San Antonio, Arizona Nitro Jam events a huge success
NORWALK, Ohio (April 5, 2012)
– Across the nation small patches of pavement and multi-million dollar
facilities alike are roaring to life with the sounds of high-horsepower
entertainment.
Some
tracks never stopped racing while others are beginning to emerge from
hibernation as the season shifts from winter to drag racing season. For
the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and its Nitro Jam series,
the new season has also brought with it increased car counts,
sponsorship and a spike in attendance after two huge events in Tucson,
Ariz. and San Antonio, Texas over the past few weeks.
The San Antonio Nitro Jam saw huge crowds and a large car count the last weekend in March
The
Nitro Jam series roared to life during the last two weekends in March
with the Arizona Nitro Jam presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports at
Southwestern International Raceway followed one week later with the San
Antonio Nitro Jam at San Antonio Raceway. Both events saw increased car
counts over 2012, an increase in sponsorship and a spike in attendance
that produced standing room only shows.
Since
switching to the new Nitro Jam format in 2010, the series has enjoyed a
big increase in spectator attendance culminating with two exciting
events already to start 2012.
"The
response to the new format has been overwhelming. People want to be
entertained at a fair value and that is what Nitro Jam is all about,"
said Nitro Jam President Aaron Polburn. "Nitro Jam is all about a
concise show in a timely window with a large variety of cars and classes
to keep the entertainment coming non-stop for several hours.
"The
atmosphere has been electric to start 2012 with fans lined four and
five deep on the fence and every ounce of real estate taken in the
stands both Saturdays. If anything we need to continue to methodically
increase seating to help keep up with the demand that the new show is
creating.
Nitro Jam's unique format has resulted in a show that fans of all ages can enjoy
"And
even more exciting is the increase in kid counts. At San Antonio we set
a record for the most kids to ever attend a Nitro Jam event. Nearly 30
percent of our audience in San Antonio was made up of kids which says we
are heading in the right direction. More kids means new fans which is
something this sport desperately needs."
Both
Southwestern International Raceway and San Antonio Raceway saw capacity
crowds with a Nitro Jam show that includes everything from
nitro-powered dragsters, funny cars, bikes and altereds to a variety of
jets, wheelstanders and even a side-by-side monster truck race.
And
it is that variety combined with a show-like atmosphere that has
allowed Nitro Jam to earn its place as one of the fastest growing
motorsports brands in America.
"I
think it says a lot about the product. When you give people a great
show at an affordable price they will respond," Polburn said. "We are
also working hard to accommodate the racers and make racing with the
IHRA as easy and affordable as possible, especially with gas prices
continuing to climb.
"By
revolutionizing the double race weekend a few years ago and now combing
our Pro-Am series with Nitro Jam it allows our racers to get maximum
racing during a weekend. I always remain cautious, but I can say that I
am very excited in what we have accomplished and even more excited about
where this company is heading."
Next up for the Nitro Jam tour is a stop at State Capitol Raceway in Baton Rouge, La. for the Mardi Gras Nitro Jam May 4-5.
|