The Cigar Association of New Hampshire announced today that it is sponsoring The Cigar 100 on Oct. 10, 2009 at the All-Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire. The race replaces the ISMA Classic, an annual staple of the International Super Modified Association racing circuit.

The cigar association, which is comprised of New Hampshire members of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association, lobbies for the rights of its members and their customers to sell and enjoy premium cigars throughout the state. IPCPR members are small, mom-and-pop businesses. They are, for the most part, family owned smokeshops or manufacturers and distributors of premium cigars, pipes and related accoutrements.

"Irrational smoking bans and tobacco excise taxes have made it more difficult for anyone in the ‘Live Free or Die’ state to enjoy a premium cigar. They are driving our small businesses into the ground. That’s why we have chosen sponsorship of this event: to draw attention to our rights and the rights of our customers," said Roy Kirby, president of CANH and owner of Two Guys Smoke Shop in Seabrook.

Participating premium cigar and tobacco-related brands include: Alec Bradley, Ashton, Avo, CAO, Camacho, Cusano, Drew Estates, El Tiante, Hammer & Sickle, HC by Xikar, Heaven, J. Fuego, Kristoff, Oliva, Ortsac, Perdomo, Padron, Punch, Tatuaje, and Villiger.

Two races will take place on race day.

In the first race, called "The Race of the New Hampshire Cigar Shops", each car will be sponsored by one of the CANH members. The race will be 50 laps. The winning driver will receive from his car’s sponsor a box of his favorite cigars and the sponsor will have bragging rights until next year’s event.

The second and featured race -The Cigar 100 - will be 100 laps on the quarter-mile track. Each car will be represented by one of the participating cigar brands and the winning brand representative will join his driver in the winner’s circle for photos and presentation of the winner’s check.

"This event will be a win-win situation for the patrons, drivers and the All Star Speedway," said Eric Kilbane of Castro’s Back Room in Manchester. "Patrons will get to meet the drivers, cigar makers and others who love cigars while helping CANH to fight for your rights and freedoms at the same time," added Kurt Kendall of Twins Smoke Shop in Londonderry.

For a $100 donation to CANH, a patron will receive 20 cigars and access to a giant barbecue during the Pit Party on race day. Patrons will be able to meet many of the founders and owners of the participating cigar brands as well as the race drivers, themselves. They will be close enough to the cars to touch them before the race and will be able to take photos and enjoy their premium cigars throughout the day.

Tickets are available at the following cigar shops: Two Guys Smoke Shop in Salem, Nashua and Seabrook; Castro’s Back Room in Manchester, Concord and Nashua; Twins Smoke Shop in Londonderry and Hooksett; Top Shelf in Dover and Epping; Seacoast Cigars in Seabrook; Blowin’ Smoke in Bedford; and Tobacco Haven in Brookline, New Hampshire.