On Friday, the ADRL officially announced that Summit Racing Equipment will return as the sponsor for the Top Sportsman class during the 2012 ADRL Tour.
The class, which will continue to be called the Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman class, debuted in the world's premier eighth-mile drag racing league last year and will continue to have the backing of Summit Racing Equipment going into its first full season.
"We really felt the Top Sportsman racers were going to be a natural fit when the ADRL announced the addition of the class to the race line up in 2011. This proved to be a successful move and we were proud to support the racers with the class sponsorship," Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports and Events Manager Jim Greenleaf said.
"The response from the Top Sportsman racers has been extremely positive and we are pleased to announce our continued support for these racers and the ADRL in 2012.
"Now that the class is open to all Top Sportsman racers, we are expecting some impressive car counts as local racers will be able to compete with those racers running the series for the 2012 ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman Championship."
The ADRL officially added the Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman class last July after two exhibition races, and the response has been impressive.
The popular class for full-bodied cars generated remarkable interest over the final five events of 2011 thanks to strong turnout and incredible side-by-side interest. Now, with further support from Summit Racing, there is considerable anticipation for the 2012 Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman class.
The 2012 ADRL Tour begins on March 30-31 with CarSafe Dragpalooza VIII at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston.
"We are thrilled to have Summit Racing Equipment return as the sponsor for the Top Sportsman. The interest from Top Sportsman racers was incredible in 2011, and with its first full season coming in the ADRL in 2012, it is really going to be an unbelievable year for everyone involved with the Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman class," ADRL President Tim McAmis said.
Summit Racing will provide a Top Sportsman class decal for all participants to display on the front fender of the cars to show their support of the ARDL and the class.
Like it does for every ADRL class, Summit Racing will also offer contingency payouts for event wins or runner-up finishes.
To be eligible, Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman drivers must use the Summit Racing rear tire covers and display the official contingency decal. These items are available at the ADRL Registration Trailer at each event.
As previously announced, Summit Racing Equipment, the world's leading supplier of high performance automotive parts, will continue as the official high-performance source of the ADRL and a major contingency sponsor during the 2012 ADRL Tour.
The company's involvement with the ADRL also includes the sponsorship of the Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags VI, which takes place Sept. 28-29 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Extreme Pro Stock driver Pete Berner, Pro Nitrous driver Rickie Jones, Pro Modified's Kenny Lang and Top Sportsman racer Marco Abruzzi.
Summit Racing Equipment and the ADRL will also release a major announcement regarding a special event for the Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman class next week.
