AUGUSTA – While a pesky January snowstorm wreaked havoc on area roads, members of Maine’s auto racing community gathered at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday to honor nine pioneers who contributed to the sport’s early days.

The Auburn-based Maine Vintage Race Car Association hosted the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2005 induction ceremony.

This year’s inductees are Jackie Knight, Gardiner Leavitt, Bill Carleton, Ed Knowles, Floyd Trask, Elijah White, Bob Libby, and Harold and Pat Wilcox. The honorees represent various positions in the field of motorsports, yet all shared a deep passion and commitment to short-track racing.

Knight began his racing career at the Lewiston Fairgrounds in the summer of 1941. During the 1960s at Oxford Plains Speedway, Knight was known for his gold-colored No. 77 Chevrolets. In a career which spanned almost 35 years, he was voted Most Popular Driver on three occasions, and was honored twice by his fellow competitors as Driver of the Year.

Family member Chris McDaniel accepted the award for Knight, who died in 1986.

Leavitt, known affectionately for many years as “The Geezer from Kezar,” has raced on every surface from the old dirt track at Beech Ridge to the high banks of Dover, Del. His 50-plus years in racing began at Beach Ridge in 1951. When Leavitt advanced to compete on the old NASCAR North Tour in the late 70s and early 80s, he gained legions of fans across New England driving the famed No. 1X.

Gardiner has worn the hats of driver, car owner, teacher, fabricator and parts supplier. He and wife June have an extended family of close friends through racing that truly are a part of their lives.

“I’ve had a wonderful career in this sport, and have met a lot of really good people,” he said. “To join the group already inducted is a great honor, I’ve simply worked hard at a sport I loved all of my life.”

“Wild” Bill Carleton got his start in racing at the old Belfast Raceway in 1948. His nickname stems from numerous rollovers and an all-out driving style which often led him to Victory Lane. During a 20-plus year career, Carleton won more than 100 races and was a fan favorite wherever he competed.

“I enjoyed a lot of success on the race track in a long, fabulous career,” Carleton said. “No driver has ever won races without help, and I need to thank my longtime mechanic David Webster for his efforts. I have some wonderful memories and am truly honored by this induction.”

Known as the P.T. Barnum of racing promoters, Knowles is often referred to as the father of Unity Raceway. Thanks to his vision and desire to build a track, he started an entire chapter in Maine’s racing history. Unity Raceway held its first official race on June 17, 1950. The sight of Knowles’ covered grandstands filled to capacity encouraged others to build tracks around the state.

“Dad was one heck of a promoter, but wasn’t much of a driver,” said Bob Knowles, Ed’s son who accepted the award. “He chose Unity for its proximity to several towns, and it turned out to be an ideal location. He really was a man with vision.”

Trask, widely known as “Zeke,” is best known as the original announcer at Oxford Plains Speedway. He also wrote a book a few years ago entitled “Oxford Plains Speedway – The First Three Years.”

“I always tried to make the fans think they were behind the wheel,” said Trask. “And raise their excitement and passion level for the sport to reach or exceed my own. I’m happy to have been involved in the early days of this great sport, and marvel at how far it has come.”

Elijah “Tiger” White got a late start in racing, never turning a lap until age 50 when he was already a grandfather. Tiger accomplished a unique feat in 1968, winning opening day features at both Oxford Plains Speedway and Speedway 95 in Hermon on the same weekend. After a long and successful driving career, White retired in 1969.

Libby began his 25-year career at Beech Ridge in 1954 – winning from Massachusetts to the Canadian Maritimes. Highly respected as a driver and car owner, Bob was elected president of the Maine State Stock Car Racing Association for an unprecedented 15 terms. Bob’s brother Phil was part of last year’s Class of 2004.

Harold and Pat Wilcox represent the fist couple in the hall. Harold, known affectionately as Pappy, began his career at Belfast but would eventually call Unity his home track. He also worked as a stunt driver. In 1961, he was the first driver from Maine to run the NASCAR Grand National circuit, now known as the Nextel Cup Series. Pat was more than a supportive wife, she was deeply involved in racing as a judge and scoring official.

“I have many great memories from this sport, and am glad my son David has carried on the interest. This is a great honor, and I hope this sport continues to thrive for generations,” she said