AMA Hall of Fame Controversy

Kenny Roberts returns his Medal;

Jack Mangus quits committee;

Dean Adams explains
(7/13/2012)

The latest development in reaction to the withdrawal of Nobby Clark from the 2012 Motorcycle Hall of fame induction list is the decision by Kenny Roberts to return his medal.  This was reported mid-day in Cycle News. 

In addition, long-time Cycle News Editor-In-Chief Jack Mangus, retired, has resigned his seat on the Hall of Fame Dirt Track Committee.  He writes,

Gentlemen: Please accept this email as my resignation from the Dirt Track Committee of the AMA Museum Hall of Fame. I no longer want to be associated with the AMA as it is presently staffed and managed. I believe that included in the shortcomings is the manner in which inductees are selected each year, a method that now makes individual committee's time and efforts all but useless. The recent snafu over Nobby Clark is the last straw and I hereby pull the curtain down on the association.

Sincerely,
Jack Mangus
Ocala, Florida

While word is not yet forthcoming from the AMA, Dean Adams, a member of the Hall of Fame Road Racing Committee, offers his own explanation of the Nobby Clark reversal on his Superbike Planet web site.

Dick Mann returns
his Hall of Fame medal
(7/13/2012)

Editor's Note: Overnight, we received the following letter to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame from Dick and Kay Mann.

July 12, 2012 

Motorcycle Hall of Fame

13515 Yarmouth Dr.

Pickerington, OH 43147

Enclosed is the medal I received when I was inducted in the AMA Hall Of Fame in 1998. This is in response to the mismanagement of the HOF Directors of the induction/non-induction of Nobby Clark.

I was one of the original committee members involved in organizing the current Hall of Fame. Lately, I have watched this organization slide into mediocrity, apparently from the lack leadership and knowledge of the history of our sport.

Due to Nobby Clark’s contributions to the sport of motorcycles, it is my   opinion there is no one more deserving of being inducted in the HOF.  Since that is not going to happen, I no longer want to be considered a part of the Hall of Fame.

Sincerely,  

Dick Mann

AMA #59858

Dave Despain returns
Hall of Fame medal in protest
(7/12/2012)

Editor's Note: The following letter was transmitted by motojournalist, television commentator, and Motorcycle Hall of Fame member Dave Despain at 5:54 EDT this afternoon.

July 12, 2012

Motorcycle Hall of Fame

13515 Yarmouth Dr.

Pickerington, OH  43147

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter and the enclosed medal commemorating my induction comprise my immediate resignation from the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.  I expect my name and picture to be removed without delay from all Hall of Fame materials and representations.

I take this action in response to the Hall of Fame’s unconscionable rescinding of the nomination of Nobby Clark, a motorcycling legend more than worthy of Hall of Fame membership.  I believe we Hall of Famers have a special stake in the integrity of the institution and its nominating process.  I have lost all faith in that process and, more importantly, in the individuals who apparently now control it. 

I am deeply suspicious of media speculation that Clark’s “criminal record” is somehow grounds for the withdrawal of his nomination but given the absence of any clear and official explanation from Hall of Fame officials, that apparently is the brush with which Nobby is to be tarred.  This raises a couple obvious questions:  What changed in the short time between the announcement and the rescinding of Clark's nomination and why would Clark's "criminal record" be grounds for a blackball when that clearly was not an issue for a number of previous inductees who also have criminal records. 

I suspect the answers to these questions, if they were truly known, would do nothing to restore my faith in the integrity of the institution but in the end my resignation does not turn on those answers.  Instead it is based on a simple and inescapable conclusion; given everything Nobby Clark has accomplished in this sport, if he doesn’t belong in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame then I sure as hell shouldn’t be in there.

Sincerely,  

Dave Despain