Vintage 1957 Tacoma Timing Association 1st Place Drag Racing Trophy – "Class A FUEL" – Shelton, Washington

Up for auction is a spectacular, highly collectible piece of Pacific Northwest automotive history. This original, authentic 1957 drag racing trophy was awarded by the Tacoma Timing Association (TTA) for a first-place finish at the historic Shelton, Washington drag races.

A true survivor of the golden era of hot rodding, this trophy features a strikingly dramatic mid-century modern aesthetic. It is a prime piece of motorsports memorabilia that perfectly captures the look, feel, and spirit of 1950s car culture.

Item Specifics & Details

Event: Tacoma Timing Association Drag Race

Date: July 1957

Location: Shelton, Washington (Sanderson Field)

Classification: Competition Coupes & Sedans — Class A "FUEL" (Stamped)

Award: 1st Place

Design Elements: Features an atomic-era "winged" silhouette, a dark faux-woodgrain tapered column adorned with a gold laurel wreath, and a beautifully stylized 1930s coupe/sedan gold-tone topper. The trophy rests on a black mounting block secured to a tiered, gold-colored metal base featuring an intricate scalloped/fish-scale pattern.

Condition: Excellent vintage condition with a gorgeous, natural aged patina. The engraving on the black plaque remains sharp, crisp, and perfectly legible. The gold-toned elements retain brilliant luster with only minor surface wear, dusting, and light aging appropriate for a 70-year-old historic artifact. (Please see all high-resolution photos for exact condition details).

Historical Context: The Tacoma Timing Association

During the post-WWII automotive boom, illegal street racing became a growing concern across the United States. In response, local car clubs banded together to form regional "Timing Associations." Their mission was to move dangerous street racing onto controlled, timed, and organized tracks.

The Tacoma Timing Association (TTA) was one of the premier organizations leading this charge in the Pacific Northwest. Working alongside local authorities, the TTA secured the use of airport runways—most notably Sanderson Field in Shelton, Washington—turning them into regional hubs for early drag racing.

These events drew hundreds of custom-built hot rods, hopped-up coupes, and early dragsters from all over Washington and Oregon. This specific trophy represents the pinnacle of that weekend's speed trials: Class A FUEL. The "FUEL" designation denotes the top-tier, maximum-effort class of the era, where racers eschewed standard pump gasoline in favor of volatile, high-performance fuel mixtures like nitromethane and alcohol. It wasn't just a win; it was a victory in the fastest, loudest, and most dangerous class of the weekend.

An incredible centerpiece for any automotive museum, hot rod garage, or vintage trophy collection!