Motorcycle Hall of Fame Removes Derek “Nobby” Clark from 2012 Nominees

Reader Contribution by Richard Backus
Published on June 13, 2012
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Left to right: Robert McKeever, Nobby Clark and Alex McLean work on the Norton Champagne Racing Team’s 1961 Norton Manx during the 2010 Bonneville Vintage GP.

UPDATE, JULY 2, 2012: On June 13, 2012, we announced the news that Derek “Nobby” Clark, one of the most famous motorcycle race mechanics of all time and, by the way, one of the greatest guys you’ll have ever the pleasure to meet, was to be inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2012. It turns out Nobby won’t be inducted after all, the AMA now saying that his name never should have been on the ballot for 2012 inductees and that his inclusion was the result of an “error” in the balloting process.

The AMA isn’t saying what the error was, but suffice to say the affair leaves us less than impressed. How the AMA, which purports to be the leading institution representing the history and culture of American motorcycling, could make an error of this magnitude and then take three weeks to bring it to light is beyond us. Shame on the AMA. And Nobby, we still think you’re the greatest. Following is the AMA press release issued July 1, followed by our June 13 announcement. – Richard Backus

FROM THE AMA, JULY 1, 2012: The American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame regretfully announces that, due to an error in the Hall of Fame balloting process, Derek “Nobby” Clark will not be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2012, as was previously announced on June 11.

“This is unfortunate but Mr. Clark’s name should not have been on the ballot,” said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the selection process for Hall of Fame nominees. “We sincerely regret this error and I have apologized to Mr. Clark on behalf of the Hall of Fame.

“This was a difficult decision, but it had to be made to ensure the integrity of this remarkable institution,” said Heininger. “We are undertaking a thorough review of our nomination process and its implementation going forward.”

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