Story By: DINO OBERTO / EASTERN MOTORSPORT PRESS ASSOCIATION – HAZLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) is proud to announce the newest inductees into the prestigious EMPA Hall of Fame in advance of the organization’s 50th Convention set to take place January 13-15, 2023 at the Genetti Best Western Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
The class of 2023 will include noted car owner Frank Rio, who for seven decades has led a PA-based family dirt Modified team with his signature No. R-10. He was locked in, needing no votes.
By virtue of balloting that was held amongst the membership the top vote getters include the late Central PA Sprint Car standout Greg Hodnett and multi-time WoO Sprint champion Steve Kinser.
During the formal awards dinner EMPA will also recognize many of their own bestowing the Jim Hunter Memorial Writer of the Year and Ace Lane Sr., Memorial Photographer of the Year plus several other awardees in a variety of writer and photographer contests.
The annual three day convention begins with a Friday evening “Salute to the Champions” where a number of local and regional driving titlists are invited to meet and greet with the press. Saturday consists of press conferences and seminars followed by the evening’s Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony.