The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame is pleased to announce its fifth annual Dragstalgia Grand Auction taking place inside the event’s Historic Marquee, situated pitside near to the grandstand. The auction features a wealth of artefacts and artworks generously donated to help in the raising of essential funds for the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame and its Benevolent Fund.
An array of items from the USA has been collected by Donna Garlits and Tony Thacker. Major donations from the home front include a Paul Whitehouse Art painting of Randy Bradford’s Fiat Topolino Fuel Altered, a fire bottle lamp from the One Bad Texan Funny Car team and signed by six current Funny Car racers, there’s a copy of the Don Garlits & His Cars book (3rdedition), and a 303 mph blower belt from the Speedghost Funny Car that set the European speed mark. There are further multiple donations from the estate of the late BDRHoF Member, Roger Gorringe.
These are just some of the highlighted items but there are many others, including a host of books, posters, T-shirts, limited-edition and signed prints – too many items to list individually. And there will be plenty more on general sale too.
During the lead-up time to Dragstalgia we shall be highlighting all this year’s auction items (see below) on Eurodragster as well as on the BDRHoF Facebook page.
How to Bid: The auction takes place on Friday afternoon and all day on Saturday, closing promptly at 5pm. Visit the Historic Marquee to have a look at what’s on offer. If you see an item of interest, ask for the bid sheet relating to the numbered item to place your bid. Keep coming back throughout the auction period to check if anyone has outbid you. You can re-bid as many times as you like until the auction closes at 5pm on Saturday. Winning bidders will be notified by text after 5pm on Saturday and items can be paid for and collected by 6pm Saturday or until 4pm on Sunday. We can accept card payments.
Members of the Hall of Fame will be pleased to welcome you to its display in the Historic Marquee from 12noon until 5pm on Friday and from 10am on Saturday and Sunday. The Dragstalgia Grand Auction takes place with the kind permission of Santa Pod Raceway. The Hall of Fame is indebted to all those who have so kindly donated items.
Dragstalgia Grand Auction Lot Descriptions
Lot 1 – Framed Valvoline Top Fuel print signed by driver Viveca Averstedt
This framed print is an original 1993 Paul Duxbury photo taken at Santa Pod’s Main Event and signed by Swedish Top Fuel racer Viveca.
Lot 2 – Framed original Budweiser Funny Car pencil print
Produced in the early 90s (1993) by artist Tony Parsons, features Harlan Thompson’s Budweiser Dodge Daytona Funny Car at Santa Pod. Print was originally made available to the Drag Racing Nuts guys at Santa Pod and Avon Park raceways and is signed by Tony and Harlan.
Lot 3 – Framed original Valvoline Top Fuel Dragster pencil print
Produced in the early 90s by artist Tony Parsons, features Sweden’s Viveca Averstedt’s Valvoline sponsored Top Fuel Dragster. Print was originally made available to the Drag Racing Nuts guys in 1993 and is signed by both Tony and Viveca shortly after she ran a 5.03 at Santa Pod.
Lot 4 – Framed original of Steve Read’s Castrol Top Methanol Dragster pencil print
Produced in the early 90s by Tony Parsons, features Steve Read at the wheel of his Bob Meyer Castrol TMD at Avon Park Raceway. Print was originally made available to the Drag Racing Nuts guys in 1993 and is signed by Tony.
Lot 5 – Framed Team Valvoline Top Fuel Dragster poster signed by Viveca Averstedt
Commission by sponsors Valvoline Oil this poster features the company’s Top Fuel Dragster as raced by Viveca in 1993. The poster is signed and framed.
Lot 6 – Lucas Oil Crew Shirts (white xl)
As worn by Andy Carter’s Top Fuel crew in 2008 these are genuine large size crew shirts with a part zip up front. This is one of two designs.
Lot 7 – Lucas Oil Crew Shirts (red xl)
As worn by Andy Carter’s Top Fuel crew in 2008 these are genuine large size crew shirts with a part zip up front. This is one of two designs.
Lot 8 – 1977 NHRA US Nationals Yearbook (softback edition)
Produced by Bold Horizon Enterprises on behalf of the NHRA in 1978 this is a 190 page softback publication about the biggest drag race in America told in words and superb colour photography from the sport’s best writers at the time. This an accurate record of who did what from Top Fuel to Stock.
Lot 9 – The Rodders Journal No.19
This world-renowned American publication is dedicated to UK drag racing photographer and BDRHoF member Roger Gorringe and is signed by celebrated writer and fellow photographer Bob McClurg. this is a high quality print magazine produced in the early 90s by Steve Coonan
Lot 10 – Funny Cars by Robert Genat (softback edition)
Published in 2000 author Robert Genat traces the history of the Funny Car. The book also takes you inside a modern Funny Car racing team with a detailed look at a blown 6,000 horsepower engine. It’s a fascinating look at the most exciting class in drag racing in 96 colourful pages.
Lot 11 – Hot Rods & Dragster by Melvyn Record (softback edition)
Written by ex pat and former National Dragster International editor, Melvyn Record takes you into the fast-paced world of drag racing in this definitive guide into the fastest accelerating cars ever made told over 128 pages with over 150 colour and black and white photographs in this soft back edition.
Lot 12 – Poster Print signed by Alex Xydias – Triton Oils
This is a recreation poster of a 1950 Autoweek magazine advert issued by Triton Oils in celebration of Alex Xydias and Dean Batchelors record breaking times on the Bonneville Salt Flats for factory-built engines using Triton Oil by 76 Union in the So-Cal boys streamliner.
Lot 13 – Signed NHRA Champions Drag Racing Poster
A montage of pictures from one of the 2000 era of NHRA Drag Racing Championship with signatures.
Lot 14 – 60th anniversary Moon T-Shirts, signed Hero Cards, stickers and magazine
Produced to commemorate the 60th anniversary of one of the world’s celebrated speed shops MOON Speed Equipment this special pack of goodies features 1 small and 1 large anniversary T-shirts, 2 ‘Now & Then’ hero cards signed Shige Suganuma, 2 Mooneyes Dragster England stickers and a copy of Fly Wheelsmagazine.
Lot 15 – Hero Card Album
Amassed by drag racing fan and former BDRA official Jim Broome this is a bindered collection of British, European and American drag racing hero card handouts from the 1990s and early 2000s.
Lot 16 – Blower Belt from the Speedghost Funny Car Team 2024
At the 2024 European Finals Sweden’s Patrik Pairs ran a spectacular history making 303 mph over a 1000ft in the Speedghost Dodge Charger. This is the actual blower belt from the car signed by Patrik with the speed written on it. A nice opportunity to own a piece of European drag racing history!
Lot 17 – Swamp Rat #21 poster autographed by Big Daddy Don Garlits
Featuring the 1975 ‘Jungle Car’ commemorating its many accomplishments both here in 1976 at Santa Pod as well as all three American sanctioning body events. And it’s signed by Big Daddy too. A superb history making item to grace any mancave wall!
Lot 18 – Don Garlits & His Cars (3rd edition hardback)
This is the story of not only Don Garlits famous Swamp Rats, but also every other significant car Don has owned in more than 60 years, and the entertaining, sometimes never before told stories he weaves through his legendary racing career. The is the Third Edition and covers up to 2018.
Lot 19 – Shirley Muldowney Night of Fire poster (autographed)
A stunning photo produced as a large format poster of one of Shirley Muldowney’s last runs at night made by the ‘first lady of drag racing’. Andy its signed by the 3 time NHRA world Top Fuel Champion as well. If you look hard enough you can not only see wide open blades but Shirley’s eyes too. A great picture and a great conversation piece for your living room wall!
Lot 20 – Shirley autographed poster
Captured by Hank Wong a fantastic full detailed shot of 3 time NHRA Top Fuel Champion and the ‘first lady of drag racing’ Shirley Muldowney giving the victory salute from the cockpit of her always pink Top Fuel dragster.
Lot 21 – Fox Sports, NHRA & IDRHoF Commemorative Shirley poster
A superb montage of history making pictures from Shirley Muldowney’s amazing career in the sport of drag racing produced in association with Fox Sports, NHRA and the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame to coincide the channels recent sports documentary. And its signed not once but twice!
Lot 22 – John Force Jacket (Medium)
Lot 23 – 2006 Doorslammers Are Back T-Shirt, Jon Morton Hero Card & Sticker
In 2006 the Super Modified Racers Association visited the Nitrolympics in Hockenhiem, Germany for the first time and was originally organsied by BDRHoF member Terry Gibbs and later carried on by Terry’s wife Tina, and this commemorative T-Shirt, designed by Power Race Graphics, was produced to celebrate this happening. A race that BDRHoF member Jon Morton often competed at with drag bikes and the No Hair Super Gas Camaro.
Lot 24 – Ron Hope Frame Portrait Print
Captured in print at the 2016 Goodwood’s Festival of Speed Ron Hope, BDRHoF International ambassador and owner/driver of the legendary Rat Trap Fuel Altered, delighted tens of thousands of race fans at the Sussex home of Lord March as he performed burnouts and often set bales of straw alight. If ever there was a showman in drag racing, then Ron was one of them. Own this unique picture of a drag racing legend.
Lot 25 – Pack of Venom Racing Goodies & ‘Ride with the Crew’ Voucher
Nostalgia Funny Car racer Tony Betts is offering a chance in a lifetime to ‘ride with the crew’ at a future event from the moment the teams Camaro leaves its pit bay to the moment it’s hooked up from another triumphant 5 second pass. Goodies include a Venom Racing inscripted drinks bottle, keyring and more.
Lot 26 – Paul Whitehouse Painting of Randy Bradford’s Fuel Altered
It was 21 years ago that Paul first saw this fuel altered, in the flesh alongside others bought over from the U.S, at the Goodwood F.O.S. The Bradford family have a long history in drag racing dating back to 1946. In 1999 Brad and Randy Bradford started building this replica of their iconic fuel altered. Randy has campaigned the car several times at Santa Pod and the painting depicts its visit in 2018. The original painting is Gouache on artboard.
Lot 27 – Street Eliminator Cruise Voucher
Another lifetime chance for two people to ride shotgun with Street Eliminator racer Nigel Hale and his awesome Chevrolet C30 Twin Cab 580ci Procharged 10 second Pick Up truck at this year’s Euro Finals or National Finals – it’s your choice!
Lot 28 – Signed Steve Read RSR Top Fuel Dragster poster
Steve Read, one of international drag racing’s most talked about racers and BDRHoF member, made a comeback in Australian Top Fuel racing and this poster is dedicated to that moment in 2016 for the RSR Team.
Lot 29 – Funny Car Heroes Posters – ’65-’68, ’68-’73, ’72- ‘78
Esteemed drag racing photographer and friend of the BDRHoF Bob McClurg produced a series of black & white posters called ‘Funny Car Heroes’ depicting some of the greatest Funny Cars to ever race down an American drag strip. Names like Ramchargers, Jungle Jim, Blue Max, Tom & Jerry, USA-1 and many more feature covering the years 1965 to 1978 in 3 A2 size posters and offered as one lot.
Lot 30 – Signed TV Tommy Ivo Poster
TV Tommy Ivo, a member of the visiting American Drag Racing Team way back in 1964 for the International Drag Festivals recently celebrated 30 years of drag racing and 19 years as a movie actor with this A2 size poster depicting all of Tommy’s Dragsters, Funny Cars and Jet Cars (36 in total). He was the ultimate drag racing showman.
Lot 31 – Signed Framed Print of ‘Stormin Norman’
This is a one off framed signed print of BDRHoF member Dennis ‘Stormin’ Norman laying some rubber across the start line in 1970 at Santa Pod as well as smoke in true ‘Stormin Norman’ fashion. Back then Dennis was racing his trusty blown double engined Triumph. Just in shot in Mick Butler’s ‘Pegasus’ Vincent.
Lot 32 – Diggers, Funnies, Gassers & Altereds book (softback edition)
Dedicated and autographed to friend and trackside colleague Roger Gorringe, author Bob McClurg looks at the 60’s from its grass roots era to its full-blown professional motorsport. Along the way, it created some of the most exciting racing and race cars ever built. An accomplished magazine writer and photographer, Bob McClurg is best known for his drag racing images of the 60s and 70s. With more than 350 colour and black and white photos, this book is an exciting visual history of the Golden Age of drag racing packed into 204 pages including 248 colour & 128 black and white photos.
Lot 33 – Drag Racing Fuel Altereds book by Lou Hart (softback edition)
The Fuel Altered, one of the most brutal and exciting cars that ever covered the quarter mile, consisted of a wheelbase average less than 100 inches that was fitted with a blown-supercharged 1500-horsepower engine running on Nitro! From flatheads to Nitro-burning monsters, capture the greats in stunning colour and black & white photography of Willie Borsch, Dale Emery, Leon Fitzgerald, Sush Matsubara, Leroy Chadderton, and many more blazing the quarter mile in this 126-page photo archive.
Lot 34 – Framed ‘King Kenny’ Bernstein Hero Card
Kenny Bernstein is, and always will be, the King of Speed for his record shattering first to the 300 mph mark at Gainesville, Florida in 2000 at the wheel of the Budweiser Top Fuel dragster. This is one of king Kenny’s hero cards framed.
Lot 35 – Hot Rod Mavericks book signed by author Tony Thacker (hardback edition)
Produced in cooperation with HOT ROD magazine, HOT ROD Mavericks takes you on a rollicking look back on more than a century of trailblazers, risk-takers, hell-raisers, and forward-thinkers. No aspect of automobile culture embodies the DIY spirit like hot rodding. From prewar pressed steel and milled four-bangers to modern machined billet and 800-hp behemoths, the story of hot rodding has been the story of can-do iconoclasts who did for themselves what Detroit wouldn’t do for them. Longtime hot rod and custom car historian Tony Thacker crafts an illustrated history that leaves no camshaft unturned. Superb publication.
Lot 36 – Isky and the Old Master book signed by Ed Iskenderian
Don’t miss this chance to dive into the legendary life of Ed ‘ISKY’ Iskenderian, the pioneer of hot rod history! This is a limited edition 448 page coffee-table book, packed with rare photos and exclusive conversations with Ed Winfield you have never heard or read before between two motorsports legends. This copy (#6) is one of 10 signed by Isky.
Lot 37 – John Force Racing Jacket (XL)
Show your loyalty to one of drag racing’s most iconic legends – John Force by owning one of his career making Castrol GTX drag racing jackets in extra large size showing all of JFR’s sponsors in this most celebrated era.
Lot 38 – 601 Top Fuel Team Crew Shirt (XL)
This is a genuine 601 Top Fuel Team crew shirt as worn by crew member Tony Pearson at the Nitrolympics and the 2 seater dragster. Featuring all of the teams sponsors on both sleeves of this orange and black xl polo shirt.
Lot 39 – RF Motorsport/Risto Poutiainen (XXL) T-Shirt
Finnish racer Risto Poutiainen joined BDRHoF member Rune Fjeld’s Top Fuel team in 2008. In 2012 after several years being runner up Risto became European Champion behind the wheel of the Multi-Lotto.com dragster. This is one of the teams exclusive xxl t-shirts.
Lot 40 – Set of Drag Racing Top Trumps Cards
The game of Top Trumps originated from the game of Quartetts that was originally designed for children as an educational activity that could be played anywhere, and this set of 1970s Drag Racing cards certainly educated our elders of today in the sport of drag racing. This complete set features cards with photos from Santa Pod and NDRC meets captured by BDRHoF member Roger Gorringe. Each card features information about the car pictured. A great old-time collection.
Lot 41 – One Bad Texan Fire Bottle Lamp
Be the talk of your visiting friends when they see this genuine Fore Bottle Lamp made practical by the One Bad Texan Fuel Funny Car Team. Originally a DJ Safety item from the teams Funny Car the bottle has been signed by respected Funny Car racers John Hale, Rob Elsom, Steve Ashdown, Terry Haddock, Andy Raw and Dale Leeks. A fantastic conversation stopper.
Lot 42 – Keith Black Racing Jacket
This is an original seventies Keith Black Racing jacket as worn by Tony Pearson at Santa Pod while crewing for some of the UK’s legendary British based Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Comp Teams. Original KB sew on patches appear on the front and back. As a side note Tony crewed for Don Garlits when he came over to race Swamp Rat #21 in 1976.
Lot 43 – Rat Trap Painting by John Knight
Ron Hope’s legendary Rat Trap Fuel altered captured in oils and possibly with a Goodwood backdrop by artist John Knight. Framed and totally original.
Lot 44 – Mosten Raceday Rock & Race Sweatshirt (small)
A great old skool designed shirt from one of Denmark’s oldest straight-line Rock & Race event held at Mosten Dragway in 2015. This is Sweatshirt is available in small only.
Lot 45 – Erbacher Kings of Nitro zipped hoodie (large)
A nice hoodie to commemorate Urs Erbacher’s Fat Attack ‘Kings of Nitro’ TV series and race season following 5-time European Champion Urs and Supertwin racer Lorenz Stauble on the 2008 FIA and FIM championship tour.
Lot 46 – Raptor Fuel Altered T Shirt
From the newest European Fuel Altered team to recently break cover is this Raptor Racing T-Shirt signed by legendary Funny Car racer Allan Bates and his son Lee who is the intrepid racer behind the butterfly wheel of this amazing race car.