Two huge fields of Top ET cars were on hand for 2012 edition of the Mountain Motor Nationals at Maryland International Raceway. With a good forecast and nearly perfect racing weather on hand, more than 125 cars made the call for first round each day in Top ET, producing two 8 round races over the weekend. Racers came from all over, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and even as far away as South Carolina. Racing got started Friday evening, with Top ET the only bracket class running. In 6th round, defending Top ET points champ, Robert Jones got past Robbie Parlett on the strength of a .006 light. Dave Brodsky drove his new 6 second Miller dragster to the semi’s with a win over Donna Nelson when Donna couldn’t run the number.

More than 200 racers were in attendance for the opening day of the 2012 Speed Unlimited ET Series at Maryland International Raceway on April 7th. The double header event featured two races for each class, kick starting the 20+ race series. The opening day event also served as the qualifying event for the Pick Royce’s Pocket program. This is the 5th year of the Pick Royce’s Pocket program, where one racer in each class could earn a half a year’s worth of entry fees by running dead-on in a time run. The points leader in each class at the end of the opening day would then qualify for a shot to Pick Royce’s Pocket at the next Speed Unlimited ET Series event.

More than 200 racers were in attendance for the opening day of the 2012 Speed Unlimited ET Series at Maryland International Raceway on April 7th. The double header event featured two races for each class, kick starting the 20+ race series. The opening day event also served as the qualifying event for the Pick Royce’s Pocket program. This is the 5th year of the Pick Royce’s Pocket program, where one racer in each class could earn a half a year’s worth of entry fees by running dead-on in a time run. The points leader in each class at the end of the opening day would then qualify for a shot to Pick Royce’s Pocket at the next Speed Unlimited ET Series event.

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is pleased to announce a new program for racers who record a perfect package at an IHRA track in 2012. Any racer who records a perfect package at an IHRA track between January 1 and December 1 of 2012 will be entered into a drawing to win a prize package that includes free membership for one year, one car and driver entry to any Nitro Jam event, IHRA decals, patches, flags, hats and other various goodies. The winner be selected at random on December 3, 2012.

Even with major track improvements underway, we’re happy to announce that there will be no increase this season in spectator admission prices and/or racer entry fees. This includes event pricing in our Speed Unlimited Midnight Madness Series, MIR Test & Tunes, Speed Unlimited ET Series, all MIR specialty events as well as of our national touring association events.

Voting to elect steering committee members for the Speed Unlimited E.T. Series is now complete. Committee members are chosen by the top 50 racers in their respective class. They are here to help with any issues regarding rules and procedures, to assist in arbitration of any racer disputes, answer questions of new racers and to oversee the staffing of 50/50 sellers at all points events.

As of January 1, 2012, the U.S. Treasury Department has discontinued the sale of paper Series EE Savings Bonds that have been sold at financial institutions since 1935. This action supports the Treasury’s goal to require that all purchases, management, and redemptions of the new Series EE Bonds now be conducted electronically through a personal TreasuryDirect account. The new electronic bonds are also now sold at face value (i.e., you pay $50 for a $50 bond and it's worth its full value when it's available for redemption).

Attention all Top ET drivers, mark your calendars for two awesome weekends, the Mountain Motor Nationals on Friday & Saturday, May 11-12 and the Superchargers Showdown on Friday & Saturday, September 21-22. These events will feature a huge $5,000 to win payout each day! Purses on these races also include round money at $100 per round starting with 2nd round winners. These two events plus the 5K ET Clash (at the IHRA Pro Am Tour) are the only 1/4 mile Top ET High Roller races for the 2012 season.

The ever popular 10K-2K Poker Bash on Saturday and Sunday, August 18-19 will again feature a huge jackpot each day of $10,000 to win in Top ET plus $2,000 to win in Mod ET! This race will be run on the 1/8 mile and points will be in effect both days for Top, Mod, Motorcycle and Junior.  In addition to the big bucks you can win on the track, we'll also have a fun $1,000 to win Poker Contest both days that anyone can enter for just $10 a hand (all racers will receive one free hand with their driver ticket)!

Check out the Important Racer Notes for information pertaining to the Speed Unlimited ET Series Points Program.  Keep current with some of the new changes, policy revisions and more.  Many of the common racer questions can be answered right here.

"Pick me... PICK Me...PICK ME!" Just like the kids in the sandbox, it’s time for us to have some fun. On Saturday, June 23rd, we're going to have our 3rd annual Speed Unlimited ET Series Team Challenge to shake up the series. Teams will consist of eight members each and can be any combination of Top, Mod, Motorcycle or Junior Dragster racers. Once you have your team set, just pick a team name (one that can be said over the PA of course) and come up to the tower to register where you will be given decals to put on every car in your team.

Maryland Int’l Raceway has one of the best weekly Junior Dragster programs in the country; with some of the greatest junior racers and families! With the addition of Ron Hubble and Hubble Motorsports the program is even better. Everyone has been very pleased with the weekly schedule, so we plan to run the same for the 2012 season.

The Saturday E.T. schedule will remain the same as last year. It has worked very well and helps reduce the amount of time a racer needs to be at the track to compete in his or her class. The day is divided into two groups; the first group will be Junior Dragster and Test & Tune, and the second group will be Top, Mod, Motorcycle ET and Test & Tune. Gates will open at 1:00 pm for weekly E.T. events that do not have a morning car club. This will give everyone a full hour to come in, park and go through tech before we start time runs at 2:00 pm. On Saturdays with a morning club, the gates will open at 9:00 am; and the E.T. racers are welcome to come in from that point on.

The IHRA Summit Pro-Am Tour is coming August 24-26 to Maryland Int’l Raceway with a double-header event full of Ironmans, cash and the Saturday night 5K ET Clash! It’s two full days of IHRA excitement for the sportsman racer – with a separate set of eliminations each day; plus a special Saturday night race for the high rollers. Also on Saturday night will be the 34th annual Jet Wars, featuring Bob Mot's Jet Kenworth, Jet Dragsters and Jet Funny Cars along with the Wild Bunch and Fireworks.

Be sure to check in regularly to the “ET Central” section on MIR's website to stay informed on everything ET at MIR. The Speed Unlimited ET Series at Maryland Int'l Raceway is one of the best in the country featuring great programs like the Rick Jewelers Ring for the Queen, Summit Super Series, AUTOFAB Raider ET Challenge, Pick Royce’s Pocket, Pit Bike Challenges, the Team Challenge, The Dash Speed Unlimited Championship Playoffs and much more.

Reserved pit parking spots are now available for the 2012 Speed Unlimited E.T. Series. All spot holders from the 2011 season will have until March 1, 2012 to renew. If you are interested in a pit parking spot or would like additional information about the program, please call the track office at 301-884-9833.

"The Dash" Speed Unlimited Championship Playoffs were an absolute hit last season with its new, well recieved format, so the excitment will continue unchanged in 2012! To qualify for the playoffs, a racer must finish in the top 10 in points in their respective class. Each of the top 10 qualifiers will then go into a 3-race Playoff for their class championship. “The Dash” will be run very similar to NHRA’s Countdown with points earned through the regular season of April to September to try to qualify for a Top 10 finish and a spot in "The Dash" Speed Unlimited Championship Playoffs.

Over the past 10 years the fastest growing and most lucrative grassroots drag racing program in the sport has been the International Hot Rod Association’s Summit Racing SuperSeries. Designed as a championship program for bracket racers around the world, the Summit SuperSeries has crowned nearly two dozen champions and awarded over $1 million in cash and prizes since 2002 and now, through the continued partnership of Summit Racing Equipment, the IHRA is pleased to announce a brand new Summit SuperSeries program for Junior Dragster racers beginning with the 2012 racing season.

Not only has Rick's Jewelers committed for this season, but he has just renewed for a total of three years (2012, 2013 & 2014). The Rick's Jewelers "Ring for the Queen" is one of the most innovative and popular racer programs at MIR. We want to thank Rick for his commitment to MIR and the racers, and we ask that if you have any jewelry needs, think of Ricks Jewelers first.

www.rickjewelers.com

Ron Hubble of Hubble Motorsports (located in Lanham, MD) has stepped up to sponsor the MIR Junior Dragster program. Ron does everything Junior Dragster from building engines and cars to training and tuning. His sponsorship at MIR will increase the year end points payout and he will be at all major Junior Dragster events and many weekly events with his support trailer for parts and service.

The IHRA Summit Super Series remains one of the most prestigious and financially rewarding programs available to the ET racer. This is your ticket to qualify for the Summit World Championship with over $200,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs! Registration is FREE if you're an IHRA member, and non-members can purchase a special SSS membership for just $50. When you register, you will be issued your SSS "X" number. Again for 2012, you must use your assigned "X" number on your car. Summit SuperSeries points do not start until you receive your number from IHRA. It's quick and simple to sign up, just give IHRA a call at 419-663-6666 or go to ihra.com.

The 9th annual Autofab Race Cars Raider ET Challenge returns in 2012 as the most successful and prestigious ET series in the region. Plenty of cash, prizes and awards await the points champion in Top ET, Mod ET and Junior Dragster in this 8-race, all 1/8 mile series between Maryland Int’l Raceway, Virginia Motorsports Park and Richmond Dragway.

Speed Unlimited Performance Center (located in Morningside, MD) continues their incredible support again in 2012 by funding the $10,400 E.T. Series points fund! Speed Unlimited has gone above and beyond the call of duty by continuing to support the MIR racers in these tough economic times. Please be sure to support those that support you and your love for racing. Check them out at speedunlimited.com or call 301-420-2727; you'll be amazed on how competitive their online sale prices are. “The Dash” Speed Unlimited ET Series Championship Playoffs program will remain the same as last year with the points fund being paid based on points finish in the “Dash”. All points money will be awarded at the annual MIR Racer's Party. “The Dash” regular season points will end on Sunday, September 15, 2012 for the 1/8 mile Top and Mod ET racers. For Junior Dragster, Motorcycle and the 1/4 mile Top and Mod ET, points will end on Saturday, September 22, 2012. The three race "Dash Playoffs" to the championships will be held on Saturday, October 6th, and then on Saturday & Sunday, October 13th & 14th.

Qualifying for the IHRA Summit Division 1 Team Finals in 2012 will be the same as last year. The IHRA Summit Division 1 Team Finals will be held at Richmond Dragway on Thursday – Sunday, September 27-30, 2012. Thursday, September 27th will be parking and a test session only. Full details for this event will be posted on the website as the Team Finals draws closer.

No other business has supported the regions ET and street car racers like Speed Unlimited Performance Center in Morningside, MD. Even in these tough economic times, they have continued the very best possible to support the programs at MIR. Their sponsorship provides "The Dash" Speed Unlimited ET Series Championship Playoffs as well as support for the Speed Unlimited Midnight Madness Street Car Series.

MIR is pleased to announce that it will continue the Jr. discount ticket program to add value to families that race and attend events at MIR. Again this year all 12 to 15 year olds that present a valid Student ID or equivalent photo ID may purchase a discounted Junior ticket for just $10. Previously all 12 to 15 year olds were required to purchase full adult admission tickets. This promotion is so “No One Gets Left Behind” - allowing everyone in the family to enjoy a great day at the races at MIR. The Junior ticket will be available at all MIR produced events while the promotion lasts. Don't miss out on the discount of $5, $10 and even $15, so be sure to bring the ID and take advantage of the savings. Families rule at MIR!

The 2012 Speed Unlimited ET Series starts with a double-header day featuring a special event called the “Pick Royce’s Pocket Challenge.” This is your chance to pick Royce’s pocket and win a free car and driver pass valid until mid-season! Here’s how it works! Simply enter and run both races on Saturday, April 7th (points will be in effect for both races in all classes).

Maryland Int’l Raceway will continue to offer a discount of $ .50 per gallon on all 55-gallon drum purchases for the 2012 racing season (racer is required to supply their own drum). This discount will be valid for all grades of racing fuel (MS 103 Unleaded, 110, C12, C16) as well as racing alcohol. Drum sales are available during normal operating hours at all events and from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Rick Norris of Rick’s Jewelers has again renewed the “Ring for the Queen” Challenge (one of MIR’s most unique and innovative programs) for another year! A certified full one-carat ladies diamond solitaire ring (with a retail value of $8,500) is once again up for grabs in the Speed Unlimited ET Series – which is open for any racer to win in Top, Mod, Junior or Motorcycle! Here’s how the program works! Every time a racer is perfect on either end of the track (.000 reaction time or dead on the dial with a zero) he/she will earn a Diamond Point.

MIR racers that qualify for the 2012 IHRA Summit Team Finals will now be heading to Richmond Dragway. “This will be a significant savings of time and expense to our racers” stated Royce Miller, promoter at Maryland International Raceway. “I know Johnny and his staff will do a great job hosting this event just as they do with the AutoFab Race Cars Raider E.T. Challenge."