IHRA adds second major division in two years
NORWALK, Ohio (November 18, 2011)
– One year after expanding into the northwest with the newly created
Division 6 Border Bandits in the western United States and Canada, the
International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced that it will be
expanding again, this time in the southwest and western part of the U.S.
While
details are still be worked out, including a division name, a complete
track list and a finalized schedule, the IHRA is thrilled to continue
its expansion west and giving racers in the southwest and west an
opportunity to compete in the Summit SuperSeries and Summit Team Finals
programs.
"We
have been working for years trying to expand our reach to new areas of
the United States and Canada and I am proud to say that over the past
two years we have worked hard to accomplish those goals," said IHRA Vice
President Skooter Peaco. "With the new Division 7 we will reach racers
that have never had an option in racing and we hope to give that to them
by providing the same great customer service and sportsman-oriented
focus that has helped us excel in other regions.
"This
expansion is the direct result of a group of track operators and owners
getting together to organize this division with the specific goal of
bringing their weekly racers more opportunity and value. We can't thank
them enough for their willingness to try something new and to take an
active role in creating this division.
"This
division will concentrate on the Summit SuperSeries, the Summit Team
Finals and other grassroots programs that IHRA offers. We will certainly
take a conservative approach to building the division, but at the end
of the day it is an exciting time for IHRA to have opened two divisions
in two years. That is a huge deal for us."
Beginning
as an organized division for the Summit SuperSeries and the Summit Team
Finals, Division 7 will welcome racers that have, until recently, not
had much experience with the IHRA. But thanks to the addition of tracks
in Arizona, Utah and more in the works, the IHRA is pleased to be
bringing its sportsman-focused style of racing to new areas.
The
new division will also give the IHRA a reach expanding to all corners
of the United States and Canada for the first time in the 40 year
history of the organization. And with the recent announcement of an
expansion of the popular Summit Sportsman Spectacular into new markets
as well, the IHRA is excited to be adding more value for sportsman
racers in a time when the industry is cutting back.
"We
are always looking to add value for our sportsman racers and by giving
them new venues, new programs and even more attention, we create the
value and opportunity that are unmatched in drag racing," Peaco added.
"This is just the beginning of what we hope is a new era of IHRA drag
racing."
In
addition to a divisional reach spanning the U.S. and Canada, the IHRA
also sanctions tracks in Aruba, Curacao, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.
Check back with IHRA.com for more information on the newly created
Division 7 and its schedule and plans for 2012.
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