IHRA: IHRA Announces 2000 Schedule with New Race in Canada
23 July 1999
Norwalk, OH - International Hot Rod Association President/General Manager Bill Bader has announced the IHRA Snap-on Tools Drag Racing Series 2000 schedule including a new national event in Canada.The schedule includes the inaugural Canadian Nationals to be held at the Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, Ontario, June 2-4, 2000. A major title sponsor for the Canadian event will be announced shortly.
"As IHRA continues to grow, it is important we carefully choose markets and race tracks that fit our business plan. The proximity to 14 million people in Detroit and Toronto make Grand Bend attractive. We determined almost two years ago that we wanted to be in Canada and are pleased to announce Grand Bend's addition to the Snap-on Tools Drag Racing Series schedule," said Bader.
The IHRA Snap-on Tools Drag Racing Series schedule follows:
March 9-11 Winter Nationals, Darlington Int. Dragway, Darlington, SC (Th.-Sat.)
April 6-8 Holley Spring Nationals, Rockingham Dragway, Rockingham, NC (Th.-Sat.)
June 2-4 Canadian Nationals, Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, ON, (Fri.-Sun.) Canada
June 15-17 Amalie Oil Summer Nationals, Cordova Dragway Park, Cordova, IL (Th.-Sat.)
July 14-16 CARQUEST Empire Nationals, New York Int. Raceway Park, (Fri.-Sun.) Leicester, NY
August 4-6 CARQUEST Northern Nationals, Mid-Michigan Motorplex, (Fri.-Sun.) Stanton, MI
August 22-26 Mopar Parts World Finals, Norwalk Raceway Park, Norwalk, OH (Tues.-Sat.)
September 8-10 Parts Pro North American Nationals, New England Dragway, (Fri.-Sun.) Epping, NH
September 21-23 CARQUEST Autumn Nationals, Rockingham Dragway, (Th.-Sat.) Rockingham, NC
September 28-30 President's Cup Nationals, Maryland Int. Raceway, (Th.-Sat.) Budd's Creek, MD (No Top Fuel)
October 12-14 Mopar Parts World Finals, Red River Raceway, Shreveport, LA (Th.-Sat.)
IHRA Pro and Sportsman classes will run at all national events, except the President's Cup at Budd's Creek where there is no Top Fuel Dragster.
The Amalie Oil Nationals at DeSoto Memorial Dragway, Bradenton, FL is not on the 2000 schedule.
"With the growth of IHRA and the size restrictions of DeSoto Dragway, the Williams family (lease holders Jeanette and Troy) have chosen not to hold a 2000 race. They only have one year left on their lease and are understandingly reluctant to spend a million dollars to buy acreage, pave pit roads, build new grandstands and make other improvements," explained Bader. "Jeanette and Troy are a part of the IHRA family and we respect their decision."
Bader also added that the IHRA Sports Nationals will become a part of the Holley Spring Nationals at Rockingham, complete with class eliminations in Modified, Super Stock and Stock, a racer picnic and the infamous squirt gun battle..
"We've chosen to spotlight the Sportsman at Rockingham where they can race on a heritage track in front of a national event crowd," added Bader. "The track may have changed but the spirit remains the same."
"I am pleased to have the 2000 schedule announced in mid-July," enthused Bader. "By announcing our schedule early, our racers, sponsors, tracks and fans have time to prepare for the upcoming season. The future of IHRA looks very bright."
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