IHRA to add more benefits for sportsman racers at Nitro Jam events in 2012

Upcoming Nitro Jam season to feature double the sportsman racing NORWALK, Ohio (November 30, 2011) – In an effort to add to the benefits of IHRA sportsman racing on the national level the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is pleased to announce a new sportsman structure at most IHRA Nitro Jam national events in 2012. Beginning next season select IHRA Nitro Jam events, which for now includes San Antonio Raceway, State Capitol Raceway, Pittsburgh Raceway Park, Rocky Mountain Raceways, Castrol Raceway and U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, will feature a double Summit Pro-Am held in conjunction with the Nitro Jam professional show with a chance to qualify for the Summit Tournament of Champions and national event contingency still a major part of the racing weekend. The move will allow the IHRA to further feature its sportsman classes on the national level and give racers more racing opportunity for their travel budget. "We have been working closely with our tracks and racers discussing ways of further enhancing our sportsman programs, specifically on the national event level. Nearly all of our Nitro Jam facilities also host a Summit Pro-Am event and we noticed a trend that a good percentage of racers attend the Pro-Am for the points and others skipped the Pro-Am and came to the Nitro Jam for the increased contingency and a shot at qualifying for the Summit Tournament of Champions at any given facility," said Skooter Peaco, IHRA Vice-President. "We decided to basically combine the two event formats so that competitors would have two races in one weekend and the best benefits of both the Nitro Jam and Summit Pro-Am programs. "Competitors will still collect Summit Pro-Am points for each event plus the added benefits of national event contingency and the Summit Tournament of Champions birth for the Saturday race. We have created a best of both words situation for our sportsman racers and feel this is the next logical step to responding to the increasing needs of our competitors to make good financial sense out of the events they choose to attend. "This move will be a nice boost to these select Summit Pro-Am events and a great way to expose more fans to IHRA sportsman racing." The new Nitro Jam structure will include a test and tune on Fridays followed by a Nitro Jam professional show later that night. Saturday will feature the first of two Summit Pro-Am points races followed by the second Nitro Jam professional show later that night featuring the final rounds of sportsman competition. Sunday will wrap up the race weekend with a second Summit Pro-Am race. In addition to two Summit Pro-Am events, Saturday's Summit Pro-Am race will also act as a special Summit Tournament of Champions qualifier and be the event that pays national event level contingency money. Racers still in competition during the semifinals and finals on Saturday will also get an opportunity to race for the win in front of the huge Saturday night crowds during the Nitro Jam show rounds. More details about the new structure and the 2012 Nitro Jam and Summit Pro-Am schedules will be announced soon. Check back with www.ihra.com often for more information.