How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

2011 will mark 40 years of sportsman racing for the International Hot Rod Association. To celebrate sportsman racing, IHRA is planning a pair of 40th Anniversary “Sportsman Spectacular” events highlighting 40 years of the best sportsman racing in the country.

Maryland International Raceway will hold down one of those dates the weekend of July 8-10. At press time, an end of the season date for Virginia Motorsports Park to host the Sportsman Spectacular, the Tournament of Champions and Summit SuperSeries World Championships is still being finalized.

Both Maryland International Raceway and Virginia Motorsports Park will feature special sportsman only events that will include a full weekend of racing, big money payouts and national event contingency.

Instead of featuring the usual Nitro Jam professional classes, these sportsman only events will give racers a unique stage all their own capped off with the Tournament of Champions and Summit SuperSeries at VMP to wrap up the season.

In addition to sportsman being the feature attraction, the special Sportsman Spectacular events will also feature record payouts and other perks to help celebrate the IHRA’s 40th anniversary.

“We are always looking at ways to add new and exciting sportsman programs to our schedule and I think the events at MIR and VMP will provide a much needed boost to sportsman racing in those areas,” said Skooter Peaco, IHRA VP of Race Operations. “As IHRA continues its role as a sportsman focused sanctioning body, these two events will allow us to take our innovative philosophy and apply it to sportsman only events. We’re proud of our sportsman friendly programs and really want to try some things that will appeal to all sportsman class and ET racers regardless of their sanction affiliation.

"These events will be a celebration of all sportsman competitors," said Peaco. "The Maryland and Virginia events will offer a great opportunity to try some things we have not been able to try for sportsman racers because of the constraints of a professional show each night. I feel like these two events offer a unique opportunity for class racers to take the spotlight.”

Re: How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

Ken I read that this morning, now that is two great races to attend on the east coast. Sure wish I was closer.

Re: How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

i'm in no way bashing the nhra , but you gotta love the effort IHRA puts into it. i went to this years virginia race, and even though it was delayed for various reasons, and i had to leave before it was over, i still had a blast. it's good to know they are ditching the pro cars in an effort to spotlight sportsman racing. i just hope all the racers that complained about the races that got messed up by the pro show, make the effort to attend these races , and see just how well your'e treated by the ihra. here's the east coast sportsnationals you all have been asking for.

Re: How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

Can't figure out what is so great about this. NHRA has these type of races going on for several years now. They are called JEGS Sportsnationals. They are a big success and they pay great money to win.

The only way this will work for IHRA is if they pay a decent (alot) amount of money to win, in cash and not rely on the 6-8 contingency sponsors they will probably have in 2011. In 2010, unless the IHRA race was in your backyard, the prize money wasn't worth pulling out of the driveway.

Re: How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

I bet some guys on this site would bitch if they won the lottery for a million bucks . geesh, I would hate to walk around with a negative attitude all the time, I guess thats why I am happy to be part of the IHRA. They really do try different things with the sportsman racers in mind and believe in treating the racers with respect.And yes I have been to NHRA races also, The tech people are friendly and helpful, they follow the policies given. It's not a war going on here, The main mission is to assure that drag racing flourishes, All of drag racing needs help and support to survive, Some need to get involved and do something positive for the sport or get on the sidelines and whine. I enjoy seeing and meeting new friends and racing supplies that for me. Good luck to all in 2011. Ok , back to my corner lol

Re: How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

I remember the races as a kid in 78 and 80 Steve Bagwell knocking the Oilpan every run Larry Kopp,Cotton Perry ,Garley Daniels etc .My brother and I used to love the park :)..

Re: How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

Im planning on running some of those hopefully West Palm beach I personally love IHRA.I just wish there national events didnt have so many classes they do get a bit disorganized but its a better series in so many ways they cater to the sportsman.We will be running most of the div 9 divisionals :)

Re: How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

Maybe I'm a idiot I would drive 20hrs to race I wanna race thats the bottom line whats the odds of winning a little payback makes me happy :)

Re: How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

What's great about it is that they didn't have it before and now they will! They are TRYING to accomodate the sportsman racers, including NHRA cars, but those racers have to show up to make it successful so IHRA can continue the format. It's a business and they can't stick their neck out too far. Payouts haven't been announced, but even if they aren't equal to the "hallowed" NHRA, it sounds like it has the potential to be at least as good a race. The market is good in that region. Racers just need to support it so IHRA can continue and possibly grow their version of the Sportsnationals.

Besides, there is always only one winner and one runner up, where most of the money goes to. But you don't get anything if you stay on the porch because the "steak" isn't quite big enough.

I gotta ask, what is in your driveway anyway?

Re: How Cool is this, Reminds me of the old Bowling Green Sportsnationals,
 

Wow. Good thing I didn't get *that* memo! 2010 was a life-changing career year for me.