Inaugural Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular this Friday, Saturday and Sunday
BUDDS CREEK, Md. (July 7, 2011) – It is the biggest sportsman drag race in IHRA history.
And the racing world is starting to take notice.
“This is going to be a great event. It has a very good schedule, a very good format and the purse is just great. The IHRA did a wonderful job with this event,” said 16-time IHRA World Champion Anthony Bertozzi. “I think there will be a ton of cars out this weekend and I look forward to going up against some of the best out there.”
Many of the best drivers from across North America will be making the pilgrimage to Budds Creek, Md. this weekend for the inaugural Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular at Maryland International Raceway for the biggest sportsman class race in the 40 year history of the International Hot Rod Association.
The event is open to both IHRA and NHRA competitors and features $5,000 to win in each IHRA class along with national event contingency, an IHRA Ironman and a spot in the Summit Racing Tournament of Champions at the end of the year. The one-of-a-kind event will get underway Friday with a test and tune followed by qualifying and first round eliminations on Saturday capped off with championship Sunday on July 10.
The race is free to the public as the IHRA celebrates 40 years of championship drag racing with a sportsman-only national event the likes of which has never been put on before.
“It is as much a no-brainer as you can get,” said defending IHRA Sportsman Driver of the Year Michael Beard. “To race for a bigger payout for the same amount of money is a dollars and cents kind of thing. It is a wonderful deal for the racers and should be a really fun weekend. I personally can’t wait.”
Beard is one of the hundreds of racers expected to make the trip to Maryland this weekend. A former world champion in Stock and the 2010 IHRA Sportsman Driver of the Year, Beard said this is an event he wouldn’t miss for the world and appreciates what the IHRA has done in creating a race just for the racers.
“The IHRA is taking a major leap for the racers with an event like this,” Beard said. “With guaranteed payouts and a unique format for a national-level event, they are taking a big risk and I for one appreciate what they are trying to do in giving us a big event to be a part of.”
Part of the unique format is a rare buyback program that has been a topic of discussion among the racers. Still, for most competitors, they see it as another positive and another reason this is the must-attend drag race of the summer.
“It certainly doesn’t hurt my feelings. You spend all this money towing all the way to the event and someone puts a super package on you or you do something stupid. At least this way you get a second chance,” Bertozzi said. “Some people just like to find things to whine about. I have always liked them and I think it only adds to the event.”
Bertozzi, a 16-time world champion in four different classes and a 61-time national event winner in IHRA competition, knows a thing or two about getting down the track. And as the all-time leader in championships and national event wins, Bertozzi is leading the way as one of the hundreds of great racers expected this weekend at MIR – including NHRA competitors.
The Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular is open to both IHRA and NHRA competitors with the same prize for both. And although only current IHRA members can earn a spot in the championship tournament at the end of the year, it will be a great addition to the event to have new racers from a variety of different backgrounds.
"I have talked to a ton of NHRA guys that normally wouldn’t come to an event like this that will be giving it a try,” Bertozzi said. “To open up an event like this to all racers will just make it that much more competitive and fun to be a part of.”
And it is that competition, along with a large payout, that is a major draw for most competitors. And it is certainly the reason that Cameron Manuel, a driver that is on quite a hot streak as of late in IHRA competition, is doing everything he can to get ready for this weekend’s event.
“We actually spent the past weekend testing because we had to swap the motor in both of our cars,” said Manuel, the 2010 champion in Super Rod. “We hurt the motor in the Super Rod car and had to put a new one in and the Top Dragster has my girlfriend’s engine.
“We are working as hard as we can getting these cars ready for the weekend. Whatever it takes, we will be there. I can’t wait.”
The Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular will get underway tomorrow with a test and tune followed by the first round of qualifying and the opening round of eliminations on Saturday in all 10 categories to be contested this weekend.
For more information on the Summit Sportsman Spectacular visit http://www.ihra.com/.
