The 9th Annual British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Gala Awards Dinner was held on November 22nd 2014 at the beautiful Savill Court Hotel in Windsor Great Park. In attendance was a mix of drag racing legends as well as international royalty. Aside from the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, this year marks the introduction of a new award presented, the Lucas Oil Global Achievement Award. The recipient of the newly prestigious award was Drag Racing legend Don Garlits. Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia presented the award to an emotional Garlits, who accepted the award with tears in his eyes. Garlits lost Pam, his wife and companion of 61 years, to illness this past year and dedicated the award to her.

Garlits was also inducted into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame, along with other British racing personalities. Among the guests who heralded Garlits’ achievements were American drag racer Bob Keith, British drag racer Clive Skilton, and global Lucas Oil Director Les Downey. Many spoke of Garlits’ influence on the British drag racing world, such as inspiring British racer Peter Crane to run the first five second pass outside of North America. The venue was filled with constant cheers, and standing ovations throughout. The Lucas Oil Global Achievement award will cement Don Garlits, and the others that follow in his footsteps, for years to come.