Alligators are almost everywhere in Florida and the warm weather is an attraction to hot rod enthusiasts too, but about 140 miles north of Tampa Bay the well-known college town, Gainesville, is host to a different breed of hot rod and gator. The hot rod: The National Hot Rod Association known as NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The gator: Not the football or basketball championship Gators, but the Gatornationals drag racing event.
Gainesvillle hosts one the most popular big-time drag racing competitions at Gainesville Raceway, a drag strip carved between tall southern pine trees south of the area airport.
This year’s 41st Tire Kingdom Gatornationals, a four day event, should draw throngs that have been routine in past years. Even in a troubled economy, the population of Florida and the timing of the Gatornationals coinciding with spring break tourism attracts ample crowds.
To enjoy the high speeds and side-by-side contests known by fans as the Gators, head north from Tampa Bay on I-75. If planning on Saturday attendance, an early departure time is strongly suggested.
Details provided by NHRA:
TIRE KINGDOM NHRA GATORNATIONALS
WHAT: 41st Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, the third of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla. The track is located on 11211 North County Road 225 in Gainesville.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, March 11-14
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY March 11- Lucas Oil Series qualifying begins at 9 a.m.
FRIDAY, March 12 - Lucas Oil Series qualifying begins at 7:30 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES QUALIFYING SESSIONS at noon and 2:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, March 13 - Lucas Oil Series eliminations begin at 7:30 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES QUALIFYING SESSIONS at noon and 2:45 p.m.
SUNDAY, March 14 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION: Sunday, March 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at midnight (ET). Sunday, March 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11 a.m. (ET). Sunday, March 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of coverage starting at 6 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE: Friday, March 12, 7:30 - 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 6 / Transponder 21K (11920 MHz, vertical)
(Analog feed) Saturday, March 13, 7 - 7:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 6 / Transponder 21K (11920 MHz, vertical)
Sunday, March 14, 7 - 7:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 6 / Transponder 21K (11920 MHz, vertical) Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.
2009 EVENT WINNERS: Larry Dixon, Top Fuel; Bob Tasca, Funny Car; Jason Line, Pro Stock; Hector Arana, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 3.882 seconds by Larry Dixon, March ’09; 315.42 mph by Brandon Bernstein, March ’09. Funny Car - 4.118 seconds by Ashley Force Hood, March ’09; 304.60 mph by John Force, March ‘09.
Pro Stock - 6.536 seconds by Greg Anderson, March ’07; 211.69 by Jason Line, March ’07.
PS Motorcycle - 6.911 seconds by Angelle Sampey, March ’07; 197.45 mph by Andrew Hines, March ’05.
(Top Fuel and Funny Car race distance is 1,000 feet; Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle is 1,320 feet)
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 3.771 sec. by Tony Schumacher, Oct. ’08, Richmond, Va.; 321.58 mph by Larry Dixon, Nov. ’09, Pomona, Calif.
Funny Car - 4.023 sec. by Ron Capps, Feb. ’09, Chandler, Ariz.; 312.13 mph by Ashley Force Hood, April ’09, Atlanta
Pro Stock - 6.509 sec. by Mike Edwards, Oct. ’09, Richmond, Va.; 212.36 mph by Greg Anderson, Oct. ’09, Richmond, Va.
PS Motorcycle- 6.851 sec. by Hector Arana, Sept. ’09, Memphis, Tenn.; 197.45 mph by Andrew Hines, March ’05, Gainesville, Fla.
(Top Fuel and Funny Car race distance is 1,000 feet; Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle is 1,320 feet)
TICKETS: For tickets call NHRA, (800) 884-NHRA (6472); Tickets also available at Ticketmaster.com or at NHRA.com.
GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - FULL EVENT: $140. DAILY: Thursday: Adult, $16; Junior (6-12 years), $10;
Friday: Adult, $36; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Saturday: Adult, $58; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $58; Junior (6-12
years) $10. Children (5 years-under), free with paying adult in general admission and pit access areas each day.
RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $46; Junior (6-12 years), $20; Child (5 years-under), $10. Saturday:
Adult, $65; Junior (6-12 years), $24; Child (5 years and under), $14. Sunday: Adult, $65; Junior (6-12 years), $24; Child (5 years
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