Alumni Spotlight

Larry Ciancio '63: The Hero of Horsepower

A Lifetime Achievement for Motorsports Hall of Fame Founder 

Postponed twice due to the pandemic, a black-tie gala was at long-last held in September of 2021 at the the M1 Concourse facility in Bloomfield Hills, MI to honor and recognize Larry Ciancio, a 1963 Advertising, Art and Design graduate and founder of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA). Ciancio was presented with the prestigious Heritage Award after a lifetime dedicated to the fast-paced arena of motorsports competitors and contributors from all disciplines. The MSHFA is the only hall that honors all American motorsports: cars, motorcycles, airplanes, off road and powerboats. Its mission is to celebrate and instill the American motorsports values of leadership, creativity, originality, teamwork and spirit of competition. 

Ciancio remarked, “My entire career after Farmingdale landed me in the Corporate Advertising Management sector and then Executive Management at the Advertising Agency rung. I have been so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of the Motorsports Industry at such a high level. And, to have founded those major programs and see the success they achieved.” 

Ciancio also spearheaded the construction of the iconic Historical Novi Water Tower which is where the world-famous Novi Race Car was conceived and last driven by Robert “Bobby” Unser, an American automobile racer. At his induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994, Unser had the fourth most IndyCar Series wins at 35.

Congratulations Larry!

 

Watch a quick video featuring Larry Ciancio ‘63 on the Novi Water Tower Restoration.