Hot Shoe Hall of Fame

Brief description of what to expect from posts here.

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 20, 2025 | Industry & Racing | 0 |

Through The Lens: Hot Shoe Hall of Famers

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 8, 2023 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes | 2 |

Hot Shoe Hall of Fame 2023

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 6, 2023 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life | 3 |

Through The Lens: Jay Springsteen

by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 13, 2026 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes | 0 |

While up on stage in the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame interview with Terry “Ike” Clanton, Jay quipped, “Me and Corky made Kenny Roberts famous at the 1975 Indy Mile!” His reference was to the fact that Kenny caught them on his Champion framed, Kel Carruthers tuned, TZ750 Miler on the exit of Turn 4 onto the front straight on the last lap, and won by a wheel length.

Through The Lens: Eddie Lawson

by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 5, 2026 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes | 2 |

When Geoff first began photographing racing as a young adult, he would often go to races just to spectate and practice his new hobby of photography. He unknowingly captured Eddie as a 250-Novice road racer at Sears Point in Sonoma, California. While at a dinner for Kenny Roberts’ charity, he gave Eddie a copy of this photo. Eddie’s response was, “Where did you get that??” Geoff replied, “I shot it at Sears Point in 1977.” Eddie then shared that his wife knew nothing of this era of his racing and that he couldn’t wait to share it with her.

5th Annual Hot Shoe Hall of Fame

by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 20, 2025 | Industry & Racing | 0 |

2025 saw an additional 50 inductees into The Hot Shoe Hall of Fame. A Lifetime Achievement Award honoring the great Malcom Smith was received on his behalf by Ed Burke of Yamaha. Malcom, although no longer with us, was one of those people who truly loved everything about motorcycles.

Hot Shoe Hall of Fame 4.0

by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 1, 2024 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life | 0 |

Recently at the Notoriety Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada, the motorcycle industry celebrated the latest Hot Shoe Hall of Fame inductees, increasing the total number to 155. Gene Woods, a three time U.S. Open Speedway champion during the 1980s is the founder of the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame as well as the charity which provides new shoes, “Heart Shoes”, to needy men, women, and children in the area. Gene’s vision to honor and remember two-wheel racers and industry icons, combined with his own generosity, makes this a “must attend” event for anyone who rides or loves motorcycling. Each year it continues to grow in attendance and is a wonderful opportunity to see and reminisce with riders, racers and industry icons. This was our third year in attendance. We saw old friends and met new ones. Geoff shared vintage photos he took during the 1970s with inductees, and Saturday was a special time to check in and enjoy our motorcycle family.

Through The Lens: Hot Shoe Hall of Famers

by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 8, 2023 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes | 2 |

In our previous installment, we shared some photos and highlights from our trip to the 2023 Hot Shoe Hall of Fame induction evening in Las Vegas. Gene Woods put on a wonderful ceremony at the Notoriety Theater in the Las Vegas Fremont Street Experience, and so many notables flew or drove in for the night that we decided to showcase some photos Geoff shot of these legends back in their heyday. Some are still involved in the sport, either supporting teams or racing in vintage events. It was a motorcycle racing star-studded night.