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Image courtesy of IHRA
It’s been a long time since a Top Fuel Dragster raced alongside jet-propelled cars heads-up, but fans of the IHRA Nitro Jam series are soon to experience just that.
The IHRA revealed today that, following a one-year hiatus from the Nitro Jam Tour, the undisputed kings of the sport, Top Fuel, will return to the lineup at every stop on the 2013 trail that winds from the Southwestern International Raceway in March to the Memphis International Raceway in October. Top Fuel will rejoin an already jam-packed lineup of nitro-burning entertainment that includes the AMSOIL Prostaglia Nitro Funny Cars, Nitro Harleys, and the always-wild Fuel Altereds.
“We took a survey of our fans, sponsors, racers and even our own employees about what makes them say ‘wow’ in this sport. While all of the lists varied from second place on down, number one was almost always the same. Everyone listed Top Fuel as the most exciting thing they have ever seen,” said Nitro Jam President Aaron Polburn. “So in 2013 we are thrilled to bring Top Fuel back to our lineup and make each Nitro Jam event as entertaining and exciting as possible. We had a great product in 2012 and with the addition of Top Fuel I know this year’s lineup will be our most exciting yet.”
We took a survey of our fans, sponsors, racers and even our own employees about what makes them say ‘wow’ in this sport. While all of the lists varied from second place on down, number one was almost always the same. Everyone listed Top Fuel as the most exciting thing they have ever seen. – Aaron Polburn.
The Top Fuel cars will compete head-to-head, with as many as four cars at select events on the eight race schedule. However, at others, the IHRA is promising something that’s sure to get everyone talking: a wheel-driven Top Fueler racing alongside a jet-propelled dragster at over 300 MPH. This is,in our opinion, an even cooler concept than the Grave Digger monster truck facing off with the Shockwave jet truck last season in a staggered-start format.
“At select events on the 2013 schedule we will be racing a Top Fuel Dragster against a jet-powered dragster creating a sensory overload the likes of which many people have never seen,” Polburn said. “On one hand you have the fastest accelerating machine on earth and on the other you have a flame-throwing jet that creates all of its speed at the top end. Combined you have two machines going 300 mph that provides a completely unique look and feel when racing.”
Past IHRA regulars and former champions like 2007 world chap Bruce Litton and rising star Kyle Wurtzel are expected to be a part of the program, among others.
So what do you think of this idea? Which car do you think will score the most number of head-to-head victories?
