Sat, 20 Dec 2008, 08:54 AM Houston Raceway Park to host Spring Stampede Test Session

Courtesy of Will Hanna Inaugural Spring Stampede to host Pro, Semi-Pro and Sportsman Racers

BAYTOWN, Texas -- Officials for Houston Raceway Park announced the Inaugural Spring Stampede Preseason Test Session presented by DragRaceHose.com which will take place Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2009, at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas. Organizers expect race teams in the NHRA, IHRA, and the ADRL sanctions to participate in this preseason test to tune their hot rods for the 2009 season.

Houston Raceway Park benefits from incredible atmospheric conditions because of its proximity to Trinity Bay, which feeds the facility cool air.

"During this off season we are going to grind our concrete launch pad to ensure we have the smoothest racing surface possible. The track will be in tip-top shape for the ground pounding 8,000 horsepower machines that need ideal track conditions," said track GM Seth Angel. "We know that the ADRL will open its 2009 season here, the NHRA O'Reilly Spring Nationals March 27-29th, and this test session will allow everyone a chance to fine-tune their set-ups both for our race and the upcoming season."

Houston Raceway Park is also scheduled to host two NHRA South Central Division events, May 15-17th and July 24-25th.

Sportsman racer Will Hanna, owner of DragRaceHose.com and webmaster for the popular sportsman websites InsideTopAlcohol.com, InsideCompRacing.com and InsideFastBrackets.com, has worked closely with the track to organize the event.

"With the schedule falling the way it does next year, this is a perfect combination of schedule, venue and conditions," stated Hanna. "Usually the Division 4 schedule kicks off in late February or early March, but they have pushed that back this year, so it will make it easier for the local teams to get ready to test. It's the week after the Phoenix NHRA national, so the Pro teams will be on their way from Phoenix to Gainesville, Fla. So it's right on the way for them. Not to mention, its right before the ADRL season opener here at this track.

"Having experience myself with high horsepower cars, it's very difficult to find the right conditions to test and actually learn something," Hanna continued. "Without having a decent amount of high horsepower cars going down the track, it's hard to duplicate race day type conditions. That won't be our problem with this event. There will be plenty of cars and great conditions. I'm proud to have my company, DragRaceHose.com's name associated with it."

Top Fuel Dragster and Nitro Funny Car Teams:
Pre-registration is mandatory and must be done prior to Monday, February 23, 2009. Testing will be at no charge for Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car. Please contact Seth Angel at (281) 383-7223 or e-mail: seth@houstonraceway.com for additional information.

Professional and Semi-Professional Teams:
Pro Stock, Pro Stock Bike, Pro Mod, ADRL Professional Categories: Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Extreme 10.5, & Pro Extreme Motorcycle Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Pro Street, Outlaw 10.5. Cost to test is $150 if you pre-register, $200 after deadline (includes car and driver plus two crew) and is valid for entire weekend. Pre-Registration Deadline: Monday, February 16, 2009

Sportsman Teams:
Open to any Lucas Oil Sportsman team or any NHRA E.T. category. Cost to test is $100 if you pre-register, $150 after deadline (includes car and driver plus one crew) for a weekend run card or $75 for a single day of testing.

Teams can also contact Will Hanna at (979) 415-4959 or email will.hanna@insidetopalcohol.com.

Pre-Registration Deadline:  Monday, February 16, 2009
 
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009
Credential sales and pit parking - 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 27-Sunday, Mar. 1, 2009
Credential sales and tech inspection - 7 a.m.
Sportsman and E.T. time trials - 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Professional and Semi-Professional time trials - 9 a.m.-5 p.m.