BONUS 1320 NOTES IN RACE COVERAGE!

For more 1320 notes, check Susan Wade's race report from Las Vegas and Jeff Burk's race report from San Antonio. [4-6-2004]

IRWIN JOINS IHRA

Tim Irwin has been named Director of Contingency and Inside Sales for IHRA. He was previously Customer Service Manager for Undercover Chassis in Wildwood, Fla. Irwin has worked with two highly respected chassis builders in the drag racing market: Ben Worthy (Worthy Race Cars) and Kurt Damron (Undercover Chassis). He also had his own chassis fabrication shop prior to working for Worthy.

"I look forward to expanding on IHRA's strong contingency program with excellent customer service and growth. My previous work with Worthy and Undercover has given me the necessary experience to take this department to the next level," Irwin said.

"Tim comes to the IHRA with considerable industry knowledge and a strong technical sales background," said Bader. "He is highly customer service driven and his working knowledge of the manufacturing side of the market makes him a very good fit for IHRA.

"He brings a unique perspective to the position. He's been a racer and understands the racer's needs, but he also has worked in the manufacturing side and can relate to their needs and expectations as well." [4-6-2004]

JIM McCLURE SUCCUMBS

Veteran IHRA Nitro Harley racer Jim McClure, 62, died April 2, 2004 after his body rejected a heart transplanted on New Year's Day in Norfolk, Va. McClure was seriously injured in a crash at Orlando, Fla. in March 2001. He broke nine ribs, his left shoulder blade and collarbone, and punctured a lung when his Harley went off the track and tumbled through irrigation equipment in a nearby field. He never fully recovered from the injuries. Our condolences to his widow, Phyllis. [4-6-2004]

NEW GEORGIA RACE SERIES SET

Ronnie "the King" Davis, of Commerce, Ga., a three-time IHRA World champ plus several-time divisional champ, has introduced his "TFRA," which stands for "Ten-five (for "10.5" cars) Racing Association," and "TSRA," for "Top Sportsman Racing Association," series of races for cars in those eliminators. Dates and locations for the seven-race series are:

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June 26-27 at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Georgia; July 17 at South Georgia Motorsports Park near Cecil, Georgia; a tentative date of August 7 at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia; August 14-15 at Silver Dollar; August 28-29 at Silver Dollar; October 2-3 at Silver Dollar; and November 13-14 at Silver Dollar.

All the races at Silver Dollar are part of a five-race series put together with track owner and Super Street/Super Gas champ Ed Swearingen. Total race purses have not been set, but Davis said that the Outlaw 10.5 competitors will probably race for a minimum of a $5,000-to-win purse, the Limited Street class will go off for a minimum of $3,000-to-win, and Top Sportsman contestants will race for a minimum of $2,500-to-win purse. A contingency program is already in place. For information, see www.TFRA.net. [4-6-2004]