with offers of 50 more and in
2020 the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame
was born.
But it quickly evolved to
become more inclusive, with the
idea that even those who didn't
wear the trademark steel shoes
(a must for speedway and dirt
track racers) share a love for two
wheels be they motocrossers,
off-road racers, drag racers, tri-
als riders, whatever.
"Motorcycle people are motor-
cycle people, right?" Woods said.
Thus, the HSHoF became
more encompassing, including
non-racing notables who also
figured highly (though often
behind the scenes) like Miss
Camel/Winston Pro trophy girl
Lynne Griffis, Cycle News found-
ers Chuck and Sharon Clayton,
former CN Editors Jack Mangus
and Charlie Morey, promoters
Casey Folks
and Stu Peters,
PR queen Penny
Nicolai and
more.
As the
HSHoF grew,
Woods decided
to make it even
more commu-
nity serving; he
created a board
of directors and established the
organization as a 501(c)3 entity.
And rather than set up a fund to
assist injured riders (admirable
and needed as it is), Woods
saw a need locally for helping
the homeless, so he settled on
the idea of Heart Shoes, provid-
ing brand-new footwear for the
needy from the heart and soul of
the motorcycle industry.
"I had a thousand pairs of
shoes made and we started to
give them out," he said. "To see
the people that you give shoes to
[so happily receive much-needed
yet often overlooked items], it's
really heart-warming."
All in all, it was a memorable
evening, not only for the oppor-
tunity to rub elbows with legends
but to help the less fortunate of
Las Vegas.
Mark Kariya
VOLUME ISSUE JANUARY , P37
(Above) Johnny Campbell (left) and Ricky Brabec
(center) regaled the audience with desert racing
history, prompted by co-M.C. Jerry Bernardo (right).
(Right) A 2021 inductee, Kenny Roberts is still the
straight-shooting, brash, entertaining presence today
as he was in his heyday. (Top right) The Hot Shoe Hall
of Fame Museum shares space with the Gene Woods
Racing Experience kart track at Las Vegas' famed
Fremont Street Experience.
