19 replies to this topic

[HDonaldCapps]

If this has not been mentioned before -- or at least not recently, the Society of Automotive Historians (SAH) is taking steps to get its "Motor Racing History Special Interest Group" out of the paddock area and onto the starting grid. At the SAH annual meeting in Nashville, TN, it is my understanding that there is to be a gathering on Saturday, 5 April, of those interested in this group. Although I had not intended to attend the SAH meeting since it comes at a bad time for us at the Pentagon (the budget briefs and so forth), I am going to make a determined effort to be at this meeting. If the notion of history as it relates to automobile racing is ever going to gain any level of credibility and scholarship within that area is to grow, this is probably the way to go about it. Creating a separate organization simply does not seem realistic at the moment nor in the foreseeable future.

After a number of years of convincing myself not to join the SAH, I finally did and wish I had done so much, much earlier.

I realize the the vast majority here are not very interested in automobile racing history as historians, but there are probably more assembled here than anywhere else on the Web I would guess. I would ask that some of you seriously consider this effort. There are SAH chapters in Europe, so that is another aspect of this to consider.

Society of Automotive Historians (SAH)

[Allan Lupton]

Thanks for posting that link: several of my friends, here in England, are members and seem to find it a useful organisation to belong to.
As I'm more of a generalist in motoring history, rather than a racing specialist, perhaps I shouldn't hesitate as long as you did. And it's only $40 p.a. with the $:£ ratio quite favourable these days.

[petefenelon]

A bargain - even if membership doesn't exactly suit your interests $40 to just support the guys doing original research is less than you'd spend on going out for a beer or three and a curry.

I shall almost certainly be joining.

Those of you with an engineering background should also seriously consider joining the Society of Automotive Engineers - pretty much any kind of engineering degree and involvement in automotive will qualify you (although I'm a software/computer engineer by trade I worked in automotive software for many years). The SAE cares a lot about the technical history of motoring and motor sport, as well as aviation, and also gives you the opportunity to get involved in things like Formula SAE.

[HDonaldCapps]

I think that working within an established organization with an international membership is definitely the way. There seems to be room within the SAH for those of us interested in the history of automobile racing, regardless of where we are located and whether or not we are professional or amateur historians (not that there is really much difference in this corner of Clio's realm).

I have found much of interest in the two SAH publications, The Journal and Automotive History Review and can see where there will be opportunities to place articles in both of these periodicals.

[fines]

Thanks, Don, for the link in the first page - through it I found this fabulous article by the late Don Radbruch:

http://www.autohisto.../feature_1.html

It's a bit on the short side, yes, but the subject is absolutely stunning: a Midget running with an upside-down Ford V8-60 engine!

[Sharman]

Don
SAH means Syd Hurrel to me SAH Conversions or Enginieering I forget which. But I suppose that is history too
John

[RWB]

John - Thank goodness. I thought I would be the only one thinking SAH meant Syd Hurrell Accessories and racing TRs. That's history for you.

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Sharman
Don
SAH means Syd Hurrel to me SAH Conversions or Enginieering I forget which. But I suppose that is history too
John

me too, I thought some great tales of the great conversions that they offered for Triumph products, a relative of mine had one of their "go faster" kits for his 2litre Vitesse

[aldo]

I'm a long time member of SAH and one of the promoters of Special Interest Group.
I live in Italy and go very often to the US, yet not at that time of the year.
Count me in, anyway.

[Allan Lupton]

Originally posted by Allan Lupton
And it's only $40 p.a. with the $:£ ratio quite favourable these days.

Turns out there is a UK Chapter which has its own publications and meetings in addition to those of the parent body. That costs a bit more (£30) but still seems worth it.

[HDonaldCapps]

Thanks to Karl Ludvigsen, the SAH Motor Mail feature -- which is usually included as an example of the definition for dormant in most dictionaries -- has suddenly produced more traffic in the past several days than it has in its entire history. Much of that deals with the subject of motor racing history.

Part of that activity generated an email to me from Joe Freeman, the lead for the SAH's "International Motor Racing History Section." After the informal meeting in Nashville last year, things bogged down for various reasons. Joe has promised to crank things back up and push the growth of the group within SAH. Pat Younge, one of the leaders in the push for the IMRHS in the first place is still on the case trying to get the by-laws and such worked out. Joe is also willing to develop or aid or work with any forum which would help the IMRHS "to deal more effectively with the subject."

I think that this going to get off the dime and move ahead.

I am going to support Joe in any way I can. Between efforts such as the SAH IMRHS and the IMRRC, we may begin to move forward in this realm.

[fbarrett]

Originally posted by HDonaldCapps
the SAH Motor Mail feature

Don:

I'm a member but can't find this feature on their web site. Can you provide the URL?

SAH's board will meet in Denver on April 16 and 17; I expect to participate in the meeting so will support your idea. Will also be giving them a tour of the Shelby American Collection in Boulder.

Frank

[David M. Woodhouse]

The SAH Board of Directors is meeting in Denver a fortnight from now. I'm hoping that Joe Freeman will be there with news on the Motor Racing History Chapter. At Hershey last Fall, he told me that it was still in the works.

Woody

[HDonaldCapps]

Originally posted by fbarrett
I'm a member but can't find this feature on their web site. Can you provide the URL?

SAH's board will meet in Denver on April 16 and 17; I expect to participate in the meeting so will support your idea. Will also be giving them a tour of the Shelby American Collection in Boulder.

Frank

Frank,

Somewhere on here, SAH Web Site there is something about Motor Mail. Dave Duricy should be able to help.

I have no clue as to how I managed to get on Motor Mail, but I somehow managed it.

Don

[HDonaldCapps]

After responding to the email that Joe Freeman sent me, nothing in return, which seems to be par for the course.

I don't get to see any of the SAH materials until I get home every once in awhile, so anything further on this development?

SAH MotorMail has reverted to being dead once more it seems.

I am beginning to really wonder about this effort.

[Sharman]

After responding to the email that Joe Freeman sent me, nothing in return, which seems to be par for the course.

I don't get to see any of the SAH materials until I get home every once in awhile, so anything further on this development?

SAH MotorMail has reverted to being dead once more it seems.

I am beginning to really wonder about this effort.

It must have passed when Syd Hurrel died a few years ago

[fbarrett]

Don:

I was one of two local hosts of the SAH spring board meeting in Colorado in April, taking the group to several local car collections and museums. When I asked about participating in the actual meeting, I was discouraged from attending, so I didn't. Nevertheless, I suggested that the forum be expanded and better advertised, and I encouraged at least one board member to expand the race history feature, but I heard nothing about the results. Joe Freeman was not at the meeting, but Vice President (future President) Sue Davis seemed open to new ideas and responded positively to my suggestion that the forum be advertised on the SAH web site. I have yet to receive a copy of the meeting minutes, but I will pursue it. Perhaps Woody, who was in the meeting, can add more details.

Frank

Edited by fbarrett, 25 May 2009 - 00:35.

[David M. Woodhouse]

Don:

I was one of two local hosts of the SAH spring board meeting in Colorado in April, taking the group to several local car collections and museums. When I asked about participating in the actual meeting, I was discouraged from attending, so I didn't. Nevertheless, I suggested that the forum be expanded and better advertised, and I encouraged at least one board member to expand the race history feature, but I heard nothing about the results. Joe Freeman was not at the meeting, but Vice President (future President) Sue Davis seemed open to new ideas and responded positively to my suggestion that the forum be advertised on the SAH web site. I have yet to receive a copy of the meeting minutes, but I will pursue it. Perhaps Woody, who was in the meeting, can add more details.

Frank

I did attend the meeting and the subject was discussed. As mentioned, Joe Freeman had agreed to take this ball and run with it perhaps two years ago (I am a new director and am not exactly sure of the details or time frame, but have spoken to Joe at various events and let him know of my keen interest in a Motorsports History Chapter). Joe has been understandably busy with his publishing venture Racemaker Press, and my understanding of the current status is that Joe will be asked either to move forward with the formation of the Chapter, or step aside for someone else to take on the task. There was no official action taken and I am not speaking for the SAH, but my feeling is that a Motorsports History Chapter will happen and sooner rather than later. There was much enterest expressed at a meeting of the Southern California Chapter just a couple of weeks ago.

For those in the Southern California area, the SoCal Chapter, SAH will hold its annual Literature Faire on Sunday, 29 June at the NHRA Museum in Pomona. This is a good place to find out of print books, and bench race with like minded individuals.

Woody

[HDonaldCapps]

Woody,

Thanks! I will continue to stand by to stand by for the moment.

Such a group has been a long-standing goal of mine, although dream often seems to be a more accurate depiction of my thoughts at the moment.

Whenever I finally finish my final time -- believe me, this is indeed the Final Time --back here in the Sandbox, which could anything from six to 18 or more months from now -- and return to the States, I plan to make such a group one of my major focuses.

[RTH]

This group has been a long term aim and  project both Don Capps and the late David McKinney  have been working towards.

I have just recieved this letter from Don and reprint it in full to let all interested know that progress has been made.

It will be a force for  the research and recording of motor sport history.Congratulations to Don we wish him well.

 

 

SAH International Motor Sport History Section

Recently, I was appointed as the chair for the International Motor Sport History Section of the Society of Automotive Historians (SAH).

The serious study of automotive competition history is pretty much under-represented across the board, whether it is classified as being a part of automotive, sports or cultural history.

I am currently using the groundwork that has been established within the SAH and laying out a campaign plan to begin to execute the mission and the goals of the group.

It is my intention that the group be international in its membership and also that the membership be composed of a cross section of those with an interest the serious study of automotive competition history; that is, the membership of the group should be inclusive and not exclusive. Other than membership in the SAH, of course, the only requirement for being a part of the International Motor Sport History Section is an interest in the study of history of auto racing.

There will be more regarding the group as the campaign plan is further developed.

Please consider being a member of this group (and the SAH, of course) once we have the details sorted out.

Thanks,

Don Capps