IHRA Confirms 2011 Schedule & Canadian Nitro Jam Dates
After hosting ten Nitro Jam events during 2010, the IHRA has released it’s 2011 racing season which includes some additional downsizing and also some important venue changes. The official schedule release also confirms the traditional two Canadian dates for Edmonton and Grand Bend Motorplex for next summer…
NITRO JAM ADDS THREE NEW MARKETS TO 2011 SCHEDULE
By: Brian Wood
After an extremely successful debut of the new Nitro Jam format in 2010, Feld Motor Sports is pleased to announce an exciting 2011 schedule that includes three new markets and a return to some of the top motorsports facilities in the country.
Highlighting the 2011 schedule is a return to the eighth largest market in the United States as Nitro Jam returns to San Antonio Raceway in the spring. Nitro Jam will also add two more major markets to the schedule in Pittsburgh and Tucson as the Nitro Jam series travels to Pittsburgh Raceway Park and Southwestern International Raceway all during the first half of the 2011 Nitro Jam season.
“Last year was all about experimenting with the new format and seeing where it took us. Now, after an extremely successful first year, we are able to dig in a bit deeper and start to expand,” said Nitro Jam President Aaron Polburn. “In 2011 we have a very strong schedule with some exciting new markets. We are also thrilled to continue our expansion west with a trip to Arizona and we are certainly excited to be returning to San Antonio. While we still have a long way to go, this is another step in the right direction and I can’t wait to get the new season underway.”
Nitro Jam will also continue to expand its list of on-track talent as well with several new classes joining the show in 2011. In addition to continued competition in Top Fuel, Pro Fuel and Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car, Nitro Jam will also welcome several new additions including Nitro Harleys and Nostalgia Fuel Altereds. While not all of the classes will be a part of every Nitro Jam event, the unique combination of talent will make each event an entirely unique part of the Nitro Jam season.
“We are putting a lot more variety into the shows next year and that starts with the addition of two more classes that will play a key role in the 2011 Nitro Jam season,” Polburn said. “With a larger menu of nitro classes to choose from, we will now be able to further cater each event to the individual markets. Some markets may have one class and not another, while others may have more of a particular class than another. This will allow for a unique show at each track with a larger variety of cars and attractions.
“We will also continue in the tradition of providing exciting family entertainment with more jets and unique attractions to go along with a large collection of nitro vehicles. Next year will certainly be much bigger and bolder than last year.”
Among the new attractions will be a new headlining event at Nitro Jam events in 2011 as the Grave Digger monster truck will travel to most events on the schedule to take on the a jet truck in a battle of monster machines.
Nitro Jam will also keep its “race only” format for professional classes while continuing to feature and grow sportsman competition through new and exciting programs. The professional categories will also continue to have invitation only fields with a new race and winner being named at the conclusion of each day of racing.
Professional categories will also continue to crown champions through a point system designed specifically for the Nitro Jam format.
Kicking off the 2011 Nitro Jam season will be a stop in West Palm Beach, Fla. in late January at Florida’s fastest track. Palm Beach International Raceway will once again begin the season the weekend of January 28-29 with an event at one of the top motorsports facilities in the entire country.
PBIR will be followed by a trip to State Capital Raceway in Baton Rouge the weekend of February 19-20. After an extremely successful event last season, State Capital Raceway will once again bring its unique personality to the schedule in 2011.
Following the event in Louisiana, the Nitro Jam series will head to three new tracks spread across the United States beginning with a trip to Tucson, Ariz. The event in Tucson at Southwestern International Raceway will mark Nitro Jam’s first ever trip to the state of Arizona and will take place the weekend of March 25-26.
Nitro Jam will stay in the south following the event in Tucson with its much anticipated return to the state of Texas at San Antonio Raceway April 1-2. After a three-year absence, Nitro Jam will return to San Antonio with a huge event at a track known for fast runs and record times.
The trio of new Nitro Jam events will wrap up at Pittsburgh Raceway Park May 20-21. The Pittsburgh facility has always been a popular stop for sportsman racers over the past few years and will finally get a chance to host a Nitro Jam beginning next season.
Following Pittsburgh the series will pick up and head west as Rocky Mountain Raceways in Salt Lake City hosts a Nitro Jam June 17-18, followed closely by a pair of unique events in Canada.
Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta will retain its status as a three-day event the weekend of June 24-26, while Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario will complete the Canadian portion of the schedule July 16-17. U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich. will bring the regular Nitro Jam season to a close the weekend of August 12-13.
2011 Nitro Jam Schedule
January 28-29 (Fri-Sat) Palm Beach International Raceway West Palm Beach, FL
February 19-20 (Sat-Sun) State Capital Raceway Baton Rouge, LA
March 25-26 (Fri-Sat) Southwestern International Raceway Tucson, AZ
April 1-2 (Fri-Sat) San Antonio Raceway San Antonio, TX
May 20-21 (Fri-Sat) Pittsburgh Raceway Park Pittsburgh, PA
June 17-18 (Fri-Sat) Rocky Mountain Raceways Salt Lake City, UT
June 24-26 (Fri-Sat-Sun) Castrol Raceway Edmonton, Alberta
July 16-17 (Sat-Sun) Grand Bend Motorplex Grand Bend, Ontario
August 12-13 (Fri-Sat) U.S. 131 Motorsports Park Martin, MI