Value. While politicians and big business argue about the economy, IHRA is looking to bring something of actual value to its customers. People are being very careful about where they are spending their money these days. With that in mind IHRA officials looked for another way to bring added value to those who race with them.

The rising cost of fuel is clearly today’s biggest cost factor in drag racing. While IHRA can’t make fuel $2.00 a gallon again, what it can do is cut travel costs in half for racers in certain situations. Two seasons ago the sanctioning body created the first double race weekends at various Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am events, giving racers the chance to race twice for the cost of one tow. Now the “doubles” are fairly standard in most Pro-Am divisions. When looking at the 2008 schedule IHRA officials thought they could do something else to add value to some of its races.

Taking the double concept one step further IHRA is now inviting racers to experience its first-ever double national event weekend at San Antonio Raceway during the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts April 3-6. The Sportsman National will be held Friday and the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals eliminations will take place Saturday and Sunday.

As an added bonus all competitors who enter the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals will get a free entry ($190 value) to Friday’s IHRA Sportsman National event.

“Last season we had the Sportsman Appreciation Race in Tulsa, this is how we have decided to show our appreciation to our sportsman competitors this season,” IHRA vice president of operations Skooter Peaco said. “We know of the financial crunch many racers are dealing with this season and this is another way to alleviate some of that monetary burden. The chance to race for national event points and contingency twice in one weekend adds a tremendous amount of value to the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals for our racers.”

Racers will be running for national event points as well as $500,000 in national event contingency postings twice at San Antonio Raceway.