Motorbooks, a division of Quayside Publishing Group, congratulates authors Ken Gross and Erik Arneson as recipients of 2008 International Automotive Media Awards presented on June 23, 2009 in Tucson, Arizona. The International Automotive Media Awards are presented annually to the best in the world of automotive journalism and media. Congratulations to Ken Gross and Erik Arneson for their exceptional contribution to the automotive world.
KEN GROSS
The International Automotive Media Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Motorbooks author Ken Gross. His acceptance speech allowed all to peer into the background of this lifelong automotive enthusiast, author, museum director, and concours judge of some 37 years. The world of all things automotive was first his avocation, then his vocation. In describing the circuitous route of his eclectic career, Ken received numerous outbursts of applause, and more than a little laughter.
Ken was also presented with the IAMA Gold Award for Best Entertainment Book for his best-selling, Art of the Hot Rod, published by Motorbooks in October 2008.
An automotive writer for 37 years, Ken writes for Playboy, Hemispheres, AutoWeek, The Robb Report, Hagerty's Magazine, The Rodder's Journal, Street Rodder, Hot Rod Magazine and Hot Rod DeLuxe. He's a monthly columnist for edmunds.com and Old Cars Weekly. Ken's work has also appeared in Road & Track, Special-Interest Autos, Sports Car Market, New York Magazine, Diversions, Cavallino, and Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car. He has won the Washington Auto Press "Golden Quill Award," the Society of Automotive Historians' "Cugnot Award," and "The James Valentine Memorial
ERIK ARNESON
Erik Arneson was presented with the IAMA Bronze Award for Best Biography Book for his best-selling book, Mickey Thompson: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of a Racing Legend, published by Motorbooks in November 2008.
Mickey Thompson's son, Danny Thompson, extended his gratitude to Arneson for his hard work: "I was thrilled with the book from the very beginning," said Danny, who helped guide the project. "But to know that people outside of our small circle of friends and family appreciated my dad's story, and all the work that went into telling it, really means a lot. We had a lot of confidence in Erik's ability and this IAMA honor validates that confidence."
Former motorsports reporter for USA Today, Erik Arneson is now a bestselling author with the success of his book, John Force. When not writing, Erik Arneson is the Vice President of Media Relations at SPEED TV and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.