30th November 2009 For immediate release

ALLARD-CHRYSLER SHOW OF SUPPORT AT BEAULIEU Almost fifty members of the media and supporters of the Allard Chrysler restoration project gathered at Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum for an update on the project to restore Europe’s first dragster and to celebrate various recent landmarks that have been reached.

Standing alongside “Ally” as the car is affectionately known, Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) Chairman, Brian Taylor delivered a review of developments to the enthusiastic assembled throng. Brian highlighted the recent links forged with America’s renowned retro dragster enthusiasts foundation, Project 1320. Now, through the efforts of a devoted board of directors - which reads

like a Who’s Who of American drag racing legends - the foundation will also be actively raising awareness in the USA about the restoration of the Allard Chrysler, persuading parts manufacturers to become involved and organising funds for a planned programme of events where the car will exchange places with its American contemporary, “Mooneyes”. In a message of support from Project 1320 Chairman, Traci Hrudka, which Brian Taylor read out, the enthusiasm of the American group was made evident. “It is indeed an honour for me, as well as members of the Project 1320 board, to be able to form this extraordinary alliance with the Allard Chrysler Action Group to bring a part of our joint history together. Between us, we can bring fifty years of drag racing back to life and cement the link between the home of drag racing here in the USA and the car that provided the sport’s bridge to the rest of Europe.” The major announcement of the day was the commissioning of the building of the 354 Chrysler Hemi engine for the car by Booth Arons Racing Enterprises in Michigan. The funding of this has been made possible through a variety of sources. Foremost among these has been the sale of prints and paintings of the car by leading artists Tommy Vaagen and Paul Whitehouse as well as the ACAG’s winning of Insurance company Performance Direct’s “Non Standard Award”. Both artists were on hand to join ACAG Patron, Nick Mason, in the handing over of the original paintings to delighted purchaser, Nick Davies. This was followed by the actual presentation of the Non Standard Award (right) to Nick and Brian by Performance Direct Marketing Director, Matthew Collett.

The day also marked the formal re-uniting of the Allard Chrysler and the SEMA Trophy, which the car’s creator Sydney Allard had raced for in 1963. The impressive gilded Trophy had been subsequently awarded to the country’s top drag racers in the early 1970s before it was superseded and was rediscovered by the Brighton and

Hove Motor Club who kindly donated it to the National Motor Museum. This presentation, pictured left, to Doug Hill of the museum (r), was made by Sydney Allard’s son, Alan (l) who, fittingly, is also a former driver of the car. The project and the event attracted the attention of Norway’s leading TV station, which will be reporting on various aspects of the days proceedings in the near future. “All in all, it has been a notable and very successful day for the ACAG,” enthused ACAG Chairman, Brian Taylor. “My thanks go to Nick and everyone who made the effort to come down here and show their support. It is thanks to such enthusiasts - and far thinking companies such as Performance Direct - that we have already come as far

as we have with restoring this fantastic piece of motorsport history. We still have a long way to go, but hopefully today will mark the next step towards the car being restored and running again in anger.” “Ally” has her own Facebook page where friends can follow progress of her restoration. Project 1320 can be accessed at www.project1320.com

For More Information about the Non Standard Awards visit: www.performancedirect.co.uk/nonstandardawards For More Information about the ACAG please contact Simon Maurice at Chicane on +44 (0)1753 650004 or email simon@chicanemarketing.co.uk

ENDS