Laurel Wreath Image: Julian Hunt

Andy Willsheer first encountered Drag Racing when he visited Santa Pod Raceway in 1972. While he had read about the International Drag Festivals of 1964 and ‘65 which had brought leading American racers to the UK, it was BDRHoF inductee Brian Chapman working on the same construction site as Andy who encouraged him and his brother John to attend. What he saw, which he described as “highly entertaining” and the “intoxicating aroma of spent nitro”, would be the start of his addiction to a sport that has lasted over fifty years.

When the construction work dried up the following year, Andy and brother John took off to the west coast of America for a three-month holiday. Their bucket list of races included the Supernationals at Ontario Motor Speedway and the fabled 64-car Manufacturers Funny Car Championship Race at Orange County Raceway. California had everything they were looking for: cool cars, pretty girls and warm weather. With that in mind it’s little surprise that the trip was eventually extended to fifteen months, culminating in a cross-country road trip to New York in brother John’s ‘67 Camaro, before they and the car travelled back to the UK on the Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner.

“Andy’s enthusiasm for US racing led to his inclusion among Car Craft Magazine’s
‘Hi Risers’ in June 1983″

Not surprisingly, that first US trip had a massive and lasting impact on Andy which led to regular trips across the Atlantic, usually taking in five or six NHRA National events per year. None of this would have been possible without press accreditation, which started with the Phelps family who were happy to give him a press pass, despite his obvious inexperience. This led to Andy becoming a regular photographer at Santa Pod, thus helping him gain acceptance as a member of the American Racing Press Association. 

Andy’s enthusiasm for US racing led to his inclusion among Car Craft Magazine’s ‘Hi Risers’ in June 1983 which helped him to be accepted as a regular on the NHRA start line, clad in his trademark blue shirt.

Andy arranged his life around two annual trips to the US at the start and end of the year so he could also cover the FIA rounds in Europe and all major UK races. In addition, he has covered races in Norway and Bahrain and also on Bonneville Salt Flats.

With Andy’s extensive portfolio of Drag Racing pictures it’s hard to pin down a favourite. All hold countless memories, though some stand out more than others. One in particular made online, magazine and newspaper headlines around the world. Steve Gasparelli’s Top Alcohol Funny Car sprang an oil line leak as Gasparelli left the start line at the 2009 NHRA World Finals; in a blink the car veered across the track, hitting the wall before partially rolling over while sliding past Andy. In the picture, taken by Ken Hughes, Roger Rohrdanz is wisely running away, while Andy stands fast and captures the amazing shot.

On another occasion he wasn’t so lucky. Andy was at the top end of the track at the 2004 Gatornationals at Gainesville, Florida, when a weight bar came off Ashley Force’s Top Alcohol dragster. Despite his fellow photographers calling out ‘parts’, he was hit by the heavy object, breaking his leg. The Medevac helicopter took him to hospital for an unexpected stay and when John Force and family visited him, Andy’s trademark loud laughter could be heard in the corridors making it easier to find him!    

Andy’s photojournalist skills have graced the pages of most car magazines over the years, in particular Hot Car, Custom Car, Classic American, Chrome and Flames and Street Machine to name a few. In addition, for many years Andy has also been a regular contributor to Eurodragster.com at European and US events.

Andy also co-authored two Ford Mustang books with longtime US friend Bob McClurg.

Andy often photographed unusual cars and bikes, which put him in an ideal position when the organisers of Germany’s Essen Motor Show approached him to identify suitable vehicles for their acclaimed event. Andy carried out this liaison work for many years. 

In March 2024, Andy encountered health issues that prevented him attending races but, with luck, he will slowly return as his health improves. In the meantime, he keeps abreast of current developments via the internet.

It is for his 50-plus years of enthusiasm for Drag Racing – in particular for anything nitro-powered – and for the photojournalism skills with which his pictures and words create a vivid image for anyone away from the track, perhaps even unaware of the sport’s unique perspective, and for the worldwide media involvement with which he portrays and promotes the sport, that Andy Willsheer is hereby inducted into Membership of the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

Profile by Herb Andrews

And finally some good advice from Andy himself…