I also think the numbers will shift, as tracks' agreements expire/run out at the end of the calendar year, and they may not be announcing until their season schedule is completed.

They drooping IHRA around my parts real fast….

I think a majority of the points tracks in our division have switched to the W. Will be an interesting year.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve140:

quote:

Originally posted by Holytown:
Anyone know what tracks are left at IHRA now?

Would take sometime to list them out, but 44 IHRA and 38 WDRA tracks based on what has been published.

Saw an interview earlier this week with IHRA. They claimed 5 switched back to IHRA that day.

Anyone dealt with this before?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ​​
Contact Scott Gardner

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WDRA ANNOUNCES FAN ENGAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH WINLIGHT BETS

Springfield, IL – The WDRA is proud to announce Winlight Bets as the organizations Official Fan Engagement Partner. Winlight Bets will debut their interactive software live at the Southeast Spring Bracket Finals event at Darlington Dragway.
“In the current marketplace that drag racing lives in, our goals need to shift from trying to save money to that of offering new revenue streams to WDRA Member facilities,” said WDRA Founder Don Scott. “Our agreement with Winlight Bets assures that our member tracks are at the forefront of this potentially revolutionary revenue opportunity as the Winlight Bets team works through the development of the system.”
Rex Simmermaker founded Winlight Bets to bring legal betting action to the fastest sport on earth, drag racing. The app, available at the events, will allow fans to engage in the action with predictive, free to play betting which will result in producing prize winners.
“We are excited to support the WDRA and be a partner with the alliance. We believe that Don Scott and the WDRA team will help so many tracks improve financially, and we will do our part to bring fan engagement to a level never seen before in our sport,” said Simmermaker. “Our goal is to help bring together a potential revenue stream to the sport we love and the WDRA fits that goal.”

About WinlightBets.com: The goal of Winlight Bets is to provide an ecosystem that allows the drag racing fan base, including racers, and race participants to engage in legal betting opportunities

About WDRA: The mission of the WDRA is to provide value as a sanctioning body to racers and facilities through process modernization, unparalleled service and value driven partnerships.

So now they are letting people bet on a sport thats based around general deception(sandbagging).....lol. You just can't make this stuff up. Won't take long for these racers to figure out how to game that system.

There has been side betting in the stands on drag racing for a long time, including bracket racing. I guess they have figured out how to get a percentage of that. Money makes the world go around.

2BKing

This message has been edited. Last edited by: B KING,

I also saw where they are partnered with SFI. Gonna need everything as now. I don’t like it but I like being safe more than I hate replacing belts. 2 years is silly but some people would never change if there weren’t rules.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
I also saw where they are partnered with SFI. Gonna need everything as now. I don’t like it but I like being safe more than I hate replacing belts. 2 years is silly but some people would never change if there weren’t rules.

You are absolutely right but the 2 year seat belt rule will never go away. They have been sold a BS line and now since it is accepted for insurance reasons it will never change. Should someone ever crash and not survive they lawyers will blame it on the racing association and claim they are not following industry accepted standards.

Even though we all know those standards were pushed by the seat belt industry manufacturers to increase profit and not for our safety. It should have been 5 or 10 years or any discoloration, cuts or abrasions and if car is involved in a crash.

States will have something to say about this. Don't think, in most states, you can set up a casino or any kind of gambling without their permission.

GBR did an interview with this guy around this time last year, if anyone wants more info.

WinLight Bets Interview

I'm not sold yet on this organization. These folks previously had a chance at IHRA. So far all I have seen are used car sales tactics. The website has tracks listed as being WDRA yet IHRA is steadily signing these facilities and issuing signing info on their social media. So how many actual tracks have put ink to paper with WDRA? Getting SFI to sign off is probably critical for insurance purposes and liability coverage for the sanctioning body. I haven't seen major announcements around points programs or prizes. What do fees look like after the free trial offer?

I am not necessarily sold on this new organization but it is here so I am hopeful it works out better. If it does good then great. Even if it fails it may force the other HRA's to step up their game.

We have not been getting much out of them in the past it has to be better.

Every press release from the WDRA states "The mission of the WDRA is to provide value as a sanctioning body to racers" I would like to know what the value is?

quote:

Originally posted by ferndaleflyer:
States will have something to say about this. Don't think, in most states, you can set up a casino or any kind of gambling without their permission.

Online gambling has been passed in many states and I would think this would fall under those laws. As long as they get their cut they are happy. More and more states see the revenue stream from gambling and cannabis.
Could be interesting though if the players "game" the system. With the track getting revenue it could really get interesting.

I saw a WDRA press release a few days ago on Facebook, where they claim to be the second largest Sanctioning Body only behind NHRA.

They claimed (I believe) 38 facilities. However, I also believe I saw South Carolina motorplex was claimed by IHRA today. Leaving WDRA with 37.

Seems like WDRA is quick to put out press releases, but doesn't finalize the paperwork.

quote:

Originally posted by Holytown:
I saw a WDRA press release a few days ago on Facebook, where they claim to be the second largest Sanctioning Body only behind NHRA.

They claimed (I believe) 38 facilities. However, I also believe I saw South Carolina motorplex was claimed by IHRA today. Leaving WDRA with 37.

Seems like WDRA is quick to put out press releases, but doesn't finalize the paperwork.

That's the fifth track that has 'switched' back to IHRA.

Bunker hill DS was reported as a WDRA track a couple months ago. I just got a text a couple days ago wanting racers to vote on WDRA or IHRA so they are quick to announce tracks they (think they have)

Both WDRA and IHRA have been posting the tracks that are going to be part of their programs for the past few months.

I looked back on it to get an idea of who is who, and saw there are double claims on the following tracks (Meaning both organizations have claimed they are theirs)

South Carolina Motorplex
Beacon Dragway
Amarillo Dragway
Poseidon Raceway Park (Formerly I-30 I believe)

What's going on here?

quote:

Originally posted by Holytown:

Amarillo Dragway
Poseidon Raceway Park (Formerly I-30 I believe)

What's going on here?

I-30 Dragway was moving to WDRA. Then new Ownership took over in September and the new owner announced they would stick with IHRA.

Amarillo changed after the bracket finals announcement. Assumption is they planned to go to WDRA but when their bracket finals would be in Gulfport, MS (13 1/2 hours away) they switched back to IHRA.

As it's been stated numerous times, WDRA doesn't begin official operations until January 1st, 2023. Things can change in Q4 of 2022 leading into Q1 of 2023, but the thought would be to let the track's customers know earlier rather than later on the decision and to get the word out. This doesn't mean it won't change before they sign the contracts for 1/1/2023 and beyond.