This is a short, sourced outline of how the Hall of Fame began. Every item below is cited. Anything that rests on a single source is marked Unconfirmed.
- 2008A magazine “Mini Truckin’ Hall of Fame”
In its April 2008 (20th anniversary) issue, Mini Truckin’ magazine started a “Mini Truckin’ Hall of Fame” and inducted Bob “The Old Man” Hase as its first entrant. The plan, as described in that article, was one icon per year. Unconfirmed Help us confirm
[1] The text is known from a 2013 forum repost of the article. The original magazine URL is no longer live.
- 2013The first annual ceremony
According to inductee Mike Lepker, writing in October 2013, the magazine effort had ended, and “prominent people in the mini truck community” decided to continue it, with sponsors nominating in many categories. The November 2013 event was billed as the 1st Annual. Unconfirmed Help us confirm
The 1st Annual ceremony itself is confirmed: Monday, November 4, 2013, at 7:00 PM, at Hogs & Heifers in Las Vegas, as part of the Freaks of Nature SEMA Kick Off Party. [1] [2]
- 2013–A Monday-night tradition
In most years since then, the induction has been held on the Monday night before SEMA, at the Freaks of Nature SEMA Kick Off Party, usually at Hogs & Heifers Saloon in downtown Las Vegas. [2] [3] See all ceremonies.
The Classes of 2020 and 2021 were inducted together on November 1, 2021, after SEMA was not held in person in 2020. Which honoree belongs to which of those two years is still unknown. [4] See the combined class list.
If you have early programs, magazine issues or first-hand memories, Help us confirm
Full class lists, with citations, are on the Induction Classes page.
Archive photo
Archive photo
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Sources
- Ratsun Forums, “Mini trucking hall of fame inductions…” (October–December 2013; includes Mike Lepker’s posts, the 2013 class list, and a repost of a 2008 Mini Truckin’ magazine article): https://ratsun.net/topic/58189-mini-trucking-hall-of-fame-inductions/
- Gauge Magazine, “Freaks of Nature SEMA Kick Off Party 2013”: https://gaugemagazine.com/freaks-of-nature-sema-kick-off-party-2013/
- Anthony Soos, “Mini Truck Hall of Fame Awards - 2017 #TENSEMA17,” MotorTrend, November 1, 2017: https://www.motortrend.com/news/1710-mini-truck-hall-of-fame-awards-2017-tensema17
- Jason “ODB” Ballard, “SEMA 2021 Preview,” October 29, 2021 (Bob Hase discussing the 2020/2021 inductees): https://bd94s10.wordpress.com/2021/10/29/sema-2021-preview/