|
| Papadakis and AEM/GReddy/Toyo Tires/DVS Drag Civic---the 2001 Toyo Tires IDRC Pro Class Champions |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *** 12-10-01
Last Year's Runner-Up Defeats the Best For This Year's Championship
Congratulations to driver Stephan Papadakis, the Papadakis Racing Team, Honda Motor Company and associate sponsors of the quickest and fastest front wheel drive in the world. The team finished with 595 points, 111 points ahead of runner-up Carlos Montano and his Pepe Loco rotary-powered Datsun 1200. This was enough to secure the 2002 IDRC crown in the Apex Integration Outlaw Class.
During 2001, Steph campaigned the Civic at IDRC and NIRA events. While Steph easily captured a victory in the FWD-only class of NIRA, Steph faced his stiffest competition of the year in the IDRC's Apex Integration Outlaw Class. Not only was Steph up against the front-wheel-drive rockets of Apex Integration and Chris Rado, he also faced the rear-wheel-drive, back-half powerhouses of the likes on Craig Paisley, Vinny Ten, Pepe Loco and others. In many ways, this was the epitome of accomplishments for the high-horsepower Honda, as it repeatedly shut down the competition with five wins in as many appearances. Additionally, the Civic also set a new IDRC class mph world record with a 180.00mph pass at the IDRC's Long Horn Nationals.
For 2002, the IDRC expects the Papadakis Racing team to continue a successful campaign in the Outlaw Class. The race is on to see who will be the first Outlaw into the 7s. The Papadakis Racing team is one of the favorites to break the barrier while Vinny Ten may also be a major factor thanks to a rumored switch from automatic to 5-speed.
For 2002, Honda will also be backing show-car-star-turned-racer RJ DeVera and his Acura RSX Outlaw program along with import legend Adam Saruwatari and his Pro Class NSX and new Civic Si. The most popular brand in import and sport compact drag racing looks to be well represented in 2002.
According to Operations Director Wayne Kiang, "In 2001, the manufacturer support provided by Ford, Toyota and Mazda was very well received by our racers and fans. We hope that Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, GM and Dodge follow suit for the 2002 season to provide their customers, past, present and future, with support within our events. The best way to build loyalty for your customers is to reward them for choosing your vehicles. A contingency award of just an extra $500 from the manufacturer goes a long way to the heads-up and bracket racers in our series."
For the 2002 season, the Papadakis Racing team will join the other top Outlaw teams in the world for the IDRC biggest and best season ever. The most publicized and covered import and sport compact series in the world will produce 15 events at nine of the country's best tracks. The richest and most competitive national championship will combine with three divisional championships to provide all of the racers the best program for the racers. For the fans, the IDRC has expanded the IDRC experience to now include the SR-1 Team Drag Challenge, the AV-1 Audio Visual contest, expanded manufacturer's midway, a performance parts swap meet and a Dyno Tuner challenge (at select events). This is in addition to the world's largest people's choice car show the Meguiar's Movement One showcase. It all begins on Saturday, February 23rd at Los Angeles County Raceway for the ACT West Coast Nationals. This will be the biggest season opener ever with a projected attendance of over 15,000 fans to catch the first look at the new combinations for the 2002 championship season.
For more information, contact IDRC at:
IDRC, Inc.
21405 Brookhurst Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(714) 593-0280 / (714) 593-0281 fax
info@importdrag.com
´ Back
|
|
|
