JIM PARTRIDGE NAMED DIRECTOR OF DRAG RACING OPERATIONS
JIM PARTRIDGE NAMED DIRECTOR OF DRAG RACING OPERATIONS FOR NEW IRWINDALE DRAGSTRIP ... FIRST PUBLIC EVENT SUNDAY Irwindale, Calif. - - (October 18, 2001) Jim Partridge, 44, former Director of the National Hot Rod Association Street Legal Drag Racing Program at Pomona Raceways, has been named Director of Drag Racing Operations for the brand-new Irwindale Dragstrip located on the grounds of the Irwindale Speedway. "We are very pleased to have a man of Jim's ability and vision come on board here at Irwindale," said Vice President/Chief Operations Officer Bob DeFazio. "Jim's background in the sport, and especially his specializing in the street legal side of drag racing, will serve us well in this newest element of Irwindale's multi-use motorsports facility. His knowledge of the sport comes from a lifetime of being an integral part of it." If Partridge's name sounds familiar, it might be because his dad, Bernie (Partridge) , was a NHRA pioneer administrator originally hired by Wally Parks himself, retiring from the NHRA a few years back as a Vice President of Field Operations. From "gofer" in the 1960's, Tech Inspector in the 1970's and on to track management at Pomona Raceways, Jim Partridge has "done it all" in drag racing. The young Partridge is also credited with formulating much of the rulebook for the very successful Street Legal drag racing program. On the technical side of the equation, Partridge is well-equipped to handle any "mechanical" questions that might come up during the course of an event, he's a fully-licensed FAA A & P (airframe and powerplant) mechanic who really knows how stuff works as well as he knows track administration. Married (Holli) with two young sons Dale (18) and Matt (10), Partridge resides in Alta Loma, California not far from the new Irwindale strip. "My basic philosophy is that the competitors are here to compete," said Partridge, "They are our customers. I've learned a great deal from racers over the years. I always try to listen to the people who make the event happen." His basic plan is to maximize track time for competitors while keeping the amateur-style competition fun for all involved. The brand new strip has been well over a year in the making and is located on the far southeastern corner of the Speedway property at 13300 E. Live Oak Avenue in Irwindale, California. It features a laser-leveled concrete launch pad, a 1000-seat strategically-located grandstand, pro-quality starting and win lights in addition to a snackbar oasis and plenty of clean restrooms. "We promised to bring street legal drags back to Irwindale, and we think that this strip will set a great example of how a modern facility should be put together," said track manager Bob DeFazio. "This facility will compliment what we've already done at the half-mile oval Speedway," he went on. "We've earned a reputation for doing things right; we think that our new Dragstrip is a shining example of that kind commitment to the fans and the sport." Beginning on Sunday, October 21, Irwindale Dragstrip will start hosting regular drag racing events covering virtually every type of street legal vehicles on the road as well as providing a perfect place for the burgeoning group of Junior Dragster racing families to call home. On Sunday, Street Rods, Imports, Muscle Cars, Motorcycles, Sedans, Coupes, Station Wagons, Hatchbacks, Convertibles, Economy Cars, Luxury Cars, Sports Cars, even Pickup Trucks and Vans will all be able to "burn rubber" in style AND safety at Irwindale. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 TOP COPS-vs-CELEBRITIES 2PM – 5PM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 TEST & TUNE SESSION* 4PM – 10PM SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 STREET LEGAL PROGRAM 7AM – 5PM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 TEST & TUNE SESSION* 4PM – 10PM SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 JUNIOR DRAGSTERS** 7AM – 5PM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 TEST & TUNE SESSION* 4PM – 10PM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 TEST & TUNE SESSION* 4PM – 10PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 STREET LEGAL PROGRAM 7AM – 5PM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 TEST & TUNE SESSION* 4PM – 10PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 T.B.A. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 IMPORT DRAGS & CAR SHOW 7AM – 5PM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 STREET ROD DRAGS & SHOW 7AM – 5PM ADMISSION: ADULTS $10, CHILDREN 6 –12 $5, UNDER 5 FREE TECH CARD (TO COMPETE): $10 * PRACTICE SESSIONS OPEN TO ALL VEHICLES LEGAL TO RACE AT IRWINDALE ** JUNIOR DRAGSTERS RULES: PER NHRA (MUFFLERS MANDATORY) THANKS!