The 1987 IHRA Winternationals were an interesting spectacle in the sport. Why? For starters it was the first time in three years that the IHRA had top fuel dragsters at an event. The organization has had a weird relationship with drag racing’s premier classes over the years, abandoning top fuel into 1980s and then picking it back up, as well as ditching on nitro funny car for years in the 2000s before picking them back up later on.

The 1987 Darlington season opener for IHRA did had a watershed moment for the entirety of drag racing when Bill Kuhlmann went 202 mph in qualifying becoming the first full bodied door slammer to run over 200mph in the quarter mile.

The IHRA opened their season at Darlington for an amazingly long stretch of their history. It was one of the few consistent things that the company had going for it over the years. Between the class lineup and the ever changing series of venues the IHRA raced at, the IHRA did not have a lock on consistency.

Our favorite part of this broadcast is the fact that the commercials are left in because they are all gearhead centric. From Motorcraft to Moroso, VDO, and other companies, there is 1980s aftermarket glory display here. This is a fun watch.

Press play below to watch the 1987 IHRA Winternationals  –