Isn't this kind of like selecting Pat Robertson for the Playboy Hall of Fame?
Ralph Nader selected for Automotive Hall of Fame
Ralph Nader has had an undisputed influence on the development of the automobile over the last 50 years, and its for that influence that the Automotive Hall of Fame has selected him as a member of its class of 2016.
Automotive safety has been a concern going as far back as Henry Ford's decision to use safety in his cars with transition to the Model A. A renewed interest in the fifties led to the creation of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But it was a then unknown 31 year old staff attorney from Connecticut named Ralph Nader who became the face of automotive safety and consumer protection with the publication of "Unsafe at Any Speed" in 1965.
Nader's subsequent testimony in front of Congress helped lead to the passage of legislation that created the National Highway Safety Administration charged with implementing safety standards on every new car sold in the United States.
Ironically, while Nader's book is most famous for its criticism of Chevrolet Corvair rear suspensions, the NHTSA undertook a two year study of the Corvair at Nader's urging and, in results released in 1972, found that the Corvair's rear suspension didn't substantially lead to loss of control nor did the Corvair pose any more of a risk for rollover accidents than comparable compact cars.
Nader, who went on to a career in consumer advocacy most recently opened the American Museum for Tort Law in Winsted, Connecticut, a museum that includes a Corvair prominently displayed. Nader did not return a request for comment to this story.
On the day he is set to collect his trophy for winning the world drivers' championship, Mercedes' Nico Rosberg has announced that he is retiring from F1.
"Since 25 years in racing, it has been my dream to become Formula 1 World Champion", said Rosberg via social media. "Through the hard work, the pain, the sacrifices, this has been my target. And now I've made it."
"I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right. My strongest emotion right now is deep gratitude to everyone who supported me to make that dream happen."
Rosberg, who won nine Grands Prix this year en route to the title, said he began contemplating his future at October's Japanese Grand Prix, and then made his decision within 24 hours of last weekend's finale in Abu Dhabi, where he secured the podium finish he needed to become champion.
"I made my decision on Monday evening. After reflecting for a day, the first people I told were Vivian (his wife), Georg Nolte (from his management team), and Toto Wolff (head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport)."
Rosberg began his F1 career with Williams in 2006 before moving to Mercedes in 2010. He won his first Grand Prix in China in 2012 and went on take 23 victories in 206 starts, twice finishing runner-up to teammate Lewis Hamilton before taking this years' crown.
Rosberg announced his decision at a press conference in Vienna where on Friday evening he and Mercedes will collect their 2016 championship trophies at the annual FIA Prize-giving gala.