New tracks in Canada, Puerto Rico and Texas join IHRA
Norwalk, Ohio, October 4, 2010 – The International Hot Rod Association and Feld Motor Sports are pleased to announce the continued expansion of the IHRA with the signing of three new tracks in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico.
Over the past three months the IHRA has made huge strides in obtaining tracks in new markets and areas new to the IHRA brand including an extensive expansion west. Those tracks include the Eagle Motorplex in Ashcroft, British Columbia and Ponce International Speedway Park in Puerto Rico. The IHRA has also signed its 11th Texas facility as Desert Thunder Raceway joins the rapidly growing IHRA family.
"It is great to see that in these tough times, tracks are re-focusing on sportsman racers and programs to provide unprecedented opportunity," said Skooter Peaco, IHRA VP of Race Operations. "IHRA has and will remain focused on creating value for sportsman racers on all levels and we look forward to these tracks joining our family and bringing their racers the programs only IHRA can offer."
The Eagle Motorplex is the most recent track to fly the IHRA banner as it becomes the IHRA's most western track and its fourth Canadian facility. The Eagle Motorplex is located two hours north of Vancouver and will be immediately thrust into the spotlight with several planned events beginning in 2011.
"The management team at the Eagle is very excited about moving forward with the IHRA," said Joe Sye, Race Director at the Eagle Motorplex. "We believe in the IHRA's goals and outlook going forward. I first spoke to Skooter two years ago about the idea of becoming involved with the IHRA and after meeting with the IHRA team this summer I was sold on the idea of going to IHRA."
Sye has been involved at the Eagle Motorplex for over a decade, spending half that time as a racer and the rest as Race Director. Under the direction of Sye and a number of local racers, the track has been reborn after nearly shutting down in 2005. Now, five years later, the track is enjoying tremendous growth and will now play a major role in the IHRA's continued expansion west.
"We have just completed our fourth successful season and are looking forward to running next year under the IHRA banner," Sye said. "We believe in the same ideals as the IHRA in thinking outside the box while looking after the grass roots racer and providing a first-class facility to do so."
Ponce International Speedway Park is another exciting addition to the IHRA family as it becomes the third track in Puerto Rico and fifth Caribbean track to fly the IHRA banner. In addition to providing a state-of-the-art facility for racers, Ponce International also acts as a vacation destination for racers and tourists.
The track provides a picturesque setting with an ocean view along the right side of the track and plenty of restaurants, hotels and attractions in the immediate vicinity of the track.
Desert Thunder Raceway, located in Midland, Texas, is the third track to join IHRA in the past two months and becomes the 11th Texas track to fly the IHRA banner. The track is run by Jimmy and Tony Farmer and under their direction has made great strides in becoming one of the top facilities in the state.
"Dad and myself have raced IHRA for quite a few years and it is great to officially join them," said Tony Farmer. "We know what the IHRA brings to the table and we are certainly familiar with how things are run after spending so many years racing IHRA. It is a great partnership."
Desert Thunder Raceway is an 1/8th mile facility that was constructed in 2005. The Farmer family bought the track in February of this year and have since made several improvements to the track making it a favorite among local competitors. Farmer said the switch to IHRA has also seen a great response among racers as they gear up for the 2011 season.
"Everyone knows that the IHRA is head and shoulders above everyone else as far as taking care of the racers," Farmer said. "The racers love the move and they are all excited to move forward with a real organization. Everyone here is super excited to get this show underway."
For more information about the IHRA's latest track signings please visit http://www.ihra.com/.
