Berlin Raceway Announces Hall of Fame Inductees

Marne, MI—Berlin Raceway will induct three former racers in to the Hall of Fame on Friday, November 6 at the Annual Driver Awards Banquet at the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville.

Gordon VanderLaan, Eddie VanderLaan and Bruce VanderLaan are the three that will be honored this year, each representing Berlin Raceway at every stage of its evolution.

Gordy VanderLaan raced at Berlin Raceway for 12 years beginning when the track first opened up in 1951 and ending in 1962 when he was forced to retire from racing due to a non-racing injury. Gordy was a three-time track champion (1952, 1955 and 1959).

Eddie VanderLaan was one of Berlin Raceway’s top drivers from 1953 to 1976. He was Berlin’s Rookie of the Year in 1953 and won the track’s Season Championship in 1962. Eddie was successful on dirt as well as asphalt after the track was paved in 1966.

Bruce VanderLaan, son of Gordy, began his racing career in 1975 and raced up until 1999. In one five-year period during the mid 1980’s, he racked up 44 Late Model wins and 45 second-place finishes, making him the most dominant Berlin racer during the 80’s. Bruce won the 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1988 (tie) Late Model Championships at Berlin Raceway.

The Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame was established in 2005 as a means to permanently immortalize the greatest drivers and contributors of Berlin Raceway, one of the longest continuously running short tracks in the country. The Hall of Fame mission is to preserve the rich history and heritage of Berlin Raceway by recognizing outstanding individuals who have made significant accomplishments in and contributions to the sport of auto racing at Berlin Raceway.

This year’s group of inductees brings the total number of Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame Members to 15 and the VanderLaans will join Chet & Rose Mysliwiec, Chuck Mysliwiec, Dick Mysliwiec, John Benson, Sr., Harry Obie, Bob Knight, Ralph Baker, Gail Cobb, Jimmy Meyer, Ray Baker, Ed Howe and Dick Carter.

Berlin Raceway will honor the past and the present at the Annual Driver Awards Banquet at the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville on Friday, November 6 at 6 p.m. More information about the Hall of Fame and Driver’s Banquet can be found at our Web site, www.berlinraceway.com.

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