In addition to Canada, there are IHRA tracks outside the Continental USA in Hawaii ( Hilo Dragstrip), Alaska ( Alaska Raceway Park), and Aruba (International Raceway Park Aruba). One event is hosted in the province of Ontario (Grand Bend) and one in Alberta (Edmonton). The IHRA is now the premiere motorsports sanctioning body in Canada, holding three national drag racing events. The IHRA's first major event in Canada was a one-off in 1992 at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario but it wasn't until later in the decade that Canadian events became the regular fixtures they are today. However, in recent years the organization has made significant inroads north of the border. Despite the "international" in its name the IHRA was for years based solely in the United States. In addition to tracks in 30 states in the continental United States, IHRA oversees tracks in Canada, Hawaii, and Aruba. IHRA became a sportsman only series with track sanctioning after 2014 with elimination of national events, leaving NHRA the only viable drag racing series for the general public. IRG has since sold off its race tracks, and currently only operates the sanctioning body. IRG also eliminated the Chicago format for 2014. Those companies were integrated into IRG Sports + Entertainment also in 2013. PBIR also owns and operates Memphis International Raceway since 2011. IHRA was purchased by Palm Beach International Raceway owners in 2013 and was renamed IHRA Motorsports. In 2010, the IHRA adopted the "Chicago style" format for professional classes, which was criticised by racers. Feld Entertainment bought Live Nation's motorsports division in 2008, and operated the IHRA for four years. In 2005, Clear Channel was split into Clear Channel Radio and Live Nation, with IHRA becoming part of the latter. The headquarters remain in Norwalk, which was once the site of the IHRA's flagship World Nationals event. He sold the IHRA to Clear Channel Communications, but remained as president until his retirement in October 2004. In 1998 the organization was purchased by Bill Bader who significantly expanded the promotion in the Great Lakes from his headquarters in Norwalk, Ohio. In 2009 IHRA dropped the funny car class again due to sponsor problems caused by a deep recession in the American economy.īill Bader, Clear Channel, Feld and Palm Beach However, the nitromethane powered Funny Car class was dropped for the 1991 season only to be reinstated for 1992 before being dropped again, not to return until 2006. During this period Pro Modified became the IHRA's main asset in its recovery from the 1988 season that had nearly destroyed it. In 1990 an all new class, Pro Modified, was introduced which has since become a feature at IHRA events and has become one of drag racing’s most successful classes enjoying popularity in both North America and Europe. In 1988, the headquarters moved back to Bristol, Tennessee, under the ownership of Ted Jones and Jim Ruth. However, financial failure meant that Meyer's reign lasted just one year before the association was again sold on. Other changes included the addition of a 'junior' Pro Stock class for small-block and V6 engines, named Factory Modified, which lasted until the end of the 1990 season. The Motorplex had previously been the NHRA's flagship track but for 1988 it hosted two IHRA national events and was the site of Top Fuel's first 4 second run by Eddie Hill. Another radical change came as a result of Meyer's ownership of the Texas Motorplex, considered then to be the premier drag racing facility in the world. IHRA headquarters briefly moved to Waco, Texas in 1988 after it was purchased by Texan racer and track operator Billy Meyer who made many changes to the organization, some of which proved controversial amongst racers such as completely restructuring the sportsman classes overnight. Reynolds Tobacco Company's Winston brand, which has ended. Carrier is also credited with initiating drag racing's long-term sponsorship association with the R.J. The IHRA initially followed the NHRA's professional class structure of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock until the 1984 season when it decided to drop the premier Top Fuel category, an arrangement that only lasted three years before the class was reinstated for the 1987 season. Throughout this period the organization was operated primarily in the south-eastern United States from its headquarters in Bristol, Tennessee. The IHRA was formed in November 1970 by businessman Larry Carrier. The International Hot Rod Association ( IHRA) is the second-largest drag racing sanctioning body after the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
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