Tag Archives: Quarter Mile Foundation

Linda Vaughn Roast becomes a ‘love-fest’

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Linda’s infectious smile lit the room all night

Parma Heights, Ohio (September 6, 2012) – “A night to remember” was a very common comment following the “tribute roast” to Linda Vaughn held at the “Sports Palace” at the Lucas Family Estate in Carmel, Indiana on Wednesday, August 29.

The building was filled to capacity with over 300 attendees, who witnessed a “love fest” tribute to the “Queen of Speed.” The overall tone of the roasters was one of respect, admiration and love for one of motorsports’ most beloved icons.  There were funny stories, but many were tributes to Linda’s unwavering love of the motorsports and the performance aftermarket communities.

Presented by the Quarter Mile Foundation, the event was a fund-raising effort for the Foundation and to assist Linda.  The room was a powerful mixture of figures from many motorsports disciplines – drag racing, open wheel, stock car, road racing and fans – all intent upon paying respect to one of the most beloved and enduring non-racer legends of modern times.

The evening opened with a huge surprise, as Darrell Gwynn came into the room dressed in drag as Linda, complete with the Hurst shifter arching up from the back of his electric wheelchair.  After the obligatory photo shots were completed, Master of Ceremonies Bob Frey had the daunting task of keeping a semblance of order in an evening that seemed to feed on the energy in the room – everyone running at “wide open throttle.”

Starting with Jack (“Doc”) Watson, the list of roasters who followed were a “Who’s Who” of the motorsports and performance aftermarket world – Paul Candies, Jeg Coughlin, Jr., Bob Glidden, Lyn St. James, Corky Coker, John Force, Bob Bruegging, Chip Ganassi and John Menzler.  Each related his or her personal stories of Linda, and how her connections helped influence their lives or those of friends.

Interspersed between the Roasters’ comments were spirited bidding wars over a dozen live auction items.  The bidding often led to comedic exchanges – the most notable being with John Force and Tony Stewart – which left the audience in stitches.

Traci Hrudka, Chairman of the Quarter Mile Foundation said, “We were able to build off the very successful Roast of Don Garlits at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. in February. Linda’s Roast took four months of planning, and I felt like a wedding planner.    The Foundation worked very closely with the staff at the Lucas Family Estate, and the evening’s results speak for themselves, with the very positive feedback from the audience was nothing but a huge plus.

“The belief of the Lucas family in the Foundation’s undertaking to do the historical documentary and the support of Linda, as well as the support of so many companies, racers and fans made the evening an entertaining and financial success.  The funds which were generated will be a tremendous help to Linda personally, as well as to the Foundation to continue to record the recollections of the legends and pioneers of drag racing and the performance aftermarket for posterity.”

 

The Linda Vaughn Tribute Roast will be available on a DVD, and will be available through the Quarter Mile Foundation’s website: www.quartermilefoundation.org.

Limited numbers of tickets remain for Linda Vaughn Roast

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Parma, Ohio (August 20, 2012) – The Quarter Mile Foundation has announced there are a very limited number of tickets available for the Linda Vaughn Roast at the exclusive Lucas Family Estate, Carmel, Indiana on Wednesday, August 29.

Tickets will be sold ONLY via the “Buy Linda Vaughn Roast Tickets” link on the right side of the page, or clicking this link: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3659800562/efbnen.

Ticket sales will close promptly at 6:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, August 24.

A ticket voucher will be delivered by email ONLY to the purchaser.  There will be NO DELIVERY of tickets by the postal service or overnight courier services.  The purchaser can print the emailed ticket voucher and present it at the Registration Desk in the “Sports Castle” on August 29 in exchange for the official ticket.

The Allard-Chrysler — Britain’s first dragster — is fired publicly for the first time

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The Allard-Chrysler dragster — Britain’s first drag racing car built in 1961 by British auto industrialist Sydney Allard — was unveiled publicly as a running vehicle on July 14, 2012 at the Dragstalgia event at Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire, Great Britain.

 

The event was the culmination of over 4-1/2 years of hard work by the Allard-Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) on “Allie” (as she is affectionately known). The Allard-Chrysler has been displayed without an engine at the renowned National Motor Museum, Beaulieu which is located near Southampton, southwest of London. The car has been in the Museum’s collection since being bequeathed to the Museum by the estate of Brian Golder, who had partially restored the car.

In 2008, the ACAG organization began discussions with the Museum’s management to finish the restoration with a period correct, blown Chrysler 354 inch engine, using the Potvin blower drive similar to the original.  The Museum gave ACAG the approval to proceed with the project, following presentation of a detailed plan of action, which included the ability of the car to make periodic appearances outside the Museum, and be “cackled.”

The Quarter Mile Foundation was approached by the ACAG team to assist in locating an engine suitable for the car, as well as assisting in locating period correct components.  The engine was located at the Booth-Arons shop in Berkley, Michigan, who did the entire engine build and mounting of the blower and the Potvin drive unit.

The engine was shipped to Britain in late 2011, and installed in the car in early 2012.  Following the usual parts chases to get the engine correctly installed and plumbed; the engine was first fired at the shops of Andy Robinson Race Cars on July 1.

For additional information about the Allard-Chrysler Action Group and the restoration of Allie, visit the ACAG website at http://www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk/acag/acag.html.