Fans of racing history have the opportunity to spend even more time visiting their favorite exhibits at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (IMHOF). The IMHOF is currently open with extended hours of 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. till the end of summer.
The IMHOF makes a great day trip for families, as admission to the museum is only $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 7 to 17 and free for kids age 6 and younger. And, because the IMHOF is continually adding and replacing exhibits, there is always something new to see.
Some of the museums most notable highlights include the 48-foot Cougar Cat Gentry Turbo Eagle Superboat. Housed under the covered pavilion, the record setting Superboat is visible from all three display halls at the Museum.
The massive boat was owned and piloted by Tom Gentry who set a World Superboat speed record of 148.238 mph around a New Orleans, La. course in 1987. With Norman Gentry navigating and John Connor working the throttle on the four 1,400 hp engines, the three-man crew hit straightaway speeds of over 170 mph. In 1991, the crew used the same boat to win the Offshore Professional Tour Championship.
The Budweiser Rocket car is another popular exhibit. Powered by a 48,000 horsepower V-4 hydrogen peroxide rocket and 12,000 horsepower Sidewinder missile, the rocket car streaked to over 700 mph 1979. At more than 39 feet long and just 20 inches wide, it resembles a missile on wheels and can accelerate from 0-140 mph in one second flat.
Other racing vehicles on display range from stock, Indy and drag cars, all the way to an airplane once piloted by Bobby Allison.
About the International Motorsports Hall of Fame & Museum
Opened in April of 1983, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the history of motorsports. Each year, the annual International Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is held on the grounds of the museum to honor those men and women chosen for induction from among the greatest names in all of motorsports.
Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 7 to 17 and free for kids age 6 and younger. Discounts to the museum of $1 off individual tickets are available to: adults in the military, AAA members, senior citizens, children (age 7 to 17) of a military member or AAA member. Discounts do not apply to combo tickets.