Recognizing Those Individuals Who Helped Lowriding Become The Most Recognized Motorsport In The World.
Like all things, change is irrefutable. That is, what was yesterday's Lowrider Movement or "onda," is today's politically correct "lowrider sport." Fortunately, unlike other automotive sports, lowriding does have cultural roots. Before lowriding became an international phenomenon, and certainly before Lowrider Magazine, it was a subculture within barrios and communities across the United States. Today, the art of lowriding has reached an unprecedented level, unfortunately with some media-based negativity.
Lowrider Magazine understands the importance of educating the new enthusiast on lowriding's cultural and political roots. More importantly, we believe it to be our duty to recognize those individuals who paved the way with blood, sweat and tears in the decades of the Lowrider Movement, and helped it become the most recognized motorsport in the world. Lowrider Magazine introduced the Lowrider Hall of Fame to honor such individuals and bring their untold stories to light.
The Lowrider Hall of Fame (LHoF) will recognize these individuals on an annual basis. The inductee is chosen according to individual achievement and/or positive role in the lifestyle, sport and culture throughout lowrider history. Fortunately, there are many great leaders in our sport today. However, the LHoF will acknowledge those leaders with a minimum of 20 years involved, in some aspect, in this history.
The LHoF Nomination Committee, consisting of Lowrider Events judges and past honorees, will submit all nominations to the LHoF Executive Committee. These nominations are reviewed and final inductees are confirmed by the Executive Committee. This category honors are as follows:
Leadership HonorA car club founder/leader who has directly affected the course, actions, contributions and positive influence of a recognized and organized group and/or car club.
Craftsmanship HonorDesigner, builder or artist in creating original and outstanding vehicles. Also, exhibiting these vehicles for a consistent period of time.
Lifetime Contributor HonorA community leader and/or activist dedicating time, resources and heart in contributing and/or investing directly back into the lowrider community. This category may include car show promoters, who produce lowrider events that promote, educate and entertain the lowrider community.
Now in its third year, the Lowrider Hall of Fame has been a historical achievement, and we anticipate even greater success in the future. The Committee has received numerous comments regarding this accolade and its first honorees, without any political bias or questionable agendas.
Previous inductees of the LHoF have set a high standard for future members. A recap of those honored is as follows: The first ever (2005) Leadership Honor was awarded to Julio Ruelas, founder of Duke's Car Club. The Craftsmanship Honor was awarded to Bob Mercado of Bob & Sons Upholstery. The Lifetime Contributor Honor was awarded to "El Larry" Gonzales of Lowrider Magazine and L.G. Productions.
The 2006 Lowrider Hall of Fame sophomore class is as follows: The Leadership Honor was awarded to Joe Ray of Lifestyle Car Club (now Lowrider Editor). The Craftsmanship Honor was awarded to Mario De Alba, Sr. of Elite Car Club. The Lifetime Contributor Honor was awarded to Nick Hernandez of Texas Tours and Taste of Latin Car Club.
The official 2007 honors are as follows: The Leadership Honor - Ricardo Alvarado, president of Oldies Car Club; The Craftsmanship Honor - Ted Wells of Professionals Car Club; and The Lifetime Contributor Honor - Jesse Valadez of Imperials Car Club. In the coming months, LRM will introduce each honoree in our magazine and profile their influence, dedication and passion to lowriding.
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Leadership HonorRecognizing a car club founder/leader who has directly affected the course, actions, contributions and positive influence of a recognized and organized group and/or car club. |  |