The NHRA (National Hot Rod Association), founded by Wally Parks in 1951, is the largest promoter of drag racing on the planet with 70,000 members and 40,000 competitors. NHRA is receiving the honor of its first-ever Global Achievement Award, sponsored by Lucas Oil, at the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Gala. The gala will be held on Saturday, November 19th at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel.
The Lucas Oil Global Achievement Award began in 2014 in memory of Pat Garlits, the late wife of legendary drag racer Don Garlits. This year, it marks the role played by all people at the NHRA, because without their support in developing drag racing, it could not have achieved he level that it is at today.
The NHRA will be represented by Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Graham Light, who is also president of the FIA Drag Racing Commission. Graham joined the NHRA Board in 2004 and oversees competition and operations at all NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. He also oversees NHRA Field Operations/Divisions and the NHRA Technical Department, supervises the NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA, and serves as chairman of the NHRA Competition Committee.
NHRA's dedication to safety has been going strong since the 1950s when the Safety Safari travelled around the US for early national events and to the NHRA network of member tracks. Track facilities developed rapidly and a program of upgrading of facilities to stadium quality, with fan amenities, VIP towers, and tall grandstands took place in the 1980s and 90s under the direction of Dallas Gardner, who is the current Chairman of the NHRA Board.
In addition to overseeing the growth and success of the drag racing sport in the United States, NHRA has, over the years, been closely involved in the development of the sport internationally. In the UK, Wally Parks was personally involved in organizing the 1964 and 1965 Drag Fests, which established the sport in Europe. In the 1990s, the NHRA organized a number of races in Japan. The NHRA also chairs the FIA Drag Racing Commission, which organizes championships in both Europe and Australia.
In 2011, NHRA announced the creation of NHRA Worldwide Network, a program that would enable drag racing facilities around the world to conduct events under the NHRA banner and have access to NHRA technical resources. The first track to be included in the Network was Bahrain International Circuit, and Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi joined in 2013. In 2016, world-wide online streaming and in-house TV production began under current President Peter Clifford.
"It is an exceptional honor to be able to present the Lucas Oil Global Achievement award to the organization that we owe so much to for the establishment and growth of the sport across the world," said Stu Bradbury, British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Chairman.
"The NHRA is thrilled to receive the Lucas Oil Global Achievement award and I am looking forward to meeting UK drag racers and fans at the BDRHoF Gala. NHRA and its 200 dedicated employees have a passion for drag racing. They love the sport, they love the people in the sport, they just love being involved," said Graham Light. "The Safety Safari guys, the guys that haul the equipment down the racetrack and the guys that work cleaning up oil spills to drying racetracks, they work all hours to get it done and they keep the show on the road."
For more information and news about the Gala, check out the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame website.