In 1961, just as Sydney Allard was testing Europe's first dragster (the AllardChrysler) a young American girl had just won the Miss Atlanta Raceway title. She went on to win many more titles and is probably most well known as Miss Golden Hurst Shifter, a position she first gained in 1966. She has become one of the sport's most enduring and endearing personalities, promoting drag racing and the companies she worked for with great enthusiasm and professionalism. In the late 1980s she became Vice President, Public Relations for the Mr Gasket Performance Group who then owned Hurst Industries.
That woman is SEMA Hall of Fame member Linda Vaughn. Today Linda makes appearances at many car shows and automotive races, no longer as a race queen but as a guest of honour, signing autographs and greeting legions of her fans.And in recent years she has been elected into the Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
Linda has graciously accepted Honorary Membership of the Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) who have been approved by the car's owners - the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, to manage the restoration project. She is already actively involved with ACAG approved engine builders Booth Arons, persuading parts manufacturers to donate products as the engine is being built. Along with Traci Hrudka and the Project 1320 team she is also raising awareness in the prospect of bringing together the two cars that kick-started European drag racing in 1963- the Allard Chrysler and the Dean Moon's Mooneyes dragster.
ACAG Chairman Brian Taylor said,
"Things have been happening very quickly during the last few weeks but when I heard that Linda was taking a personal interest in our project I was really excited. This lady is not only a very nice person she has huge horsepower in the industry. It really is an honour to welcome her to our group".
Linda said,
"I'm so pleased to be able to help out with this important project. Until now I didn't realise that Sydney's first dragster was born just as I was starting out on my career in drag racing, so that makes it extra special. I'm so looking forward to seeing and hearing the Allard Chrysler and Mooneyes side by side with flames coming from the headers. That's real nostalgia"
