Lost Drag Racing Trophy Found

An iconic motorsports trophy, ‘lost’ for over 30 years, was returned to its rightful home in a presentation at the Goodwood Revival last weekend.

Classic and collector car insurance specialist Hagerty played host to the first official appearance of the recently restored 1963 SEMA Trophy, with the imposing award unveiled by Chairman of the Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG), Brian Taylor, alongside Hagerty Chief Executive McKeel Hagerty.

The trophy was created by the SEMA organisation in the USA in recognition of Briton Sydney Allard’s 1963 battle with Dante Duce - a keen hot-rodder from Las Vegas - who was convinced he could beat the Allard Chrysler, Europe’s first dragster, built for Allard in 1961/1962.

The trophy was subsequently donated by Sydney’s son Alan to the British Drag Racing & Hot Rod Association in 1970, before being given for safe keeping to the Brighton & Hove Motor Club by subsequent three-time trophy winner Dennis Priddle and his sponsor Brian Glockler, where it remained hidden and forgotten for over 30 years before being discovered by Brian Taylor and the ACAG earlier this year.

The trophy will now be displayed with the Allard Chrysler dragster at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, whilst the ACAG orchestrates continuing fund-raising for the faithful restoration of the legendary drag racer.

Marcus Atkinson, Marketing Director of Hagerty’s UK operation based at Silverstone, commented, “We were delighted to host this iconic car and its reunion with the SEMA trophy after so many years.”

For further information on Hagerty and its range of classic and collector car policies, and to arrange a free quotation, contact Hagerty International, visit www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk.

For more information on the Allard Chrysler dragster, and the fund raising effort for its restoration, go to www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk/acag/acag.html.


About Hagerty:

    * Founded in the USA in 1983, initially to provide speciality insurance to classic boat enthusiasts, parent company, Hagerty Insurance, launched its service for car collectors in 1991, and is now the largest classic and collector car insurance specialist in the USA and beyond.

    * UK-based subsidiary, Hagerty International, was established in 2006 to cater for the parallel market sector in the UK and Europe, and now offers a bespoke portfolio of insurance products, underwritten by Allianz.

    * Hagerty has built a robust and buoyant reputation for matching its clients' passion for classic vehicles, underlined in their belief that classic and collector cars are 'fun cars that you own because you desire them, not because you need them'.

    * In June 2009, Hagerty International became the preferred insurance partner to the motoring department of Bonhams, the largest UK auction house to hold scheduled sales of classic & vintage motorcars and automobile memorabilia.   

    * Contact details: Hagerty International Ltd., The Innovation Centre, Silverstone Circuit, Northants NN12 8QX.  Website: www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk