Recently IHRA bought Memphis raceway, Maple Grove and today they announced they have purchased Heartland park in Topeka!

My understanding was Memphis and Topeka were closed for good and they are bringing them back. That sure sounds serious to me.

This may just work out better than we expected.

That Cuttell fella must have some very deep pockets, or some good friends in the Finance business.

I appreciate what he is doing with the IHRA. So many national records were set at HPT, (First 4 second FC run, 1st 300 MPH FC run), including the fastest run in NHRA history just this year, (Brittany Force's 345.51 MPH), it was sad to see it destroyed.
On a personal note, I got my first Sportsman eliminator win there 27 years ago.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: FootbrakeJim,

Big question is, are they going to stay with strictly 1/8 mile racing in all classes. Topeka, Memphis and Maple Grove all can run 1/4 safety.
I can see it as a cost saving deal for the fuel cars, but all the sportsman need to be 1/4 mile if the track is capable of it IMO

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
Big question is, are they going to stay with strictly 1/8 mile racing in all classes. Topeka, Memphis and Maple Grove all can run 1/4 safety.
I can see it as a cost saving deal for the fuel cars, but all the sportsman need to be 1/4 mile if the track is capable of it IMO

Yes, I think they announced at PRI that all IHRA racing in all classes will be 1/8 mile.

I used to be all about 1/4-mile racing, but over 10 years ago I started going to the so-called dark side of liking 1/8th mile racing. Now, I prefer 1/8th mile & one of the reasons I'm going back to racing S/Pro. I wish more racing out West was 1/8th mile, but I think it's slowly going that direction. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

I thought the below read was a good one.

https://competitionplus.com/ih...cing-with-its-roots/

2BKING

I figure the insurance savings are substantial in the 1/8 vs 1/4 mile racing.
If that's all there is I am ok with it.

I expect Little Chief is correct about the insurance cost. In our Northeast Texas region, 1/8 is the only option. So, it's an easy decision. Consider that 1/8 offers additional cost savings. Fuel, maintenance, safety, all good things.

Like posted above, Little Chief, myself, and many of our racing connections grew up with 1/4 racing, so it is true, we can learn new tricks.

In fact, the record shows, we are overall tricky racers.

I too was a 1/4 mile racer for many years.
I don't know if it is part of getting older, or just getting used to it, but I have grown to really enjoy racing the 1/8th mile.
Sure, it does not have the same thrill of the higher speed at the stripe, (although I have seen some guys like Big Steve put up some blistering MPH on the short track). But it is a different game, some different strategies come into play, and personally I find a lot less gamesmanship happening in eighth-mile racing, probably because there is less time to fool around. And like Little Chief said, "If that's all there is I am ok with it".
SIDE NOTE: Some fellow racers in the Topeka area who seem to be connected (and excited) with the "yet to be announced" track management team, have said that the IHRA plans to allow many/most of their 1/4 mile-capable tracks to operate their local bracket programs as they see fit, (excluding the IHRA specific events), including the possibility of racing 1/4 mile.

Just heard IHRA is buying the Rockingham circle track. How true...I don't know.

The Rockingham drag strip is NHRA and the circle track uses that for parking and air craft landings when they run....also NHRA has moved the Zmax races to Rockingham at least for 2026. What would IHRA do with that little used circle track?

If your tax bill was what he paid last year you could retire your whole family. I was told his business turns 1 mill a day. Agvain was told but from few who know him so take it for what its worth.

Hey he sound like average cool guy that has but loads and can enjoy and loves drag racing. More power to him and hope he keeps at it.

What is NHRA buying?

Nothing!

The cost of property (anywhere) near a metropolitan area, construction expenses, staff wages, insurance due to the ever increase of speeds all lead to the conclusion that 1/4 mile drag racing is on it's last breath.

Considering all these factors 1/8th mile is the logical choice, not that I'd like it to be, it just IS . There will be a few States where the population density and land values can allow exceptions but overall 1/4 mile racing is headed toward extinction and possibly with it the salary heavy NHRA and it's uber expensive fuel cars.

No matter how much The NHRA promotes these cars just how many times can you watch, or are willing to pay through the nose for, a 2 second 1/8th mile Top Fuel event?

High Dollar 1/8th mile racing is, and will continue to out draw NHRA events.

The King is dead.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by RPROGAS:
The King is dead.

Bob

I think I know what you're talking about.

Just for shyts & giggles; I need to clarify, I'm alive, kicking & still 2BKING!

Since ihra is the big hairy hoohah in thing tell me about their regional and national sportsman series for super street gas comp and stock and super stock or comp? The King is still King and will be when this new ihra series bellies up again as it has in the past so enjoy while you can.

If the IHRA guy has enough money to buy all these tracks and renovating the ones that have sit for a few years being destroyed by the homeless, you're going to tell me he doesn't have enough money to pay insurance to run 1/4 mile.

It doesn't matter what you, I or anyone else thinks, wants or what he should do with his money. I'm pretty sure he could less what we think, he's going to spend his money how he wishes. He's doing a great job of taking care of racers & that's the bottom line!

1/4 mile is a dying drag racing distance whether we like it or not. I would venture to say more drag races are run 1/8 mile than 1/4. Maybe we have a stat person that could provide that data.

2BKING

As long as NHRA is running 1/4 mile most will run NHRA I really don't care what the guy does with his money but it would maybe be a good idea to listen to what racers want.

quote:

Originally posted by sittin duck:
As long as NHRA is running 1/4 mile most will run NHRA I really don't care what the guy does with his money but it would maybe be a good idea to listen to what racers want.

I honestly don’t think he has to give a ****. That’s what concerns me. He has enough money to walk away from these track and let em sit. And we’d lose em forever. Plus, each of these properties would make great data center or warehouse locations.