Mike Rice named Division 7 Director

NHRA NAMES MIKE RICE DIVISION 7 DIRECTOR

GLENDORA, Calif. (May 13, 2005) -Mike Rice has been named the Division 7 Director effective immediately, NHRA officials announced today. Rice, who is currently the Division 6 Director, will relocate to NHRA's corporate headquarters in Southern California.

"Mike has done an excellent job in Division 6," said Graham Light, senior vice president racing operations. "Although we are disappointed he is leaving the great Northwest, we are excited about the initiatives his knowledge and experience will present to Division 7 racers, fans, sponsors, and tracks."

The Pacific Division, whose motto is "Magnificent Seven," encompasses the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, and a portion of New Mexico. It also has jurisdiction over the lone track in Mexico, Baja Raceway in Mexicali, B.C.

Rice will officially relocate with his family at the end of June but will maintain his duties in both divisions through the completion of the transition process with the naming of a new Division 6 Director. With Rice's relocation, NHRA is seeking a replacement to take over the position of Division 6 Director.

Rice joined the NHRA full-time in 2001 when he was named the Division Director for Division 6 in the Northwest. In all, Rice has been a part of the NHRA since the mid-1980s, serving as a starter and technical inspector in the Northwest Division.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.

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