Well this is big news in the world of drag racing and it isn’t exactly good. After leaving the world of professional heads up drag racing a couple of years ago, IHRA has now announced that they will leave the world of class racing and operate a Sportsman Bracket Program only. This means that there will no longer be stock, super stock, super rod, hot rod, and quick rod at IHRA events. This means that there will no longer be points chases for those categories, championships, or anything of that nature. It also means that there is exactly one place to go racing in that fashion nationally anymore and that is the NHRA.
Summit Racing Equipment will remain as the series sponsor of the 20 race series. The 20 races will be “doubles” as the season will consist of 10 weekends where two races will be held at each. As you will see in the release below, IHRA cites lack of interest and participation for this change and the need to wisely use their resources for the series.
As this point we’re just kind of wondering why they are doing this at all. There are already dozens if not hundreds of places where bracket racers can go to win big money and compete, so it isn’t like IHRA is revolutionizing that end of the sport. The promised resurrection of the professional level drag racing program never materialized and the then leader of the company who was spearheading that effort is long gone. Other than providing tracks with a group insurance policy, we’re just not sure what’s left of IHRA anymore and that kind of sucks. We have ties to the company that go back more than a decade.
So if you are a class racer with IHRA, you are either going to race locally in smaller organizations, go bracket racing, or go NHRA racing apparently. There are even complications on that front as some of the IHRA’s more populous categories like the crate motor stockers are not recognized by NHRA…yet. We’re wondering if that is going to change.
A sad day. A sad day for sure.
Here’s the full release from IHRA on the new “sportsman bracket program” –
IHRA Announces Launch of New Sportsman Bracket Racing Program |
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) sportsman program will be moving to an all-bracket racing format for the first time in the organization’s history in 2018. The IHRA will produce both the Summit SuperSeries and the new Summit Sportsman Spectacular programs next season.
The very successful IHRA Summit SuperSeries will return for a 17th season and will continue to be the leading bracket racing program for Top, Mod and Junior Dragster competitors in North America. This program is hosted by nearly 100 member tracks and has over 8,000 active and specifically registered participants. The program recently secured a multiple-year renewal from title sponsor Summit Racing Equipment.
The major change in the IHRA lineup will be the switch from the class racing-based Summit Sportsman National Championship series to the newly-created Summit Sportsman Spectacular. The new bracket racing-based program consists of 20 races over ten weekends. Summit Racing Equipment will support the program through a new multi-year sponsorship.
The change to an all-bracket racing program is a result of input from racers, partners, and tracks and comes after a five-year effort to improve participation levels in IHRA class racing. The previous touring series saw multiple format changes all aimed at keeping the series viable for the racers, host tracks, and sponsors. While there continues to be a core group of dedicated class racers who supported certain events, there simply hasn’t been enough entries to make a series work.
The new Summit Sportsman Spectacular bracket events will be targeted to Top, Mod and Junior racers looking for a value-oriented and fun double-race weekend. The series will work in conjunction with the Summit SuperSeries to provide tens of thousands of grassroots bracket racers new opportunities and events that are designed to provide maximum value for the participants.
Full details of the Summit Sportsman Spectacular will be released as soon as the event dates are confirmed.
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About Summit Racing Equipment:
Summit Racing Equipment is the world’s largest mail-order, automotive performance equipment company with thousands of performance parts, aftermarket accessories, tools and garage equipment and stock replacement parts. For over 40 years, Summit Racing Equipment has set the standard for fast shipping, customer service, and technical expertise in auto parts to become a performance powerhouse around the globe. With headquarters in Tallmadge, Ohio, Summit operates distribution and retail stores in Sparks, Nev., McDonough, Ga., and Tallmadge in addition to a recently-opened 750,000-square foot facility in Arlington, Texas.
About International Hot Rod Association:
Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is one of the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning bodies. The IHRA promotes Sportsman drag racing for drivers of all levels. The IHRA sanctions nearly 100 motorsport facilities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Bahamas and welcomes 80,000 racers annually to their IHRA-sanctioned facilities.
The IHRA oversees multiple Sportsman racing programs including the Summit Racing Equipment SuperSeries. For more information, visit www.IHRA.com, or connect on Facebook.com/IHRAMotorsports, Twitter @IHRA or Instagram.
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Well, that\’sounds like what happens when people can\’take run anymore because the expense. The initial \” run what you bring \” no longer applies. Classic example the Super classes. The concept build the car for the index, now boring because of computer delay box\’s and crossovers. It seems all this technology has taken the sport out of being fun to how big is your wallet. The NHRA is feeling it too.
Myself, I think the constant advancement & popularity of video game racing will eventually take over physical racing. Not yet maybe but look at all the young ‘I racers’ coming into NASCAR and stepping into rides. They didnt come up thru the ‘ranks’ of racing. They went from video games right into a high tier ride…..
But these kids are signing for less money, bringing in sponsors who will be paying less because of downsizing and lower driver paychecks and cuts. The face of Nascar, it’s constant rule changes, bringing in Toyota, has left a nasty taste in the mouths of long time fans who are leaving the sport. Plus, with so many veterans leaving/retiring, the luster is gone.
Having worked for IHRA a while back in tech, I can see where their head up their ass thinking has followed them right into 2018. Bringing in Mike Dunn and others didn’t solve a thing. I’m guessing the only thing that will be for sure, IHRA will fade away and cease to be a racing organization.
SIMPLY WRONG YOU HAVE LOST TRACK OF WHAT THE IHRA WAS MADE FOR DON\’T BE STUPID STAY WITH YOUR ROOTS