New IHRA Tracks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Vestal IHRA Motorsports

Nov. 12, 1997

IHRA welcomes two new facilities

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- The International Hot Rod Association is pleased to announce the addition of two new state-of-the-art drag race facilities to its 'Family of Fast Friends.' Red River Raceway in Shreveport, La. and Lake Slip Away Dragway, Lena, Miss., recently signed contracts to become IHRA member facilities. Both tracks are scheduled to host national events in 1998.

Red River Raceway is located on 240 acres, approximately 18 miles north of Shreveport, near Gilliam, La. With construction already underway, the track is scheduled to open in April 1998. The track is scheduled to host the IHRA Finals, Oct. 15-18.

"We are building a quality, state-of-the-art facility and something that the fans and racers of Shreveport can be proud of," said Tom Brown, Red River Raceway Track Coordinator. "We have a sanctioning body in IHRA that is a very progressive organization and we want to be a progressive track."

Lake Slip Away Dragway sits next to a 40-acre lake that joins the dragway and combined resort area to make this facility one-of-a-kind. This quarter-mile speedplant is located in Lena, Miss., approximately 60 miles northeast of Jackson, Miss. just off I-20. The track will host the IHRA Grand Nationals on Memorial Day weekend, May 22-25.

"We are very excited to bring IHRA Snap-on Tools Championship Drag Racing to this part of Mississippi," said Robert Furrer, President of Lake Slip Away Dragway. "From the start we worked to make this facility the best it could be, and we are looking forward to even greater things in the future as the facility matures."

For more information about Red River Raceway call 318-635-1260. For additional information about Lake Slip Away Dragway call 800-737-1099.

IHRA, founded in November 1970, will celebrate its 28th season of sanctioning championship drag racing events in 1998. IHRA currently sanctions over 60 drag strips in the United States and Canada.