The venue, and combination program--IAMAs and NA Concept Vehicle Awards, were well attended and received numerous compliments. This was the third year of the combined awards program.

Below, in the following order, are the 2009 IAMAs: Lifetime; Best of the Year; Best of Divisions; Bronze, Silver and Gold Medallions; background, and rules; and full bio on John H. Davis.

Additionally, we will be printing entry forms. If you prefer a printed copy, please email your name and address to isvp@earthlink.net.

All forms of automotive media, with the exception of advertising, fall within the purview of this peer-judged program. To be eligible, the work must have been published, broadcast, or posted between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2009.

Participation is open to all those involved in automotive media: materials about cars, trucks, buses, fire engines, history, technical, public relations, whether in the form of books, magazines, newspapers, internet, radio, television, club publications, graphics, press kits--if your work is related to the automotive world, and is not a paid advertisement, this program is for you.

Upon completion of the judging process, announcement of the recipients of the 2009 International Automotive Media Awards will be made in June, 2010.

International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC)
Elaine C Haessner, Director

The IAMC is a function of the International Society for Vehicle Preservation (ISVP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational oganization

email isvp@earthlink.net

Previous honorees are: Karl E. Ludvigsen, 2007,Jim Dunne, Popular Mechanics, 2006, (the late) Beverly Rae Kimes, historian, author, writer, 2005, Jerry Flint, Forbes, 2004, John Lamm, Road & Track, 2003, Brock Yates, Car and Driver, 2002, Chris Economaki, National Speed Sport News, 2001, Denise McCluggage, author, writer, 2000, (the late) Leon Mandel, AutoWeek, 1999, David E Davis, Jr., AUTOMOBILE, 1998.

Previous honorees are:
Jim Dunne, Popular Mechanics, 2006
(the late) Beverly Rae Kimes, historian, author, writer, 2005
Jerry Flint, Forbes, 2004
John Lamm, Road & Track, 2003
Brock Yates, Car and Driver, 2002
Chris Economaki, National Speed Sport News, 2001
Denise McCluggage, author, writer, 2000
(the late) Leon Mandel, AutoWeek, 1999
David E Davis, Jr., AUTOMOBILE, 1998.

The IAMAs
Best of 2007 and Best of Divisions

BEST of 2007

Ken Ross, for “Sexy Kitty!” 1/08/07 cover of AutoWeek

Best of Divisions

Best of Division winners are selected from the IAMA Gold awardees in each division having 98 points or better. For 2007, seven Best of Divisions are awarded, as follow:

Best of Books

John Zimmerman & Dan Gurney, for “Dan Gurney’s Eagle Racing Cars,” published by David Bull Publishing

Best of Newspapers

Dan Scanlan, for “Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance,” published in the Florida Times-Union

Best of Magazines

Frank Marcus, for “2020 Foresight,” published in MOTOR TREND

Best of Graphics

Ken Ross, for “Sexy Kitty!” 1/08/07 cover of AutoWeek

Best of Newsletters

No Award

Best of Single Issues

Collectible Automobile, April 2007 issue

Best of Multimedia

No Award

Best of PR/Marketing

No Award

Best of Radio

Bob Long, for “Inside the Ford Fuel Cell,” on Motor Trend Radio

Best of Video

No award

Best of Internet

John O’Dell, for “Soy Seats and Corn Upholstery,” on Edmunds.com

Additionally, he founded Exergonic Technology Corp. in 1986, which distributes hi-tech lubricants and greases. This began with auto-related products, and has grown into a full line of industrial products.

Long recognized as an automotive expert, Haessner served as consultant and/or executed projects for the Franklin Mint, Ford Motor Company, Shell Oil Company, Mobil Oil Corp (ExxonMobil), Fram Filter Co., Jaguar Cars N.A., Lubrizol Corp., Unocal, and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Walt was born May 17, 1935, in Passaic, N.J. At an early age he moved with his mother and step-father to Miami, Fla. Summers were spent with his father in New Jersey.

In 1954 he went on two years active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, during which time he completed high school, went to camera repair school, got married, became a father, and achieved the rank of corporal.

After service, he was purchasing agent for Century Engineering Co. in New Jersey, for which he had worked summers during high school. He then went to Reaction Motors (Thiokol) as a high speed engineering photographer working on the X-15 missile project, followed by a period at Cape Canaveral, Florida, with RCA Missile Test Project as one of 300 photographers hired out of 30,000 interviewed.

While at the Cape, he went to the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring as a track photographer. He left the Cape in late 1962, returned to Newfoundland, New Jersey, and began his own marketing/public relations/photography/publishing business. Walt was East Coast photographer for Sports Car Graphic for 1963 and 1964. His first publishing contract was for the 1964 12 Hours of Sebring race program. One of his more memorable marketing gigs was arranging to have Great Western Champagne of New York in the Winner’s Circle of the (circa) 1971 Can-Am races.

Well-known in automotive corporate and automotive media circles in the 1960s and 1970s for his involvement with the 12 Hours of Sebring as commercial public relations director, which incorporated all sales of advertising as well as solicitation of sponsorship monies, Walt also joined the late Bill Finefrock in producing advertising/editorial inserts and/or full race programs for the Can-Am, Trans-Am and Formula 5000 sports car series.

Haessner garnered numerous awards, both for his writing and as publisher. These include the Imperial Palace Moto Award 1988 for an editorial in Restoration News Bulletin; two Society of Automotive Historians Cugnot Awards for the books “MACK” by John B. Montville (1974), and “My Two Lives: Race Driver to Restaurateur” by Rene Dreyfus with Beverly Rae Kimes (1984); as well as two Antique Automobile Club of America Thomas KcKean awards for “MACK” by John B. Montville (1974), and “Tire Wars: Racing with Goodyear” by William Neely (1994). Five titles have been book club selections.

In 1983, Haessner founded the International Society for VEHICLE Preservation (ISVP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. The Society’s purpose is to spread an appreciation and understanding of the benefits of freedom of movement to society worldwide, to assist in accurate preservation and restoration of vehicles and related artifacts, and accurate recording of the history thereof.

The idea for this organization arose from a meeting with the late Henry Austin Clark, Jr., at his home in Glen Cove, N.Y., at which time “Austie” told Walt the only way it would happen is if Walt just “went and did it himself.” And so he did, with the support of an eclectic group of individuals from auto racing, collecting, media, museums, archiving, restoration--from Italy, France, England, and the US, who served on the Board of Advisors.

One of the Society’s main functions today is the annual International Automotive Media Competition, to recognize and encourage excellence in all forms of automotive media. For the fourth year, the Truck Writers of North America has asked ISVP to administer its awards program under the same standards.

Walter R. Haessner was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and several automotive journalism organizations. He held a BS in marketing.

Haessner’s interest in things automotive goes back to his childhood. He got his driver’s license at 14, bought his first vehicle: a 1923 American LaFrance Brockway Torpedo chemical fire truck, and did a ground-up restoration on it while still in high school. He had an extensive automotive library as well as photo archives.

Though much of his life centered around automobiles, Walt became fascinated with computers while at the Cape in the early 1960s and his interest therein grew exponentially over the years. He consumed computer manuals, was an avid science fiction devotee, and was “owned” by an old grey cat.

He leaves behind his wife and soul-mate of 52 years, Elaine C. (Jordan) Haessner; three beloved children: Ursula Haessner Cochran of Florida, Walter W. Haessner of Arizona, and Dora E. H. Crow and husband Jim of California; and four adored grandchildren: Lane Ferguson and Sara Cochran of Florida; and Eric and Stephanie Crow of California.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that anyone wishing to make a remembrance in his name send a donation to either the American Cancer Society, or to the Haessner family church (his great-uncle was the first pastor there): St John Lutheran Church, 140 Lexington Avenue, Passaic, NJ 07055.

A service, followed by a Celebration of Life, will be held at St John’s at a date to be determined. Those wishing to attend, or to be kept up to date regarding this, are asked to contact Elaine Haessner at isvp@earthlink.net so your e-mail address may be added to the register.

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Contact: Elaine C. Haessner
Phone: 520-749-2260
e-mail isvp@earthlink.net

Dunne has been Detroit Editor of Popular Mechanics for the past 21 years.
His career began with a column for national magazines in the mid-1960s, which continues today.

Jim’s reputation nowadays is equally based on being one of the pioneers in so-called spy photography. As photographer or writer, he travels extensively.

In addition to all the above--auto writing, photography and travel, together with an active sports life--Jim Dunne is a safety device inventor/patent holder, and fit in a stint as technical writer for Redstone Missile.

A native Detroiter, Dunne is a graduate of the University of Detroit and a U.S. Army veteran. He has seven grown children, and lives now in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

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The International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), is an annual program to recognize and encourage excellence in all forms of automotive media.

Best of 2006

For “Veyron in the USA,” in AUTOMOBILE, the Best of 2006 is awarded to Jean Jennings

Best of Divisions

Best of Division winners are selected from the Gold Medallion awardees in each division having 98 points or better.

For 2006, nine Best of Divisions are awarded, as follow:

Best of Books

Michael Argetsinger/David Bull Publishing, for “Walt Hansgen: His Life and the History of Post-War American Road Racing”

Best of Newspapers

Tim Spell, for “‘30s Speed Busters: Blitzen Benzes shatter prewar records,” published in the Houston Chronicle

Best of Magazines

Jean Jennings, for “Veyron in the USA,” published in AUTOMOBILE Magazine

Best of Graphics

Ivan Galvan, for The Texas Truck & SUV Guide cover, published in the Houston Chronicle

Best of Newsletters
No Award

Best of Single Issues

Sabu Advani, for The Flying Lady, publication of the Rolls Royce Owners’ Club

Best of Multimedia
No Award

Best of PR/Marketing

Coyne Communications, for Land Rover North America “Accelerated Tax Write-off” brochure

Best of Radio

Bob Long, for “Design Perspectives—Bring Back the Challenger,” on Motor Trend Radio

Best of Video

Ohana Road TV, for “Back & Better Than Ever,” on KITV (ABC-TV), Honolulu, producer Bill Maloney

Best of Internet

Phil Floraday/AutoWeek.com, for the Geneva Motor Show

I won’t bore you with the details, it all started January 14 with the flu till the middle of March, and I was in the hospital for 5 weeks in April-May—over the past few weeks I’ve learned to walk again!

Though I have been down, that is not the main reason for changing things—as I was looking at what to do as soon as we got back last November.

We have posted the new entry forms today (Saturday, July 22th) and my health is not going to be an issue—but I felt you should know as I am asking for your input about these changes over a very short period of time.

Any comments please have to me by July 31st, 2006

Sincerely,

Walt

Walter R Haessner

I’d like your input on the following: reasons, entry schedule, awards distribution, etc. This is not a sudden decision, but it’s later than I had hoped for getting feedback from a few key people—

Reasons:

The number of people attending each year is dropping, to the point that the awards breakfast attendance was somewhat embarrassing. The lunch crowd looked good, but that was mostly Chowderheads.

Many who would like to attend cannot because of the cost of travel, room and board. And, more and more people have to be at car introductions and events that are the basis of their livelihood--regardless of cost.

John Lamm couldn’t come—he had to be out of the country. Jerry Flint and Beverly Rae Kimes were New Yorkers, so we lucked out there.

Additionally, the publications are cutting back on paying for their people to receive awards in person--even when they get the top awards.

Entry date:

The cutoff for entries is moved from Aug 24 to Sept 8—just AFTER Labor Day. The past three years more and more people found it very hard to make the August date, so we were having to give extensions which cramped the judging time.

Awards distribution:

The awards will all be shipped at the same time, December 18th, so he awardees receive their awards at about the same time.

(Presently, we give about 30% at the awards presentations ((or at least announce them because some of the people who come can’t carry the awards on the planes and we have to ship them from Tucson anyway!)) in November.)

Make the announcement of awards December 18th. This way, we can give the judges a little more time, and have some time to prepare the awards list and have it printed for inclusion in each shipment.

Last year the crunch was so bad that Elaine did not get to bed the night before we flew to NJ, and the computer crashed so she had to spend the weekend re-keying the awards in order to be able to announce them Tuesday at Sardi’s. There was no time to have copies printed to hand out—and needless to say, this certainly was not the professional image that should be exhibited.

Promotion of the IAMA program:

Take the monies that would go to making the formal presentations and direct it towards an expanded effort to gain more publicity for those who have received awards and towards the program overall—to help it better achieve its purpose of “recognizing and encouraging excellence in automotive media.

Future:

I’m not ruling out formal presentations in the future if we can come up with a time and place that would permit more people to participate personally, and a sponsor that would underwrite some of the costs involved. 

What’s your input:

This program is not the “Walter and Elaine” thing—though we are the administrators, facilitators—the key people are the entrants and the judges.

We’ve posted the 2006 IAMA Entry Forms today, simultaneously with sending this letter. I am asking for your input about these changes over a very short period of time.

I look forward to receiving any input you would like to make, by July 31, 2006.

Sincerely,

Walt

Walter R Haessner

Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol ... so pass it on if you wish.

My gift to you ... Have a blessed Christmas! And happy Holidays to all.