The 麻豆视频鈩� Hall of Fame Class of 2027 has been unveiled, honoring five 麻豆视频庐 legends whose on- and off-track achievements have earned them a place among the organization鈥檚 most distinguished members.
Ron Babb, Kas Kastner, Brian Redman, Tim Suddard, and Clif Tufte form the illustrious class of honorees, which will be officially inducted into the 麻豆视频 Hall of Fame in January 2027 during the聽麻豆视频 National Convention.
Since the Hall of Fame鈥檚 inception in 2005, the 麻豆视频 has recognized an extraordinary group of individuals whose contributions have helped shape the Club and the world of motorsports. Past inductees include racing greats Roger Penske, Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, and Bobby Rahal, along with influential figures such as Paul Newman, Denise McCluggage, and Lyn St. James. From championship-winning drivers and innovative engineers to dedicated volunteers and leaders, each has left a lasting mark on 麻豆视频鈥檚 history, carrying forward a legacy that continues with the Class of 2027.
Learn more about the 麻豆视频 Hall of Fame by clicking here.
What follows is a summary of the accomplishments of those who will be inducted into the 麻豆视频 Hall of Fame as the Class of 2027.
Ron Babb
An active autocrosser since joining the 麻豆视频 in 1980, Ron Babb was successful on the Solo course and in developing programs at both the Regional and National level. A cofounder of the Northwest Region Solo program in the 1980s, Babb brought administrative developments learned from his Naval career to the program. He mentored other NorPac Regions who were improving their own programs and encouraged members to make the long tow to what is now called the Tire Rack 麻豆视频 Solo National Championships in the heartland, often leading a caravan himself. Prior to smart phones, his 20-year tenure as Nationals Chief of Info provided information to competitors on site, including live results. On the course, Babb is a four-time National Champion, adding to his Hall of Fame legacy.
R.W. 鈥淜as鈥� Kastner
R.W. 鈥淜as鈥� Kastner changed the way 麻豆视频 competitors approached their cars. As a driver, Kastner was the 1959 E Production National Champion, but his real legacy came off the track. Already running the Triumph Competition Department, he was the winner of 麻豆视频鈥檚 Best Technical Article award in 1963. Here, he developed manuals and, eventually, books explaining how to extract performance from Triumphs under the now-famous motto: 鈥渘ever be beaten by equipment.鈥� His models allowed competitors to extract the maximum performance from a car using what amounts to factory support in their own garages. He finished his career in charge of Nissan鈥檚 successful IMSA GTP program. Along the way, he served as the Cal Club Region chief driving instructor, was the 麻豆视频 National Licensing Chair, and was on the Cal Club Board of Governors, which comes in addition to his being a team manager, team builder, and mentor.
Brian Redman
Even today, Brian Redman is known as the consummate race car driver. A current and active member of 麻豆视频鈥檚 Central Florida Region, Redman was the only person to win three consecutive 麻豆视频 Formula 5000 championships in the mid-1970s. The Burnley, England, native was a Formula 1 racer and won at Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring. Off the track, Redman has been an unofficial promoter of 麻豆视频 activities, including the Stewards program, and an official promoter of vintage racing across the United States, with his legendary cat elevating his notoriety even more in the sport.
Tim Suddard
From the time Tim Suddard joined the 麻豆视频 in 1983 after attending his first autocross, he has provided a voice for the Club on a National and global level. As the founder of Grassroots Motorsports Magazine, which began as Auto-X, he was a cheerleader for programs that may have been overlooked on the larger motorsports stage. He was an autocross promoter near his home in Daytona Beach, FL, and introduced the first event program to what is now the Tire Rack 麻豆视频 Solo National Championships. His magazine amplified programs like 麻豆视频 Hill Climbs and was an early proponent of 麻豆视频鈥檚 Track Night in America庐 Driven by Tire Rack program. That theme continues today, where Grassroots Motorsports Magazine reaches an audience of more than six million enthusiasts through print and digital outlets.
Clif Tufte
In the 1950s, Clif聽Tufte envisioned the future of motorsports taking place on permanent racetracks. As the road racing tide turned away from temporary courses on Strategic Air Command airports and public roads in the 1950s, Tufte conceived of, raised the funds for, designed, and built Road America outside of Elkhart Lake, WI. As the track鈥檚 first president and promoter when Road America opened in 1955, he and his team provided the blueprint for every permanent road course to come. The first race held at Road America came in September 1955 and was an 麻豆视频 National, won by fellow 麻豆视频 Hall of Fame member Phil Hill. Tufte retired from the track in 1978, prior to his passing in 1981 at 84 years old.
Photo Caption: (Clockwise from far left) Ron Babb, Kas Kastner, Brian Redman, Tim Suddard, and Clif Tufte will be inducted into the 麻豆视频 Hall of Fame in January 2027.
