IHRA abandons Stock and Super Stock class racing

[goinbroke2]

Now that IHRA has formally announced that they will go to an "all-bracket" format and end Stock and Super Stock, will IHRA classes (crate motor, pure stock, etc) still be recognized/viable in the Maritimes?

I'm assuming nothing has changed in this part of the world but just throwing it out there.

Jim

[Jeff Kempton]

To clarify what Jim is talking about for those who don't know; here is the Oct. 9 IHRA press release from their website:

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 9, 2017) - The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) sportsman program will be moving to an all-bracket racing format for the first time in the organization's history in 2018. The IHRA will produce both the Summit SuperSeries and the new Summit Sportsman Spectacular programs next season.


The very successful IHRA Summit SuperSeries will return for a 17th season and will continue to be the leading bracket racing program for Top, Mod and Junior Dragster competitors in North America. This program is hosted by nearly 100 member tracks and has over 8,000 active and specifically registered participants. The program recently secured a multiple-year renewal from title sponsor Summit Racing Equipment.

The major change in the IHRA lineup will be the switch from the class racing-based Summit Sportsman National Championship series to the newly-created Summit Sportsman Spectacular. The new bracket racing-based program consists of 20 races over ten weekends. Summit Racing Equipment will support the program through a new multi-year sponsorship.

The change to an all-bracket racing program is a result of input from racers, partners, and tracks and comes after a five-year effort to improve participation levels in IHRA class racing. The previous touring series saw multiple format changes all aimed at keeping the series viable for the racers, host tracks, and sponsors. While there continues to be a core group of dedicated class racers who supported certain events, there simply hasn't been enough entries to make a series work.

The new Summit Sportsman Spectacular bracket events will be targeted to Top, Mod and Junior racers looking for a value-oriented and fun double-race weekend. The series will work in conjunction with the Summit SuperSeries to provide tens of thousands of grassroots bracket racers new opportunities and events that are designed to provide maximum value for the participants.

Full details of the Summit Sportsman Spectacular will be released as soon as the event dates are confirmed.

[Jeff Kempton]

In response to Jim's question, this will be one of several topics discussed at the ACSSA's upcoming Awards Ceremony and Annual General Meeting. A location, date and time for the AGM will be finalized in the next few days and provided to our members.

[Jeff Kempton]

The ACSSA AGM was held on Nov. 18, 2017, and one of the items discussed was the future of the former IHRA Stock and Super Stock classes now that IHRA no longer supports them. For the near future there is no change; IHRA-only class cars will continue to be welcome to race in our series, including at the Miramichi National Open. The wording of the applicable section of our rules for 2018 reads as follows:

"IHRA-only classes may compete at ACSSA events using IHRA rules and Indexes. As of the end of the 2017 season IHRA no longer supports Stk/SS racing, so the viability and future of the IHRA classes will henceforth be determined at the end of each race season."

The full set of Competition Rules governing our series can be found stickied at the top of this forum page.

[Jeff Kempton]

Further to this, please note that Crate Motor, Stock GT, and Pure Stock entries will be welcome at the NHRA Miramichi National Open this summer.