SPEED CHANNEL ADDS 55 HOURS
OF DRAG RACING
IHRA/Clear Channel Motorsports have announced
that starting Monday, December 6th through February
18th, SPEED Channel will air the 2004 Hooters
IHRA Series every weekday, Monday through Friday,
at 5 p.m. (ET). Immediately following the IHRA
show SPEED will air Monster Jam at 6 p.m., giving
Clear Channel Motorsports properties a daily
two hour block of television programming in
early prime access.
"This is a major step up for IHRA,"
IHRA President Aaron Polburn said. "We
are talking about millions and millions of dollars
of additional exposure for our sponsors. Thanks
to SPEED, we just garnered 55 more hours at
a time and place where the public can go and
view it all the time. I believe we will reach
a whole new audience. Just like watching Seinfeld
every night at seven o'clock, now they can watch
IHRA every night at five o'clock. And if they
can't watch it at five, with a click of a button,
they can record it."
Looks like Clear Channel is beginning to put
its weight behind IHRA drag racing. Next season
could be very interesting. [11-5-2004]
TORCO INCREASES IHRA INVOLVEMENT
Torco Race Fuels, recently named as official
race fuel of IHRA and the sponsor of the Pro
Modified and Pro Stock Showdowns, has entered
a multi-year partnership with ProNitro to distribute
nitromethane and racing gasoline at all twelve
national Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series national
events in 2005.
Torco Race Fuels is the largest independently
owned producer of racing fuels through its brand
and private label distribution. The Decatur,
MI
based company was founded in 1995 as a spin
off of the highly successful Knoll Gas.
ProNitro, LLC was founded in February of 2004
by professional team owner Don Schumacher and
longtime racing fuel distributor Jim MacMonagle
as an alternative to rising nitromethane prices.
The distribution of ProNitro at Hooters IHRA
national events further
solidifies Torco's involvement with IHRA. "Torco
already has a huge presence with IHRA, and this
enhances our relationship," said IHRA President
Aaron Polburn.
A special bonus program has been created by
Torco Race Fuels'
nitromethane brand that rewards the #8 qualifier
in IHRA Top Fuel at all national events in 2005
with a check for $1,000. [11-5-2004]
RADFORD JOINS STEFFEY FOR
2005
Pro
Mod driver Dennis Radford will join with Ed
Steffey to campaign a new Jerry Haas-built '63
Corvette for the full 2005 IHRA season. Buck
Racing Engines will provide the powerplant,
with Ram Clutches and Nitrous Oxide Systems
as sponsors. Rickie Smith will be a consultant
for the team.
The Baker City, Oregon racer was the 2002 West
Coast Pro Modified Assn. Champion, the first
to win the series with a nitrous car. Radford
will continue to race his '02 Dodge Viper (above)
at WCPMA races, but no decision has been made
about returning to the NHRA AMS Pro Mod series.
(Jeff Burk photo)
[11-5-2004]
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