British Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductees announced

After a very successful race season in 2009 racers, officials and their guests gathered in Northampton, England on 6th February for the annual Santa Pod Racers Club / Avon Park International Racing Association dinner and dance which also incorporate trophy presentations. Since its inception the announcement of the inductees into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame has become a major and eagerly awaited part of this event each year.

The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame selection panel spent many hours debating the merits of this year’s nominations before deciding on the final four British inductees and one overseas inductee. The panel was in agreement the process does not get any easier as there are so many people who fit the criteria for induction, which makes the award even more prestigious for those that are inducted each year.

In association with US Automotive, the inductees for the 2009 BDRHoF are as follows:

Alan O’Connor

After racing his “Rocky II” Ford Zephyr for 4 years Al O’Connor debuted his Chevy powered Ford pop “Al’s Gasser” in 1974 which was an instant crowd favourite with its wild runs and wheels up launches taking many wins. After a crash in 1978 a new lower and quicker Gasser appeared and raced successfully in Super Gas in the 80s including a year touring the States. The ‘Gasser’ is still entertaining the crowds to this day!

Harold Bull

“King” Harold Bull built his well known Mini engine “Stripduster” slingshot in 1965 and developed it over the next 7 years adding nitro, injection, supercharger, direct drive and a longer frame and the times went from mid 16s at 80mph to low 9s at over 150mph. Harold teamed up with racers both here and abroad and when Harold retired in 1974, he’d won over 40 trophies and broken several world and strip records in England, Germany and Sweden.

Peter & Erica Bartlett

Peter Bartlett’s part in British Drag Racing History goes back to 1960 when he was a member of the “Highwaymen Hot Rod Club”. He became the first Treasurer of the BHRA and later the BDR&HRA. He was joined by his wife Erica in 1970 who worked from home as General Secretary until 1980 when they both retired. Peter also raced his ’57 Chevy at the 1964 Big Go and later that yet push-started the America Dragsters at the Dragfests.

Krister Johansson (overseas)

Krister Johansson first visited Santa pod in 1972 with a Street Dodge and went home with the trophy. In 1977 he moved up to Pro Comp with an Injected Nitro Dragster and took many wins and the European Championship in 1979. In 1982 he switched to Blown Alcohol and took the win at the 1989 Supernationals. 2003 saw Krister back after a long layoff running Injected Nitro again and at the 2006 Euro Finals ran a 262mph speed record

Geof Hauser

Geof Hauser first visited Santa Pod in 1969. By the mid 70’s he was working on Clive Skilton’s Fuel cars. And later, together with his then wife raced a production Dodge Challenger, the ex-Paul Rossi Dodge which achieved many wins in Top Modified and Super Gas. Geof founded Hauser Race Cars in 1983 and initially raced in Super Gas then moved up to Pro Mod using a 500” Mopar engine and recorded the first 7sec ET from a British doorslammer in the UK. He was heavily involved in introducing the Junior Dragster class to the country.

Each Inductee receives a “Bootsie” - a bespoke BDRHoF trophy containing a glass Hologram of British drag racing legend, Allan ‘Bootsie’ Herridge. Inductees also receive an enamel lapel pin, identifying them as a member of the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame also has its own dedicated website at www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk.

For the record, eligibility for induction into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame extends to any person who has driven, owned, designed, built, maintained, prepared, promoted, officiated, supported or taken part in any capacity connected with British Drag Racing.