San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

San Antonio Raceway set to host first big money Summit Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL of the year


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In 2011 the International Hot Rod Association created a revolutionary new program for sportsman racers known as the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL.

Created as a unique way to celebrate the IHRA’s 40th anniversary season, the sports only true sportsman-only national event proved an overwhelming success as hundreds of racers from all across North America took advantage of this unique program awarding big payouts, big prizes and big competition at two experimental races last year at Maryland International Raceway and Virginia Motorsports Park.

Now, with an overwhelming demand for its return and a year under its belt, the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL returns with three big races in 2012 beginning with a stop at San Antonio Raceway in Texas the weekend of May 25-27.
San Antonio Raceway has already seen one big race in 2012 as the San Antonio Nitro Jam in March saw a 45 percent increase in car count and an extremely competitive race and with such a strong showing once already this year, and even more on the line coming up later this month, IHRA officials are expecting the first Summit Sportsman Spectacular of 2012 to be one of the biggest yet.

“The Sportsman Spectacular is an event designed specifically for the racers. What began as an experimental way to celebrate our 40th anniversary season quickly took on a life of its own and has turned into one of our biggest events on the schedule,” said Skooter Peaco, IHRA VP of Race Operations. “We have opened our doors to the best drivers in the world regardless of what HRA you call home as a way to give back to those that support the great sport of drag racing.

“The overwhelming support we saw last year showed us that we needed to expand this season and we have done just that by adding a great venue like San Antonio Raceway to the schedule. I expect great racing and a great event later this month at SAR. With a spot in the TOC and $5,000 on the line for event winners, this should be one memorable race.”

In all a grand total of $5,000 is up for grabs in each IHRA class for winners 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 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular all gets underway on Friday, May 25 with a test and tune for all racers followed by a full day of qualifying and the first round eliminations on Saturday, May 26. Saturday’s race will also feature a re-entry round for first round losers to get back in 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 Summit Racing Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL for IHRA members all up for grabs.

Racing will be conducted in IHRA’s seven regular touring Pro-Am classes of Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod with each winner collecting a $5,000 payday. Also in competition at SAR will be Top ET, Mod ET and Junior Dragster.

Entry into the event is only $200 with a guaranteed $5,000 to win for Pro-Am classes plus national event contingency going to the winner in each of the regular IHRA touring classes.

And to add to the grandness of the event, for the first time ever, the IHRA has opened its doors to allow all IHRA and NHRA members to compete in one event for the top prize at IHRA’s biggest-ever sportsman drag race May 25-27.

And the entire event will take place at one of the finest drag racing facilities in the south – San Antonio Raceway.

SAR features a state-of-the-art facility and a track with over 15 acres of paved pit area, seating for up to 13,000 spectators, 10 staging lanes and a very fast racing surface. And with such a quality facility, San Antonio Raceway is known for attracting some of the top talents in drag racing.

Don’t miss the biggest sportsman drag race this season at San Antonio Raceway as the Summit Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL returns May 25-27.

For more information visit www.ihra.com or call San Antonio Raceway at (210) 698-2310.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Unfortunately, it looks as if San Antonio is not IHRA country. 10 stockers, 4 superstockers, not more than 26 cars in other classes running for $ 5000????

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

A total of 4 Super Stock cars. One lost an engine qualifying and could not make round one. So, the second round is the Final......

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Isn't there a re-entry round?

The loser should have a bye in that round and then there will be three cars left again.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

I had posted early this week to see if anybody was going, but know one replied. I was going, but broke my wrist and don't feel good in the car. I know No Problem is next week
and it will be full. I just don't under stand why people will not go to San Antonio. Would they have had better luck in Dallas?

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Congrats to Pete Peery on a great driving job.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

What a shame....

I doubt if this opportunity will exist again in this part of the country.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Congrats also to reigning IHRA Summit Super Series No-Box World Champion Matt Hawk for the Stock win... see you in Memphis!

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Wouldn't it be great is somebody had a race that was a $200 entry for $5,000 to win plus national event contingency?

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Boy that would be great, if the racers would show up. I did not go do to health reasons.
We had more stockers there in March than they had this weekend. The Super Stockers
have never been strong in division 4 but we always had a good showing in stock. I have also noticed that some of the big name racers don't go to the I.H.R.A races anymore.
So why didn't anybody go was it the bracket race format with buy-backs or what I would like to know.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

as of right now, 1075 views for this thread. 26,595 views for the Maple Grove Divisional.

that about sums it up.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Just my opinion, they had about what I expected except I did think they would have had a few more stock and super stock. They should concentrate their efforts in places they know they can draw cars unless they want to continue to loose their a*#. IHRA could have that race at Rockingham or any number of tracks on the east coast and draw twice as many cars. I don't know why they keep trying to go out there maybe I'm not smart enough to see the whole picture but I wish I had a super stocker because I would take the chance on the tow if they decided to have another one out there.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

It's a shame that more cars didn't show up to support the race, but down here in Florida, we sort of had the same problem at PBIR's IHRA points races. There weren't enough cars to really have a race. It sucked. It's the mentality that it has to be NHRA or nothing. I look at it, if you pay the right entry fee to the amount of the purse offered, I'm in. NHRA, you pay $180 to win $1k, give me a break, the local Saturday night you pay $50 to win $1k. There is something wrong with the picture. IHRA is at least in line with the entry to the purse.
Casey Miles
248H "F" NHRA STOCK

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

2 things need to happen

1) Classy racers need to understand If it takes a "RE-ENTRY or BUYBACK" to race for 5 grand it's o.k.

2) IHRA needs to remember where it came from , The South not across the Mississippi.
Chip Johnson

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

So if I.H.R.A could get Larry and Patsy Hill to go to a race and do live reporting the
car count would go up(LOL). I wished it was that easy, hell I would pay there way, if that all it took. I mean RJ did not even go and he lives there, and they won the first race there this year. Maybe Chip is right they need to stay east of the Mississippi. Butt at least there trying to give racers a choice.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

I think this race would have had a much better turnout in Baton Rouge or Memphis. As stated before, they should look at races that typically have their best turnouts to host an event like this. Not to mention a lot of people don't care to race when it gets this hot.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Ya'll will get your chance to prove them wrong. The same race is scheduled in Memphis in October.
Chip

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

That wasn't exactly what I meant, I was merely pointing out that there was absolutely no interest in what was going on at this race.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

I did go to this race partly for a chance at the purse and also I thought it deserved the support I could give it.
As far as I'm concerned IHRA has many idea's and problems that I do not care for. I wish they would ask for racers input to see what would be required to get the racer in this division support. Money is not the problem.

Thanks Jerry Davis

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Please describe the perfect event.

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Hi Jerry, can you tell us what you don't like about IHRA events? I have always been treated well at any IHRA event I attended. There are lots of complaints on this forum about the lack of pay at any or all NHRA events, so IHRA says Ok, we will put up the money and no one shows up. I remember back in 90's when Bristol was IHRA, they put up $2000.00 to win stock so I went ...

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

I think the only way racers will support IHRA on a SEMI-Regular basis is to swallow their pride and realize there are other options to NHRA. I'm not badmouthing either organization by no means. In fact my future plans do include both organizations.
Chip Johnson

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

I would have been there if my car had been ready, the old man thats working on my car is really slow and not very talented, plus I sold the motor out of the car and am in process of building a new one. Kirk decide to sell his car the week after the Nitro Jam win, so he also was afoot.

I do not relish the fact that its nearly 100 degrees now and the track at San Antonio is not known as a parts breaker because of the "KILLER" starting line and IHRA never seems to have any ideas on how to improve the situation, but thats just my opinion.

We are building a new car for next year and most of our time, money and effort is spoken for at the present.

Again, we would have been in attendance if the situation had been different.

RJ

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Quote "I think the only way racers will support IHRA on a SEMI-Regular basis is to swallow their pride and realize there are other options to NHRA."


Do tell Legend? maybe the powers to be are listening.......

Re: San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular
 

Hey Michael let me take a crack at this one, how about the same race except about 1500 miles closer to me!:D