U.S. Postal Stamps Honoring American Racing Heroes
Racing has been a part of the social fabric of America nearly as long as the automobile has been in existence - the first contest being held in Chicago in 1896. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, although its signature event, the Indy 500 won't celebrate its centennial until 2011. There must be a way to honor the people who have contributed to the sport's legacy. What better way to do this than a commemorative series of U.S. postal stamps? After all, there have been stamps honoring athletes, inventors and entertainers. Motorsports, which blends man, machine and competition, has produced heroes who are all three.
According to the stamp subject selection guidelines, the general policy is to consider American or American-related topics and only events, persons and themes of widespread national appeal and significance are to be considered for commemoration. Stamps honoring American racing heroes should fit the bill. Typically commemoratives are approved years in advance in order to allow time for the stamp artwork to be commissioned and approved. These programs are already in place for 2009 and 2010, so a 2011 series in time for the Indy 500 centennial might still be possible.
This petition will be sent to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee asking that a full commemorative set of stamps honoring American Racing Heroes be issued. In addition signing onto this effort, we have a list of names you can vote for in order to put forward a list of potential honorees. In July, we'll send this petition off to the committee and hope for the best.
You can also vote for your top 10 picks from a list of 40 American racing heroes at: www.roadandtrack.com/stamps
Racing has been a part of the social fabric of America nearly as long as the automobile has been in existence - the first contest being held in Chicago in 1896. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, although its signature event, the Indy 500 won't celebrate its centennial until 2011. There must be a way to honor the people who have contributed to the sport's legacy. What better way to do this than a commemorative series of U.S. postal stamps? After all, there have been stamps honoring athletes, inventors and entertainers. Motorsports, which blends man, machine and competition, has produced heroes who are all three.
According to the stamp subject selection guidelines, the general policy is to consider American or American-related topics and only events, persons and themes of widespread national appeal and significance are to be considered for commemoration. Stamps honoring American racing heroes should fit the bill. Typically commemoratives are approved years in advance in order to allow time for the stamp artwork to be commissioned and approved. These programs are already in place for 2009 and 2010, so a 2011 series in time for the Indy 500 centennial might still be possible.
This petition will be sent to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee asking that a full commemorative set of stamps honoring American Racing Heroes be issued. In addition signing onto this effort, we have a list of names you can vote for in order to put forward a list of potential honorees. In July, we'll send this petition off to the committee and hope for the best.
You can also vote for your top 10 picks from a list of 40 American racing heroes at: www.roadandtrack.com/stamps
Racing has been a part of the social fabric of America nearly as long as the automobile has been in existence - the first contest being held in Chicago in 1896. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, although its signature event, the Indy 500 won't celebrate its centennial until 2011. There must be a way to honor the people who have contributed to the sport's legacy. What better way to do this than a commemorative series of U.S. postal stamps? After all, there have been stamps honoring athletes, inventors and entertainers. Motorsports, which blends man, machine and competition, has produced heroes who are all three.
According to the stamp subject selection guidelines, the general policy is to consider American or American-related topics and only events, persons and themes of widespread national appeal and significance are to be considered for commemoration. Stamps honoring American racing heroes should fit the bill. Typically commemoratives are approved years in advance in order to allow time for the stamp artwork to be commissioned and approved. These programs are already in place for 2009 and 2010, so a 2011 series in time for the Indy 500 centennial might still be possible.
This petition will be sent to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee asking that a full commemorative set of stamps honoring American Racing Heroes be issued. In addition signing onto this effort, we have a list of names you can vote for in order to put forward a list of potential honorees. In July, we'll send this petition off to the committee and hope for the best.
You can also vote for your top 10 picks from a list of 40 American racing heroes at: www.roadandtrack.com/stamps
Stamps show what is important to a country. This country loves racing and what better way to show that passion than on a stamp.
A great idea because it is part of US history.
Having raced on an amateur level, reading automotive publications-- and the fact the automobile is a part of our national history-- as are these men.
I wish I knew!
Motor racing embodies human spirit, with the perfect mix of the technological and personal element.
Auto racing is an essential part of American culture since the invention of the automobile. If we honer athletes, entertainers, and other celebrities, are we not obligated to honor this aspect of our common heritage?
I am the CEO of what will become the world's largest social networking site for all of MotorSports.
The least that these drivers/heros deserve is a commemorative stamp series. )-(
Was involved with sports car racing via race communications (Watkins Glen with the RCA, etc), organizing races (Brynfan Tyddyn, Wilkes Barre, PA), along with general compassion for skilled driving and with sports cars in particular.
Racing is more than a sport it is life. People who race put their life on the line for what they love. That is true passion.
automobile racing, ever since the Vanderbilt Cup Races of 1904 +, has been an important factor in developing innovation and safety; possibly its greatest moment was the 1966 Le Mans win by Ford. . .'tis a pity Ken Miles wasn't on your list, a contoversial decision which prevented his getting the 'triple crown', and a tragic loss shortly after.
Quintessential Americans and (mostly!) good role models. Great idea!
Need to have the greats of car racing in our stamp collections.
Automobile racing has been a part of our culture for many decades and I believe that a stamp honoring some of the pioneers timely. Please do this series of stamps.
These great American drivers should be honored and recognized for their skills, heroism, and patriotism. They should have been honored long before Homer Simpson.
I am extremely passionate about exotic cars and F1 racing. I think this stamp idea is superb and I am definitly hoping it passes. I will be the first one to my post office to buy a sheet. Good work Road & Track....I'm proud to be a subscriber!!!!
The skill, courage and ingenuity that exist in numerous racing series in the United States are as worthy of commemoration as many other endeavors that have been honored and celebrated through our nation's postage stamps. Each of these endeavors have and continue to be a part of what defines the American spirit. Few endeavors, such as racing, engender such enthusiasm and marked excellence in the melding of man and his machine.
