STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- As preparations for the 2005 racing season gain momentum, the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series plans to meet challenges head on, beginning with a new look for their on-line business. The website at www.irasprints.com, has been re-tooled and brought up to date, giving it a much more professional appeal.

The upgrades were necessary for several reasons, not the least of which in preparation for several anticipated broadcasts via the Sprint Car Network. A broadcast schedule will be posted at a later date, but is aimed at allowing IRA fans from all over the opportunity to listen in to the event just like you were sitting in the stands. 2005 will be the IRA’s 2nd season with SCN and preliminary results from 2004 show a significant enough interest to justify this year’s involvement. The IRA’s approach is to not only broadcast their event, but to also showcase the local venue as well by informing listeners of what is going on at that particular track in the future.

Of particular importance, prior to the season, is the ability for teams competing with the series to view the series rule book and obtain the necessary forms (insurance, owner’s and club membership if desired) directly from the website.

Other items of interest at the IRA’s website include the availability of an on-line newsletter allowing visitors to receive the latest news and results directly to their email, often before it’s even posted anywhere. Fans and members of the media can also learn about teams competing on the tour as the website boasts one of the country’s most comprehensive on-line databases of sprint car competitors. Hundreds of photos, stories and much more await visitors, almost enough to ward off the desire to hear the first car push off for the season. (PEP)