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.

WDRA ANNOUNCES DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR 2024 SUMMIT BRACKET FINALS AND SUMMIT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

Just three weeks after finishing its inaugural season, the WDRA reveals the Summit Bracket Finals and Summit World Championship race schedules for 2024.

SPRINGFIELD, IL: After a highly successful first season, the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) is excited to release the 2024 Summit Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports event schedule.

Returning sponsors, Summit Racing Equipment and Laris Motorsports Insurance, will again support the five-event series which will take place on five consecutive weekends.  The series kicks off with the Midwest Bracket Finals at Eddyville Raceway Park on September 5-8, followed by a stop at Keystone Raceway Park on September 12-15 for the Eastern Bracket Finals. US 131 Motorsports Park will welcome the Northern Bracket Finals competitors September 19-22, 2024. The WDRA team will then venture South for the last two events, both of which will be contested at new host facilities. The Southern Bracket Finals will run at Montgomery International Dragway September 26-29, followed by the Southeast Bracket Finals at Union Dragway on October 3-6, 2024.

“It was great to have a lot of the racers come to us with positive comments on the $3K-$5K-$5K race formats the WDRA created for the Bracket Finals,” said Skooter Peaco while representing the WDRA.  “No one has ever put together that kind of high-paying event package for a Bracket Finals, so it was nice that we could pull that off in our first season.”

NOTICE TO WDRA MEMBERS

Due to the WDRA safety and insurance violations that occured at Darlington Dragway over the weekend during a track rental event, WDRA has terminated the sanctioning agreement of Darlington Dragway effective today. WDRA members should be advised the WDRA excess medical program benefit for WDRA members is now that of a non-member track.

WDRA Summit World Championships produce the National Top 10 List

Springfield, IL – The WDRA has crowned its inaugural Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series World Champions and now  is proud to release the national top 10 rankings.  These 2023 rankings are a reflection of the driver’s performance and overall finish at the Summit World Championships.  In some cases, positions were determined by the best losing package of that round to determine final positions.

A total of nineteen different tracks had drivers place in the top 10 with five tracks (Farmington, Darlington, Empire, Prescott and Union) placing three drivers in the top 10.  Another five tracks (Mid-Michigan, US 131, Kinston, North Florida and Eddyville) placed two of their racers in the top 10. 

Six drivers who won their respective class at a Summit Bracket Finals event went on to finish in the top 10 with two from the Midwest and two from the Southeast Summit Bracket Finals leading the pack.