American Motorcycle Racing Association
Cajun Nitro Nationals presented by Prime Coatings
No Problem Raceway
March 19-21, 2021

AMRA 2021 Season Opener

Report and photos by Tom McCarthy

The AMRA begins its 28th motorcycle drag racing season on March 19-21, 2021 in Belle Rose, LA at No Problem Raceway for the Cajun Nitro Nationals presented by Prime Coatings.

Prime Coatings of Amelia, LA is the family business of the 2020, NHRA Top Fuel Harley champion Randal Andras, and he is pleased to be the presenting sponsor of The Cajun Nationals. Prime Coatings is a maintenance service contractor for the oil refinery industry in Louisiana. They provide welding and fabrication fieldwork, in place repairs, abrasive blasting, special coatings, fleet service and more, to help keep the oil flowing.

This AMRA opening event will be home turf action for Randal and his Jay Turner Racing team-mates: Tii Tharpe, Jay “Bulldog” Turner, and of course Randal Andras.

The AMRA will be hosting a five-race season for the Top Fuel Harley racers. The class will be in competition at the following all 2021 events, excluding the May race at Dragway 42.

Having the world’s quickest and fastest Top Fuel Harleys at five guaranteed events in 2021 is a stout shot in the arm for the AMRA. And it’s no surprise to see this following the AMRA Jim McClure Nationals of last year, when the AMRA hosted 25 nitromethane burning fuel bikes at its final event of 2020. The race ran in November at Rockingham Dragway was the single largest gathering of fuel bikes all year. There’s no question about it: the thunder bikes have a welcome home with the AMRA.

AMRA Friday

Racers and staff will begin arriving at No Problem Raceway on Friday, morning March 19th. There will be an open test and tune session Friday from 6 PM to 11 PM, under the lights. Gates open on Friday at 10 AM.

AMRA Saturday

On Saturday, qualifying begins at 12 Noon, for all classes. Q-1 for the fuel bikes is slated for 1:30 PM and the nitro bikes will also qualify at 3:30 and 5 PM, with times subject to change as needed to accommodate prevailing conditions. There will also be three full rounds of qualifying on hand for the AMRA Sportsman classes run concurrently.

The run order on Saturday for qualifying will be: Eliminator, S/E 11.50, Hot Street, P/E 10.90, Street Dresser, S/P 10.30, S/G 9.90, Mod/V-Rod, T/E 9.30, Pro Dresser, Pro Street, Pro Modified, Pro Gas, Pro Fuel, Nitro Funny Bike and Top Fuel. On Sunday, the Nitro bikes will lead the classes after the National anthem.

AMRA Sunday

On Sunday, eliminations will begin at 11:30 AM, following the opening ceremonies, beginning with Top Fuel motorcycle followed by Nitro Funny Bike, Pro Fuel, Pro Gas, Pro Modified, Pro Street and Pro Dresser.

There will be a Custom Bike show held during this event, sponsored by Law Enforcement Motorcycle Specialties. This shop specializes in the service of Law Enforcement bikes. The owner, Josh Valure, is a long-time AMRA follower and racer. He will be competing in the 11.50 and ET classes, as well as sponsoring the custom bike show. For more details on their shop, look them up on social media, or call 225-281-5459.

As the 2021 season begins, the AMRA would like to thank Horsepower Inc for sponsoring Hot Street class racing and also for being a contingency sponsor. They are paying $250 to win and $125 for R/U for any Hot Street bike running one of their products and properly displaying their decal.

Other class sponsors include

• Thunder Max EFI, sponsors of the Street Dresser and Pro Eliminator classes
• Baker Drivetrain, sponsoring Eliminator and Street Eliminator classes
• Rich & Patty Vreeland, of Vreeland’s Harley Davidson, are sponsoring the AMRA Super Gas class this season.
• BK Electric is sponsoring Super Pro class racing this year.
• Vanson Leathers for being a supporting contingency sponsor in 2021.

For further information on this event, please seek out info@amralive.com or call 724-438-5170, sanction website is www.amralive.com also seek event details on Facebook.

The next race will be May 21-23 at Dragway 42, in West Salem, Ohio.

For more information visit www.amralive.com / info@amralive.com / Facebook

2021 Schedule

• March 19-21 / No Problem Raceway / Bella Rose, LA
• May 21-23 / Dragway 42 / Salem, OH
• June 25-27 / Beechbend Raceway Park / Bowling Green, KY
• August 20-22 / Bristol Dragway / Bristol, TN
• September 17-19 / Beechbend Raceway Park / Bowling Green, KY
• Jim McClure Memorial Harley Nitro Nationals
  October 15-17 / The Rock Dragway / Rockingham, NC