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| June 09, 2009 News |
| IKF Road Race Grand Nationals Invades Eagles Canyon Raceway |
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Since securing the race back in October 2008, the Southwest Roadrace Association (SWRA) has been hard at work preparing for this week’s action at the Eagles Canyon Raceway for the 2009 edition of the International Kart Federation (IKF) Road Race Grand Nationals. Thirty-three classes will be competing over the four day event on the Decatur, Texas facility for the prestigious Duffy trophy that awaits each winner.
The Eagles Canyon Raceway was completed in 2007. The track features a 2.55-mile circuit with 15 turns and four straights over 1,300 feet long. Though you may think the track being in Texas would not have much elevation, it actually has 70 feet of elevation changes with some challenging corners. SWRA has host two karting events at the facility, one in 2008 and another in March 2009.
A change from previous Road Race Grand Nationals will be the introduction of a spec tire for the majority of the classes. The Brazilian made MG Tire brand will be mandatory for 20 classes - all of them in the sprint category. MG Tires is one of the major sponsors for the event and has supported the SWRA program for the last three seasons. Other supporters of the event include Red Bull, Royal Purple Synthetic Oil, and Nichols Bobcat Equipment.
With IKF dropping the traditional three-punch rule, the event is bringing in a number of outside drivers along with those who are looking to make a return to road racing from the Southwest area. Already 11 states are represented in the pre-entry total which was near 200 entering the weekend prior to the event with an expected 400 entries total for the event predicted. Another deal breaker that is bringing people to Eagles Canyon -similar to last year’s ‘Thrifty Five-Fifty’ program by race host Portland Karting Association - the SWRA has instituted an ‘All You Can Run’ entry fee of $600 dollars. This will allow a competitor to enter as many classes as they desire for a flat fee. Drivers that enter the program will save money if they compete in four or more classes during the event while increasing their chances at earning a Duffy.
For those not accustom to the SWRA racing format, 13 classes will have two heat races on their race day to decide the winner. Each heat race is 20 minutes and points from each race will be combined to determine who takes home the Duffy. The remaining classes will run either 30 minutes or 45 minutes - depending on the style of karts competing.
Competitors will move into the Eagles Canyon facility starting on Tuesday at 3pm with registration and pre-tech opening at 5pm. Action starts Wednesday with open practice from 8am to 3pm before the opening ceremonies kick start the racing action as the first three races of the event will be contested that afternoon. After a long day of racing on Thursday, SWRA and MG Tires will be hosting a ‘Louisiana Hog Roast’ dinner for drivers and a guest. Following Friday’s action, Red Bull will be providing special events and entertainment track side. Completing each day’s racing will be the official awards ceremonies where the top-five drivers from each class will be honored for their achievements and the winners award the coveted Duffy trophy.
To follow the action all week, click over to the Official Discussion Thread as eKartingNews.com will be providing Trackside Live coverage throughout the four days. For more information on the event, visit SWRA's Event Page |
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