Daylight Time all year long except for major holidays. Hours at the facility are extended during race week from the 4th of April until the end of summer. Admission rates to the hall of fame are $10 for adults, $5 for students aged seven to seventeen, the cost of combo tickets to the museum and speedway are $12 for adults and $8 for children. Those aged six and under get in free with an adult.

A $1 is taken off of the cost of admission for those aged fifty-five and over, the military, firemen and policemen with proper ID. AARP and AAA members also receive a discount, the costs of supersaver tickets and the van tour is not included in the discounted rate. Tour of the museum is self guided and usually takes around one hour to three hours to complete. There is a pavilion area and three exhibit halls in addition to a gift shop and the McCaig-Wellborn Motorsports Research Library.

There can be tours scheduled for groups of twenty-five or more by contacting the facility directly. Step on guides can be scheduled for the bus. The second floor of the main building houses the office of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. The center of the atrium in the main building has the information desk for the museum. Anyone with a love of racing should make it a point to visit the hall of fame.