Thacker named museum director

THACKER NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WALLY PARKS NHRA MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM

GLENDORA, Calif. -- Tony Thacker has joined NHRA as Executive Director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, NHRA officials announced today.

Thacker, 56, of Pomona, Calif., will be in charge of the daily operations of the Museum, maintain its extensive displays and promote the Museum's role within the community. He joins NHRA with nearly 20 years of experience with marketing, public relations and communications. He most recently served as the vice president of marketing for SO-CAL Speed Shop, a world-renowned builder of street rods and race cars, parts manufacturer and home of an apparel line.

A native of England, Thacker worked for Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and was president of TT Productions, a marketing firm for automotive aftermarket companies, before taking his considerable skills in communication and marketing to SO-CAL.

"The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is full of high-performance cars, and we need to make it into a high-performance museum." said Thacker. "I am extremely excited to work with Wally Parks and the entire Museum staff."

Thacker plans to honor the rich history of the museum by highlighting the sport's storied past. He's already developed a Saturday matinee film program for the facility -- a plan he will work to expand.

"We are confident that Tony will have an immediate impact on the Museum and NHRA as a whole," said Peter Clifford, NHRA executive vice president and general manager. "NHRA is dedicated to improving our future by remembering our past -- and the Museum is the perfect way to see that resolve. We are looking forward to seeing the positive results his ideas are sure to bring."

Tony will also assist NHRA in developing licensing opportunties.

"I grew up in England reading Hot Rod magazine when Wally and other drag racers were huge heroes. I never thought I'd get to meet them. I never thought I would get to work here in the U.S. or for NHRA. It's a huge dream. To have the opportunity to hopefully influence that legacy is absolutely incredible." Thacker said.

A long-time dream of Parks,' The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, opened to the public on April 4, 1998. The 28,500-square-foot building located on the Los Angeles County Fairplex grounds in Pomona houses vehicles, stories and artifacts responsible for developing the fascination in automotive speed and style.

The Museum is open year-round, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Admission is free for current NHRA members. Admission for non-members is: $5 for adults; $3 for seniors 60 and older; $3 for juniors 6-15; and free for children under the age of 5.

-nhra