Bristol Dragway officials, along with SPEED, confirmed the return of the popular drag racing television show, PINKS All Out, to Thunder Valley Oct. 1-2, 2010.

PINKS All Out host Rich Christensen and the SPEED crew will revisit Bristol after a remarkable debut event in 2007. More than 400 racers competed in time trials for the event and the grandstands were packed with spectators from more than 15 states, eager to see one of their favorite TV shows live.

For some, the opportunity to take part in the filming of a nationally broadcast television show is all it takes to entice them to come to the track. Others, however, will visit Bristol simply for the high-speed, “run-what-you-brung” action on the strip. Either way, it is definitely a must-see event.

After seeing what all the excitement was about, many of those curious visitors were transformed into die-hard PINKS fans. That set in motion conversations between officials from both groups to determine how they could make it happen again.

Jeff Byrd, President and General Manager of Bristol Dragway, said the PINKS All Out experience is something completely different and a fitting finale to a jam-packed 2010 schedule at the facility.

“If our last PINKS All Out is any indication, we’re anticipating another great crowd when Rich and his crew return to Thunder Valley in 2010,” said Byrd. “With the television cameras, the personalities, and the electric atmosphere, this is one of the most exciting races on the calendar. Because of that, we see a lot of people at this event who have never been at a track before. After they experience it, we’re sure they’ll be back for more.”

Each event combines a large-scale television production with the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a live drag racing experience. It is a full Saturday worth of entertainment, including two time trial sessions, a final 16-car shootout and a full roster of drag racing exhibitions.

When not in the stands, fans can experience the SPEED Mobile Theatre, purchase officially licensed PINKS All Out merchandise, enjoy a merchant’s midway and take in a variety of family-oriented activities. Fridays of event weekend are reserved for racer registration and a pre-event test and tune session.

The hour-long program currently airs on Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET as part of SPEED’s ‘Big Block Thursday.’ Season Four is expected to premiere in July of 2010.

“From the earliest days of the original PINKS’ ‘Lose the race, lose your ride’ concept, the show has always been about people; that’s been the constant,” said Robert Ecker, SPEED VP of Programming & PINKS All Out Executive Producer. “Many other things have changed along the way, but this has remained the same. The hundreds of racers and thousands of fans that support these events provide the energy that powers the entire endeavor… It is their enthusiasm and passion and sheer love of the sport that makes this all work.”

While more than 400 racers participated in time trials in 2007, the PINKS team selected only 16 drivers to race for the $10,000 top prize. Several local competitors were among those racing for the money.

For one of those drivers, the opportunity to race on national television has been the highlight of his career. Bristol Dragway regular, Larry Barr, was one of the drivers who found himself on the starting line as one of the final 16 during the first PINKS All Out in Bristol. Despite losing in the first round, Barr said he wouldn’t trade the experience.

“I was mad because I spun the wheels off the line, but it was still a great show,” said the Piney Flats, Tenn., resident, laughing.  “I feel like we really could have won, but it was still fun and really cool seeing ourselves on SPEED.”

With pride and a large paycheck on the line, PINKS All Out sees drivers push their cars, and themselves, to the breaking point. Tempers flare, tires melt and one person comes away as the champion. PINKS All Out is the perfect season finale for Thunder Valley.

Ticket pricing and event times and details will be released at a later date. 

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