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Alliance Formed
to Restore Europe's First Dragster
November 18, 2009 - For Immediate Release
PROJECT 1320 and the Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) of Great Britain have established an alliance to help restore
Europeís first dragster, the 50-year old Allard-Chrysler, currently residing at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu,
Hampshire in southern England.
In addition to assisting the effort to restore the classic car, built by the famed British automaker and industrialist, Sydney Allard, and
being managed by the ACAG; there is an effort underway to develop an exchange in 2011 between the National Motor Museum and the NHRA-Wally
Parks Museum of the Allard-Chrysler and the famed Mooneyes dragster, which is also celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2010.
The history of the Allard-Chrysler and Mooneyes
The two cars have a shared history, as Sydney Allard and Dean Moon established a friendship during the construction of the Allard-Chrysler
(which was born when Allard saw a feature story about Chris Karamesinesís then-new ìChizlerî dragster in the pages of a 1960 HOT ROD magazine).
Allardís car was completed in 1961 and ran at many UK sprint meetings during the next three years. It was the only dragster in Europe until 1962.
Dean Moon ìchallengedî Allard to a series of races between the two cars in Great Britain in 1963. The Allard, driven by Sydney Allard himself,
ran against the Moonbeam dragster, powered by a blown small block Chevy on gas and driven by Dante Duce.
The first event was held on the now defunct ìClub Straightî at Silverstone ‚ home of the British Grand Prix. They then raced at the famed Brighton
Speed Trials event by the English Channel, which included a late-arriving Mickey Thompson, with his nitro burning Harvey Aluminum Special to further
stir the imaginations of the young British racers. Church Lawford and Debden were two more venues, and this series of events launched drag racing in
the U.K. and over the next few years into Europe and beyond. SEMA President at the time Ed Iskenderian arranged for SEMA to present the SEMA trophy
for the series awarded to Allard after the match races ended in a draw. The trophy was long forgotten until recently uncovered at the club house of
the Brighton and Hove Motor Club (organizers of the Brighton Speed Trails). It has since been presented to the ACAG for display next to the Allard
at Beaulieu.
Allardís efforts recognized
The efforts of Allard (an accomplished road racer, rallyist and hill climb specialist who successfully competed in the major European events of the
ë50s and ë60s in his own factory cars) gained him induction to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1991 with the inaugural group at the
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in 1991órecognized for his efforts to launch the sport of drag racing in Britain and Europe.
Todayís efforts
Currently, the ACAG and Quarter Mile Entertainment Foundation (QMEF ‚the parent organization of the PROJECT 1320 documentary film series) have
embarked upon an effort to obtain backing in Great Britain, the United States and Canada to make the exchange a reality. Both organizations are
beginning to seek individuals and corporate backers to make it happen.
The tentative plans include placing each car in static displays at the respective museums, plus ìcacklingî both cars at a limited number of events
in Britain and the United States. If possible, there is a desire to place the two cars together at Brighton prior to the Allard-Chrysler being shipped
to Los Angeles.
The most immediate need is to build the Allardís blown 354 cu. in. Chrysler Hemi. The original engine and blower were used in a more modern Allard
Chrysler built in 1965. The Quarter Mile Entertainment Foundation has solicited several engine builders in the U.S. and Canada with hands-on experience
in restoring old blower engines to be able to ìcackleî with no problems. One of the unique aspects of the Allard is the fact it was built to the
ìsprint racingî rules (the predecessor of drag racing in England) of the early 1960s, which required the engine to be completely covered by body work.
This necessitated the Roots-style GMC blower to be driven directly from the crank using a Potvin conversion, with ducting delivering the pressurized air
to the intake manifold. Once the engine builder has been selected the engine assembly will be shipped to England when completed.
Spearheading this effort are Brian Taylor, Chairman of the Allard Chrysler Action Group and author of the definitive history of drag racing in Great
Britain, CRAZY HORSES, with support from the groupís Patron Nick Mason, who is known as the drummer for the iconic rock group, PINK FLOYD; and Traci
Hrudka who chairs the efforts for the Quarter Mile Entertainment Foundation in the North American market.
At present, several British entities are supporting the effort in different ways, including the famed Santa Pod Raceway (Britainís premier drag strip),
leading warehouse distributors of American performance parts (USAutomotive, racecar builders Andy Robinson Racecars), insurance company Performance Direct,
along with Time Travel DVDs and the website accelerationarchive.co.uk; with interest from the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. Most of the restoration
funds have so far been gathered by ACAG members from donations and selling merchandise. In the U.S., the NHRA-Wally Parks Museum has expressed strong
interest, as has the management of Mooneyes USA, which owns the Mooneyes car which is on loan to the NHRA-Wally Parks Museum.
To follow the story about the history and rebirth of one
of drag racingís iconic cars, visit the Official
Site.
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