Just a small selection of the 42 Lots available in this Grand Auction & Sale
Dragstalgia 2026 Fri.26 – Sun.28 June 2026
Every Dragstalgia there is something special on offer when the Historic Marquee hosts the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame’s Grand Auction & Sale of Drag Racing and Hot Rod memorabilia. During the lead-up time to Dragstalgia we shall be highlighting this year’s auction items and marking Santa Pod’s 60th Anniversary, this year’s Auction has a British theme.
Sixty years ago, Harold Bull made the very first pass down the Santa Pod track and artist Paul Whitehouse’s annual Auction donation is his painting of Harold and his Stripduster dragster making that historic first run. Another legend of those earliest years, Allan ‘Bootsie’ Herridge, is depicted in a framed painting by John Knight.
There are rare treats awaiting Dennis Priddle fans. Two items of equipment relating to his career will be auctioned: the fire bottle and brake lever which rode with him in his John Woolfe Racing Chevy Monza II Funny Car, rescued and kindly donated by Keith Pilling and accompanied by authenticity certificates. In 2016 Dennis was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in Florida and the celebratory T-shirt he owned and wore has been donated by Dennis’s widow, Sandra, and Phil Pead.
There are record-setting Fuel Altered artefacts. Nick Davies donates an etched and signed piston from Havoc’s 5.98sec record run in 2024 and Allan & Lee Bates offer the Raptor’s seat belts from Lee’s even quicker 5.89sec pass last year.
Double-300mph Funny Car star John Spuffard (quarter-mile and 1,000ft) donates a 1985 Cannonball T-shirt, never worn, and the high-speed clothing line also includes Barry Sheavills garments and a Chaos NFAA jacket, while Geoff Martin donates official Santa Pod gear from its 30th and 50th anniversaries. There is a wealth of books, prints, posters and photographs too.
The silent Auction, raising funds for the BDRHOF Benevolent Fund charity, takes place on Friday afternoon (12noon-5pm) and throughout Saturday until 5pm. Visit the Historic Marquee to have a look at what’s on offer. Bid on any item of your choice at any time during these hours and return to check on your bid’s progress, and to raise it if necessary, right up to Saturday’s closing time. You can re-bid as many times as you like. Winning bidders will be notified by text after 5pm on Saturday and items can be paid for and collected by 6pm Saturday or 4pm on Sunday. We can accept credit card payments.
There are more than 40 items presented for Auction with sales this year including a 20th anniversary t-shirt and other BDRHoF branded items. There is so much to see in the Historic Marquee – pay us a visit – you’ll be very welcome. The Grand Auction & Sale takes place by kind permission of Santa Pod Raceway, and we are indebted to all who have donated items and of course all of our sponsors.
During the lead-up time to Dragstalgia we shall be highlighting all this year’s auction items on our BDRHoF Facebook page, web site and of course on Eurodragster.com.
How does the auction work? See an item at the BDRHoF’s pitside marquee that takes your fancy, then write your bid on the bid sheet for the item at any time and raise it as often as you want if you find someone else outbidding you. The Auction runs on Friday from 12 noon to 5pm and on Saturday from 10am, closing at 5pm when successful bidders will be notified by text. Winners can pay for and collect their items up to 6pm that day or on Sunday till 4pm.
There will be no Auction on Sunday, but the Sale of memorabilia will continue all three days. Credit card payments are accepted for Auction and Sale purchases.
2026 BDRHoF DRAGSTALGIA AUCTION ITEM DISCRIPTIONS
As of 14/06/2026
| Lot No. 1 | Pre-loved 1970s Commuter Dragster Poster |
| This poster of BDRHoF member Tony Densham at the wheel of Santa Pod Raceway’s iconic ‘The Commuter’ dragster was first released in the very early 70s by PACE International. Poster is one of two in the series (the other being Bill Weichelt’s Asmodeus/Dos Palmas dragster) which back in the day could be bought at any high street card shop or from Santa Pod’s Dick’s Place at a price of just 70 pence! Poster has been rolled several times and is available as seen in the picture. Poster size is 125 cm x 47 cm. | |
| Lot No. 2 | Barry Sheavills Motorsports TF1 Shorts |
| Look smart in these summer shorts from Barry Sheavills Motorsports. These would have been around the 2000 era of Barry’s run in European Top Fuel. | |
| Lot No. 3 | Framed print of Barry Sheavills Wynns Top Fuel Dragster |
| The 1998 European Finals at Santa Pod saw Barry Sheavills enter the record books with the UK’s first 4 second run of 4.97s and the fastest speed in Europe at 297.19 mph. This framed poster is from that very meeting to commemorate this groundbreaking performance at Santa Pod Raceway. | |
| Lot No. 4 | Garlits v Crane Photo Print |
| Captured by the late celebrated drag racing photographer Roger Gorringe this 76 x 50 colour print was taken a few moments before Peter Crane’s historic 5.97s win (the first five outside of America) against Big Daddy Don Garlits at the 10th Anniversary Big Go at Santa Pod. 50,000 fans were there to see this historic race and now you could own this print for your living room wall. | |
| Lot No. 5 | Autographed Santa Pod Poster |
| This special poster was issued by Santa Pod at the official book launch of Brian Taylor’s Crazy Horses British Drag Racing History. Present were a few leading lights of the British scene at the time who’s autographs feature. Poster measures 59cm x 21 cm. | |
| Lot No. 6 | 30th Anniversary Santa Pod Jacket |
| This 30th Anniversary Santa Pod jacket was given to all heads of department at the raceway in 1996, and in this particular case was given to MSA/SPR Tech Official and former racer Geoff Martin. | |
| Lot No. 7 | 50th Anniversary Santa Pod Officials Polo Shirt |
| This 50th Anniversary Santa Pod polo shirt was given to all officials and marshals in 2016. Not generally available at the time the shirt features all the track sponsors at that time as well as the FIA and FIM championship logos. | |
| Lot No. 8 | 70s Commuter Poster |
| A smaller version of Lot No. 1 this poster features BDRHoF member Tony Densham at the wheel of Santa Pod’s iconic Commuter dragster taken at an NDRC organised race meeting at Santa Pod. Poster size is 17.7 cm x 7.08 cm and is mounted on card. | |
| Lot No. 9 | Framed Showtime Funny Car Print |
| A nice action burnout of BDRHoF member John Spuffard striking the tyres with Bob Jarrett’s later 90s Showtime Pontiac Trans Am Funny Car. A great image for the living room or office wall if you were lucky enough to win! | |
| Lot No.10 | 1977 Drag Racing Calendar |
| Produced by Adsell this large format calendar features action shots captured by Simon Adsell, BDRHoF member Lawie Gatehouse and Tony Freeney while on location at Santa Pod and various NDRC on tour and European meetings. Featuring 8 double sided full colour pages was back in the day a must have item for any drag racing fans workshop wall. | |
| Lot No. 11 | Signed 1973 International Programme |
| This was the official A4 size foldout programme for the 4th Internationals sponsored by the publishers of Hot Rod & Car Craft magazines, Petersen Publishing. Complete with entry list and a foldout poster of all the visiting stars the cover of this example of signed by American racers Tony Nancy (Top Fuel) and Danny Johnson (Top Bike). A great addition to any fans collection. | |
| Lot No. 12 | Sign of the Times limited edition sign print |
| Still in its original wrapping is this Keith Hill signed print of the Santa Pod finish line gantry with Fueller and Funny Car in competition while a famous B52 bomber which was stationed at USAF Podington flies overhead. This is print no. 169 of 200 commissioned by the artist in 2005. | |
| Lot No. 13 | 2 Herridge/Beadle Bros Motivation Display Signs |
| Produced by Santa Pod this is a large format information display panel sign used for when this very famous now restored Allan Herridge/Beadle Brothers injected slingshot dragster’ Motivation’ was displayed. A2 size poster carries the dragsters history from 1967 to 1968 with highlighted period photos, the dragsters more recent history as well as its recent restoration. | |
| Lot No. 14 | Racing Piston from Havoc Fuel Altered |
| Specially mounted by racer Nigel Payne this racing piston keepsake comes from the British based Fuel Altered ‘Havoc’ driven by Nick Davies and wrenched by Rob Loring after the car set new European standards for the class of 5.98s 237 mph at Santa Pod’s Euro Finals in September 2024. Mounted, etched and signed by Nick – what a fabulous piece of British drag racing history to sit in your display case of drag racing memorabilia! | |
| Lot No. 15 | Drive-It – The Complete Book of British Drag Racing |
| Produced in the early 80s in a series of Drive-It titles by Haynes Publishing for different motor sporting activities the Complete Book of British Drag Racing was written and photographed by co-authors Peter Jones and David Hardcastle, and still is a great read even today. This particular copy has a few iconic signatures associated with a few of the books photos. Ideal for any drag racing fans collection if missed the first time around! | |
| Lot No. 16 | Barry Sheavills 1st Member of the European 300 mph Club T-Shirt |
| Specially commissioned by Barry from an original UK Nitro T-Shirts design to celebrate his first historic 300 mph pass at 304.71 mph in 4.97s side-by-side with Andy Carter’s 303.07 mph at Santa Pod’s 2002 Main Event. This example, and there can’t be many left, is an XL size hardly worn full colour T-shirt. | |
| Lot No.17 | Barry Sheavills Europe’s Fastest Top Fuel Dragster T-Shirt |
| Another specially commissioned UK Nitro designed T shirt, this one captures the colours of Barry’s FIA championship winning Top Fuel Dragster with the words ‘Europe’s fastest!!’ This example, and there can’t be many left, is an XL size hardly worn full colour T-shirt. | |
| Lot No. 18 | Barry Sheavills Motorsport Top Fuel Dragster Team Shirt |
| You too could look cool in this special 2000s Barry Sheavills Motorsport team shirt. Button up front the shoulders feature team logos as well as over the breast pocket and is available as an XL item. | |
| Lot No. 19 | Limited Edition Framed Allard Dragster Print Signed by ACAG Patron Nick Mason |
| This limited edition framed print of Sydney Allard’s dragster was the first commissioned print for the Allard Chrysler Action Group restoration project that got artist Paul Whitehouse recognised in the sport of drag racing. Although this isn’t of any particular image, it does fit in with the 1963 SEMA Challenge 60 year celebrations with the chasing Mooneyes dragster of Dean Moon in the background and could have been inspired by one of the races that took place at RAF Debden that year. Certified and signed by Alan Allard the print is also signed by ACAG patron and former Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. This is print number 2 of 100 produced. | |
| Lot No. 20 | Framed Painting of Allan Herridge by John Knight |
| John Knight was a crew member on many of Allan’s cars and produced this painting of his hero. | |
| Lot No. 21 | Fire Bottle & Hand Brake from Dennis Priddle’s Monza Funny Car (comes with Certificate of Authenticity) |
| Authenticated by the donor as original pieces from Dennis Priddle’s Chevy II Monza Funny Car. These are rare treats awaiting Dennis Priddle fans to bid on. | |
| Lot No.22 | Fuelled & Framed picture frame with photo of your choice |
| ‘Fuelled and Framed’ is a business selling automotive photos with a very unique design of steel & aluminium photo frames. The shape of the photo frames takes its inspiration from classic hot rod & race car design, and are made from either steel or aluminium, in short, they truly compliment images of the vehicles we love, and there’s nothing else like them in the world. The lucky bidder gets to choose a photo of their choice from the F&F back catalogue, and the frame will be delivered to your door in mainland UK. | |
| Lot No. 23 | 2016 International Drag Racing Hall of Fame T-Shirt |
| This is the commemorative T-Shirt as worn by the late great BDRHoF member Dennis Priddle after his induction into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame alongside American legends Mark Oswald, Marvin Miller, Gas Ronda, Jack Doyle and Preston Davis. Size of the shirt a 3XL but would look great mounted in a stylish picture frame! | |
| Lot No. 24 | Liz Burn Autobiography ‘Drag Racing Through The Eyes of a Woman’ book |
| This is a humorous recollection of disasters and successes that Warwickshire, UK based drag racer Liz Burn encountered back in the 1970’s. Liz was one of just two women involved in Top Fuel drag racing, survived a 200 mph crash and came back to win the European Championship two years in a row whilst beating the men at their own game. And now you can read all about it in this 108 page soft back book with many unpublished photos. | |
| Lot No. 25 | Framed 1973 Programme and 1966 Golden Commando Team sticker |
| Program features the cover of the 1973 Petersen Publishing sponsored Internationals overlaid with a genuine inside paper car sticker from the US Masters Golden Commando Team meeting held at the newly opened Santa Pod Raceway in 1966. A meeting promoted by American drag strip owner Bob George featuring Bud Barnes, Al Eckstrand, Larry Arnold, Dave Mudrak and the legendary EJ Potter. | |
| Lot No. 26 | Framed & Autographed Santa Pod Poster |
| This special poster was issued by Santa Pod at the official book launch of Brian Taylor’s Crazy Horses British Drag Racing History. Present were a few leading lights of the British scene at the time who’s autographs feature. Poster measures 59cm x 21 cm. | |
| Lot No. 27 | Brian Taylor’s Crazy Horses – The History of British Drag Racing |
| This colourful and entertaining book, the first comprehensive history of drag racing in the UK, is a must for all fans of this exciting sport. Dramatically illustrated, it traces the roots of drag racing from its UK sprinting and American speed trial and hot-rodding origins in the early 1900s, moving on to the landmark opening of Santa Pod in 1966, through the boom periods of the 1970s and 1980s, and finishing with the sport’s rejuvenation in recent years. Meticulously researched by the former Santa Pod commentator, this book features many historic photographs and a wealth of first-hand memories from the leading protagonists. | |
| Lot No. 28 | Bound Volumes of National Drag Racer magazine |
| 3 large volumes of the 1970s British Drag Racing magazine National Dragster from issue 1 through to the 41st issue of 1976. Originally started as the National Drag Racing Club’s inhouse magazine it quickly went to an independent publication featuring colour covers and, sometimes colour centre spreads with lots of feature cars and bikes as well as reports from Santa Pod and the NDRC’s on tour meets from Blackbushe, Snetterton, Silverstone and Wroughton. Its not often that you find bound issues like this in original binders! | |
| Lot No. 29 | Street Rod & Custom Showtime by Rodger Attaway |
| Street Rod & Custom Showtime is a hardcover book that documents the history of Britain’s indoor hot rod and custom car shows. From the humble beginnings in the early 1960s, through the explosive growth of the 1970s, into the victorious 1980s when UK customs appeared at the USA Grande Finale in Las Vegas, culminating in an Englishman’s victory at the National Roadster Show in Oakland. From 1962 to 1982 over 110 indoor hot rod and custom car shows were held in the UK. | |
| Lot No. 30 | 1995 Cannonball Event T-Shirt |
| Designed by graphic artist and drag racing fan Mark Gredzinski this large Tee features John Spuffard’s Showtime Pontiac Trans Am Funny Car (Europe’s quickest) for the 1995 Cannonball Funny Car meet event T-Shirt which, at the time, was part of the famed Budweiser Drag Series. The final should have been between Micke Kagered and Harlan Thompson but rain prevented the final outcome. | |
| Lot No. 31 | Limited Edition Frame Pegasus Print |
| This unique framed image of Ian Messenger’s double engined Norton ‘Pegasus’ was captured in full burnout mode by photo journalist Keith Lee at Santa Pod in 1979 with the dear old barn in the background. This 20″ x 16″ framed print is signed by Ian. | |
| Lot No. 32 | Showtime Racing Parachute Drogue’s |
| These drogues have seen better days stopping the mph record setting Showtime Funny Car but what a trophy to hang on your man cave wall! | |
| Lot No. 33 | Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat #21 1975 ‘Jungle Car’ display poster autographed by Don Garlits |
| Featuring the 1975 ‘Jungle Car commemorating its many accomplishments both in the UK in 1976 at Santa Pod as well as all US three sanctioning body events, and it’s signed by Big Daddy too! A superb history making item to grace any man cave wall. | |
| Lot No. 34 | Santa Pod 21st Annual Big Go Winners Medal |
| This is one of the special one-off medals issued to class winners by the organising club – British Drag Racing Association at the 21st Big Go meeting at Santa Pod in 1982. A great souvenir from what was a great event. Even British Funny Car legend Owen Haywood would have one of these in his trophy collection. So why shouldn’t you! | |
| Lot No. 35 | King Racing Gentleman’s Wrist Watch |
| Specially commissioned by multi-British, European and International Top Fuel Bike legend and champion Ian King. A stylish face with the King Racing logo at the centre of the dial, this would look good on any savvy gearhead’s wrist! | |
| Lot No. 36 | Chaos Nostalgia Fuel Altered Jacket |
| When Lawrie Gatehouse brought out the Chaos Fuel Altered he was a stickler for how the car and crew were presented. These jackets were never on general sale however you could own one now. | |
| Lot No. 37 | BDRHoF member Harold Bull & Stripduster original painting by Paul Whitehouse |
| Easter Monday 1966 saw the opening of Santa Pod Raceway and this painting from Paul Whitehouse Art depicts Harold Bull in “Stripduster” the dragster credited with the first drag car to run down the virgin strip with a bit of artistic license as it was pouring with rain at the time. ‘Stripduster’ was built during 1965 and powered by an 803cc Austin A30 engine. The painting is Gouache on artboard and would simply stunning on your living room wall! | |
| Lot No. 38 | Snap On Tools Wall Mounted Tools Chest Drinks Cabinet |
| What better way to end a day in the workshop than with a cold beer – straight from your own toolbox! | |
| Lot No. 39 | Venom Racing Ride Along with the crew and Souvenir Mug |
| We’ve all seen the Venom crew celebrating their runs – ride along with them at a future event and experience a different view! | |
| Lot No. 40 | Raptor Racing 5 Point Fuel Altered Seat Belts |
| Last season, Raptor Racing’s Lee Bates reset the British & European Fuel Altered records with a 5.89 second pass set at the NSRA Hot Rod Drags and these are Lee’s safety belts from that very run which went 218.03 mph. Ideal for display in a mancave, workshop, or if you’re brave enough, your own living room. They come with a Certificate of Authenticity but cannot be used as they are out of the SFI validity date. For display only. | |
| Lot No. 41 | Nobby’s Quarter Mile by Nobby Hills |
| First published in 2008, the life story of Nobby Hills and some of British Drag Racing’s history in his own words. Sometimes funny…sometimes sad…but never a drag – and a great read! | |
| Lot No. 42 | Engine Part Art |
| Donated by famed engineer Stan Atkin who has filled his retirement from racing by making works of art from engine parts. If you don’t win the bid but would like one for your mantlepiece, contact Paula Atkin through Facebook. | |