MORE is the operative word for the National Drag Racing Circuit’s (NDRC) 2015 season. This was revealed at the press launch held at South Beach Café in St Andrew, recently.

“Our aim was for drag racing to be the premier genre of local motor sport in Jamaica, and we are truly on our way,” Stephen Gunter, NDRC executive member, told Auto.

At the end of the press conference, it was clear that the NDRC had all their ducks in a row, revealing several key initiatives to increase driver participation and the sport’s exposure.

Racers can look forward to lower registration fees, which have been dropped by $500 to $3,000. Prize money to the winners and second-place finishers in each class has also been increased on the basis of each event and the overall championship. As an added bonus, in celebration of Nestlé Jamaica’s 75th anniversary, the 75th registered driver for each meet will receive a special package from Nestlé.

“The NDRC recognises that our racers are the stars of the show and treat all accordingly,” Gunter said.

The biggest announcement was saved for last. The NDRC will make the jump to television, putting their product and racers on show. Working with their broadcast partner, starting on Saturday, March 28, in the prime afternoon time slots will be the first of 19 shows for 2015 covering the 2015 Nestlé Supligen Drag Racing Series. The company has also branched out into the bottled water business with its own branded product on sale at the events for now.

“This is why we keep coming back as title sponsor each year. Nestlé is impressed by the NDRC’s dedication to safety and their efforts to legitimise the sport. Drag racing is very aligned to our product and to the racing lifestyle, thus the ‘boost you up’ slogan,” said Sean Wallace, marketing manager at Nestlé Jamaica.

The appeal of the NDRC has even jumped national borders, with an entry from Cayman joining the ranks for the entire season.

The NDRC will also continue its drive to move racing from the streets to the track, with a continued partnership with the National Road Safety Council.

“We will expand our road safety efforts through an alliance with the police who will have a visible presence on the roads leading to and from Vernamfield on race days,” Gunter added.

For 2015, an increase in the NDRC’s corporate responsibility will see the continued growth of their Early Childhood Assistance Programme, with part proceeds of the year’s first meet handed over to a place of safety near Vernamfield, run by the Child Development Agency.

— Rory Daley