Honoring Gold Card member’s privileges would seem like a simple task for the IHRA.

However, the sanctioning body recently has had difficulty delivering the message to its drivers on how it honors the Gold Cards.

As the IHRA prepares for its World Finals Nitro Jam Oct. 15-16 in Richmond, Va., the sanctioning made a point to clarify to current Gold Card members what was taking place.

Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com, learned Skooter Peaco, the vice president of Feld Motorsports, recently sent a letter to current Gold Card members and told them that only the new champions, crowned on Friday of the upcoming World Finals, would be able to use their Gold Cards for the Saturday-Sunday Nitro Jam at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Honoring Gold Card member’s privileges would seem like a simple task for the IHRA.

However, the sanctioning body recently has had difficulty delivering the message to its drivers on how it honors the Gold Cards.

As the IHRA prepares for its World Finals Nitro Jam Oct. 15-16 in Richmond, Va., the sanctioning made a point to clarify to current Gold Card members what was taking place.

Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com, learned Skooter Peaco, the vice president of Feld Motorsports, recently sent a letter to current Gold Card members and told them that only the new champions, crowned on Friday of the upcoming World Finals, would be able to use their Gold Cards for the Saturday-Sunday Nitro Jam at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Unlike year’s past, the IHRA Tournament of Champions event is being run prior to the Nitro Jam event and the Tournament of Champions is the last race of the 2010 season.

The IHRA’s stance for current Gold Card members left some drivers miffed and confused. So, Peaco, via email, explained to Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com, what the sanctioning body was doing in regards to Gold Card members at the World Finals in Richmond.

“IHRA communicated with and reminded all TOC and Summit Pro-Am competitors that the 2010 champions would be crowned and recognized on Friday of the World Finals,” Peaco said. “Given that, we reminded our 2010 Summit Pro-Am champions and all potential 2010 world champions that their Gold Cards would be honored during the Saturday and Sunday Nitro Jam portion of the weekend.  We also reminded our competitors that the Saturday and Sunday Nitro Jam was, in fact, the first race of the 2011 season since the champions of that event would win an entry into the 2011 TOC even though the race is held in the 2010 calendar year.  All recently crowned 2010 World Champions, Summit Pro-Am Tour Champions and Summit All Star Champions will be able to use their Gold Card during the Saturday and Sunday Nitro Jam in Virginia.

Peaco also acknowledged in his response the IHRA’s decision on Gold Cards at the World Finals has caused some controversy.

“There may be some 2009 Gold Card holders or some members of the internet world looking to grind an ax by trying to make an issue out of the event being held in 2010,” Peaco said. “The fact remains that on Friday of the World Finals we have a new set of champions. The 2009 champions actually earned their Gold Cards three races into this season so we produced cash refunds for all the races they attended prior to the Rockingham event this year and produced a free entry and/or crew ticket voucher for all those that returned to Rockingham this spring.  We wanted to be sure the 2009 champions received full value for their Gold Cards because IHRA is always focused on taking care of sportsman racers.  I have personally spoken to two 2009 gold card holders that thought their card was good for Virginia and I am always happy to talk to anyone who takes the time to call our office for further explanation.”

The IHRA Motorsports Division phone number is (419) 660-4217.

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