A new organization has been formed to provide racers, fans and manufacturers involved with professional-level outlaw doorslammer drag racing a promising future in 2014 and beyond.
The Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA), founded by well-known racers Jason and Mitchell Scruggs, Gene Hector, Roger Henson and Tommy Franklin, aspires to create a solid foundation for eighth-mile Pro Mod-style drag racing and offer their racing brethren a stable, safe and competitive venue for the quickest and fastest doorslammers on the planet.
“Our goal is to give outlaw doorslammer racers, as well as all the fans, track operators and sponsors who have supported this kind of racing over the years, an organization they can be proud of,” says longtime racer Jason Scruggs. “The PDRA is racer owned and racer operated, and while we understand that there will be a building process, we’re looking forward to a strong series in 2014.”
The 2014 PDRA series tour will feature eight races starting with the season-opener on Friday and Saturday, April 4th-5th at Rockingham Dragway in Rockingham, North Carolina. The series will then move to South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Georgia, on May 9th-10th, Memphis International Raceway in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 23rd-24th, U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, on June 27th-28th, Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Virginia, on July 25th-26th and Osage Casino Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a unique “under the lights” race on August 15th-16th before returning to Rockingham Dragway on September 5th-6th. The series will then return to Richmond, Virginia, on October 10th-11th for its conclusion at Virginia Motorsports Park.
At each stop on the 2014 PDRA series tour there will be eight eliminator categories contested, including Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Extreme Pro Stock, Pro Boost, Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster and Junior Dragster.
Longtime racers Bob Harris and Rick Moore, both of North Carolina, have been called upon for PDRA’s day-to-day operations and will spearhead the upstart organization’s forward progress.
“There are still a few details to work out, but we are thrilled at the support that has already been shown by racers, track operators and potential sponsors behind the scenes,” says Harris. “I’ve been a racer for over 30 years, involved with Pro Mod for the last 5-6 years with a son who races, and I’ve seen this type of racing really grow. Truthfully, it’s very important that we preserve it, and I think the sport needs an organization like PDRA.
“I’m looking forward to working with Rick, who I’ve worked closely with before, and – bottom line – we’re going to make this deal better than anything that’s out there currently. We’ve got all the tools to do so, and we’re committed to making PDRA the premiere eighth-mile drag racing association in the world.”
Rules, purse structure and various other items will be announced in the coming days and weeks, as well as the creation of an official PDRA website or call Bob Harris (919-880-4962) or Rick Moore (336-382-9516) for more information.
This story was originally published on January 6, 2014.