NHRA (GLENDORA) - NHRA CLARIFIES ROLE IN NOPI SERIES

SANCTIONED BY NHRA

Following up on its recent announcement at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NHRA and NOPI have further clarified NHRA’s role, specific to racing operations, at “NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA” events.

“We believe the announcement earlier this month is a logical step for sport compact drag racing,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. “We wanted, along with Michael Meyers and his team at NOPI, to clarify NHRA’s position to reassure the racers of our continued involvement in sport compact racing.”

Among the points include:

At “NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA” events, the competition will be conducted under NHRA’s rules and procedures with NHRA race and tech officials on-site at those events.

NHRA will write the “NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA” Rulebook with input from NOPI;

The NHRA Tech Committee will remain in place to oversee all rules and rule changes at “NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA” events;

At minimum, NHRA will have a race official and tech official at each “NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA” event;

NHRA’s race official will have final jurisdiction over all on-track and competition questions and activities;

NHRA’s safety guidelines will be in place at “NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA” events;

NHRA will calculate and award all championship points at “NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA” events;

As in years past, certain classes of racers will be required to be an NHRA Sport Compact member to receive points towards a championship. In addition, certain classes of racers must have a current NHRA license.

Questions regarding NHRA’s role specific to the “NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA” events can be sent via e-mail to Gary Raasch, at graasch@nhra.com. As announced, NOPI will continue to run events at non-NHRA member tracks. Those events will not be under the supervision and guidance of NHRA and competitors will not earn championship points at those events. Questions regarding NOPI should be sent via email to Glenn Woods at glennw@nopi.com.

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.

The NOPI Drag Racing Series is the hottest and most innovative new generation drag racing series in the U.S. today. The country's top drag racers come together for 10 races each year, eight sanctioned by NHRA and two unsanctioned. At each NOPI Drag Racing Series event, youth cultured 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 the hottest names in entertainment.