Month: October 2024

Car ShowsEvents

Hershey 2024

Posted on by Chris Lezotte

Hershey, Pennsylvania holds a special place for the Society of Automotive Historians. On October 11, 1969, a group of individuals convened at the offices of the Antique Automobile Club of America in Hershey to establish the SAH. The primary objectives of the newly formed organization were to preserve automotive history, rectify errors in historical records, facilitate information exchange among members, and explore and record the history of all types of self-powered vehicles worldwide. Since its inception, the SAH has endeavored to foster research, documentation, and publication of automotive history by bringing together scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts with similar interests. 

Over the past 50 years, SAH members have made a yearly October pilgrimage to Hershey to collaborate and connect with fellow auto history buffs. Held during the Hershey Fall Meet in the massive parking lot of Hershey Park, the club get together takes place among auctions, an enormous swap meet, car shows, and other auto-related events. The SAH has its own tent, participates in the AACA Library Yard Sale and Book Signing event, and holds its annual awards banquet at the Hershey Country Club. In past years, the activities have scaled down a bit, as folks find it more difficult to make the trip.

I have been attending Hershey since I first joined the organization about seven years ago, missing last year due to a last minute home emergency. This year, as I was somewhat physically restricted due to a fractured elbow, my husband came along to help with the driving. Although he is not a historian, he is a certified car nut and enjoyed spending two days exploring the swap meet while I attended to club business. As one of the few females in an historically masculine organization, and also as a painfully shy individual, I have made my way carefully and cautiously among the mostly male membership. But I have worked hard and my efforts have been rewarded, as I was elected vice president last year. Each time I attend an SAH event I feel more comfortable and enjoy engaging in conversations with such knowledgeable folks. As awards chair I presided over the banquet and didn’t make too many mistakes. The only mishap during the trip was that I wound up in emergency with my husband who fell in the Hershey parking lot and required stitches in his head. So glad he came along to help! But it was an enjoyable few of days; the weather was great, the company engaging, and as always, I learned a lot from an amazing group of learned and enthusiastic automotive historians.

AppearancesAuto MuseumsConferences

#GirlsWill2024 at the Silverstone Museum

Posted on by Chris Lezotte

Earlier this year I received an invitation to speak at the #GirlsWill2024 motorsport initiative sponsored by the Silverstone Museum. The Silverstone Museum, located at the iconic Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, UK, is devoted to the past and present of British motor racing, and includes exhibits, legendary cars, and stories of British racing heroes. It is only fitting, therefore, that a month-long program aimed at increasing gender diversity in motorsport take place at this renowned, racing-centric institution.

To celebrate the growing number of female motorsport fans, the Silverstone has set aside the month of October to promote and bring attention to the rising interest and enthusiasm for women in motorsports. Planned activities and programs include educational and career workshops designed to highlight career possibilities as well as guest appearances from sporting stars and motorsport authors. STEM and racing, as well as sponsorships and driving, are the topics of a talk given by Barbie ambassador and Porsche Sprint Challenge GB driver Caitlin Wood. The varied and exciting roles within Formula 1 are the subject of another day’s program; additional October events include hands-on activities to assess reaction skills, as well as a look at the inside world of Formula 1 ‘from paddock to pitlane.’ Information about eSports, karting, and sports broadcasting is also part of the month’s agenda.

Katharine Worth, a PhD candidate now working as a Collections and Research Officer at the Silverstone, was familiar with my work through our joint participation in the Argetsinger Motorsport Symposium. She asked that I speak on the history of women-only racing [From Powder Puff to W Series: The Evolution of Women-Only Racing] which had been published in a UK volume on the history and politics of motorsport. While I  had originally hoped to attend the event in person, a fractured elbow [ouch] prevented me from making the trip. But with Katharine’s technical help, and her consideration for the time difference, I was able to make the presentation virtually without mishap. The presentation went smoothly [I hoped those in attendance could understand me through my Midwest American accent] and I tried to answer audience questions to the best of my ability. I was quite honored to be asked to speak at this event and I only hope it was well received. Such programs are so crucial for raising awareness and enthusiasm for motorsports in young girls. The Silverstone is to be commended for creating and maintaining the impressive and important #GirlsWill motorsport initiative.