IHRA Australia Announces New PRO MOD International 660 Class

IHRA Australia is proud to unveil the launch of a brand-new competition category: PRO MOD 660 International, set to debut at IHRA Australia sanctioned facilities. This exciting addition reflects IHRA’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and the continued evolution of professional drag racing in Australia. The new class is fully supported by all IHRA Australia member tracks, ensuring nationwide alignment and enthusiasm for this bold step forward in the sport.

The PRO MOD International 660 class will showcase a diverse range of high-horsepower machines, including turbocharged, supercharged, and nitrous-assisted entries from around the country and around the globe. Designed to attract elite competitors and cutting-edge builds, this class will operate under a unified ruleset that aligns with international standards, while preserving the unique spirit of Australian drag racing.

Key Highlights:

     •        Vehicle Eligibility: Open to full-bodied, door-slammer style vehicles with forced induction or nitrous configurations.

     •        International Compliance: Rules harmonized with major overseas PRO MOD formats to encourage global participation.

     •        National Series Integration: Full points eligibility and championship recognition within IHRA Australia’s National Series.

     •        Technical Guidelines: Detailed class specifications and safety requirements will be published on the IHRA Australia website.

“This new class is a game-changer,” said Maurice Allen, IHRA Australia’s CEO. “PRO Mod International 660 opens the door for world-class competition and gives our racers a platform to showcase their builds on a truly global stage.”

Competitors and teams are encouraged to review the rules and regulations on the IHRA Australia website

Tim Nielsen Email: tnielsen@ihraaustralia.com.au

Accepted Vehicles – Manufactured Prior to 2003

To support broader participation and align with evolving safety standards, IHRA Australia now recognizes a new eligibility pathway for vehicles manufactured prior to 2003. This update reflects our commitment to inclusive competition while maintaining minimum compliance benchmarks.

Newly Introduced Eligibility Criteria:

Effective immediately, vehicles built before 2003 may be accepted provided they meet the following minimum standards:

     •         Braking System: Must be equipped with four-wheel disc brakes.

     •         Safety Restraints: Must include driver airbag(s) or passenger airbag(s).

     •         Compliance: Must meet Australian Design Rules (ADR) applicable to the vehicle’s year of manufacture.

This pathway is designed to accommodate older vehicles that retain key safety features, ensuring they remain viable for competition under IHRA Australia’s technical framework.

Real Street Class – Concept and Compliance

The Real Street class embodies the spirit of true street-driven performance. Vehicles competing in this category must demonstrate full street legality and class compliance.

Core Concept:

     •         Drive to the Event

     •         Race

     •         Drive Home

Compliance Requirements:

     •         Must be 100% street legal under Australian road laws.

     •         Must be fully class compliant with IHRA Australia Real Street regulations.

     •         Must retain functional street equipment — lights, indicators, horn, exhaust, etc.

This class celebrates genuine street-driven vehicles that blend performance with practicality. It is not intended for purpose-built race cars.

A New Era for Drag Racing in Australia & New Zealand: IHRA Australia Acquired by Cuttell Motorsports Fairfield, Ohio / Australia 22 September 2025 IHRA Australia is thrilled to announce the acquisition of its Australian and New Zealand operations by Cuttell Motorsports, the new global owner of IHRA, based in Fairfield, Ohio, USA.

This landmark move signals a bold and exciting future for drag racing across Australia, New Zealand, and the wider Asia-Pacific region, with a commitment to significant investment and long-term growth in the sport. The new Asia-Pacific headquarters will remain based in Australia, operating in close partnership with IHRA’s USA leadership. Despite the ownership change, local operations in Australia and New Zealand will continue as usual. Competitors and teams will still handle licensing and regulatory matters within their respective countries, while remaining globally recognised IHRA members.

Crucially, Maurice Allen will continue in his role as Managing Director of IHRA Australia, ensuring continuity and a smooth transition. “This is a game-changer,” said Allen. “With Darryl Cuttell’s track record, including the purchase of seven iconic motorsport facilities in the USA and his dynamic vision for the sport, there’s no doubt this will take drag racing in our region to the next level. I’m confident the transition will be seamless, and the future is bright for all levels of the sport, from grassroots to professional.

” Darryl Cuttell”, owner of IHRA and Cuttell Motorsports, said the acquisition was a natural step in his global vision for the sport. “Bringing Australia and New Zealand fully into the IHRA family was an obvious move,” said Cuttell. “Our commitment is backed by substantial investment to support clubs, teams, venues, and competitors throughout the region. I look forward to visiting soon and sharing our detailed vision for the future of drag racing in the Asia-Pacific.”

Media Enquiries: IHRA Australia – Maurice Allen (+61 433 120 320)

IHRA Global – Darryl Cuttell (+1 716-572-8969)

 IHRA Australia Website: https://ihra.com.au

IHRA Global: https://ihra.com

IHRA Australia has long established clear and enforceable Rules and Regulations to protect the safety of drivers, crew members, and all participants at sanctioned events. These standards are not optional—they are essential.

Despite repeated directives, critical safety requirements continue to be ignored, particularly in vehicles equipped with power adders such as superchargers, turbochargers, and nitrous oxide systems. Mandatory items include:

• Underwear compliant with fire-resistant standards

• Arm restraints and window nets

• Frontal Head Restraint Systems properly connected to helmets

• Safety harnesses worn correctly and securely

Thanks to racer-uploaded in-car footage on social media, non-compliance is now plainly visible. Examples include:

• Arm restraints and window nets missing or improperly fitted

Frontal head restraints not connected to helmets

• Safety harnesses loosely worn or incorrectly fastened

This is unacceptable.

Effective immediately, IHRA Australia will implement a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for safety violations. This includes:

• Monetary fines for breaches

• Licence suspensions for non-compliant participants

In addition, random audits will be conducted in the staging lanes and at the turnaround area post-run. These inspections will be carried out without prior notice. Any team found to be non-compliant during these audits will face immediate sanctions, including fines, licence suspensions, and potential disqualification from the event.

General Regulations Rule 10, 11, and 12 from the IHRA Australia rulebook further reinforce this directive:

• Rule 10 – Driver Responsibility: Drivers are solely responsible for ensuring all safety equipment is correctly installed, worn, and functioning prior to staging.

• Rule 11 – Crew Conduct: Crew members must comply with all safety protocols and assist in ensuring vehicle and driver compliance at all times.

• Rule 12 – Technical Inspection Compliance: All vehicles must pass IHRA Australia technical inspection. Any attempt to bypass, falsify, or ignore inspection requirements will result in immediate disciplinary action.

False declarations on the Competitor Audit Declaration (CAD) form will now be treated as a compliance breach. This document is a formal attestation of vehicle and driver readiness. Any falsified or misleading information will result in penalties, including fines and licence suspension.

Driver behaviour is also under review. IHRA Australia expects all drivers to exercise sound judgment and discipline on track. This includes:

• Aborting a run when the vehicle is out of the groove or exhibiting instability

• Avoiding over-driving or reckless attempts to recover a compromised pass

• Prioritising safety over performance at all times

Verbal abuse toward IHRA Australia Stewards and Track Officials will not be tolerated. All officials are empowered to enforce safety and compliance standards without intimidation or harassment. Any competitor or crew member found engaging in abusive, threatening, or disrespectful behaviour will face immediate disciplinary action, including fines, licence suspension, and potential exclusion from future events.

Safety is not negotiable. Respect is not optional. Compliance is mandatory. Enforcement will be swift and uncompromising.

SCOPE

This directive applies to all IHRA Australia-sanctioned competitors utilizing the Electrimotion safety system in any vehicle class.

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

All competitors must adhere to the following Electrimotion installation and usage protocols:

•           Electrimotion is strictly designated as a secondary emergency system.

•           It must not be used as the primary method for parachute deployment    (“driving into the chutes”).

•           Drivers are responsible for manually activating parachutes, fuel shutoff, and ignition kill switches.

•           Automation reliance is prohibited; drivers must operate vehicles naturally.

•           IHRA Technical reserves the right to review and request data logs to verify correct system usage.

•           Installation must follow manufacturer instructions without modification or tampering.

MAINTENANCE RESPOSIBILITY

It is the sole responsibility of the competitor to ensure the Electrimotion system is maintained in full working order. This includes, but is not limited to:

•           All wiring and electrical connections

•           Mounting hardware and brackets

•           Air rams and associated plumbing

•           Solenoids and control modules

•           System calibration and readiness prior to each event

Failure to maintain any component of the Electrimotion system may result in disqualification or further disciplinary action.

NON-COMPLIANCE and TAMPERING PENALTIES

Any competitor found in breach of Electrimotion compliance—including improper installation, unauthorized modification, or tampering—will face the following penalties:

ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL

•           IHRA Technical Inspectors may conduct random audits at any event.

•           Data logs must be made available upon request.

•           Any refusal to cooperate will be treated as a breach of compliance.

•           Penalties are non-negotiable and will be enforced immediately upon confirmation of violation.

SAFETY STATEMENT

Electrimotion is a critical safety system intended to protect drivers in emergency scenarios. Misuse, neglect, or tampering undermines its integrity and endangers lives. IHRA Australia maintains zero tolerance for violations.

IHRA Australia would like to inform all Junior Drag Bike Competitors, effective immediately, that class engine capacity limits for A/JDB upper capacity limits have increased to be no greater than 360cc.

ET and MPH limits will stay the same. This change will allow more styles of motorcycles into this growing category.

48010 Class Reg, Junior Drag Bike, Bracket Designation

A/JDB for riders between the ages of 13 and 18 years inclusive, limited to ET no quicker than 8.50 seconds and Terminal Speed not faster than 82.02 mph (129 km/h). Class engine capacity limits 360cc maximum.

Mandatory

ECE stands for Economic Commission for Europe, which was created by the United Nations. On Friday 11th December 2015, helmets passing the European Standard 22.05 became legal for use on NSW roads. The remaining States and Territories followed suit and by 2016 ECE helmets were legal across Australia. This change was accepted warmly by motorcycle riders, and sellers of motorcycle gear alike. European Standard helmets tend to be lighter and cheaper, but just as strong as Australian Standard helmets. The range of helmets available to suppliers grew immensely. The European standard is also known as ECE 22.05 and ECE 22.06.

ECE 22.05 and ECE 22.06 may be used in IHRA Australia Competition for the following categories:

·       All motorcycle classes

·       Sedans slower than 10.00 sec (1/4 mile) / 6.37 sec (1/8 mile)

·       Open cars slower than 10.00 sec (1/4 mile) / 6.37 sec (1/8 mile)

·       Real Street

Note: Both ECE 22.05 and ECE 22.06 will expire 10 years from date of manufacture or purchase. A receipt may be used as proof of purchase date. Mandatory

Accepted:              ECE 22.05 Type P                           ECE 22.06 Type P

(Label typically affixed inside the helmet on the chin strap)

The ECE mark consists of a circle surrounding the letter E followed by the distinguishing number of the country that has granted approval.

E numbers

1 for Germany, 2 for France, 3 for Italy, 4 for the Netherlands, 5 for
Sweden, 6 for Belgium, 7 for Hungary, 8 for the Czech Republic, 9 for Spain, 10 for Yugoslavia, 11 for the United Kingdom, 12 for Austria, 13 for Luxembourg, 14 for Switzerland, 15 (vacant), 16 for Norway, 17 for Finland, 18 for Denmark, 19 for Romania, 20 for Poland, 21 for Portugal, 22 for the Russian Federation, 23 for Greece, 24 for Ireland, 25 for Croatia, 26 for Slovenia, 27 for Slovakia, 28 for Belarus, 29 for Estonia, 30 (vacant), 31 for Bosnia and Herzegovina, 32 for Latvia, 33 (vacant), 34 for Bulgaria, 35 (vacant), 36 for Lithuania, 37 for Turkey, 38 (vacant), 39 for Azerbaijan, 40 for The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 41 (vacant)