|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Returning
to Drag Racing Roots to Keep it Great in 2017
PDRA Puts Emphasis on Personas
PITTSBORO, N.C. (January 4, 2017): Nicknames were
synonymous with drag racing in the initial heyday of the
sport. The names Raymond Beadle and Harry Schmidt may not
be widely familiar, but say “Blue Max” and any number of
drag racing fans can immediately picture a blue funny car
with white stripes and gold lettering. Let’s be honest -
drag racing, as much as it’s identified by cars, has
always been about the people. But the people are known by
their personas, personas that are often emblazoned on the
sides of their hotrods.
The PDRA is calling for a return of these personas, so
beloved by fans. Many PDRA racers already tout a
recognizable nickname and in 2017 you can expect to hear
those names a great deal more. As Bob Harris explains, the
PDRA is continuing their mission of making each event
better than the last by putting a strong emphasis on racer
personas in 2017: “We believe in the roots of our sport
and this idea so strongly that we’re going to offer our
racers a nice incentive to name their car this year. They
have the first three races to get this done and if, within
that time frame, any racer in Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, or
Pro Boost names their car, he or she will receive 200
bonus points.
“I don’t care if the name is on the side of the car, the
window, the roof, the wing. It doesn’t have to be big; it
just has to be on there. And it has to be on the tech
card. Any name has to be on the car by the time it’s
teched in at Darlington to receive the 200 bonus points.”
|
|
Racers who already have a
name somewhere on their car simply need to ensure it’s also identified on
the tech card to receive the bonus points. As Harris highlighted, racers
may put the name in any visible spot on their cars. PDRA announcers will
rely heavily on these personas throughout the season to generate better
fan recognition, sponsor identification and racer interest.
“We want to make sure our drivers and their hotrods are easily
recognizable. The PDRA is simply a platform we can all use to make drivers
the stars. In NASCAR people remember the number, but with drag racing,
it’s always been a colorful nickname that reflects the personality of the
driver or the car itself. That’s what we want to promote as we continue
keeping drag racing great,” Harris added.
“Jay Cox got all kinds of notoriety from ‘The Pumpkin’. They may walk
right by Jay Cox and not know who he is, but they know exactly what to
look for when the announcer says, ‘The Pumpkin’s coming to the line.’
Everybody in 2016 knew who The Pumpkin was. Many of our racers already
have their personas: Chris Rini, the Northern Assassin; Tommy Franklin,
the Jungle Rat; Jason Scruggs, Mississippi Missile; Terry Leggett, Legbone;
Stevie Fast, The Shadow; Lizzy Musi, King Kong. We want to make these
personas famous. People connect with that. Giving fans a personality to
connect to is what makes lasting memories. It helps tell our story and
make stars of our drivers.”
Although the 200 bonus points are only available to Pro Extreme, Pro
Nitrous, and Pro Boost competitors, all PDRA racers are encouraged to
develop and promote a persona. Anyone who puts a name on their car and
tech card will be identified by their chosen name over the PA, on PDRA
social media, and news articles. PDRA staff are considering offering
incentives to other classes in the future.
ABOUT THE PDRA
Based in Pittsboro, North Carolina, the Professional Drag Racers
Association is the top sanctioning body in the United States for the sport
of eighth-mile drag racing. The PDRA’s professional categories include Pro
Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Pro Boost, Extreme Pro Stock and Pro Extreme
Motorcycle along with several sportsman and various exhibition categories.
The 2017 PDRA schedule consists of eight national events. For more on the
world’s premier eighth-mile drag racing organization visit
www.pdra660.com.
Follow the PDRA:
Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram,
YouTube.
Photo: Gary Rowe / PDRA660.com
PRESS CONTACT: Lisa Collier
Professional Drag Racers Association
lisa@pdra660.com
704.692.4636
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|