GLENDORA, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2011) – NHRA officials announced the 2012 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing schedule today, which includes the expansion of the tradition-rich March Meet at Auto Club Famoso Raceway to a four-day event. Entering its fifth season, the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, one of the fastest growing touring series in motorsports, features nostalgia Funny Cars and Dragsters and is quickly becoming a fan-favorite series among drag racing enthusiasts across the United States.
The season-opening March Meet will be held March 1-4 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif. The event swapped spots in 2012 with the Arizona Fuel & Gas Championships, March 17-18 at Speedworld Dragstrip in Wittmann, Ariz.
“The break with the three-day race tradition was done for racers and fans alike,” said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association , operators of Auto Club Famoso Raceway. “A four-day race program will allow us to run all the classes, which fans and racers want, plus it gives us some wiggle room in case weather becomes a factor.”
In total, the 2012 schedule includes 11 events and will end in the same spot it begins, Auto Club Famoso Raceway, with the California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California, Oct. 19-21.
In addition to the season-opening and season-ending races at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, as well as the second event of the season at Speedworld Dragstrip, the series will make stops at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sacramento Raceway, and Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky., for the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA.
A new addition to the 2012 schedule includes the return of the famed Funny Car Fever event, June 15-16 at Sacramento Raceway. The return of this fan-favorite race gives Sacramento Raceway three events on the 2012 schedule.
The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series consists of two nitro categories: Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters, Nostalgia Funny Cars, and two groups of additional classes. Group 1 includes A-Fuel, Jr. Fuel, and 7.0 Eliminator, while Group 2 includes NE I, NE II, NE III, A/Gas, B/Gas, C/Gas, D/Gas and Hot Rod Eliminator. Each class will run a combination of events in which they will score points toward the championship.
The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series was developed in 2008 to help preserve NHRA's rich history and tradition while providing racing opportunities for those enthusiasts who enjoy nostalgia drag racing competition.
2012 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Schedule*
Date Event Location Featured Classes
March 1-4 March Meet Auto Club Famoso Raceway TF, FC,
Bakersfield, Calif. Groups 1&2
March 17-18 Arizona Fuel & Gas Nationals Speedworld Dragstrip Groups 1&2
Wittmann, Ariz.
May 4-6 Napa Auto Parts Ignitor Firebird Raceway FC
Boise, Idaho
May 26-27 Rockabilly Rod Reunion The Strip at LVMS FC
Las Vegas Groups 1&2
June 15-16 Funny Car Fever Sacramento Raceway FC
Sacramento, Calif.
July 13-14 Nostalgia Reunion Sacramento Raceway Groups 1&2
Sacramento, Calif.
Aug. 9-12 Pepsi Nightfire Nationals Firebird Raceway TF, FC
Boise, Idaho
Sept. 14-15 Governor’s Cup Sacramento Raceway TF
Sacramento, Calif.
Oct. 5-7 Sportsman Shootout TBA Groups 1&2
Oct. 19-21 California Hot Rod Reunion Auto Club Famoso Raceway TF, FC
Bakersfield, Calif.
2012 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Affiliated Events
June 14-16 Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion Beech Bend Raceway Park
Bowling Green, Ky.
* Schedule and categories subject to change
