User:Dennis Brown/American Hot Rod Association

American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) is a governing body that sanctions drag racing and other motorsports.

History
According to their website, the AHRA began with Walter Mentzer, who didn't like the way other sanctioning bodies were operated. Incorporated in 1955 as a non-profit, they were covered by Hot Rod Magazine in their first year of being. Mentzer was drafted into the army in 1957, and Don Garlits replaced him as president the following year. Soon after, Garlits left the position to continue his racing career and Jim Tice took over as president. Tice changed their charter from a non-profit to a for-profit corporation and moved the organization to Kansas City.

By 1969, AHRA was sponsoring races in Rockingham, Tulsa, Scottsdale and twice in Bristol. They claim to have had over 80 sanctioned drag strips in their control and over 25,000 members, while holding over 2400 regional and national events. However, by 1985, it was no longer a national series and they were limited to a few events in Spokane, Washington until they finally became defunct in 2005.

In 2009, the trademark rights of the original organization were purchased by Rod Saint, who began trying to resurrect the organization, with limited success. The right were purchased again in 2017 by Dallas Brown, who is the current owner.