Drag - Bishopscourt
The year was 2009 and it was to be the first ever Irish Championship held for the up and coming sport of Drag Racing. Still up and coming on the Irish scene but of course very much established in many other countries around the world. Sideways Racing had laid the foundations in our previous 2 seasons with informal gatherings of modified car enthusiasts, all eager to ‘Test their Metal’ against anything and everything on the strip. That was when Drag racing was merely an add-on in multi-discipline events held at Bishops Court that were very much geared towards the drifting fraternity. 2009 would see all that change with a fully independent series of championship events. Competitors from across the country turned out to see who would be the first to crack the magic 10 second barrier. Crack it they did and now the flood gates are open. The current Irish record stands at 8.301 seconds @ 169.29mph, set by Mick Begley in the infamous ‘Gaijin’ Skyline.
In the brief history of the Irish Drag Racing Championship, the sharp end of each class has gotten noticeably sharper. This trend seems set to continue well into the much anticipated 2010 season. This year more so than ever before, drivers are geared up and ready to start the new season with the wheels already spinning. Much of this has been down to the acquisition of what is regarded as one of Ireland’s most desirable venues for motor sport events, St. Angelo Airport in Enniskillen. This event will be everyone’s first chance to see the current champions in action and I for one can’t wait to see their newly improved machines back in anger after the winter lay-off. The 2010 Irish Championship is the ONLY series that will bring you the FASTEST machines in Ireland, guaranteed!
The Drag Racing season will consist of 4 championship rounds along with 4 non-championship / ‘Run-What-Ya-Brung’ events. With the extra time between championship rounds this will allow for experimenting with set-up and testing on the strip at the RWYB events. Thus leading to drivers arriving to contest the championship events with a finely honed package, ensuring that all us fans are treated to some super competitive racing. There will be no drop scores in this year’s championship and the Finale will be the only double-scoring round, so every one counts.
At each event drivers in each class will be presented prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd overall (the Pro Street division) as well as for 1st place in the Street division.
Bike Class
The structure of the classes remains largely the same as last year, providing the continuity required to build a strong series. The few tweaks that have been made are designed to create an even playing field for all and to ensure that cars are classified in such a way as to create as competitive a series as possible. In order to do so, drivers must feel that they are in with a shout of achieving certain success, even if not outright victory. The Street and Pro Street divisions address that need in classes 1 to 4 and the introduction of the Modified Class will fill in the gaps at the very top end.
From amateur enthusiasts to Pro Tuners, the place to race is the Irish Drag Racing Championship.
