DRAG RACING HISTORY MADE TWICE DURING JULY 2016
Photo; Jon Spoard www.ukdrn.co.uk
Two days in July 2016 will go down as important mile stones in the history of European drag racing and the restoration of Europe’s first dragster, Sydney Allard’s 1961 Allard Chrysler owned by the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.
Since 2007 the Allard Chrysler Action Group, headed by Chairman Brian Taylor with Museum Trustee Nick Mason and Quarter Mile Foundation Chair Traci Hrudka as Patrons, has been working hard to restore the machine from a static exhibit without an engine (but with many broken and rusty components) to a fully working dragster. Raising funds and providing the expertise, their efforts finally saw the strived for success at Beaulieu on July 6th 2016 when for the first time since 1964 the dragster was driven under its own power.
Photo; Stuart Mitchell
This was followed up by an appearance at Santa Pod Raceway on July 17th when, driven by Alan Mann Racing’s Martin Dunks, the dragster completed the standing start quarter mile for the first time since it appeared at Blackbushe in 1964 – well before Santa Pod had been opened.
These links take you to videos of these two historic events.
Beaulieu run July 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3aBqPQFh2M&feature=youtu.be
Allard run at Santa Pod July 2016
Here are some of the many congratulation messages received by the Allard Chrysler Action Group after the momentous event. They have arrived from across the globe.
“The culmination of a marvellous set of achievements upon achievements; something you and the entire ACAG group have continuously been doing since 2007. Congratulations are not enough and I would fully expect that Sydney would have had plenty of superlatives to say”.
Gavin Allard, Grandson of Sydney Allard
“Awesome! I got the goosebumps…..So very proud! This is historic….Love, love, love it! I knew it would happen, no doubt in my mind! I am so proud to be a member of this organization…Hold your heads high. That was a huge endeavor”.
Traci Hrudka, Chair Quarter Mile Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
“Congratulations, and thanks to you and everyone that’s helped to put this awesome piece of drag racing history back into running condition”.
Carl Olson, Former NHRA Vice President and FIA Drag Racing Commission Chair, California
“Just wow again. Thank you so much. Such an important motor car now in operating condition. Just Brilliant. Well done all of those involved over the years”.
Doug Hill, Museum Manager and Lord Montagu’s Chief Engineer, National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
“Brian that is fab-u-lous! I found it very emotional watching the videos. You and the guys must be extremely proud. Thank you very much”.
Andrea Bishop, Director of Collections, National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
“Well done to all of you. Wish I could have seen it myself. Dad would have been pleased to hear and see it to”.
Alex Hume, son of Sydney Allard’s Chief Engineer the late John Hume
“You’ve done it! CONGRATULATIONS! Good show, all round”
Jon Lundberg, legendary American drag racing commentator, California