Wed, 16 Nov 2011, 08:58 AM IHRA Expands Summit Sportsman Spectacular Program in 2012

Courtesy of IHRA Communications Summit Sportsman Spectacular Events Expanded to Three Huge Weekends in 2012

NORWALK, Ohio -- After a successful debut in 2011, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is pleased to announce that the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular program will be expanded to include three huge races to be held across the United States in 2012

The only big money, all sportsman class race to feature all seven national event sportsman categories will feature events at San Antonio Raceway May 25-27, Maryland International Raceway July 13-15 and Memphis International Raceway October 12-14. Each race is open to racers carrying a valid IHRA or NHRA license with $5,000 going to the winner of each of the seven IHRA sportsman classes. Winners meeting certain criteria will also be eligible for the season-ending IHRA Summit Tournament of Champions.

"We couldn't be happier to be expanding our sportsman programs when the industry is becoming more conservative. We are always looking for new ways to add value for our sportsman racers and these events are a big part of that," said Skooter Peaco, IHRA Vice President. "This event was created to give our racers a chance to compete for a large, guaranteed payout and allow racers outside the IHRA a chance to experience what we are all about. After a hugely successful debut this year, it only made sense to bring this program back and expand to new locations. Bringing this unique event to Division 4 and San Antonio Raceway was the logical choice because of the amount of support we have from sportsman racers in that area.

"Our focus for 2012 will continue to be on creating value and opportunity at an affordable price for our sportsman racers at all levels. These Summit Sportsman Spectacular events are a driving force behind IHRA's vision for what we want to do for our sportsman racers."

What began as a special race designed to recognize the 40th anniversary season of the IHRA in 2011 has quickly grown into one of the biggest events in IHRA history. After the debut events at MIR and Virginia Motorsports Park brought out over 400 racers from over half the U.S. and Canada, the IHRA decided to bring the program back in 2012 and expand to two new markets.

The first event will take place at San Antonio Raceway in Texas during Memorial Day weekend May 25-27 in a race in the heart of drag racing country. The Summit Sportsman Spectacular will return to Maryland International Raceway two months later the weekend of July 13-15 at one of the top motorsports destinations on the east coast. The 2012 slate of Summit Sportsman Spectacular events will come to a close at the newly renovated and ideally located Memphis International Raceway as part of the IHRA Summit World Finals weekend.

All three events will be open to all racers carrying a valid IHRA or NHRA license. Racing will be contested in Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod with $5,000 going to the winner.

While all winners are guaranteed the $5,000 payout, only IHRA members will be eligible to qualify for the season ending IHRA Summit Tournament of Champions which crowns the sportsman world champions. In addition to rewarding world champions with a $10,000 cash prize the overall top 10 finishers will share over $125,000 in points fund money.

For more information on the Summit Sportsman Spectacular and the Summit Tournament of Champions, visit IHRA.com for complete details.

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