Oh, Canada: James Hinchcliffe named to Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame

The semi-retired IndyCar driver and current IndyCar on NBC analyst is part of a group of 15 new members to enter the nation's preeminent motorsport honorarium group

Semi-retired IndyCar driver and current IndyCar on NBC analyst James Hinchcliffe has received one of his country's highest honors -- or as they say in Canada, "honours" -- in being named to the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame (CMHF).

A native of Oakville, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto, the soon to be 37-year-old Hinchcliffe -- who has the colorful nickname of "The Mayor of Hinchtown" -- joins 14 other notable motorsports figures who advanced four- and two-wheel racing in their country or, like Hinchcliiffe, in other countries such as the United States.

Hinchcliffe made 161 career starts in the IndyCar Series, capturing six wins (and 18 podiums), with his first win in 2013 at St. Petersburg, Fla., and his last in 2018 at Iowa Speedway. He also took the checkered flag in Brazil, an earlier win at Iowa, Phoenix Raceway and Long Beach.

James Hinchcliffe celebrates his first of six IndyCar wins in his career (photo courtesy Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame)

His last season as an active competitor in IndyCar was 2021, for Schmidt Peterson Racing (now Arrow McLaren SP). 

Prior to moving to IndyCar, the man also affectionately known as "Hinch," made 28 starts in the Indy Lights Series, earning three wins and 13 podiums.

Hinchcliffe suffered serious injuries in a crash while practicing for the 2015 Indianapolis 500. But he bounced back to run the entire 2016 season, finishing 13th, with three podiums and one pole, ironically the only pole he ever earned in his IndyCar career.

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Here's a copy of the full announcement, released Wednesday morning: 

TORONTO, ON – Following a public nomination process that was conducted during the months leading up to the late-July submission deadline, the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame (CMHF) is pleased to announce that 15 new members will be inducted during the Hall’s annual Gala Induction Ceremony in Toronto, in February.

Twelve individuals and one racing duo will be inducted in the Competitors / Motorsport Builders / Race Support Participants category, while two veteran Canadian motorsports journalists will be honoured in the Media category.

Fifty-six individuals and organizations – representing varied racing disciplines and regions from across Canada – were put forward for consideration by members of the public. Once the nomination period closed, the CMHF Independent Selection Committee reviewed and scored the nominations.

Subsequently, the recommendation was made to the Board of Directors to induct 15 new members into the CMHF. The Board approved the recommendation at its meeting on Thursday, October 19. The new members in the various categories are:

* COMPETITORS / BUILDERS / RACE SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS: • Claude Aubin * (Bois-des-Fillions, QC) • Jeremy Dale (Toronto, ON) • Mark Dilley (Barrie, ON) • James Hinchcliffe (Oakville, ON) • Ernie Jakubowski (Oakville, ON) • Norman Jennings (Toronto, ON) • Brad Moran (Toronto, ON) • Patrick Richard (Squamish, BC) • Didier Schraenen (Mont-St-Hilaire, QC) • Frank & Dan Sprongl (Georgetown, ON) • William (Bill) Vallis (Welland, ON) • John Waldie (Stratford, ON) • Kuno Wittmer (Brossard, QC) MEDIA: • John Massingberd * (Burlington, ON) • J. Wally Nesbitt (Port Perry, ON) * denotes deceased.

Discussing the ‘Class of 2023’ nomination and selection process, CMHF Chair Peter Lockhart said, “We’re excited to announce this year’s new inductees to the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. We appreciate everyone who took the time to research and submit nominations. And we applaud the contributions of those who will be inducted, as well as all of those who were put forward for consideration.

"We’re very grateful to the Canadian racing community for the exceptional quality and quantity of the nominations. And I would like to recognize and thank the members of the Independent Selection Committee – headed by our Chair Emeritus Dr. Hugh Scully – for thoughtfully reviewing and scoring the nominations. It was a lot of work, and they did an excellent job identifying worthy individuals for induction to the Hall.

“As soon as the Board approved the recommendation for the Class of 2023, I had the honour and pleasure of reaching out to each of the inductees to congratulate them on being selected and as well to their nominators, to thank them for submitting their successful nominations. On behalf of the Board of the CMHF, we celebrate their contributions to racing in Canada. And we look forward to welcoming them to the CMHF in February.”

The next CMHF Induction Gala is co-sponsored by Clubine Motorsports, OTSFF Sports Marketing Group and TNG Exotics & Limited Editions and will take place during the Canadian International Autoshow (CIAS), on Saturday, February 17, 2024, in Toronto.

The public is welcome to attend the event. Tickets will be available at AutoShow.ca starting Friday, December 1. Additional details regarding the new inductees and the Induction Gala will be announced soon. Please visit CMHF.ca. For info, please email info@cmhf.ca.