Allen previously served as managing director for IHRA Australia. He brings a wealth of experience to Australia’s No. 1 drag racing organization, which serves as home to both professional and sportsman racing. Under Allen’s leadership, IHRA Australia expanded to over 3,500 members.

“We’ve listened and the desire to have an Australian sanctioning body has been delivered, which represents a great opportunity for the sport to move ahead and grow even more with exciting new opportunities,” Allen said.

Allen began his motorsports career as a Pro Stock motorcycle racer at the age of 20 and later set up the Australia Dragbike School. Prior to joining the IHRA, Allen was the CEO of Australian Professional Drag Racing (APDR) — 400 Thunder, Australia’s premier drag racing series sanctioned by the IHRA.

“This announcement puts drag racing in Australia in a great position to bring direct returns to the biggest stakeholders in the sport, being the passionate racers that support both the tracks and the sanctioning body,” Allen said. “We are excited to be able to implement some direct benefits such as replacing the Australian Supplementary Rulebook app with a dedicated downloadable rulebook on the web, which is currently under construction, simplifying the process, along with a brand new hard card for all competitors moving forward."

IHRA Australia operates at seven different facilities and sanctions the country’s largest drag racing events and series, which include the Aeroflow 400 Thunder Professional and Sportsman Championship Series as well as the Australian Top Fuel Championship.

While IHRA Australia operates other professional classes, it is also the country’s top organization for grassroots, Sportsman racing. For IRGSE, it was important to find someone with both the knowledge and the commitment to carry on the country’s great tradition of drag racing.

“Maurice has done a phenomenal job over his seven years as the IHRA Australia managing director. With his hands-on approach and vast knowledge of the Australian drag racing scene, he is the most qualified person to take over the ownership of the organization and continue the proud tradition of championship racing," IRGSE CEO Lou Partenza said.