IHRA NITRO JAM DRAG RACING SERIES INVADES BATON ROUGE MARCH 13-14;

Mardi Gras Nationals is biggest drag racing event in Louisiana

FEBRUARY 27, 2015 -RIS - (Norwalk, OH) -- The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series heads to the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, area for the second race of the 2015 season at State Capitol Raceway in Port Allen on March 13-14. The IHRA Nitro Jam Mardi Gras Nationals will mark the biggest drag race in the history of Louisiana at one of the sanctioning body’s most prestigious tracks in United States.

Nitro Jam is “heads-up” drag racing entertainment – first racer to the finish line wins – in all four pro categories. The exciting show includes qualifying and eliminations for:

AMSOIL NITRO FUNNY CAR -- The loudest, fastest nitromethane-burning nostalgia Funny Cars in the country making up the fastest- growing class in drag racing. The class utilizes “old school” Funny Car bodies (fiberglass replicas of ‘60s and early-‘70s cars) that the fans can relate to. The Baton Rouge event should feature one of the biggest fields of AMSOIL Nitro Funny Cars, including Mike McIntire and Jason Rupert. McIntire, of Mentor, Ohio, set a new speed record for the AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car class at the recent season-opener in Tucson, Arizona, in his new “McAttack” 1971 Camaro. Rupert, of Yorba Linda, California, is the defending IHRA Nitro Funny Car champion and drives the striking black “Bays & Rupert” 1969 Camaro.

U.S. BOUNTY HUNTERS PRO STOCK – Once referred to as “factory hot rods,” these stock-appearing American cars are powered by huge “mountain motor” V-8s. For example, Cary Goforth’s Camaro that won the season-opener at Tucson, Arizona, is powered by a naturally-aspirated, piston-driven V-8 engine that measures in excess of 826 cubic inches. The class is sponsored by the U.S. Bounty Hunters TV show on the Destination America channel.

NITRO HARLEY – Exactly what it means: nitromethane-burning Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Certainly not for the faint of heart, these riders literally don a flack vest and straddle a nitro-burning rocket down the track at speeds in excess of 220 miles per hour on the back wheel.

JET DRAGSTERS – Belching flames and smoke, these rear-engine dragsters are powered by General Electric J-85 jet engines which produce more than 5,000 horsepower and can exceed 300 miles per hour in the quarter mile. Each Nitro Jam features a four-car competition with qualifying and eliminations. The four Florida-based Larsen Motorsports cars all are piloted by females, including defending champion Elaine Larsen and 19-year-old Katerina Moller, a University of South Florida mechanical engineering student.

U.S. FIRE FORCE JET FIRE TRUCK – Last but not least, what’s not to love about a jaw-dropping, jet-powered (dual turbines) 1940 Ford fire truck making track-scorching exhibition passes?

SCHEDULE:

Friday, March 13:

Spectator gates open – 10 a.m.

Pre-race ceremonies – 4:50 p.m.

First round of Nitro Jam qualifying – 5 p.m.

Second round of Nitro Jam qualifying – 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 14:

Spectator gates open – 8 a.m.

Summit Sportsman eliminations – Noon.

Third round of Nitro Jam qualifying – 1 p.m.

Pre-race ceremonies – 3:45 p.m.

First round of Nitro Jam eliminations – 4 p.m.

Second round of Nitro Jam eliminations – 6 p.m.

Final round of Nitro Jam eliminations – 7:30 p.m.