Listen
up, 11.50 racers! This is for you!
In
an effort to grow the International Hot Rod Association
(IHRA) sportsman programs and provide an abundance of options
for competitors, the IHRA is pleased to continue the entry-level
sportsman index class that will run at select events in
2016.
The
class, currently labeled the No Throttle Stop (NTS) 11.50
class, will be run at select events in 2016 and will feature
entry-level, heads-up index racing for racers without
the need for additional expenditures. The class
will be featured next at the President's Cup Nationals
Fueled by Sunoco at Maryland International Raceway (MDIR)
June 17 - 18, 2016.
"This
class will be a way to introduce heads-up racing to a
large number of No Box competitors who want to try 'old
school' index racing without major changes to their vehicles,"
said Skooter Peaco, IHRA vice president of race operations.
"We will be testing the viability of the class in
distinct regions on the IHRA's Drag Racing Series schedule.
We look forward to seeing how this class develops throughout
the year."
The
NTS 11.50 class will be run in conjunction with the IHRA
Drag Racing Series events at Maryland International Raceway
(June 17-19), US 131 Motorsports Park (August 12-14) and
Dragway 42 (September 23-25). The addition of the class
will provide a great new option for No Box racers to compete
during IHRA national event weekends.
Among
the major rules for the new class, NTS 11.50 will prohibit
delay boxes and throttle stops, while mechanical fixed
or "restrictor plate" style methods of slowing
the car will be allowed. To help grow the class, IHRA
memberships will not be required this year.
"We
really wanted this class to be a way to enter the world
of heads-up racing in a basic and simple fashion. It is
very intimidating to jump into Hot Rod racing given that
this has not been an 'entry level' class for some time,"
Peaco said. "We all talk about the lack of new blood
in our sport, so collectively the IHRA thought it was
a good time to do something about it. My hope is that
this class will appeal to a large group of current No
Box racers who may find that they enjoy index racing and,
in the process, create a true way to bring new racers
to national event style racing."
Winners
of the NTS 11.50 class will be awarded an IHRA Ironman
trophy and $1,000, with the runner-up receiving $500.
The NTS 11.50 class will be a non-points earning class
and racers that enter the class will not be allowed to
compete in other Summit Pro-Am Tour classes.
For
more information and a complete set of rules for the NTS
11.50 class, view the IHRA Supplemental Rulebook on page
28 or click the following - www.ihra.com/images/2016/NTS_2016_3-18-16.pdf.
