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DIRTcar Racing Introduces Pro Sprint Division With Chevrolet Performance Engine to Create New Entry-Level Winged Sprint Car Class

Two years of development have led to the new DIRTcar Pro Sprint Car division, an entry-level sprint car class for weekly tracks spearheaded by motorsports veteran Larry Kemp.

Identical in appearance to a World of Outlaws winged sprint car, the Pro Sprint specifies a number of components based around the Chevrolet Performance 602 sealed engine.

"Tracks are excited to add an economical winged sprint car division to their schedules," Kemp said. "Promoters may run this class weekly or occasionally and it gives fans a chance to experience one of the most exciting dirt racing divisions at their local track. The key is using specified parts from one supplier for the base Chevrolet Performance 602 engine, plus specifying carburetor, shocks, tires, ignition and adaptation parts that will make this division easy entry for the competitor."

Additional mandated parts installed by the exclusive supplier, Pace Performance, include Crate Innovations Crank Balancing Hub and Yoke Assembly, Crate Innovations Carb Spacer and linkage, MSD #8728 Soft Touch DIRTcar-branded Rev Control with a 6,200 RPM chip, Holley 750 CFM Classic HP methanol Carburetor, Chevrolet Performance HEI distributer and ignition, Schoenfeld Headers, Hoosier Racing Tires, and DIRTcar approved PS shocks. Pace Performance will also have complete "plug-and-play" packages for the program.

"DIRTcar is always working with tracks and promoters to build the weekly program," DIRTcar CEO Brian Carter said. "The time has come for the addition of an entry-level winged sprint car that people can afford to race weekly, and it will blend well into the current DIRTcar program. Working with Larry, strict control of the rules, a ceiling on purse awards and regional and national recognition will make this division an immediate success. The Chevrolet Performance engine, combined with a smaller and harder Hoosier tire package, will work well for this class and we expect it to provide an introduction to winged sprint cars to build the future stars of the World of Outlaws."

Competition will focus as a weekly DIRTcar-sanctioned division with North America divided into nine regions. Each region will accumulate points with National standings maintained. The National Champion will receive recognition at the World of Outlaws National Banquet. Regions and participating tracks will be announced in spring 2016.

A unique feature will be an optional 5-foot-wide-by-4-foot-long wing that will retain the existing dimensions for the sideboards and traditional sprint car appearance, but take away a significant amount of downforce and need for horsepower.

Randy Hannagan, a World of Outlaws 410 participant, was one of the primary test drivers and confirmed the race-ability of the combination.

"This combination of the traditional winged sprint car and the Chevrolet Performance 602 with the specified parts make the perfect weekly entry division into winged sprint cars," Hannagan said. "The power created is more than plenty and I see this car becoming very popular."

Pace Performance is the exclusive supplier of the base engine performing the adaptations to a new engine supplied by Pace or the customer. An approved up fitter will install additional mandatory and approved components. A three-seal program, with bar code recognition, that will access to the database will be implemented. With a smart phone, anyone can verify the history of the seal and engine.

"We believe this new division will help to increase interest in sprint car racing while also giving competitors who feel they've been priced out of sprint car racing a chance to get started in the division," Pace's Matt Fullerton said. "This program, with DIRTcar's support, will make sprint car racing affordable at more tracks across the country."

The division will also use the DIRTcar "Approved" shock program where the shock manufacturer installs a decal seal indicating it meets the shock program. Currently, Bilstein, Genesis, Pro, FOX and AFCO have approved products.

For further information, contact Larry Kemp at 317-416-6854, lkemp@dirtcar.com or larrykemp1959@yahoo.com. To contact Pace Performance, call 1-800-748-3791.

Frequently Asked Questions, rules and DIRTcar information can be found at www.DIRTcar.com.

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