Thanks to some flexibility afforded by the organising clubs the BDRHoF were able to present the crystal tablet ’Bootsies’ to Frank and Phil Brachtvogel, Barry Sheavills, Dave Lee Travis and Carl Olson. DLT was able to have his presentation earlier in the evening than usual as he had to leave promptly to prepare for his live Sunday radio show. British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Chairman Stuart Bradbury was joined by Steve Trice, Technical Director of US Automotive to hand out the awards, and for the first time at this event Brian Taylor was handed the microphone to compere these presentations.

All inductees were given time to express their feelings to those attending about receiving this accolade, something that is becoming a prestigious honour across the drag racing world. Probably Carl Olson’s attendance demonstrates this most clearly. He flew into Heathrow at 10.15 Saturday morning and departed Heathrow for Los Angeles on the Sunday afternoon – missing the Don Garlits 80th birthday celebrations at Pomona to be with us in the UK. On his return to California he sent this e-mail.

‘I'm very serious when I say I simply cannot thank the selection committee and everyone else for this most welcome and totally unexpected honour.  My "Bootsie" has already taken its place alongside my "Wally's" and SEMA HOF trophy and will serve to remind me most of all the wonderful friends I've made in you part of the world over the past forty years, including a few I met for the first time in Solihull. It truly means more to me than you’ll ever know’

Carl Olson Photo Steve Trice of US Automotive, Carl Olson and Stuart Bradbury, Chair of BDRHoF
photo: Dave Derry

And it’s worth mentioning that Carl is also being inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in March. This is the first time that someone has been inducted into drag racing Halls of Fame both sides of the Atlantic in the same year.
The new BDRHoF private reception held at 5.30pm on Saturday gave time for the inductees to get to know each other before the presentations and for the press to carry out interviews. Dave and Carl were able to wander around and greet people during the dinner, as well as sign a few autographs of course. BDRHoF Chairman Stuart Bradbury said,

‘We made a few changes this year because we are determined to lever the prestige and profile of the BDRHoF awards. More announcements will be made during the year and we will be looking for volunteers to help with media communications and event organising. We think this year’s award night went quite well but the BDRHoF is always pleased to receive comments about how we can improve things further. E-mail britishDRHOF@aol.com if you think you would like to help.’

Full details about the 2012 BDRHoF inductees can be found on www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk

Tony Murray’s presentation was made at the Pennine Drag Racing Club event in Bradford on February 24th.