NHRA Motorsports Museum
 Gale Banks |
POMONA, Calif. – The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California
.jpg) Jack O'Bannon |
announced today that Gale Banks, president of Gale Banks Engineering, and Jack O’Bannon, five-time NHRA world champion team owner, have been appointed to the museum board of directors.
“In expanding the board, we carefully considered various options, focusing attention on what we felt to be in the museum’s best interest,” said Thomas McKernan, the museum’s chairman of the board. “Gale and Jack have a true understanding and most importantly a passion for hot rodding roots and NHRA’s grand history. We look forward to their insight and help in shaping the future of the museum.”
Banks is president and founder of Gale Banks Engineering, an industry leader in power-enhancing technology and products for both gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles based in Azusa, Calif. He also served on the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) board. In 2009, Gale Banks received a Distinguished Service Citation from the Automotive Hall of Fame. Later that same year, the Museum opened a long-standing exhibit titled, Banks Power: The First 50 Years, in commemoration of Banks’ notable contributions to motorsports and the automotive industry.
“What I hope to bring the museum is a clear view into the future, its challenges and its opportunities,” Banks said. “I’m excited about all the possibilities for the museum and creating a great visitor experience, I look forward to working with the other board members.”
O’Bannon is a five-time NHRA Top Alcohol dragster world champion team owner with Rick Santos as his driver. He is a hot rod enthusiast and entrepreneur, and is delighted to be a part of the museum board.
“I’m honored and humbled to sit on the museum board and work with such great people such as Tom McKernan, Dave McClelland, Steve Gibbs and others,” O’Bannon said. “I look forward to assisting in the advancement and healthy growth of this great motorsports museum.”
The museum board of directors includes McKernan, Alex Xydias, Steve Gibbs, Dave McClelland, Wayne McMurtry, Peter Clifford, Gary Darcy and now Banks and O’Bannon.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, long a dream of NHRA founder Wally Parks, opened to the public April 4, 1998, after years of planning and months of hard work cataloging and arranging the exhibit. Housed in a 28,500-square-foot building on the edge of the historic Los Angeles County Fairplex, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum's mission is to celebrate the impact of motorsports on our culture. We collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret the vehicles, stories, and artifacts that represent our affection for, and the influence of, automotive speed and style in all its forms. We are the place to view and learn about hot rods, customs, racecars and speed records, and the West Coast's role as the historic center for their past and present development.
The Museum features an impressive array of vintage and historical racing vehicles –- nearly 50 at the Grand Opening -- along with photographs, trophies, helmets and driving uniforms, artifacts, paintings, and other memorabilia chronicling more than 50 years of American motorsports. A gift shop offers a wide variety of souvenir items. The Museum is open during the annual Los Angeles County Fair. Please check the Fairplex website for hours of operation and admission prices (www.fairplex.com). Museum admission is just $1 with regular paid Fair admission ticket.
HOURS: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Extended hours during the NHRA Winternationals and NHRA Finals. Also, hours change during the annual Los Angeles County Fair.
HOLIDAYS WE ARE CLOSED: Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
ADMISSION PRICES: Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 60 and older, $6 for juniors 6 through 15, and free for children under the age of 5. AAA discount available.
HOW TO GET HERE: From the 10 fwy east, exit White Avenue, proceed North, turn left on McKinley Avenue, enter Fairplex Gate 1. From the 210 fwy, exit Fruit Avenue, proceed South, turn right on McKinley Avenue. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona. Call us at (909) 622-2133.
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Building 3A
Pomona CA, 91768
Museum Main Number: 909-622-2133
Museum Fax Number: 909-622-1206
Reunion Hotline: 909-622-8562
[email protected]