IN MEMORIAM: Michael Hollander

This evening I found out that one of the people who helped me get into the business of motor sports journalism passed on early yesterday morning.

Mike Hollander, Editor of the long-time internet news site The Motorsports Forum, lost his battle with Mesothelioma early Wednesday morning after a year long struggle against the disease. He had been diagnosed with this particularly aggressive form of cancer a year ago and he fought it tooth and nail until the end.

Mike was never one to be without a good quip or a good joke and when the time called for it, a stern word when necessary. He helped me get a foot in the door, and made sure that I consistenly on my best game when I worked for him. He put up with a lot of things but considering the battle he fought so valiantly, he knew when to pull back, like he did with me when I got sick and he kept me from a number of venues while I dealt with my heart trouble last year.

I was working towards getting back to my place in the media pack when Mike passed, but knowing the people he put in place, I know they saw the faith he had in me and will make sure I get back to where I was before.

Thanks Mike, I will always owe you for your kindness, your mentorship and your overall willingness to give a dumpy Mexican kid an opportunity to do something few of his peers did, cover motorsports.

Mike Hollander(Left) talks with National Speed Sports News founder and Editor Chris Economaki at the Media Center at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, while American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association President Dusty Brandell(right) looks on. Photo Courtesy Larry Clarino/Racing Information Systems

Michael F. Hollander, the motorsports journalist who effectively invented online racing news reporting in 1979, succumbed early Wednesday after a year long battle with cancer. He was 62

In 1979, Hollander worked with the then-fledgling CompuServe Information Service to provide motor sports news on a real-time basis worldwide. By Sept. 1, 1983, that service evolved into the Auto Racing SIG and later into The Motor Sports Forum. The service initially relied on volunteer reporters and phone calls to race tracks to get racing results, later creating a cadre of top professionals and talented amateurs. In 1995, Hollander brought the service to the web, where it continues today as The Motor Sports Forum. The service was discontinued on CompuServe not long after that service's purchase by AOL. In addition to The Motor Sports Forum, the newswire contributes to print and online news outlets throughout the world.

He authored two books, The Complete Datsun Guide, and The New Mazda Guide, both for the TAB Books division of McGraw-Hill. The Datsun book led him from a career path in aerospace to one in marketing and advertising. He worked as product information manager and later as product information director on the Nissan advertising account at William Esty Co. Inc., Advertising and at Chiat/Day Advertising. He was the manager of information resources for PCGCampbell, the 10th largest privately-held marketing communications company in the United States. Current accounts include the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Auto Club of So. Calif., Yokohama Tire Corporation, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Tesla Motors, manufacturer of the high-performance electric sports car.

Hollander was the national vice-president of the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) and the secretary of the Motor Press Guild (MPG), respectively the largest organizations of motor sports and automotive journalists. He has been honored with numerous awards for his work, including special recognition in 1995 to the Car Craft magazine Drag Racing All Star Awards; the AARWBA Dusty Brandel President's Award in 2007; the International Automotive Media Association Awards; and the AARWBA writing, photography and broadcasting contest sponsored by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar Racing. He is the past chairman of the Datsun Owners Clubs Association (DOCA) and the former editor of its magazine, Datsunews. He is the editor at large for MotoRacing and also writes for Automotive Performance News.

He was married to Dr. Sandra Horwitz, Optometrist. They have one daughter, Sharon, who is a student in the South Bay Academy. In Lieu of Flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Mike's memory to the Michael Hollander Memorial Fund, which will be used for scholarships in journalism and on-line websites.
Those who wish to contribute to the Memorial Fund may do so to the following Address:
Michael Hollander Memorial Fund
In care of: AARWBA
922 No. Pass Ave.
Burbank, CA 91505-2703