After blazing a trail of new records in 2008, the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University jet drag racing team is preparing for an even bigger racing season this year, with 24 major racing venues scheduled as of Feb. 2.
In 2008, the team set records for the highest speed and lowest elapsed time for the event in the majority of its races, in some cases against nitro-powered cars. The jet dragster, designed and built primarily by Embry-Riddle aerospace engineering and aviation maintenance students in 2004, is a featured attraction at air shows and drag racing events.
Performing for 1.6 million spectators in more than 30 events in 14 states, the Embry-Riddle racers were once again the nation’s leading exhibition jet dragster team. At the EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wis., veteran dragster driver Elaine Larsen set her all-time best top speed, exceeding 300 m.p.h.
The Embry-Riddle team is expanding its relationship with NASCAR this year, starting with four full days at the Daytona 500 in February. The team also will be featured at some Indy Racing League events and has been asked to be the feature exhibition team of the National Mustang Racing Association and National Muscle Car Association, two of America’s most prominent drag racing sanctioning organizations.
This year’s Embry-Riddle Jet Racing Team Schedule is:
Feb. 12 – 15 Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona Speedweeks (static display only)
Feb. 27 – 28 Belle Rose, La. Pinks All Out
March 7 – 8 Bradenton, Fla. NMRA
March 20 – 21 Belle Rose, La. Pinks All Out
March 28 – 29 Bradenton, Fla. NMCA
Apr. 18 Norwalk, Ohio Summit Raceway Park
Apr. 20 – 26 Lakeland, Fla. Sun N Fun (static display only)
May 2 – 3 Bowling Green, Ky. NMCA
May 16 Norwalk, Ohio Summit Raceway Park Cavalcade of Stars
June 6 – 7 Reading, Pa. NMCA
June 11 Livonia, Mich. Roush Museum
June 13 – 14 Milan, Mich. NMRA
June 27 Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta Dragway Night of Fire
July 11 Chicago, Ill. NASCAR
July 18 – 19 Chicago, Ill. NMRA vs. NMCA Superbowl of Drag Racing
July 26 – Aug. 2 Oshkosh, Wis. EAA AirVenture (static display only)
Aug. 1 Norwalk, Ohio Summit Raceway Park Night under Fire
Aug. 8 – 9 Charlotte, N.C. Z Max Dragway
Aug. 28 – 29 Cordova, Ill. World Series of Drag Racing
Sept. 5 – 6 Columbus, Ohio NMRA
Oct. 3 – 4 Bowling Green, Ky. NMRA Finals
Oct. 17 – 18 Memphis, Tenn. NMCA Finals
Nov. 28 – 29 West Palm Beach, Fla. Citrus Nationals
Dec. 5 – 6 Bradenton, Fla. Snowbird Nationals
For information: www.lmsjets.com
