The Muscle Car Shootout has been one of Brainerd International Raceway's most popular races each season, and now there's another reason for fans to attend the Labor Day weekend spectacular: The Pirelli World Challenge.
This year's Muscle Car Shootout features the debut of the Pirelli World Challenge on BIR's 2.5-mile Competition Road Course. The Shootout also includes the grand finale of the three-race Muscle Car Series on the drag strip, and the Trans-Am Series and SCCA Jack Pine Sprints on the road course when the Pirelli cars aren't racing.
The Pirelli World Challenge is a major addition for BIR because it's one of the fastest-growing racing circuits in the country and North America's top production car-based championships.
BIR's race features the Touring Car A and B classes in a sprint format, which is a 50-minute race from start to finish. The Pirelli cars will have a practice session, qualifying and a race both Saturday and Sunday.
After the Pirelli race on Sunday, Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing will take over the road course for a 40-lap, 100-mile Trans-Am Series race, which will cap off BIR's road racing program for the weekend. Practice and qualifying sessions are Saturday, with a practice session Sunday followed by races that feature Trans-Am classes TA, TA2 and TA3.
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When the Pirelli and Trans-Am cars aren't on the road course, the track will be busy with the SCCA Jack Pine Sprints, which highlights regional road racers competing in a number of classes, including Vintage Racers. SCCA racers have practice and qualifying sessions Saturday and 10- and 12-lap races Sunday.
Meanwhile, drivers on BIR's drag strip will be red-lining in the three-race Muscle Car Series chase season championships during the series' grand finale weekend. The series' seven Heads-Up Classes will be center stage because of the big horsepower and speed that they generate. Fans will see runs over 200 mph in the 6- to 7-second range.
"We're really excited to have the Pirelli World Challenge this year," BIR owner Jed Copham said in a news release. "It's really growing fast in popularity and is a good fit for our Muscle Car Shootout event, which now has an amazing amount of diversity on the drag strip and on the road course. Fans can get a taste of many different types of racing, all of which feature drivers performing at a very high level. It's going to be a great weekend of racing and a great way to end the summer."
Fans will also be treated to a classic car show Saturday and live music Saturday night by Uncle Chunk.
Daily admission is $25. Kids 12 and under are free. On-site camping is free with a multi-day ticket. Tickets are available at the front gate or by calling BIR's ticket office at 218-824-RACE (7223) or 866-444-4455.
