There is nothing quite like racing in southern Florida – especially during the month of January.

While most of the country is digging out from under buckets of snow or trying to stay warm amid treacherous temperatures, the people of south Florida enjoy mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine during the winter months.

So what better way to start the year than with a double dose of south Florida sun and fun with a pair of sportsman races promising to give drivers a well earned vacation as well as four days of track time and two shots at the 2010 Tournament of Champions.

“We are very excited to kick off the season in Florida this year. More importantly, thanks to Immokalee Raceway’s Ralph Hester for continuing to spread the IHRA word in the south, we have a great package set up for IHRA racers to start the year,” said Skooter Peaco, VP of Race Operations.

Beginning with the Nitro Jam season opener at Palm Beach International Raceway, IHRA sportsman competitors will have two shots at the 2010 Tournament of Champions and an opportunity to accumulate points with the Summit Pro-Am Tour.

The 2010 season will open with the Palm Beach Nitro Jam January 29-30 and will offer drivers the first opportunity to qualify for the TOC with two days of qualifying and eliminations capped off with the crowning of champions Saturday afternoon.

The following weekend Ralph Hester will once again open the Summit Pro-Am Tour season at Immokalee Regional Raceway with a double Summit Pro-Am Tour weekend and the first Champion Systems Sportsman Nationals of the year.

The Heat Wave divisional will open the season February 6-7 with a double wild card event. Racers attending this event regardless of their home division will be able to use these two events as a divisional claim.

Immokalee Regional Raceway

The event will feature a test ‘n tune on Friday followed by the first of two Summit Pro-Am Tour divisional events on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday’s event will also double as a Sportsman Nationals event with drivers being able to secure a spot in the Tournament of Champions and claim divisional points.

When all is said and done a potential 14 drivers will be eligible for the Tournament of Champions just one month into the New Year and many more will be able to start 2010 with a tan.

“What better way to start the year off right than offering drivers two shots at the Tournament of Champions and a bit of a vacation in the process,” Peaco said. “Overall this will give IHRA racers two events to hit and make travel sense out of the trip to Florida for everyone.”