In only 63 days, the 2013 Manufacturers Cup series will kick off with the season opener at Bradenton Motorsports Park from April 5-7 in Bradenton, Fla.

The opening weekend at this exciting new venue will also include an awards ceremony for the 2012 Champions of the Cup series, where they will receive award plaques and a Championship jacket.

Bradenton Motorsports Park and its surrounding communities have tons to offer racers and their families in addition to the facility itself. (See Fun for Non-Racers below.)

As one of the members of the Manufacturers Cup group, Star Racing will once again be a class sponsor - this time for the Top Gas class.

"This year's schedule and new locations will be a great way for racers and their families to experience several different, exciting racetracks, while also exploring some new areas of the country," Star Racing co-owner Jackie Bryce said.

"Our main goal as an organization is to keep motorcycle drag racing alive in the U.S., so that's what we focus our efforts on with every event that we plan. We hope to see continued participant support at these events so that the Cup series will experience success for years to come. Star Racing is always proud to support the Manufacturers Cup in any way that we can, especially with our Top Gas sponsorship," Bryce said.

Top Gas is the quickest index class contested at Manufacturers Cup events and is considered the stepping-stone into the Pro ranks. Most bikes compete with either big displacement normal aspirated motors to nitrous or turbocharged machines. All compete with a heads-up, pro tree start. Top Gas is run on qualified 64 bike field, based on a standard of 8.20 in the quarter mile (5.20 in the eighth mile). Standard safety requirements are the only class rules. During qualifying, runs quicker than the 8.20/5.20 index will be placed at the bottom of the qualifying sheet. During eliminations, runs quicker than the standard disqualify the rider under Handicap "break-out" procedures. 

The move to Bradenton Motorsports Park by the Manufacturers Cup provides traveling racers, especially those with families looking for options outside the track, with numerous entertainment options to choose from.

White, sandy Gulf of Mexico beaches are just 20 minutes away. Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach are located just 20 miles straight west on Route 64.

Golf enthusiast have countless courses to choose from, a hackers paradise! A nearly endless amount of boats are also available for charter out of multiple Bradenton / Sarasota marinas for those wanting to reel in the big one.

The Hard Rock Casino, now the 6th largest casino in the world, is located just 50 miles from the track at the intersection of I-4 and I-75, so it is right on the way for all racers coming South.

If your better half likes to shop as much as you like to race, bring her along! The shopping at Ellington Premium Outlet Mall is top notch with all the biggest names and is only 15 minutes from the track.

Sarasota, only a 30-minute drive from the track, provides even more choices including the world famous Lido Beach, the Mote Marine Aquarium, and the Ringling Museum of Art, along with designer boutique shopping and fine dining at St. Armands Circle.