IHRA ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS, NEW HIRES

IHRA announced a major reorganization, promoting three vice presidents from within the company and hiring two new team members in the business development and operations departments.

Debra Sue Tobak was named Vice President of Finance and Human Resources, Jim Marchyshyn named Vice President of Marketing, and Skooter Peaco named Vice President of Competition.

In addition to the promotions, Matthias Czabok was hired as Vice President of Business Development and Sharon Ramlow was hired as Operations Coordinator.

Tobak has been with IHRA for five years as Assistant General Manager and Director of Finance. Her duties shift from on site management of everything non competition related at national events to overseeing the day to day operations at IHRA World Headquarters in Norwalk, Ohio.

Marchyshyn has been with IHRA for six years, serving first as Communications and Public Relations Manager before being promoted to Director of Marketing. Marchyshyn will direct all IHRA marketing, advertising and media programs.

Peaco has served as Director of Racing Operations with IHRA for a year.  As Vice President of the department, his responsibilities include overseeing everything race and competition related. He will also be directly involved with tracks to refine procedures and to create programs that will service member tracks and racers more efficiently.

Matthias Czabok joins IHRA with more than a decade of experience in motorsports marketing and sponsorship development. He founded his own sports marketing agency, Movement Arts, in 1992, and has developed successful marketing and sponsorship programs with CART, IRL, ASA, and NASCAR.  Czabok's responsibilities for IHRA will include increasing revenue through new and existing partnerships and improving current promotional and marketing concepts.

Sharon Ramlow joins IHRA following five years as Operations Director for IHRA Pro Modified driver Harold Martin and Martin Technologies. Ramlow's responsibilities for IHRA include overseeing ticket operations, banquet coordination, staffing at events, and management of most on-site activities at IHRA national events. [12-2-2004]

SANTA FORCE IS COMING TO TOWN

The John Force Holiday Car Show is back this weekend on December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the John Force Race Station in Yorba Linda, CA. Meet a bunch of great drivers and crew chiefs who'll be signing autographs. In addition to Force and Santa you'll find drivers Eric Medlen, Gary Densham, Gary Scelzi, Ron Capps, Del Worsham, Cory McClenathan, Ashley Force and NASCAR's Robbie Gordon. JFR crew chiefs Austin Coil, Bernie Fedderly, John Medlen and Jimmy Prock will also be there.

The yearly event benefits the "ChiP's For Kids" program of the California Highway Patrol, so bring a new $10 unwrapped toy for admission. For directions or more info go to www.johnforce.com/holiday_carshow.  (Zak Hawthorne photo)  [12-2-2004]