Wed, 31 Oct 2007, 06:12 PM NHRA Announces Relationship to Sanction NOPI Drag Racing Events in 2008

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

LAS VEGAS -- At the 2007 SEMA Show, NHRA announced that beginning in 2008, the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body will combine forces with NOPI Motorsports to sanction sport compact drag racing events at NOPI events. The new sport compact race series will be called NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA.

"This is a logical step for sport compact drag racing," said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. "Bringing together NHRA and its 50-plus years of experience in conducting competitive drag racing events, and NOPI's lifestyle activities and events, results in one series that can meet the needs of all the fans, sponsors and the entire racing community."

As part of the sanctioning agreement, NOPI drag racing events held at NHRA member tracks will be conducted under NHRA rules. Competition and technical matters onsite at these events will be overseen by NHRA representatives. NHRA will declare a winner at those events and keep points towards NOPI championships in each category. At NOPI Drag Racing Series events held at non-NHRA member tracks, NHRA will not sanction nor will points be accumulated towards championships.

NOPI Motorsports and NHRA will develop classes to ensure that all cars that competed in the NHRA Xplod Drag Racing Series in 2007 will have a place to race in the NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA in 2008.

"NHRA's mission is to preserve and promote the sport of drag racing," said Darcy. "Working with NOPI Motorsports on sports compact racing is intended to further that mission."

"This is an exciting time for NOPI Motorsports and the whole NOPI family," said Mike Meyers, president, NOPI Motorsports. "We have worked extremely hard over the years to develop a strong racing series for our racers, fans and sponsors. This partnership with NHRA is going to allow us to have the best racing series ever imagined. I'm personally excited to be part of racing history, which is exactly what's happening with the NOPI Motorsports and NHRA partnership."

The 2008 schedule for the NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA will be announced at a later date.

About NOPI Drag Racing Association (NDRA)
Founded in 1966, NOPI (Number One Parts, Incorporated) is one of the country's leading parts distributors in the $2.3 billion market for sport-compact automobile accessories. The NDRA is the hottest and most innovative sport-compact drag racing series in the U.S. today. The country's top drag racers come together for 10 races each year and compete for more than $2.5 million and a $140,000 in yearend prize money. At each NDRA event, sport compact fans can spend the entire day and most of the evening at the track enjoying incredible drag racing action, car shows, swimsuit competitions, burnout contests and concerts with some of hottest names in entertainment.

About NHRA
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. NHRA has 80,000 members nationwide and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Drags presented by AAA. NHRA also offers the O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17.