TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010

The Battle of the Imports is pleased to announce it's 20th consecutive season with Orlando Speed World Dragway marking the official season opener scheduled for April 18, 2010. The 2009 season was a great season filled with plenty of emotional ups and downs. "With our challenging economy, there were plenty of professional teams sidelined which was expected," commented Frank Choi, Battle of the Imports. "It is very unfortunate because we know how much the fans want to see their favorite 7-second FWD racer."

Over the winter, we had a chance to catch up with Ron Bergenholtz, Team Manager, Bergenholtz Racing. We had an opportunity for a quick fireside chat and wanted to see how they were doing.

Q: Last year was obviously a challenging time with our economy in the state it was. It obviously affected Bergenholtz Racing's drag racing by forcing you to be sidelined. How did it feel?
A: Obviously Bergenholtz Racing has been drag racing consistently for the past 20 years. 2009 was the first year we stopped drag racing all together. I must admit it was heart-breaking but the economy simply did not warrant our company Bergenholtz Racing to go drag racing. I do miss it despite taking only one year off.

Q: How do you see the economy today and are you optimistic about getting out in front of your drag racing fans?
A: The economy is currently a lot better than it was in relation to the beginning of 2009. But the economic landscape is much much different now. The rapid growth numbers we saw in the past will not be possible in the new economic landscape. Slow, solid and consistent growth is the new norm. Companies are extremely cautious in marketing dollars. Businesses in the brave new economic enviroment (Post 2009 economic recession crash etc.) must be extremely efficient and cautious in their investments. Return on Investment is the key ingredient participating in any form of motorsports. Unfortunately, Drag Racing is currently not in our marketing partners plans. If market awareness and demand changes, we will be happy to participate sport compact drag racing again. The cars are still together and we at Bergenholtz Racing have no plans whatsoever to liquidate any of the drag assets.

Always seeing the glass as half full, the overall drag racing segment couldn't be brighter. The addition of the Outlaw Comp class has created an environment where competitors can compete at the highest level in street trim. "We feel this class has the potential to be a show within a show," added Choi. A beta version of this class was offered at the 2009 season finale with a full field while it's root class, Street Comp, remained a full field as well.

Be on the lookout for additional stories and features on the new Outlaw Comp class.