Described by legend Andy Granatelli as, “The best kept secret of the Indy 500,” the National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show held each year the two days prior to the running of the Race is under new ownership.
A group headed by William E. “Bill” Daniels of Lebanon, Indiana has purchased the 25-year-old memorabilia event from long-time owner and promoter Ken Breslauer. The 2004 event, scheduled for May 28 and 29 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis will be the 26th annual.
Daniels commented, “We feel fortunate to acquire an event with such a prestigious, long-running history. We would not have pursued this opportunity if we did not feel that the potential exists to make it even bigger and better.”
Ken Breslauer, who will remain with the new group as a consultant, added, “I’m pleased and confident that the new owners will maintain the traditions and relationships that we’ve built over the years not only with the dealers (table holders) but with the public and the racing community.”
John Douglas, also of Lebanon and a long-time table holder, has been named the Show Manager. His background in organized sports memorabilia activities goes back to the mid 1970s. “We’ve already begun to pursue many new, added features for the Show,” Douglas said. “We’ve reserved additional exhibit space at the Convention Center, a good line-up of racing personalities who will appear will be booked as far in advance of the event as possible, emphasis is being focused on the IRL and CART teams in Indy to participate as well as The Speedway itself. We also hope to have a hotel package in downtown Indy that will be offered first to our table holders. We plan to pursue many cross-promotional opportunities with other events and businesses in Indianapolis.”
Douglas added, “Some of what will be presented will be a new experience for some. For instance, in other areas of the sports memorabilia hobby (baseball, football, basketball, etc.) it has been a common practice for decades to sell autograph tickets for the personalities scheduled by the promoter. We will be instituting this practice at the Show and the result should be more organization, better guests and fewer complaints. There will be many more examples of this which will be apparent to everyone attending.”
Bill Daniels commented, “We feel fortunate that Kenny is going to be present and very much involved with our group as this transition progresses. He has done a great job in building this event. One of our main goals will be to procure a Corporate Sponsor for this event.”
For more show information you can phone John Douglas at (765) 482-3477.