The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame has presented the Mopar brand and its iconic Hemi V8 with the group’s Global Achievement Award. The ceremony was held November 21 at Savill Court Hotel in England; and when Pietro Gorlier, head of Mopar, accepted the award he quickly paid tribute to the late Tom Hoover, affectionately referred to as the Father of the 426 Hemi.

The boss at Mopar, Pietro Gorlier, right, is joined by Stu Bradbury of the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame (BDRHoF), in displaying the Global Achievement award.

“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.”

“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 drag racers and performance lovers around the world,” added Stu Bradbury, chairman of the hall.

Also on hand was Donna Garlits, daughter of Don “Big Daddy” Garlits. He helped cement the Hemi’s legacy on the drag strip. Garlits’ Swamp Rat 8 was the first to run the second-gen 426 Hemi in 1964.

Introduced in 2014, the Lucas Oil Global Achievement Award is presented for achievements in the world of drag racing that have had a global impact. It can be presented to a person, a team, a company, an institution/organization or any other body that in the opinion of the judges has increased the awareness and stature of drag racing on a global basis, or contributed to the technical development of the sport that has resulted in advances on a worldwide basis. A unique aspect of the crystal trophy is the inscription “In Memory of Pat Garlits” on the base, engraved each time the award is presented. It is a tribute to Mopar brand ambassador Garlits’ wife, Pat Garlits, who passed away early in 2014. Garlits was the first person to receive the award; and Pat was his constant companion at the drag strip.