NHRA BANS MINORS RACING AT AMA/PROSTAR
Following the Lucas Oil Spring Nationals, Keith Kizer,
President of AMA/Prostar, received a letter from NHRA National
Technical Director, Danny Gracia, stating, “After
a further
ADVERTISEMENT
 |
review of the rulebook (Prostar), it has been
noted that rules concerning minors is not in-line with
NHRA requirements.”
Each year all alternative sanctioning bodies wishing to
utilize NHRA sanctioned tracks must submit competition
rules and proof of insurance to NHRA in order to be approved
as an alternative sanction organization (ASO). In the fall
of 2001, AMA/Prostar submitted the current rules for “Racing
for Minors” as part of the 2002 rules, which were
in turn approved. For the past four years, rules that allowed
minors to compete on limited cc motorcycles have been a
part of the NHRA-approved AMA/Prostar rulebooks.
“In the three and a half years we have allowed minors
to compete in Street ET, we have not had one safety related
issue,” said Kizer. “It has been a fun and
rewarding stepping stone for those who wish to compete
full-time upon turning 16 years old.”
NHRA does not allow for individuals who do not have a
minimum valid state or government-issued driver’s
license beyond a learner’s permit level, to compete
in NHRA competition outside the guidelines of the NHRA
Jr. Drag Racing League.
Prostar has submitted a proposal to NHRA and the Jr. Drag
Racing League that would allow motorcycle competition utilizing
stock production motorcycles. NHRA will take into advisement
the proposal at an upcoming Competition Committee meeting.
[5-27-2005]
AMA ALLOWS AHDRA BIKES IN CLASS
In an effort to push for tougher competition, AMA/Prostar
will allow bikes from the All Harley Drag Racing Association's
S&S 124 class to compete heads-up with Hot Rod Cruiser.
The two classes are very similar in rules and performance,
promising a renewal of the Harley vs. Yamaha rivalry.
“Outside of our Top Fuel class, Hot Rod Cruiser
is the most crowd pleasing due to the thunderous sound,” said
AMA/Prostar’s Keith Kizer. “Making this mid-season
change is unusual but the request from the Harley guys
warranted consideration.
“In the growing market of big bore cruisers, the
sport needs classes that support what is being sold in
the dealerships and what our fans more relate to,” said
Kizer.
With all major brands flexing their high performance cruisers
muscles with the Harley-Davidson V-Rod, Honda VTX, Kawasaki
Mean Streak, Suzuki Boulevard and Yamaha Warrior, the stage
is set for an all five major manufacturers battle in Hot
Rod Cruiser.
The next event on the AMA/Prostar schedule is June 4-5
at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL, just outside
of St. Louis. [5-27-2005]
OUTLAW SO-CAL DRAGSTRIP READY TO OPEN
Southern California is blessed with a handful of dragstrips,
a few of them built in the last five years. Now, add another
one to the roster! Perris Auto Speedway boasts the
only half-mile clay oval for USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, IMCA
Modifieds, Extreme Trucks and Street Stocks in the Los
Angeles area, but as of the end of June a new eighth-mile
Street Legal strip will be operating on the same property.
General Manager Don Kazarian said he approached the Lake
Perris Fair Board and the State of California about two
years ago with the plan and, "It took a while, but
the board agreed that this (dragstrip) was a good idea."
Without any ceremonial groundbreaking, plans are for the
strip to run a Street Legal program on Friday nights until
October when the facility closes during the yearly regional
Fair. Timing equipment and K-rails are already on order
and there's a bit more asphalt to pave before the strip
will open, but Kazarian said there are no plans to affiliate
with any sanctioning body at this time. Perris Auto Speedway
is located off the 215 Freeway, southeast of Riverside,
about 75 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
And there still is no word on when Drag City in Banning,
CA will be ready to open. [5-27-2005]
