Making its debut last season, the No Throttle Stop (NTS) 11.50 class, will be run at five events in 2016 and will feature no throttle stop, heads-up index racing for racers wanting to compete in a heads-up format without the electronics.

“This class was designed to introduce heads-up racing to a large number of No Box competitors who want to try ‘old school’ index racing without major changes to their vehicles,” said Skooter Peaco, VP of Race Operations. “We started testing the viability of the class in four distinct regions last season. This year we are going to try five events.  We will be going back to Maryland International Raceway and US 131 Motorsports Park again while trying new locations at State Capitol Raceway, San Antonio Raceway and Dragway 42.  We look forward to seeing how this class develops throughout the year.”

The NTS 11.50 class will be run in conjunction with the IHRA Drag Racing Series events at State Capitol Raceway (March 18-19), San Antonio Raceway (April 1-2), Maryland International Raceway (June 17-18), US 131 Motorsports Park (August 12-14) and Dragway 42 (September 23-24).  

Among the major rules for the class, NTS 11.50 will prohibit delay boxes and throttle stops, while mechanical fixed or “restrictor plate” style methods of slowing the car will be allowed. To help grow the class, IHRA memberships will be optional for the 2016 season.

“We really wanted this class to be a way to enter the world of heads-up racing in a basic and simple fashion. It is very intimidating to jump into Hot Rod racing given that this has not been an ‘entry level’ class for some time,” Peaco said. “We all talk about the lack of new blood in our sport, so collectively we thought we should try and continue what we started.  My hope is that this class will appeal to a large group of current No Box racers who may find that they enjoy index racing and, in the process, create a true way to bring new racers to national event style racing.”

Winners of the NTS 11.50 class will be awarded an Ironman and $1,000, with the runner-up receiving $500.  The NTS 11.50 class will be a non-points earning class and racers that enter the class will not be allowed to compete in other Pro-Am Tour classes.

For more information and a complete set of rules for the NTS 11.50 class, CLICK HERE .