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The International History Motoring Award presented in London in association with Octane magazine and EFG private bank usually goes to an individual.
But, in 2016, the award was giving to Bonneville Salt Flats Land Speed Racing as a tribute to over 100 years of what the group called "inspirational achievements in a unique location."
"For over a century the Bonneville Salt Flats have been the scene of innumerable speed record attempts," said Octane publishing director Geoff Love. "We all know of the successes there of Sir Malcolm Campbell, George Eyston, John Cobb and Al Teague for example, but everybody from car and tire manufacturers to college students with trucks powered by used vegetable oil have traveled to this vast expanse of land to try to set their own records.
"I can think of no other place that has inspired so many people to such a level, and this award goes to the place itself and to all of those enthusiasts who have endeavored to take a minute, a second or a fraction of a second off a speed record there," he concluded.
The Salt Flats were nominated by Louise North, an author who has written extensively about the area and racing there. She is concerned about the deteriorating of the salt in recent years and how it has impacted racing.
"We may well witness the end of land speed racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats in our lifetime," warned Noeth. "Racing returned in 2016 after two years or rainouts that diluted the fragile crust to a point that many of the plus 300MPH speed machines chose to pack up and go home instead of risking a wreck. I am so very grateful for the recognition spotlight the IHMA has cast upon the home of so many extraordinary speed deeds by ordinary people."