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Expect to
See More Imports at PDRA in 2017
PITTSBORO, N.C. (January 12, 2017): Robert Tighe Racing
has announced its plans to run the majority of the PDRA
events this year. The team fields an 07 Toyota Scion TC,
Toyota 2jz inline 6 cylinder, 94mm gen 2 Turbo by Garrett
and driven by Robert Tighe III. Team owner Robert Tighe
(pronounced TIE) says the North Carolina-based team will
compete at the six eastern-most events on the tour and to
expect to see several other import teams join the Pro
Boost ranks this year.
Teams like Mech-Tech and EKanoo Racing brought their
unique import flavors to the mix in 2016, with their solid
performances paving the way for more diversity in the Pro
Boost ranks.
“We love the variety of cars in Pro Boost,” stated Bob
Harris of the PDRA. “We want a place for imports to
compete with us and Pro Boost allows that in our
professional ranks or Top Sportsman in our sportsman
classes. Imports have their own unique following, so we
hope those fans will take a look at teams like Robert
Tighe Racing as they venture over to the PDRA. It is
really something to watch one of these small import
engines compete against other turbos and blown engines of
the traditional domestic cars.”
Tighe is looking forward to running more with the PDRA
this season. He feels imports aren’t very accepted in
mainstream drag racing, but hopes that appearances with
traditional drag racing series like the PDRA will help
bring more attention to import racing. “Imports bring
additional excitement,” Tighe noted. “We’re seen as the |
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underdogs. And people like
that. I probably won’t win a race. I’ll be tickled pink if we even
qualify, but we’ll get a crazy amount of feedback from our social media.
My social media impressions for World Cup were 270,000. Those were the
likes, views, and comments for one race.
“When I ran my Honda, the engine in it came out of 1999 Civic,” Tighe
continued, explaining his thoughts on import popularity. “Everybody’s got
an aunt or uncle that owns a Honda Civic. We set the world record with it
running 4.50 at 160 miles an hour. We ran the quarter at 201 mile an hour
on an engine that was developed in 1989 and was 121 cubic inches. What we
can do with our small engines is pretty impressive. Everybody can relate
to these cars. And that gives us an edge on bringing in more people to the
events. Our import events across the country are packed. At the World Cup
there’s tens of thousands of people. That happens at every major import
event in the country. Import racing has come a long way. Fan interaction
is second to none. It’s very professional. Technology is always growing.
It’s a unique aspect of drag racing that has it’s own following of people
from all over the world.”
Like it is for so many PDRA racers, Robert Tighe Racing is a family
affair. Tighe’s wife and brother-in-law share the racing passion,
supporting the father/son team. Tighe III not only drives, but is also the
main fabricator and tuner for the Scion GT. His marketable skills have
also earned him a seat driving an X275 radial car this season.
The Tighe family will be at the PDRA season opener March 10-11 at South
Georgia Motorsports Park. Follow their progression as they get ready for
the 2017 season on the Robert Tighe Racing Facebook page.
“I think it’ll be great to have more imports run with the PDRA this
season,” added Tighe. “I’m really pumped for what the PDRA is doing.”
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,
Instagram,
YouTube.
Photo: Gary Rowe / PDRA660.com
PRESS CONTACT: Lisa Collier
Professional Drag Racers Association
lisa@pdra660.com
704.692.4636
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