The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame has announced its inductee class of 2025. After receiving 47 nomination packets for individuals to be considered for the class, a committee of off-road industry professionals narrowed the finalists down to a group of eight deserving individuals. The inductees for the Class of 2025 include Frank Currie, Bob Fox, Nate Hunt, Mike Julson, Lonnie McCurry Sr., Keith Purmal, Clyde Stacy, and Dan Vanden Heuvel.

2025 Inductee: Frank Currie

Frank Currie was a pioneering force in the motorsports world, with a legacy rooted in passion, innovation, and entrepreneurship. After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, he began building rear ends for chicken carts at Taylor Dunn Manufacturing. Sensing an opportunity, he started buying and selling axles out of his garage, planting the seed for what would become Currie Enterprises. In 1964, he opened his first shop, and his sons joined him early on, learning to work efficiently while maintaining exceptional quality.

Over the decades, Currie Enterprises became synonymous with high-performance axles and components, making waves in hot rodding, drag racing, and off-road communities. Frank wasn’t just a businessman—he was an enthusiast, racing at Bonneville, Jeeping in the backcountry, and promoting motorsports events. His belief in customer service and quality shaped his business ethos and was passed on to his sons, who continue the legacy today.

Frank passed in 2016, but his influence remains, both in the aftermarket parts world and in the hearts of those he inspired. Described by Chip Foose as a man whose contributions shaped the industry, Frank Currie is honored posthumously as a 2025 inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame.

2025 Inductee: Bob Fox

Bob Fox, founder of FOX Factory, is a trailblazer in off-road motorsports whose engineering genius transformed the suspension industry. In the 1970s, while racing motocross on weekends, Bob saw a need for more reliable shocks. Armed with only a pencil, paper, and a friend’s garage, he created the first Fox Airshox. Racers quickly took notice, and within three years, FOX shocks propelled motocross legends like Kent Howerton and Brad Lackey to AMA and Grand Prix championships—boosting sales from 200 to 10,000 units.

This success fueled FOX’s rapid expansion through the 1980s and beyond, developing suspension systems for trucks, snowmobiles, mountain bikes, and even prosthetic limbs for adaptive athletes. FOX partnered with elite racers across disciplines, from Baja to the Indy 500, pushing the limits of performance and innovation. The company also contributed to OEM projects like the Ford Raptor, bringing race-proven tech to everyday vehicles.

Celebrated for his relentless pursuit of excellence, Bob is described by racing legend Roger Mears as “a racer at heart, an engineer by trade, and a pioneer by nature.” After five decades of impact, Bob Fox joins the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2025, solidifying his legacy as a cornerstone of off-road innovation.

2025 Inductee: Nate Hunt

Nate Hunt, Class of 2025 Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, has spent decades working behind the scenes to shape and elevate off-road racing. Beginning as a warehouse assistant with Jackson-Dawson Motorsports, he quickly rose through the ranks to manage race tire operations and coordinate major programs for OEMs like BMW and Volvo, as well as racing legends such as Richard Petty.

His career took a pivotal turn when Frank DeAngelo brought him into Jackson Motorsports as Program Manager for BFGoodrich Tires, where Nate became a crucial force in short course, desert racing, and rock sports. For over 15 years, Nate worked closely with SCORE International, managing logistics, pit locations, access routes, GPS files, and driver notes, contributions that have defined modern desert racing.

Deeply connected to Baja, Nate has consistently emphasized cultural respect, building strong bonds with local communities. He’s played a key role in charitable efforts across the region, from disaster relief to fundraising for families in crisis.

Praised by SCORE icon Sal Fish for his passion and impact, Nate Hunt is not only a logistical mastermind but also a humanitarian and ambassador for the sport. Today, he continues to serve the community as a board member of ORMHOF.

2025 Inductee: Mike Julson

Mike Julson, a visionary fabricator and racer, is a 2025 inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. His journey began in 1975 when he and his father Jim built a one-off Class 9 chassis that quickly gained attention. The success led to the creation of Jimco Racing Products, which would become one of the most respected names in off-road racing.

Mike not only honed his skills in fabrication and design but proved his work on the racecourse, earning wins and championships in events such as SCORE, Best in the Desert, and Primm. Under his leadership, Jimco set a new industry standard, amassing 25 SCORE Chassis Manufacturer of the Year Awards and building a global reputation for performance and innovation.

His influence also helped shape future industry leaders, mentoring talents like John Marking and John Cooley, and later working with Robbie Pierce and the Navarro family to continue Jimco’s legacy. Revered by industry icons like Sal Fish, Mike represents the heart of off-road racing: family, passion, and performance.

From garage beginnings to global acclaim, Mike Julson’s contributions have forever shaped the off-road racing world—and now earn him a well-deserved place among its legends.

2025 Inductee: Lonnie McCurry Sr.

Lonnie McCurry Sr., Class of 2025 inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, epitomizes the American dream built from the ground up. In 1971, driven by his love for off-roading in the Louisiana backcountry, Lonnie and his wife Nell founded Lonnie McCurry’s 4Wheel Drive Center in a small garage behind their home. Just two years later, they opened their first storefront and launched Skyjacker Suspensions, a brand that would become iconic in the off-road industry.

From the start, Lonnie innovated, creating suspension products for a range of vehicles including Fords, Chevys, Jeeps, and Scouts. His commitment to tackling the “impossible” led to notable achievements, including designing custom suspension systems for U.S. military vehicles deployed in Afghanistan.

Skyjacker became synonymous with performance, sponsoring and competing in mud drags, rock crawling, and 4WD events across the country. Beyond product excellence, Lonnie’s impact was felt through mentorship and industry support, helping others achieve success. His faith, family, and philanthropic work, including contributions to ministries and shelters, remain central to his legacy.

Today, Skyjacker remains family-owned and celebrates over 50 years of innovation under Lonnie’s visionary leadership, rooted in the same values that started it all under that backyard shade tree.

2025 Inductee: Keith Purmal

Keith Purmal, a 2025 inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, is one of the sport’s most respected and steady behind-the-scenes figures. For over 40 years, Keith has served as the essential voice on the radio when races turn chaotic, ensuring critical communication between race teams, organizers, and emergency services. His calm, authoritative presence has been vital at legendary events like the Mint 400, Vegas to Reno, Silver State Classic, and Whiskey Pete’s Hare and Hound.

Starting as a pit crew volunteer, Keith quickly gravitated toward radio operations. His talent and dedication led him to become the go-to figure for organizing race-day communications—earning him comparisons to ORMHOF legend Bob “The Weatherman” Steinberger. Known for his clear-headed decision-making in high-pressure, even life-or-death, situations, Keith has quietly become the heartbeat of race control.

Industry leaders like Matt and Josh Martelli, Donald Jackson, and Bryan Folks praise his unmatched professionalism, operational excellence, and commitment to safety. Though he has never sought the spotlight or collected trophies, Keith’s decades of service have left an indelible mark on off-road racing. His legacy is defined by reliability, leadership, and the calm voice that brings order when it’s needed most.

2025 Inductee: Clyde Stacy

Clyde Stacy, Class of 2025 inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, is a force in desert racing whose legacy spans the track and the community. Originally rooted in Virginia’s coal and entertainment industries, Clyde co-founded RPM Racing and quickly made waves behind the wheel—competing across multiple classes including 5-1600, Class 2, 4, 8, and eventually Trophy Truck, where he earned the Rod Hall Milestone Award six times between 2013 and 2020.

Beyond his success in SCORE, NORRA, HDRA, and Best in the Desert, Clyde is deeply invested in Baja’s culture and people. Known for his humility and generosity, he’s supported orphanages, struggling families, and rising local talent, offering opportunities on his race team to aspiring drivers who might otherwise never race.

Clyde’s vision extends to technology and team achievement. He helped develop innovations like the Geiser twin-engine AWD Trick Truck and is pursuing a dream of seeing an RPM driver win in every SCORE class. Industry icons like Frank DeAngelo and Robbie Gordon praise him for his generosity, leadership, and lifelong commitment to the sport.

A true ambassador and behind-the-scenes legend, Clyde Stacy is celebrated not just for winning, but for lifting others along the way.

2025 Inductee: Dan Vanden Heuvel

Dan Vanden Heuvel, known as The Flying Dutchman, is a 2025 inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame whose four-decade career helped shape Midwest short-course racing. Starting at age 15 at Crandon, Dan became a dominant force in series like SODA, CORR, WSORR, and TORC, amassing victories and championships that filled pages of accolades.

But Dan’s legacy goes far beyond the track. While building a hall-of-fame racing career, he tirelessly gave back to the off-road community. He volunteered with sanctioning bodies, hosted CORR’s first organizational meeting, co-founded the Midwest Off-Road Racing Association (MORR), and served as its first president. He also helped launch the Short Course Kart Series to engage youth and mentored emerging drivers through his race team.

Dan and his wife Nancy supported MORR’s Injured Driver Fund, while Dan personally brought his vehicles to community events and “Just Say No” school programs. Whether building tracks, emceeing banquets, or mowing the pits, his presence was constant and selfless.

Praised by peers like Curt Leduc, Brad Lovell, and Cliff Flannery, Dan is celebrated not only as a champion but as a mentor, leader, and grassroots advocate whose unwavering dedication has left an indelible mark on off-road racing.

What Is The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame

The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) honors individuals who have made significant contributions to off-road motorsports. Its roots trace back to 1967, when Ed Pearlman founded the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) and launched the first Mexican 1000, which evolved into the iconic Baja 1000. After stepping away from race promotion, Pearlman focused on recognizing pioneers of the sport, inducting the first Hall of Fame class in 1978, followed by another group in 1980. Despite his efforts, a permanent home for the Hall of Fame remained elusive.

In 1995, off-road racing legend Rod Hall discovered Pearlman’s archival materials and revived the vision. With the support of Gordon Horsley and the National Automobile Museum (NAM), Hall secured a permanent home for ORMHOF and established a board of directors and advisors to guide its mission.

Today, ORMHOF inductees are selected annually by a 20-member committee. Candidates must have at least 15 years of experience in off-road motorsports and must have meaningfully contributed through competition, innovation, advocacy, or support. Inductees are recognized across three categories: Competition, Recreation, and Pioneer, and must exemplify excellence in areas such as business, design, engineering, or promotion of the sport.

The Off-Road Motorsports Hall Of Fame Nomination Process

The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) was established to recognize individuals and organizations whose lifelong contributions have significantly impacted off-road motorsports. Nomination for the Class of 2025 was open from March 1–31, 2025, and submissions must be completed using official online forms at ormhof.org. Nominees must have a minimum of 15 years of active involvement in off-road motorsports and have demonstrated excellence in areas such as competition, innovation, business development, engineering, advocacy, philanthropy, journalism, or event promotion. Categories for nomination include Competition (motorcycle, vehicle, UTV/ATV), Influencer, Advocate, Industry, and Journalism.

Nominations can be submitted by individuals, sanctioning bodies, associations, media, and event promoters. A nominator must be an ORMHOF member in good standing, and each nominee requires a separate submission. If a nominee is not inducted, the nomination may be updated and resubmitted for up to two more years; afterward, there is a one-year waiting period.

The voting committee, comprised of up to 21 members including board members, inductees, and respected members of the off-road community, will receive and review nomination packets in June 2025. Nominees must receive at least two-thirds of the vote for consideration and final approval by the ORMHOF Board of Directors. The Class of 2025 will be formally inducted at a ceremony held on November 2, 2025, in Las Vegas, NV.