Doohan and Jones inaugural Hall of Fame inductees

Australian world champions Mick Doohan and Alan Jones have been announced as two of the inaugural inductees into the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame, with the gala dinner to take place in Melbourne on Saturday, March 19 during the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix weekend.

Brisbane-born Doohan won five consecutive 500 GP titles from 1994-1998, Jones brought Formula to the consciousness of Australia through his success with Williams. He would be successful in taking the world championship in 1980 laying the platform for many future world champions in Sir Frank Williams’ eponymous team.

Doohan and Jones will join the already announced late Peter Brock to be among the 30 inaugural inductees into the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame - which will be conducted on the Saturday evening of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix weekend in Melbourne.

The Hall of Fame is an initiative driven by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport and brings together every discipline of motorsport in Australia and will see legends from Formula 1, touring car racing, motorcycling, speedway, drag racing, rallying and karting inducted on the night.

Chairman of the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame Committee, Garry Connelly welcomed Doohan and Jones to the Class of 2016.

“When you talk Australian motor sport on the global stage, you talk Mick Doohan and Alan Jones,” said Connelly. “Each is known globally as a motorcycling and Formula 1 hero respectively. What Mick and Alan achieved laid the platform for many more Australians on both two and four wheels to pursue their dreams of international motor sport success.

“Mick’s characteristic style on the 500cc bike was without peer,” added Connelly. “To overcome his injuries and still dominate the way he did was an inspiration.

“His role as an ambassador carrying the Australian flag after one of his 54 premier class victories to his loyalty to the Honda brand throughout his career, along with his tenacity and drive to be the absolute best regardless of the challenges thrown at him personifies the Australian character.

“Alan Jones is still a popular member of the Formula 1 paddock. He went to Europe with little more than a dream of becoming a World Champion and is the classic Australian tale.

“His quick wit and dry Australian sense of humour warmed him to fans internationally and at home he was relatable to the every-day Australian. His work in the media continues to give terrific insight into the Formula 1 world.”

Doohan has gone on to become a titan of business in a variety of different aspect — from aviation to entertainment, as well as serving time as a Director to Honda Racing Developments. He currently occupies the role of Chairman of Karting Australia.

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1996 and received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000. Doohan was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2009.