Firebird will be making a modification to the Sportsman category for the 2008 Gold Cup championship point’s series. The United Oil Sportsman division will change to a bottom end e.t. break of 13.00 for the coming season.
For nearly three decades, Firebird established a lower end e.t. of 14.00, principally over the fact the facility sits at 2,700’ above sea level (during perfect weather conditions). As most know, a good part of the racing calendar takes place during the summer months, many times where the corrected altitude can press 5,000-6,500’. For many this can account for several tenths of a second difference between our altitude and track’s that sit closer to sea level. This was the original thinking behind the 14.00 e.t. break. High altitude tracks like Bandimere in Denver have followed similar thinking through the years, where their Sportsman class is conducted .75 of a second slower than a sea level track. The same holds true for NHRA index classes conducted at the Ignitor-Lucas Oil race where a Super Comp racer runs off a 9.20 index at Firebird in contrast to the standard 8.90 sea level index.
The new 13.00 break will now provide an overlap between Pro eliminator, which will continue to have a top-end break of 13.99 and the new 13.00 Sportsman lower end number. At the same time, this will more closely emulate the breaks that will be in place for the Summit E.T. Finals, which will be staged at Firebird over Labor Day weekend.
To say we’re motivated for Team Firebird’s “Drive for Five” in 2008 would be an understatement. We are very committed to pulling out all the stops when it comes to trying to win the Summit E.T. Finals for both our individual racers and as a team later this Summer. We have the greatest respect for all the racers and their respective Division 6 tracks who will be traveling in force to our western Idaho facility in late-August. But obviously we are very partial when it comes to all our racers who call Firebird their home track.
This new e.t. break will now provide a more even playing field for everyone in the Sportsman category. At the same time we’re anticipating that more racers will show interest in competing in the class, too. This will provide a fun opportunity for any car or truck that runs in the 13’s to pursue a Sportsman class title in the Boise Muffler/Spangler Bros. Auto Body Gold Cup Series.
Start getting those Sportsman entries ready to rip, as the first day of testing will be here before we know it on Sunday, March 30th. The official kickoff for the 2008 Gold Cup chase will kick into gear beginning on Saturday, April 19th.