Mid America Dragway Becomes the Newest WDRA Member Track

SPRINGFIELD, IL: The World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) proudly announces that Mid America Dragway in Geuda Springs, Kansas, has reached a multi-year sanction agreement with the WDRA and will become the newest track to join the WDRA member track family.

Formerly sanctioned by NHRA, Mid America Dragway was built as a landing strip to refuel planes and teach pilots how to fly in World War II, before being repurposed as a dragstrip in the 1960s. Fast cars and farmland coexisted until 2011 when the facility sat vacant for seven years until the current owners, Jim and Chris Maybrier, purchased their childhood home track and brought it back to life in 2018.

Thanks to their commitment and passion for drag racing, Mid America Dragway now thrives with numerous classes and events to keep the sport alive in Kansas from April to October. The 3,500-foot facility boasts concrete barriers, climate-controlled bathrooms, concessions, and the comfort of stadium-style seating for spectators.

ONE SKY MEDIA PARTNERS WITH WDRA TO BENEFIT RACETRACKS AND RACERS

One Sky Media offers an extensive discount on website design and services for racetracks and racers through its exclusive partnership with the WDRA.

SPRINGFIELD, IL: The World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) has partnered with One Sky Media Webmasters for the 2024 season to bring more value to the growing crowd of WDRA racetracks and members. The internet marketing professionals at One Sky Media will provide their expertise at significantly reduced costs to transform a racetrack website from outdated, or in some cases nonexistent, to an attractive and efficient communication tool.

Over $2,000 in savings is on the table for WDRA member tracks who utilize the exclusive offer by One Sky Media which includes free standard website design and setup with the purchase of an annual hosting and maintenance plan in addition to the 50% discount on any of the add-on features available. For WDRA members who are also business owners, One Sky Media is offering a 25% discount on website design and build costs so those racers-turned-entrepreneurs can benefit from the alliance as well.

Good Times Ahead for Baileyton Dragstrip through WDRA Sanction

SPRINGFIELD, IL: Baileyton “Good Time” Dragstrip has reached a multi-year sanction agreement with the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) and becomes the latest track to join the flourishing WDRA member track family ahead of the 2024 season.

Formerly sanctioned by IHRA, Jack Walker built Baileyton Dragstrip in 1966 and it has been a family heirloom ever since. Now owned and operated by Jack’s grandson, Russ Easterwood, and his wife, Sasha, the legendary Alabama racetrack continues to welcome countless drag racing fans and drivers. Anyone is sure to have a good time at Baileyton with their variety of events that alternate between $5,000 bracket races, street style heads-up racing, no prep events, as well as test and tune.

“We appreciate the trust Russ has placed in WDRA. The history and legacy that comes along with Baileyton is just incredible,” said WDRA’s Frank Kohutek.  “Five of the nine sanctioned tracks in Alabama are now WDRA member tracks and we look forward to helping them work together to benefit all the racers in the state.” 

Easterwood continues to invest in the fifty-seven-year-old facility as evidenced by various projects the last few seasons. Racers have enjoyed a resurfaced concrete eighth mile, paving projects in the staging lanes and pit areas, as well as a new Accutime timing system that was installed at the start of the 2022 season. 

Holiday Raceway Swaps Sanction to WDRA Starting in 2024

SPRINGFIELD, IL: Holiday Raceway, otherwise known as “The Beach,” has reached a multi-year sanction agreement with the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) and becomes the latest addition among a blossoming WDRA member track family.

Located in Woodstock, Alabama, and established in 1968 by Johnny Bateh and Thurman West, Holiday Raceway continues to be family-owned and operated over five decades later. In addition to a thriving drag racing program on the all-concrete eighth mile surface, The Beach welcomes a wide range of events each season including music festivals, truck meets, and car shows. The spacious facility is prepared for large crowds with concession stands, restrooms, and grandstands located on both sides of the racetrack.

“We appreciate the Holiday Raceway family for taking a look at what WDRA brings to its member tracks and the racers who support them and seeing the benefits of making the switch,” said WDRA’s Frank Kohutek.  “The team at Holiday Raceway is focused on providing all their guests the best experience possible when they visit the track.  Their decades of success will help make our Alliance stronger. We are on the same mission to grow the sport and we look forward to partnering with them in that effort for years to come.”

I-22 Motorsports Park Converts to WDRA Sanction

SPRINGFIELD, IL: The World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) proudly announces that I-22 Motorsports Park in Eldridge, Alabama has reached a multi-year sanction agreement and becomes the latest addition to the expanding catalog of WDRA member tracks.

Formerly sanctioned by IHRA, I-22 Motorsports Park was built in 2009 by three friends with a passion for motorsports: Scott Tucker, Gregg Burgess, and the late Bill Haley. Situated on 150 acres, the eighth mile and all-concrete racetrack hosts a variety of events from March to November to satisfy any car enthusiast. The pair of automotive industry veterans and co-owners have created a family-oriented atmosphere with multiple members of the Burgess family either working or racing at 1-22 Motorsports Park any given weekend.

“We gladly welcome the I-22 family into the Alliance and look forward to delivering the track and racer benefits that WDRA is becoming known for, “said Frank Kohutek with the WDRA. “Hunter Burgess and his team are a great fit for what we are building in the South and will be a valuable part of the Alliance in that region. I know the other tracks that are attending the Summit Southern Bracket Finals at Montgomery this coming season are looking forward to having I-22 join the program.”

We Need Your Help To Protect The Future Of Our Industry

𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐒:

There are a few important pieces of legislation that our motorsports community should get educated and act on. The SEMA Action Network and our partners at Summit Racing Equipment are out spreading the word. We wanted to share this with the Alliance so you could read up and take action.

The REPAIR Act and Right to Modify protects your right to access data and tools you (or your shop of choice) need to repair, maintain, and modify modern vehicles. Without the legislation, we’re at the mercy of the manufacturers and dealer services to access systems for repair, reset electronics after modifications, and perform routine maintenance. Don’t let your car’s advanced technology lock you out of maintenance, repairs, and mods!

Palo Marga International Raceway Park Switches to WDRA Sanction

SPRINGFIELD, IL: The crown jewel of drag racing facilities in the Caribbean, Palo Marga International Raceway Park has reached a multi-year sanction agreement with the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) and becomes the latest track to join the fast-growing WDRA member track family.

Previously sanctioned by IHRA, the track attracts 30,000 spectators annually on an island of 110,000 people.  The facility hosts a diverse schedule including bracket racing, quick 32, bikes, FWD, import classes, monster truck events and drifting.  Racers from around the Caribbean also ship in their vehicles for some of the bigger events making the track a true destination for racers.

“Having been to the track personally, I can tell you that the community of racers around Palo Marga are some of the most passionate racers and friends of the track I have ever come across,” said WDRA’s Frank Kohutek.  “We appreciate the support and confidence of the board of directors in making this change and we look forward to welcoming the track into our Alliance.”

Saskatchewan International Raceway Switches to WDRA Sanction

SPRINGFIELD, IL: Western Canada’s oldest drag racing facility, Saskatchewan International Raceway (SIR), has reached a multi-year sanction agreement with the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) and becomes the latest track to join the multiplying WDRA member track family.

Previously sanctioned by IHRA, Saskatchewan International Raceway is owned and operated by a non-profit association of 250 racers and fans called the Saskatchewan Drag Racing Association (SDRA). Established in 1986, the SDRA began operating what was then known as Saskatoon International Raceway to promote the growth of drag racing within the Saskatchewan province. Seven years later, the SDRA members purchased the facility and have managed the quarter-mile racetrack alongside a board of directors for three decades and counting. The SDRA membership voted unanimously to upgrade their sanctioning to the WDRA in 2024.

“SIR is very similar to WDRA in that a group of people came together for the common good of drag racing and made a successful venture that continues to promote and grow our sport,” said Jon O’Neal from WDRA.  “It is awesome to see what happens when a team of racers and fans get on the same page and work together.  Our sport needs more groups like the SDRA, and we are thrilled to have them join the Alliance.”

The 2023 Southeast Division Coverage of the Bracket Finals at Gulfport Dragway

The Summit Racing Bracket Finals, presented by Laris Insurance, was held at Gulfport Dragway. Congratulations to all the WDRA racers competing at the Finals—see the complete coverage and visit back often to our continued event coverage for the remaining 2023 season.

See the Southeast Division Bracket Finals coverage here.