Veteran motorsports professional Maurice Allen has been named the new IHRA managing director in Australia. Mr. Allen started his career in motorsports as a Pro Stock motorcycle racer at the age of 20 and later set-up the Australia Dragbike School in Melbourne, Australia. Prior to joining the IHRA, Mr. Allen was the CEO of the Australian Professional Drag Racing (APDR) – 400 Thunder, Australia’s premier drag racing series sanctioned by the IHRA.

In addition, Wide Bay Motor Complex (WBMC) will be located in the Fraser Coast, Queensland, Australia and is the newest addition to the portfolio of IHRA member tracks in Australia. WBMC recently signed a 30-year lease on a site five minutes east of the city of Maryborough and the design of the premier motorsports complex is currently being laid out. The multipurpose facility will include a dragstrip, off-road track and it has the room to include motocross, a speedway and driver learning facilities. Announcements will be made shortly surrounding the start of construction of Wide Bay Motor Complex.

"This is a major announcement for both the Wide Bay community and also IHRA Australia in identifying that this new drag racing facility must go ahead for the town of Maryborough to help revitalize the economy and lift the spirits of this regional city,” IHRA Australia managing director Maurice Allen stated.

“I was impressed with the spirit of the region meeting with the Mayor Chris Loft, his State member (MP) Bruce Saunders and all of the councilors who took the time to view our presentation and plans for the region. As Mayor Chris Loft mentioned in his speech to the crowd at Maryborough Town Hall, this is a great outcome when State and Local Government come together to create new opportunities and growth and, all underpinned with the support of the community,” Allen continued.

“It’s an exciting time to be apart of the IHRA as we expand upon our operations in Australia,” remarked IHRA president Mike Dunn. “Bringing Maurice into the organization will assist us in accomplishing our goals to become the global leading drag racing sanctioning body and the addition of Wide Bay Motor Complex is a monumental move for the IHRA. We are excited to have the additions to our organization.”

The IHRA currently sanctions Australia’s professional drag racing series, 400 Thunder as well as four Australia drag racing venues – Sydney Dragway, Willowbank Raceway, Springmount Raceway and now Wide Bay Motor Complex. The world’s second-largest drag racing sanctioning body started the international movement into Australia in 2015 and continues to focus on taking drag racing to non-traditional and mainstream audiences around the globe.