POLBURN: SERIES SPONSOR UNSIGNED
Fri, 2008-11-28 16:28
IHRA President Confirms Three Pro Classes Full-time in 2009
The $2 Million Dollar question floating around the IHRA community centers on the sanctioning body’s plans for 2009.
IHRA President Aaron Polburn said there isn’t a title sponsor in place for 2009, and he’s not announcing anything until contracts are signed and the money’s in the bank.
The leader of the IHRA confirmed the sanctioning body has several potentials on deck, in terms of a series sponsor, but as of now, there’s nothing to announce.
“There are a lot of different programs on the table,” Polburn said. “The first thing we have to get done is put our title sponsor into place and when that is done, we will put everything into place.” IHRA President Confirms Three Pro Classes Full-time in 2009
The $2 Million Dollar question floating around the IHRA community centers on the sanctioning body’s plans for 2009.
IHRA President Aaron Polburn said there isn’t a title sponsor in place for 2009, and he’s not announcing anything until contracts are signed and the money’s in the bank.
The leader of the IHRA confirmed the sanctioning body has several potentials on deck, in terms of a series sponsor, but as of now, there’s nothing to announce.
“There are a lot of different programs on the table,” Polburn said. “The first thing we have to get done is put our title sponsor into place and when that is done, we will put everything into place.”
Polburn told CompetitionPlus.com that he’s currently negotiating with multiple companies which could potentially fill the void created by Knoll Gas and Torco Race Fuels.
Polburn is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding potential marketing partners.
“Everyone understands what we just went through in 2008, so we are careful not to let such a thing happen again,” Polburn said, when asked when such an announcement will come forth.
Should the season begin without a title sponsor, Polburn says he can’t say with certainty new IHRA owner Feld Motorsports will provide the funding for a points fund again.
Feld covered the defaulted points fund and shootouts from 2008 when then title sponsor Knoll Gas and Torco Race Fuels failed to make good on contracted sponsorships.
“Now that we have our sportsman program in place, our primary focus is to develop a professional championship incentive program,” Polburn admitted. “Our goal is to have all the pieces in place by the PRI show next month.”
The bottom line is Polburn doesn’t mind keeping quiet on the details of the unnamed projects until everything is firmly in place. He just can’t afford to repeat mistakes similar to those made with the previous title sponsor.
“We are just trying to put together the pieces for the other,” Polburn stated. “I am in no position to get trapped like I did last time. We are not announcing anything until all the pieces of the puzzle are in place. The last time we did that, it cost us $2 million dollars and I’m not up to that experience again.”
Polburn confirmed the base of the IHRA program will consist of three professional divisions – Top Fuel, Pro Modified and Pro Stock. Pending an 11th hour reprieve, both the Nitro and Alcohol Funny Car divisions will not return on a full-time basis, if at all. Those eliminators were funded through sponsorship money from Torco Race Fuels.
He confirmed there is a chance other specialty exhibition categories could join the tour at select events in 2009 such as Nitro Harleys and Nostalgia Funny Cars.
The IHRA announced a ten race schedule two weeks ago as well as a sportsman program, which determines the world champion by winning a special Tournament of Champions event during the IHRA World Finals in Rockingham, N.C.
The $2 Million Dollar question floating around the IHRA community centers on the sanctioning body’s plans for 2009.
IHRA President Aaron Polburn said there isn’t a title sponsor in place for 2009, and he’s not announcing anything until contracts are signed and the money’s in the bank.
The leader of the IHRA confirmed the sanctioning body has several potentials on deck, in terms of a series sponsor, but as of now, there’s nothing to announce.
“There are a lot of different programs on the table,” Polburn said. “The first thing we have to get done is put our title sponsor into place and when that is done, we will put everything into place.” IHRA President Confirms Three Pro Classes Full-time in 2009
The $2 Million Dollar question floating around the IHRA community centers on the sanctioning body’s plans for 2009.
IHRA President Aaron Polburn said there isn’t a title sponsor in place for 2009, and he’s not announcing anything until contracts are signed and the money’s in the bank.
The leader of the IHRA confirmed the sanctioning body has several potentials on deck, in terms of a series sponsor, but as of now, there’s nothing to announce.
“There are a lot of different programs on the table,” Polburn said. “The first thing we have to get done is put our title sponsor into place and when that is done, we will put everything into place.”
Polburn told CompetitionPlus.com that he’s currently negotiating with multiple companies which could potentially fill the void created by Knoll Gas and Torco Race Fuels.
Polburn is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding potential marketing partners.
“Everyone understands what we just went through in 2008, so we are careful not to let such a thing happen again,” Polburn said, when asked when such an announcement will come forth.
Should the season begin without a title sponsor, Polburn says he can’t say with certainty new IHRA owner Feld Motorsports will provide the funding for a points fund again.
Feld covered the defaulted points fund and shootouts from 2008 when then title sponsor Knoll Gas and Torco Race Fuels failed to make good on contracted sponsorships.
“Now that we have our sportsman program in place, our primary focus is to develop a professional championship incentive program,” Polburn admitted. “Our goal is to have all the pieces in place by the PRI show next month.”
The bottom line is Polburn doesn’t mind keeping quiet on the details of the unnamed projects until everything is firmly in place. He just can’t afford to repeat mistakes similar to those made with the previous title sponsor.
“We are just trying to put together the pieces for the other,” Polburn stated. “I am in no position to get trapped like I did last time. We are not announcing anything until all the pieces of the puzzle are in place. The last time we did that, it cost us $2 million dollars and I’m not up to that experience again.”
Polburn confirmed the base of the IHRA program will consist of three professional divisions – Top Fuel, Pro Modified and Pro Stock. Pending an 11th hour reprieve, both the Nitro and Alcohol Funny Car divisions will not return on a full-time basis, if at all. Those eliminators were funded through sponsorship money from Torco Race Fuels.
He confirmed there is a chance other specialty exhibition categories could join the tour at select events in 2009 such as Nitro Harleys and Nostalgia Funny Cars.
The IHRA announced a ten race schedule two weeks ago as well as a sportsman program, which determines the world champion by winning a special Tournament of Champions event during the IHRA World Finals in Rockingham, N.C.
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