A SOUTH Devon company is helping to bring Europe's first dragster back to life.

Exact Engineering of Totnes is supplying the hose fittings for the final stage of restoring the 1961 Allard Chrysler drag racer – now owned by the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu – which is due to run again later this year for the first time in almost half a century.

Established in 1995 as the motor sport brand for Vire Engineering, Exact is now one of the UK's largest manufacturer and supplier of hose fittings to the motor sport, nuclear, security and defence industries.

The business was started by Frank Vincent and named after the island in the River Dart at Totnes that in turn was named after the French town of Vire which is twinned with Totnes.

Exact became involved in the project at the 2011 Autosport International Show when they were contacted by chairman of the restoration group, motoring writer Brian Taylor who, co-incidentally, is formerly a resident of Harberton, near Totnes but is now based in Sidmouth. Brian visited the Totnes plant when he met managing director Janet Vincent who has run the business since her husband's death.

She was keen to become involved with the restoration that has now reached the stage where "plumbing" is required.

The fittings being used on the Allard Chrysler are one piece light alloy and all made by Vire in Totnes.

Commenting on Exact's involvement in the project Brian said: "I wonder just how many people realise the importance of Totnes to motor sport?

"This sort of product and service support is invaluable to a project like ours and it's rewarding that companies such as Exact want to be involved. We are truly grateful and look forward to inviting them to the initial fire-up celebration at Beaulieu."

Chris Adamson