Mother Nature Ends Up
Top Eliminator

Words, photos and photo art by Ian Tocher
4/3/03

The IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series made it through intermittent rain and had to contend with bug infestations and pollen coating the track throughout qualifying Mar. 28-30, for its 33rd annual Holley Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway, but on raceday the skies opened up and forced the postponement of eliminations to October. Since no suitable dates were available this summer, IHRA and track officials agreed to create a four-day "super event" this fall that will include the elimination rounds of the Spring Nationals followed by the Oct. 17-19 IHRA World Finals.

NHRA regular John Smith had to pedal it a couple of times, but managed to qualify
in his final attempt at Rockingham.

All teams qualified to compete in the Spring Nationals will be afforded one time trial on Thursday, Oct. 16, with single elimination finals beginning that afternoon. After the Spring Nationals are completed, the World Finals will begin as scheduled. Spectator tickets purchased for Sunday's Spring Nationals finals will be honored on any of the four days of the expanded fall race, according to an IHRA press release.

"Because of travel considerations and schedule conflicts, we felt that this was the best option for all our racers, spectators, and sponsors," IHRA President Bill Bader said. "It's a unique solution but one that was available to us only because Rockingham Dragway hosts a pair of events in the Hooters Series."

BADER RECOGNIZES CANADA

Prior to Friday's Night of Fire, IHRA President Bill Bader got on the microphone and asked the Rockingham faithful to please respect the Canadian national anthem when it was

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played. It's no secret that due to conflicting political opinions between neighbors over the current war in Iraq, each country's anthem has been booed at recent sporting events. Bader pointed out that 25 percent of IHRA's 12 races this year will be run in Canada.

Bader later admitted he considered omitting the Canadian anthem from the program, but nixed the idea after meeting with his staff and deciding, "we're not fair-weather friends." He said he felt a need to be true to his own feelings and to those of IHRA track operators, competitors, fans, and even a few Canadian staff members. To the credit of everyone in attendance, the crowd complied and 'Oh Canada' went off without a hitch. (Speaking as a Canadian living in America, the effort from everyone involved was greatly appreciated -- Ian)

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