The Oscars Of Speed

Keith Harman reports from this year’s star-studded British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Awards, which took place at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Heathrow…

- Keith Harman

Once again, late November saw a bevy of famous American drag racers touching down at Heath row Airport ready for the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Awards bash at the Sheraton Skyline. We were privileged to attend the bench racing session in the afternoon at last year’s awards, and following another invitation, we were keen to attend again.

Sponsored by Beech Underwriting, no fewer than 16 American guests attended, all deeply involved in the sport, with nine of them being time-served racers. A few like Ron Hope (Rat Trap Fuel Altered), Bob Muravez (Freight Train twin engined dragster) and ‘Waterbed Fred’ Miller (Blue Max Funny Car) are regulars to the Hall of Fame awards, but this year also saw the return of Paula Murphy and Tom Hoover, both successful Funny Car pilots who have both raced and entertained the crowds at Santa Pod in days gone by.