Pro Nitro Race to Feature Unique Format

By Jerry Hutchcroft

Front Engine Pro Nitro Racing Update: It's official, the July 28th Pro Nitro event at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, CA. will be an NHRA 50th Anniversary event. It's also official, that Budweiser will be putting up $500 in Bonus money for the Nitro classes. This event is race #2 on the four race 2001 Pro Nitro series. The Top Fuel, Nostalgia Fuel Altered, 7.20, and 7.60 Blown Bad Boy race teams are already starting to pre-register for the event. 

Pro Nitro organizer/promoter Jerry Hutchcroft expects a record turnout of race teams in the four Pro Nitro Partner classes. Pro Nitro events are unique, in that they are contested in one action packed day of qualifying and racing. 

Another unique aspect is that the two nitro classes are run using a Modified Chicago format. The #1 low ET qualifier is automatically seeded into the final round, but the 2nd car is based on the best COMBO ET using reaction time and ET added together, which means that each of the two qualifying runs are actually like an elimination round. You need to cut a light and then run a number to have a shot at making the final round. 

This will be the first time it's been tried this way. Some of the racers love the idea, some are not so sure it will work. The two Blown Bad Boy classes (blowers are optional) should see record car counts in both the 7.20 and 7.60 indexed classes. 7.20 will be a 12 car qualified field and 7.60 will be either a 16, 24 or 32 car qualified field. Number of entries will determine the size of the field and payouts will start in round one. 

All Pro Nitro event payouts are based on ticket sales. Ticket sales above 2000 will result in pretty good payouts. If lower, the payouts will also be lower. If higher (up to 4000 tickets) the payouts will be very good for a one day event and ALL nitro cars entered that make qualifying runs will receive at least a "Thank You" check $$ for their efforts. The top eight Top Fuel teams and the top six Nostalgia Fuel Altered teams will receive much bigger checks. 

All "Pro Nitro Partner" member race teams receive free entry and free team passes (six in nitro and four in BBB). For Pro Nitro Partner membership info you can e-mail your request to pronitro2000@cs.com or call 480-963-9880. Racer gates for the July 28th race open at 2:00 PM with fan gates opening at 4:00 PM. 1972 and older Show N Shine VEHICLES will receive free inside the track VIP parking with purchase of adult $20 ticket.

Jerry Hutchcroft
Pronitro2000@cs.com