TINTON FALLS, N.J. — The International Race of Champions, which ran its last race in 2006, is a step closer to being a part of history.
The tools, equipment, race cars and other IROC memorabilia will be sold during a two-day public auction at IROC headquarters here March 7-8.
IROC first ran in 1974 and except for a hiatus from 1981 through 1983, ran every year until sponsorship did not materialize for the 2007 campaign.
“We’re all very sad to see IROC come to an end, but the competition for major corporate sponsorship is very tough and the car manufacturers have not shown any interest,” said IROC President Jay Signore. “We kept hope alive as long as we could but now it’s time to look forward and move on.”
Spanning four decades, the IROC series left its mark in auto-racing history, staging 120 events at 16 different race tracks across the United States and amassing a roster of more than 125 of the biggest names in stock-car, open-wheel and road racing from throughout the world. Twenty-one of those greats have won the IROC championship.
Signore is proud of what IROC has accomplished.
“We managed every aspect of the IROC series out of this building for the past 25 years and everything has to go in this auction,” Signore said. “We have tools and equipment along with a dozen, or so, race- ready IROC cars, driver uniforms, helmets, autographed pictures — there’s a lot of history here. It’s hard to see it all go, but we’ve had a great time with the IROC series and no regrets.”