IHRA national event won’t happen in 2009, IHRA says …

The proposed IHRA national event for Pittsburgh, Pa, slated for May 2009, has been put in a holding pattern alongside of the Mansfield, Ohio event. IHRA officials are confident the event at Pittsburgh Raceway Park will be contested in May of 2010.

As for Mansfield, EPA issues continue to dog the event which was expected to be the IHRA’s answer to losing flagship facility Norwalk Raceway Park in Norwalk, Ohio, located outside of Cleveland in late 2006. The IHRA is based in Norwalk, Ohio.

The Pittsburgh event was to be one of the new events in 2009 expected to run on an eighth-mile strip. The decision to postpone, according to the IHRA, was a collective one based on the current economic climate, rising fuel prices and an election year.

IHRA national event won’t happen in 2009, IHRA says …

The proposed IHRA national event for Pittsburgh, Pa, slated for May 2009, has been put in a holding pattern alongside of the Mansfield, Ohio event. IHRA officials are confident the event at Pittsburgh Raceway Park will be contested in May of 2010.

As for Mansfield, EPA issues continue to dog the event which was expected to be the IHRA’s answer to losing flagship facility Norwalk Raceway Park in Norwalk, Ohio, located outside of Cleveland in late 2006. The IHRA is based in Norwalk, Ohio.

The Pittsburgh event was to be one of the new events in 2009 expected to run on an eighth-mile strip. The decision to postpone, according to the IHRA, was a collective one based on the current economic climate, rising fuel prices and an election year.

“We are a huge advocate of taking baby steps in the development of a show like the Nitro Jam series, especially, when assigning it to a new venue,” IHRA President Aaron Polburn said. “We don’t want to start out by putting anyone behind a financial eight ball, so the decision to move the show to a similar date in 2010 is a wise move.  It will give us more opportunity to develop and present the show at its best.”

Mike Tedesco of PRP said he’s planning to begin construction in anticipation 2010 event upon the completion of the 2008 season.

“We will carryout our plan to begin construction after the close of the 2008 race season,” says Tedesco. “The undertaking involves moving dirt, building a new tower, laying down nine acres of asphalt, adding new concrete barriers, and lengthening the track. I empathize with those fans who may be a little disappointed.  Please take assurance in the words I was taught as a kid…Good things come to those who wait.”

Unlike PRP, the Mansfield race facility has no clear plan of when they will contest their IHRA national event.

“There are governmental issues that have yet to be solved,” IHRA spokesman Mike Perry said. “Construction on the drag strip at Mansfield Motorsports Park cannot continue until these governmental issues are satisfied.”