To help preserve the rich history and tradition of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and capitalize on the growing success of grassroots nostalgia drag-racing competition, the NHRA formed the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series in 2008, a national series that will crown year-end points champions in 14 categories.
“This new series is an exciting step that will appeal to drag racing fans young and old,” said Peter Clifford, NHRA executive vice president and general manager. “It’s a great way to introduce the younger generation to the history of our sport and give fans young and old a glimpse of racing the way it used to be.”
“This series is benefiting everyone, from the racers to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, to local businesses at each event,” said Steve Gibbs, director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. “It also provides a great opportunity to preserve NHRA’s rich heritage.”
The 2009 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series features nine points-earning events and five nonpoints affiliate events. In 2009, the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series will crown year-end points champions in 14 categories. The Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series year-end points champions in each of the 14 classes will receive a gold Wally trophy, Champion jacket and hat, and a cash award.
The series’ featured classes include Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragster; Nostalgia Funny Car; Group 1, which includes A/Fuel, AA Supercharged, and Jr. Fuel (same rules as the 2008 Jr. Fuel B class) and 7.0 Pro) and Group 2, which includes Nostalgia I, II, and III, A, B, C and D/Gas, and Hot Rod.
The new 7.0 Pro class is an index class intended for front-engine dragsters, center-steer Altereds, and pre-1980 Nostalgia Funny Cars.
The kickoff event of the 2009 Series was the 51st annual March Meet at historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield on March 6-8.
“The March Meet is a three-day affordable speedfest called ‘the crown jewel of Nostalgia Racing’ by enthusiasts,” said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet.
“We were honored to have once again been chosen to kick off the Hot Rod Heritage drag racing series,” Bowser said. “It attracted drag racers and spectators from around the world and also included a hot rod car show, swap meet, and a large vendors’ midway. Nostalgia drag racing fans were treated to a great weekend of racing, fun and affordable entertainment.”
Kat Lotz of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum said she has been responsible for vendor sales at the museum’s nostalgia events for five years and the Bakersfield March Meet for three years.
“The Hot Rod Heritage Series was designed not only to preserve and promote nostalgia racing and provide an affordable event for race fans, but also an affordable venue for local and national vendors,” Lotz said.
“From my perspective, the vendor participation has grown,” she said. “The Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series events give local accessory shops, repair shops, engine shops, and installers exposure to a large concentration of potential customers.”
“It also provides them with a space for product demonstrations and areas for onsite installations,” Lotz said. “Most of the vendors return year after year to the area. This can help them build repeat customers.”
The March Meet is good news in a down time. “Last year’s highly successful 50th Anniversary March Meet brought in an estimated $6.5 million to Kern County,” Bowser said. “However, due to the economic downturn, this year’s numbers were lower, but not by much. The nostalgia drag race brought in an estimated $5 million in tourism to Kern County.”
Bowser said the March Meet is Bakersfield’s biggest annual event, drawing more than 30,000 spectators. “We had racers and fans coming to Bakersfield from Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada, and all over the U.S.,” he said. “And they spent a lot of money in this county. Our merchants knew this year it might be a little less, but they were still excited and put out the welcome mat.
“Five million dollars in tourism will really help now,” Bowser said. “Auto parts stores, hotels, grocers, restaurants, and gas stations felt a direct impact, but the influx of money will continue to spread throughout the county.” “Everyone knows we’re in a recession, but people still want to take their families to an affordable, exciting, fun event,” he said.
For information on becoming a vendor at a Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series event, contact Lutz at the NHRA Museum, or contact the race tracks directly.
Remaining 2009 Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series stops:
Speedworld Dragstrip
Northwest Phoenix, Ariz.
623-388-2424
www.speedworlddragstrip.com
Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway
Fontana, Calif.
909-429-5060
www.autoclubspeedway.com
Auto Club Famoso Raceway
Bakersfield, Calif.
661-399-2210
www.famosoraceway.com
Sacramento Raceway
Sacramento, Calif.
916-363-2653
www.sacramentoraceway.com
Firebird Raceway Boise, Idaho
208-938-8986
www.firebirdonline.com
Cordova Dragway Park
Cordova, Ill.
309-654-2110
www.cordovadrag.com
Gateway International Raceway
Madison, Ill.
618-482-2400
www.gatewayraceway.com
Beech Bend Raceway Park
Bowling Green, Ky.
270-781-7634
www.beechbend.com
Kansas City International Raceway
Kansas City, Mo.
816-358-6700
www.kcir.net
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas, Nev.
702-632-8213
www.lvms.com
Maple Grove Raceway
Reading, Pa.
610-856-7812
www.maplegroveraceway.com
