WDRA EXPANDS SUMMIT BRACKET FINALS SERIES TO INCLUDE NORTHWEST CANADA

The WDRA adds an event, the Summit Northwest Bracket Finals, in Canada to accommodate its rapid growth this season.

SPRINGFIELD, IL: The World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) rapidly accumulated support with 13 new facilities joining the WDRA member track network ahead of the 2024 racing season. New additions to the family are always welcomed and, in this case, have allowed the bracket racing focused organization to add a new event to the schedule. 

The Summit Northwest Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance will take place September 5-8, 2024, at Nitro Motorsports Park in Prince George, British Columbia. This Canadian-only bracket finals format was made possible by eager participating facilities utilizing the Alliance as it was intended, as a way to influence the sport positively. Racers at this event will now have an opportunity to earn a coveted spot to compete during the WDRA Summit World Championships.

“We are very excited to add this event to our schedule and the opportunity to bring the WDRA benefits to our members in Western Canada,” said Frank Kohutek with the WDRA. “We appreciate the team at Nitro Motorsports Park hosting this event and all our member tracks in that region for working together to make this happen for the racers.”

EPIC Racewear offers exclusive discounts for WDRA license holders

SPRINGFIELD, IL: EPIC Racewear joins the ranks of companies interested in offering exclusive discounts for WDRA license holders.  Being a Canadian based company, one of their goals was to produce a package that can be offered without tax and free shipping for customers both in and out of the Country.

“The ability for WDRA racers and teams to access such a customizable product at a discount is exciting. Branding a canopy, feather flags or trailer accessories with a race team logo or a sponsors message can go a long way to legitimizing a partnership and helping racers finance their team,” said WDRA’s Jon O’Neal. “These are premium quality goods, and available individualized to help the racing community in a way that is under-utilized in the drag racing market.”

EPIC offers options for 10×10, 10×15, 10×20 high quality commercial grade canopies, custom printed and zippered wall enclosures for canopies, Free standing and trailer mountable feather flags and much more to individualize a racers pit space.

2025 WDRA SUMMIT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS MOVED TO SUMMIT MOTORSPORTS PARK

Springfield, IL – The World Drag Racing Alliance announced today that the 2025 version of the Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series World Championships will be moving locations.  The new home for the event will be at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. 

“We have been discussing the fact that whatever WDRA track hosts the Summit World Championship there will be WDRA racers that will have a bit of a home track advantage,” said WDRA’s Skooter Peaco.  “We felt that we needed to get this event to a neutral site so we decided that Summit Motorsports Park was the obvious choice because both the WDRA program and the NHRA facility are sponsored by Summit Racing Equipment.  Fortunately, Bill Bader Jr. was receptive to hosting the event and we have put together a one weekend track rental agreement for the event to be run in mid-December of 2025.  Summit Motorsports Park is one of the busiest tracks in the country and December was the only month with dates available at reduced track rental rates”.

“Northern Ohio in mid-December will present some unique track prep challenges but I feel confident my team is up for it,” said Summit Motorsports Park’s Bill Bader Jr.  “We may have to get some new attachments for the tractor to clear some snow but we do have a jet dryer so we should be good for anything mother nature throws at us.  I see no reason we can’t get this event in before the Christmas holiday.”

WDRA will release a firm date for the event at the end of this season. 

RC COMPONENTS TO REWARD RACERS THROUGH AN EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH WDRA

RC Components presents a special offer to WDRA license holders for the 2024 racing season.

SPRINGFIELD, IL: RC Components, an industry leader of motorcycle, street, and drag racing wheels for over three decades, announces a unique partnership with the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) to benefit sportsman racers. In 2024, current WDRA license holders who purchase RC Components wheels will receive a free set of twelve-point billet lug nuts. In other words, a $100 WDRA license adds up to $220 in savings when purchasing a full set of wheels.

RC Components is hands-on for the entire wheel-making operation with the designing, CNC machining, chroming, and polishing processes taking place at its facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Producing a wide variety of wheels ranging from the 16×16 one-piece forged F5 to multiple designs in the popular Comp Series and stylish Street Fighter lines, racers can certainly find a wheel to suit their needs and transform the appearance of their ride.

“We couldn’t be happier to be a part of the WDRA,” said RJ Clutter, RC Components Director of Sales and Marketing. “This organization is here to support racers of all skill levels and so is RC Components! If you’re just starting or have put in the work and made a name for yourself, RC has the right wheels, and the WDRA has a place for you as well. This grassroots organization is only going up and we can’t wait to see how big it can get.”

FUELTECH JOINS GROWING LIST OF WDRA MARKETING PARTNERS

FuelTech USA expands its reach in the motorsports market by partnering with the WDRA in 2024.

SPRINGFIELD, IL: FuelTech USA steps up to support sportsman drag racing through a partnership with the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) in 2024. The easy decision to work together is strengthened by shared core values such as integrity, exceptional customer service, and a passion for motorsports innovation.

Located in Georgia, FuelTech is most well-known for its advanced aftermarket ECU systems but offers a wide range of products including fuel systems, switch panels, ignition systems, and even dial boards. Equipped with a knowledgeable staff to handle customer questions, FuelTech is available to help racers achieve their performance goals through technical support and product education.

“FuelTech is another company that truly cares about the motorsports market and it’s great to have them come on board this season,” said Jessica Spears with the WDRA. “We hope this continues to be a meaningful partnership for both the WDRA and FuelTech for years to come.”

SOUTHSIDE DRAGWAY IS SAVED FROM EXTINCTION AND JOINS WDRA MEMBER TRACK NETWORK

SPRINGFIELD, IL: The roar of racecars will greet West Virginia motorsport enthusiasts once again when Southside Dragway (formerly Kanawha Valley Dragway) opens under new ownership and sanction. Earl Smith sold a portion of his muscle car collection to purchase the facility which had been closed for seven years. Smith has decided to join the growing list of World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) member tracks as he works to resurrect the racetrack.

The eight-mile racetrack located in Southside, West Virginia, originally opened in 1994 and operated until 2017 when it was sold and thought to be doomed for demolition. The facility remained, but years of abandonment created an uphill battle for Smith and his team who have been working nonstop to bring Southside Dragway back up to speed. Multiple members of the community have stepped up with donations and volunteer work toward track upgrades that include two ticket booths, all-new lighting, and a functional PA system.

“These are the kind of projects we love helping with and this one is a huge effort,” said Jon O’Neal with WDRA. “Earl is a racer with a ton of passion and enthusiasm and has rallied a group of other passionate people working round the clock to bring this facility back to life after mother nature had all but reclaimed it. We appreciate them using the WDRA’s member track benefit package as well as our knowledge and connections to speed up the learning curve that this team is going through to get operational.”

ADVANCED PRODUCT DESIGN IS NAMED OFFICIAL CARBURETOR OF THE WDRA

SPRINGFIELD, IL: Advanced Product Design, an industry leader in carburetors and fuel management systems, has been announced as the Official Carburetor of the WDRA ahead of the 2024 racing season. As a racer-owned and operated business with twenty-five years of experience, Advanced Product Design (APD) serves as a valuable resource for consistency, tuneability, and high-quality performance.

APD offers a vast catalog of billet carburetors and fuel systems suitable for all levels of sportsman drag racing with products equipped to handle methanol, E85, or gasoline applications. Located in Genoa, OH, APD employs a knowledgeable staff comprised of mostly drag racers and proudly manufactures everything in-house. The values at APD align perfectly with the mission of WDRA to create the basis of a longstanding partnership.

“I think it’s important to get involved with an organization that is trying to support the racers and is a grassroots type of organization,” said John Kyle, the owner and operator of Advanced Product Design. “The biggest thing is the WDRA is trying to do something that is attractive to not only the seasoned racer but also the entry-level type racer. The fact that WDRA is really trying to listen to the racers is a big deal.”

Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, APD products have proven on-track performance with several successful racers finding their way to the winner’s circle, including the company’s own Chris Bear. And even though APD has sold more than 20,000 carburetors, customer service has remained a priority as well as their commitment to quality.

WDRA And Winlight Bets Continue Fan Engagement Partnership

SPRINGFIELD, IL: The WDRA and Winlight Bets will continue their Official Fan Engagement Partnership in 2024 as the company recently renewed their marketing program.

“WDRA has been supporting the efforts of Winlight Bets since the beginning.  They are a groundbreaking company that is looking at non-traditional ways to grow the sport much the same as the WDRA is trying to do,” said WDRA’s Jon O’Neal.  “Rex and the team at Winlight Bets are continually moving the vision of legal sports betting for Drag Racing forward and they have the WDRA’s full support.  We see this as a revenue game changer for our member track facilities once this platform is fully built out.”

Winlight Bets will continue to activate various marketing programs through WDRA tracks and at live events, while continuing to build the groundwork for future programs as the company pushes towards its ultimate goal.    

I29 DRAGWAY TO RESTART BRACKET PROGRAM UNDER WDRA SANCTION

SPRINGFIELD, IL: On the heels of the recent announcement of the Skyview Drags facility reopening, more good news for the bracket racing community comes today as I29 Dragway will be restarting its bracket program in 2024.  The track has signed a multi-year sanction agreement with the World Drag Racing Alliance for their racers to participate in WDRA programming.

The 1/8th mile facility is located in Southwest Iowa, close to the Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri state lines.  Just two hours North of Kansas City, I29 hosts a variety of street car, no prep and roll racing events which the bracket program will now join. 

 “We are excited to introduce a bracket racing element to our schedule and the offerings the WDRA has for our facility make this an easy solution for our racers,” said I29 General Manager Doug Whitworth. “We are looking forward to being a part of the Summit Midwest Bracket Finals and Summit World Championship programs.”

The drag strip is a part of the 200-acre I29 Speedway complex which also is home to a 2.23 mile road course.  The property is just 2 miles from the Missouri River, which proved devastating in 2019 when sixteen feet of floodwater completely put the track underwater submerging the ground level of the timing tower and the top five rows of grandstands visible.  Since that time, the track has recovered and is ready to start a new chapter under new ownership for 2024.