In a press release ManCup states moving the event became the only viable option due to NHRA’s unwillingness to extend the official ASO (Approved Alternative Sanction Organizations) status.
ManCup says it had been in negotiations with the NHRA for five months but was unable to secure ASO status in time for Atlanta, which means the origination would have had to require each rider going 9.99 and quicker to have a valid NHRA Competition License to compete.
Kim Wood of SGMP was able to accommodate the series on the same weekend. SGMP also hosts the first and final round of the tour. ManCup’s most successful races have taken place at SGMP, so the last minute change could work in the series’ favor.
For some racers who planned ahead the change is causing a bit of a disturbance. 12-time champion Larry “Spiderman” McBride says he already had his crews’ airline tickets booked and now has to budget for 200 more miles of travel each way.
ManCup is hoping to return to Atlanta Dragway in 2015.
