Fram Autolite Dragway has just announced that it will be changing the sanctioning body of its Meremere drag racing facility. Fram will not be renewing it’s membership with the NZDRA and all track sanctioning will change to the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).

This comes as massive news for the Meremere Dragway and for the sport of drag racing in NZ, to find out more read Fram Autolite Dragway’s official press statement below.

Fram Autolite Dragway Press Release – 20th May 2011

FRAM Autolite Dragway would like to announce that we are changing the sanctioning body of our drag racing facility at Meremere.

After careful consideration we have decided we will not be renewing our membership to NZDRA and are affiliating with The International Hot Rod Association USA (IHRA).

Meremere Dragway will not be a governing body in NZ, however track sanctioning has changed from NZDRA/FIA to IHRA.  The previous organization was not financially sustainable. Meremere Dragway needs to be financial to survive these tough times and to improve the facility.

The Meremere Dragway Inc Board initiated discussions with NZDRA in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues between the tracks and NZDRA.  Because these issues were unable to be resolved in a manner that suited both parties we have decided to make this change.

As a member track of IHRA we have many significant benefits which include:

• Sanctioning and affiliation fees decrease dramatically
• We have access to Feld Entertainment’s (IHRA parent company) 100 strong marketing department
• We have access to IHRA track prep technicians and track development managers
• We have access to IHRA merchandise to sell.
• An IHRA competition licence will generally be less than half of what racers are currently paying – a significant benefit to the racer
• Our Night Speed Drag Wars racers’ entry fee will go down by 25%.
• IHRA have racer programs that we can adopt such as Teen Championship Racing (13-17 year olds in road cars).
• There is a real opportunity for winning racers to race in America as part of the Summit Super Series
• The track also has access to a limited number of Ironman trophies (IHRA equivalent to the NHRA Wally) per season.

There will be no disruption to the racer as all racing classes, safety regulations, rules and indexes will remain unchanged to those you are currently familiar with.

If the racer does not want to apply for an IHRA licence or have their car teched as an IHRA car they can still race at Meremere Dragway with their current NZDRA licence and NZDRA teched car. Racers do NOT need 2 licences

YOU WILL NOT BE TURNED AWAY.

Meremere Dragway and the other NZ tracks are also committed to having a New Zealand wide Series next season. The tracks are in discussions with Azhar Bhamji from 4 & Rotary Promotions regarding his promotion of the series. Azhar will be a great asset to our series as he has proven himself already with promoting many successful 4 & Rotary events.

We have always been committed to safety and the improvement of our facility. This change of affiliation offers us the additional funds to help assist achieve these goals. We know we are in for some changing times and would ask for your support in ensuring that Meremere remains the premier drag racing facility in New Zealand.