Members of the International Hot Rod Association’s™ (IHRA) track services and divisional teams were hard at work over the past week as the IHRA welcomed three new tracks to the member track family.
Located in the states of Georgia, Wisconsin and Indiana, IHRA has signed Savannah River Dragway, Great Lakes Dragaway and Chandler Motorsports Park, bringing the IHRA track count to near-record numbers with facilities located in 31 states plus Canada, New Zealand, Aruba and the Bahamas.
Savannah River Dragway highlights the trio of new facilities with one of the most unique and exciting motorsports facilities in the country. Located just outside of Savannah, Ga., Savannah River Dragway is part of the Screven Motorsports Complex which houses a plethora of motorsports options for fans of all types of racing.
In addition to an 1/8 mile dragstrip, the Screven Motorsports Complex also houses a 3/8 mile, high-banked dirt oval, mud and sand drags and a pair of go-cart tracks sitting on more than 150 acres of land. The facility boasts a number of restaurants, modern restrooms and a closed-circuit television system which broadcasts all of the action of the numerous tracks throughout the grounds. Most of the racing takes place simultaneously, with one admission price to watch any of the racing taking place at the more than half a dozen venues.
“The Screven Motorsports Complex is one of the most unique motorsports facilities I have ever seen. This place is the real deal and owner James Griffin has really put together a fine racing venue,” said Phil Gingerich, IHRA Director of Track Development. “The facility is in a prime location about 40 miles north of Savannah on a major highway. The dragstrip is a laser-leveled, all-concrete, 1/8 mile track with a tower that includes a full service restaurant on the first floor.
“The entire facility is very impressive and the city is very excited to have us. If you want speed, entertainment and food, this is the place to visit.”
Also new to the IHRA family is Great Lakes Dragaway in Wisconsin. Located in Union Grove, Great Lakes Dragaway has enjoyed more than 60 years in operation and features racing nearly every night of the week. It is one of the oldest continuously operating dragstrips in the country and is celebrated by the community for its proud history and racer-friendly programs, making it a perfect fit with the International Hot Rod Association family of tracks.
“Great Lakes Dragaway has long been a facility that has tailored its programs to support the grassroots drag racer and that philosophy meshes well with the IHRA’s commitment to supporting bracket racing at our member tracks,” said Jon O’Neal, IHRA Division Director. “We look forward to having Great Lakes Dragaway back in the family.”
Chandler Motorsports Park (CMP), located in Chandler, Ind., is IHRA’s third new track. Chandler Motorsports Park is an 1/8 mile facility that operates a cherished grassroots program as well as key big-money races and special events throughout the year. CMP is a welcomed addition as part of the IHRA’s growing presence in the Midwest.
The spacious facility also encompasses a 3/8 mile dirt oval running UMP Modifieds and offers some of the most fan friendly grassroots racing in the area.
“Chandler Motorsports Park has been a staple in that area for some time serving the racers of southern Indiana,” O’Neal said. “As our presence continues to grow in the Midwest, the more important tracks such as CMP will become in establishing an exciting racing network in the area. We are very excited to welcome Chandler to the family and look forward to working with them this year. Their inclusion at the bracket finals and as part of the Summit SuperSeries program will bring new enthusiasm and great competition to the division.”
For more information on the IHRA family of member tracks, visit www.ihra.com and for more information on each of the facilities, visit www.screvenmotorsportscomplex.com to visit Savannah River Dragway, www.greatlakesdragaway.com to visit Great Lakes Dragaway and www.racecmp.com to visit Chandler Motorsports Park.
