MECHANICSVILLE, Md. (July 2, 2012) – MIR has just completed another phase of improvements targeted at racer safety, event efficiency and boosting the overall MIR fan experience as the track gears up for the return of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL July 13-15.
Improvements include a whole new starting line center section with unique poured concrete walls, concrete slab, Line-X concrete coatings and vinyl wrap graphics. The new center section not only looks great, but it's also designed to be highly efficient in providing quick access to all the items needed to keep the legendary MIR starting line in top shape.
The track has also constructed a new 24' x 32' Track Prep Building (affectionately called the "Prep Shed") and added a new equipment corral just behind the starting line. The Prep Shed houses all of the equipment and supplies needed to keep the racing action going with as minimal delays as possible for track prep and clean-ups. The new equipment corral allowed all the trucks, tractors and other equipment to move back further giving a more open, organized and attractive starting line area.
On the north side of the track, all the old wood seating was removed. On the pit side, all of the remaining wood seating was replaced with aluminum. This now gives MIR all aluminum seating for 10,000 fans. For added racer safety, a second ambulance and a fire truck was put in service. This allows MIR to take care of someone's needs anywhere in the facility and still have an ambulance dedicated to the racers on the track. With two fire trucks, MIR now has one at the starting line and one at the top end of the race track for quicker responses and twice the fire suppression capability.
Rounding out the improvements are new fencing, pit side striping for racer parking, new gates and parking controls that allow organized and easy parking at events. MIR has also expanded the Courtesy RV Dump Station on the entrance road for racers and fans to now be able to service two RV's at a time.
Royce Miller, President and Promoter of Maryland Int'l Raceway, stated "The MIR racers, fans and sponsors deserve the best experience we can give them and with your continued support we will continue to make improvements to MIR. Thank you for making MIR the success that it is!"
In all a grand total of $5,000 is up for grabs in each IHRA class at the Sportsman Spectacular as the event features open fields consisting of both IHRA and NHRA competitors and a spot in the year-end Summit Racing Equipment Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL up for grabs making this the must-attend sportsman drag race of the season.
The Sportsman Spectacular all gets underway on Friday, July 13 with a test and tune for all racers followed by a full day of qualifying and the first round eliminations on Saturday, July 14. Saturday's race will also feature a re-entry round for first round losers to get back into the competition if the class car count is less than 64 cars, however any driver that loses first round and goes on to win the event will not earn a berth in the Tournament of Champions. Racers will conclude the event on Sunday with a huge purse, Ironman, national event contingency and a spot in the Tournament of Champions for IHRA members.
Racing will be conducted in IHRA's seven regular touring Pro-Am classes of Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, ClassRacer.com Super Stock, ClassRacer.com Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod with each winner collecting a $5,000 payday.
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