During a ceremony held on Saturday, November 21, the drag racing legacy of the Mopar brand and its iconic HEMI V8 was recognized and honored by the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame (BDRHoF) with the organization’s Global Achievement Award.
The BDRHoF Global Achievement Awarrd was introduced in 2014 and is presented for achievements in the world of drag racing that have had a global impact. Each tiem the award is presented, the crystal trophy features the inscription “In Memory of Pat Garlits” on the base, for Mopar brand ambassador Don Garlits’ wife, who passed away early in 2014.
Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service for Mopar, FCA – Global, accepted the award during a ceremony at the Savill Court Hotel in England. During his remarks, Gorlier paid tribute to Tom Hoover, who is recognized as the “Father of the 426 HEMI,” for the role he played in the development of the legendary and iconic Mopar engine. Hoover passed away earlier this year at the age of 85.
“It was an honor and a privilege to receive this important award in recognition of an engine that still means so much not just to our company and to Mopar, but to the entire drag racing community,” said Gorlier. “The spirit of performance and passion that inspired people like Tom Hoover to bring the HEMI engine to life still powers and inspires the Mopar brand to this day.”
“The 2015 BDRHoF ceremony was made even more special with the honor of presenting the Global Achievement Award to Mopar and Pietro Gorlier,” said Chairman of the BDRHoF, Stu Bradbury. “More than an engine, the HEMI is an icon, one brought originally to the drag strip by Mopar and then adopted for the streets. We are proud to recognize the legendary motor that still fuels the drag racers and performance lovers around the world.”
Donna Garlits, daughter of living legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, who helped cement the Mopar HEMI V-8 engine’s successful reputation at the drag strip, represented the Garlits family in presenting the Global Achievement Award to Gorlier.
Mopar began their commitment to professional motorsports competition in the 1950s when a partnership got started with drag racing pioneer Garlits, resulting in the breaking of numerous speed and performance barriers in HEMI-powered vehicles over the next several decades. In 1964, Garlits’ Swamp Rat 8 featured the then-new 426 cubic inch HEMI engine.
Mopar celebrated the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the GEN III 426 race HEMI engine in 2014. Mopar continues to honor its roots by being a proud supporter of amateur racing within the NHRA with its sponsorship of the Mopar HEMI Challenge and Mopar Tom Hoover Sportsman Award, which recognizes the top Mopar Sportsman racer in honor of the “Father of the 426 HEMI.”
