ACAG REUNITES SEMA TROPHY WITH ALLARD CHRYSLER DRAGSTER The oldest drag racing trophy in Europe has been found after ‘going missing’ in the mid 1970s. The Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) has tracked it down and it is now being restored prior to being reunited with the car that won it in 1963, Britain’s oldest dragster – the Allard Chrysler then driven by Sydney Allard. The special SEMA Trophy for the winner of the 1963 Dragster Challenge. The then President of SEMA, Ed Iskenderian, looks on (Photo Crazy Horses, Gavin Allard Collection) Sydney had not planned any big events in his Allard Ch
ACAG REUNITES SEMA TROPHY WITH ALLARD CHRYSLER DRAGSTER The oldest drag racing trophy in Europe has been found after ‘going missing’ in the mid 1970s. The Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) has tracked it down and it is now being restored prior to being reunited with the car that won it in 1963, Britain’s oldest dragster – the Allard Chrysler then driven by Sydney Allard. The special SEMA Trophy for the winner of the 1963 Dragster Challenge. The then President of SEMA, Ed Iskenderian, looks on (Photo Crazy Horses, Gavin Allard Collection) Sydney had not planned any big events in his Allard Chrysler dragster during 1963. However, in July he was contacted by a speed shop operator and keen hot rodder from Las Vegas called Dante Duce who issued a challenge that his own dragster could beat him. Sydney accepted and Duce mentioned the project to one of his suppliers Dean Moon who was also a close friend. Moon already knew of Sydney because he had supplied the blower and injection for the Allard Chrysler dragster a few years earlier. Rather than use his own dragster, Moon suggested that Duce should take the 600 bhp 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 engined Mooneyes gas dragster. Moon mentioned the deal at a SEMA (Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association back then) meeting held in California and Wally Parks of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) suggested they put up a trophy for the winner – the SEMA Trophy. Mickey Thompson was at the SEMA meeting and he immediately made plans to join the party as an uninvited guest. He didn’t want to let one of his speed equipment competitors, Dean Moon, get all the glory from the resulting publicity.  Events at Silverstone, Brighton, Church Lawford and Debden drew ever increasing crowds. Mickey Thompson put down the quickest elapsed time and fastest terminal speeds in his nitro dragster, but at the end of the series Allard and Duce called their challenge a draw and the SEMA Trophy was presented to Sydney Allard. These spect
Size: 3460px × 5200px
Location: Beaulieu, UK
Photo credit: © National Motor Museum / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 1963, allard, associati, association, award, dragster, equipment, market, motorsport, racing, sema, specialty, speed, sydney, trophy
