What You Should Know About IRMA

Guest Blog by Bob Gates

The history of American motor sports is resplendent with Indiana auto racing lore. Indiana is the birthplace of racing heroes, and the home of countless renowned racing facilities. From the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to the short tracks and bull rings that once propelled brave men to the very height of national achievement.

            Tracks like Terre Haute, or the storied, daunting "Hills" of Salem and Winchester that made champions overnight, and broke them just as quickly. Forgotten, or soon to be forgotten, venues like Jungle Park Speedway, Crown Point or the AAA Championship mile, Robey Speedway, in Hammond. Of course, there are the active venues with long pedigrees, that are still creating headlines and exciting racing action.

            Indiana, especially in early days of auto racing, was home to race car builders and auto manufactures who used racing as a test bed for innovative ideas that advanced the technology of the automobile in huge, groundbreaking leaps. There were fabulous machines like Marmon, Stutz, Duesenberg, and National. Names that still resonate and capture the imagination a hundred years later. 

            With auto racing ingrained so deeply in the fabric of Indiana lore and life, it was a shock when two men passionate about motor sports, Brian Hasler and Mark Eustler, discovered that in the entire state there was only one historic marker, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to celebrate this remarkable ancestry. 

            Determined to correct this disparity, in December of 2013, Hasler and Eustler created a not for profit organization, Indiana Racing Memorial Association (IRMA). The goal was to recognize the historically significant individuals, events, businesses, race tracks, and other sites that have made Indiana "The Racing Capital Of The World", by erecting racing-themed historical markers at appropriate locations throughout the state.

            It's one thing to have a lofty goal, quite another to make something of this magnitude happen. Funding was the biggest obstacle, as each marker costs approximately $2700. Tiptoeing through what was a new experience for all involved, IRMA's board of directors launched a web site and a Facebook page, Indiana Racing Memorial Association IRMA, and began the process of slowly getting the word out, with the optimistic expectation of erecting their first marker in early 2015.

            Then something special happened. When former ESPN racing announcer, and IRMA board member, the late Gary Lee, spoke at a Winchester community function in May of this year, he briefly mentioned IRMA.

            His remarks caught the attention of several government leaders in attendance, including Winchester's mayor. They expressed interest in the town of Winchester helping fund a marker.

            And, that's exactly what occurred. With additional financial help from Winchester Speedway, IRMA unveiled their first marker on July 3rd, to commemorate Winchester Speedway's one hundred years of operation.

            In a similar set of circumstances, the city of Shelbyville has since stepped up with an offer to fund an IRMA historical marker to memorialize three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, and former President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wilbur Shaw, who was born in Shelbyville.  

            The unveiling of that marker will take place on November 1, at 10am. A civic luncheon will follow, and after the luncheon an exhibit at the Grover Museum featuring Wilbur Shaw will be officially opened. The public is invited to all these events.

            How the Grover Museum exhibit came about is an excellent example of how strong the fascination with, and the determination to keep the history of Indiana auto racing alive, really is.

            The family of the 1932 AAA National Champion, Bob Carey had heard about IRMA's goals, and not only put funding together for an IRMA marker dedicated to Bob Carey that will be unveiled in his birthplace, Anderson, in the spring of 2015, but also volunteered to set up the Wilbur Shaw exhibit for us as well.

            In addition to these projects, a marker honoring 1919 Indianapolis 500 winner, Howdy Wilcox, in Crawfordsville, will also happen in the very near future. Other projects that IRMA is working towards short term, include markers to honor Pat O'Connor, Jungle Park Speedway, and Salem Speedway.

            However, we're also open to the input of our supporters for ideas for marker placement, and help in getting a marker project rolling, similar to what the Bob Carey family has done. Just contact us on our Facebook page, or our website.

            Of course, it takes funding to carry out these projects, so we look to the private contributor for donations, no matter how big or small. Contributions can made on our  website with Paypal, or there's an address there for mail in contributions.

            In that regard we're planning a fundraiser at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, from 5pm-10pm on Saturday, October 25th. We have a great evening planned. For a $100 donation, a person can spend time, not just stand in an autograph line, with Al Unser Jr.  USAC Champions, Mel Kenyon, Dave Darland, and Tom Bigelow will be there meeting and greeting as well. There will be a Wilbur Shaw tribute, with Speedway Historian Donald Davidson. Also included are vintage pace car rides, photos with the Borg Warner Trophy, a shuttle to get you to the Yard Of Bricks, a silent auction, Hors d'oeuvres and Drinks.

            The $100 donation also includes a charter membership in IRMA, a $25 value. The dress is to be business casual. Also, Al Jr. has agreed that for an additional $250 donation, he would personally take individuals on laps of the Speedway in one of the vintage pace cars. All the proceeds will go towards IRMA projects, and the IMS Museum Fund.

            Things are happening at race like speed for IRMA. We've already accomplished goals that we envisioned would not take place for another year. And as we race forward with this important task, we'd love to hear from others that are, like us, passionate about the auto racing legacy of this great state.

Bob Gates is an auto racing historian, writer and author.