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IHRA, ARCA, Honda Performance Development Among PRI Show's Friday Newsmakers
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Racing news continued to break at the PRI Trade Show on Friday, as major announcements came from the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), Honda Performance Development, and ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America), among others.
Excitement was palpable in the filled-to-capacity PRI Show Media Center as representatives from IHRA and its parent company, IRG Sports + Entertainment made more than a half-dozen announcements impacting the 2015 season. As IHRA continues its ascent, the industry has taken notice with renewed sponsorship to support the iconic drag racing sanction.
Topping the list of reveals was the announcement that IHRA is bringing back a class it created back in the 1990s: Pro Modified, which will run an eight-race schedule in 2015 as part of the Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Crower Racing Products will sponsor the class and become the Official Valve Train supplier for IHRA.
Other major sponsors who have signed on or renewed their commitments to the growing series are: AMSOIL , Good Vibrations Motorsports, TMS Titanium, Sunoco Race Fuels, and JR Race Car, now the Official Junior Dragster of IHRA. As evidence of its commitment to reach out to a new generation of fans, IHRA also reported that “US Bounty Hunters,” the fast-paced reality TV show, has been named the official class sponsor for the IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock class, and will extend its support even further by becoming the primary sponsor for the Black Diamond Motorsports team.
Pointing to these and additional changes yet to come, IHRA President Scott Gardner proclaimed, “I would pit our program against any racing series in America as far as sheer entertainment value. This is the rebirth of drag racing.”
Honda Performance Development used the PRI Show to announce that Michael Shank Racing will switch from Ford to HPD power for the 2015 IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, giving Honda a full-time presence in the series. Shank, who will debut his new HPD-powered Ligier JS P2 Prototype class entry at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, told the assembled crowd that the move to HPD was designed to increase the team’s racing opportunities internationally, with the goal of running Le Mans in 2016. “We felt we needed to move to the future,” he said. “There’s a new energy in our shop. It’s a great time for us right now.”
Ron Drager, president of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, announced that the group will institute new cost-saving measures and “tweak” its point system and qualifying procedures as the group enters its 63rd season. The changes, he said, “are to stay on top of what we need to do to be around another 63 years. The changes will tighten up the championship and provide for better competition on the track.”
The group also discussed its new Five Star Race Car body and ARCA Ilmor 396 engine, which will debut at Daytona and were on display in ARCA's PRI Trade Show booth. “The top 10 teams have invested in the Ilmor engine,” said Drager. “We’re very pleased with the buy-in.”
Excitement was palpable in the filled-to-capacity PRI Show Media Center as representatives from IHRA and its parent company, IRG Sports + Entertainment made more than a half-dozen announcements impacting the 2015 season. As IHRA continues its ascent, the industry has taken notice with renewed sponsorship to support the iconic drag racing sanction.
Topping the list of reveals was the announcement that IHRA is bringing back a class it created back in the 1990s: Pro Modified, which will run an eight-race schedule in 2015 as part of the Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Crower Racing Products will sponsor the class and become the Official Valve Train supplier for IHRA.
Other major sponsors who have signed on or renewed their commitments to the growing series are: AMSOIL , Good Vibrations Motorsports, TMS Titanium, Sunoco Race Fuels, and JR Race Car, now the Official Junior Dragster of IHRA. As evidence of its commitment to reach out to a new generation of fans, IHRA also reported that “US Bounty Hunters,” the fast-paced reality TV show, has been named the official class sponsor for the IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock class, and will extend its support even further by becoming the primary sponsor for the Black Diamond Motorsports team.
Pointing to these and additional changes yet to come, IHRA President Scott Gardner proclaimed, “I would pit our program against any racing series in America as far as sheer entertainment value. This is the rebirth of drag racing.”
Honda Performance Development used the PRI Show to announce that Michael Shank Racing will switch from Ford to HPD power for the 2015 IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, giving Honda a full-time presence in the series. Shank, who will debut his new HPD-powered Ligier JS P2 Prototype class entry at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, told the assembled crowd that the move to HPD was designed to increase the team’s racing opportunities internationally, with the goal of running Le Mans in 2016. “We felt we needed to move to the future,” he said. “There’s a new energy in our shop. It’s a great time for us right now.”
Ron Drager, president of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, announced that the group will institute new cost-saving measures and “tweak” its point system and qualifying procedures as the group enters its 63rd season. The changes, he said, “are to stay on top of what we need to do to be around another 63 years. The changes will tighten up the championship and provide for better competition on the track.”
The group also discussed its new Five Star Race Car body and ARCA Ilmor 396 engine, which will debut at Daytona and were on display in ARCA's PRI Trade Show booth. “The top 10 teams have invested in the Ilmor engine,” said Drager. “We’re very pleased with the buy-in.”
