By SEMA Editors
Bahrain International Circuit Extends NHRA Worldwide Network Agreement
NHRA has announced that the Bahrain International Circuit, which currently boasts a vibrant drag racing community and numerous events, has extended its NHRA Worldwide Network agreement. NHRA Worldwide Network is designed to enable drag racing facilities around the world to conduct events under the NHRA banner. As part of the NHRA Worldwide Network, Bahrain International Circuit will be able to use the specially-designed “Worldwide Drag Racing” NHRA oval for broad promotional purposes and will be able to draw on NHRA’s decades of experience and history. The track will have access to various departments within NHRA and may also request training at the track site. The track can also participate in any of NHRA’s Division Tech Seminars, SFI certification and training seminars, and emergency response training seminars. The worldwide rules adopted by FIA for drag racing originate from NHRA’s Rulebook. Members of the commission meet annually to develop the rulebook and discuss drag racing on a global basis. Currently, organized series are conducted in Europe and Australia.
 (L–R): Brian Norko, Doug Kalitta, J.R. Todd, Shawn Langdon and Chad Head at NGK Kalitta Motorsports sponsorship announcement during the 2019 SEMA Show. |
NGK Joins Kalitta Motorsports as Official Spark Plug
Kalitta Motorsports and NGK Spark Plugs have announced an exclusive multi-year partnership beginning in 2020, which will see every race car in the Kalitta Motorsports stable use NGK Spark Plugs in all NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. More than one year in the making, product, engineering and testing teams from NGK Spark Plugs and Kalitta Motorsports have worked together to develop designs to maximize the performance and durability of a spark plug that can withstand the conditions of a nitro-fueled engine. The 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will begin with the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, February 6–9, and will be broadcast on FS1.
 At the 2019 Haltech World Cup Finals, Tony Hobson’s ProCharger-equipped, SBF-powered Mustang took the X275 vs. Hot Rod class win. |
AEM-Equipped Racers Take 3 Class Wins and Set New Coyote All-Motor Record at World Cup Finals
At the 2019 Haltech World Cup Finals, Tony Hobson’s ProCharger-equipped, SBF-powered Mustang scored a 6.73 at 195.19 mph for the X275 vs. Hot Rod class win. West Coast team TB Motorworx, led by Aweis Adde, in their Honda B-Series powered Integra faced off against Teddy Weaver and his AEM-equipped ’01 Ford Mustang in the All Motor Class finals, where Weaver rolled the beams and red-lighted, allowing Adde to coast to a win in the finals. In the Super Street class, Patrick Pelchat and his 2JZ-powered MKIII Toyota Supra beat Jason Hunt through the traps in the finals with an 8.356 at 166.89 mph despite getting the automatic win when Hunt red-lighted. Michael Washington reset the Ford Coyote All-Motor ET record in qualifying for the True Street class with an 8.594 at 152.88 mph in his PureEvil Fox-Body Mustang. This car was the first eight-second all-motor Coyote and is poised to be the first to go sub-8.50s.