LAGUNA BEACH, CA (Oct. 25, 2007) – As pre-registration continues to grow among both U.S. and international audiences, the 20th Annual PRI Trade Show, taking place Dec. 6-8, 2007, in Orlando, FL, is preparing show attendees for its biggest three-day event ever. From Opening Day Breakfast Speaker Carl Edwards to a multitude of today’s best known racing drivers competing in the Stars of Karting race to the 3rd Annual MOPAR-PRI Sprint & Midget Classic presented by DHL, the action taking place within and outside the trade show is non-stop and unequaled throughout.
Add in more than 1,450 exhibitors covering over 1,000,000 square feet of floor space, and this year’s show is ready to accommodate the racing entrepreneurs, buyers and other industry participants who utilize the PRI Trade Show to shop the hottest new racing products and technology for the 2008 racing season. The PRI Trade Show is the world’s largest hardcore racing trade show, and one of the top 50 largest trade shows in North America.
The dynamics covering this show include special events happening every day, starting with the Industry Roundtable which precedes the opening of the show. Hosted once again by FOX TV Commentator Jeff Hammond, the Industry Roundtable, established by legendary race engine builder Smokey Yunick, will once again feature prominent speakers from motorsports who will discuss several important topics of the day. Some of the participants include: Bill Saunders of NASCAR Nextel Cup entrant Hall of Fame Racing; noted Motorsports Journalist Robin Miller; Danny Gracia, technical director for the NHRA; Brett Frood, chief operating officer of Tony Stewart's True Speed Enterprises; and Competition Cams’ Scooter Brothers. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, in the North/South Hall of the convention center.
Kicking off Thursday's opening day festivities, 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase Contender Carl Edwards, driver of the Roush Fenway Office Depot Ford, will take to the podium to share his colorful racing stories from the world of NASCAR.
The Grand Opening Breakfast has become a cherished tradition at the PRI Trade Show, and Steve Lewis, show producer, urges those planning to attend the PRI Trade Show to preregister and receive their credentials prior to the start of the Show in order to avoid the long registration lines on-site. Doors leading to the northwest corner of the exhibit hall will open at 7:00 a.m., and the program will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.
That evening, former Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice, who took the checkered flag in last year’s inaugural Snap-On Stars of Karting race, held on a purpose-built course immediately outside the Orange County Convention Center, which houses the PRI Trade Show, will defend his title, competing against this year’s entry list of who's who in racing, including IRL star Marco Andretti, ALMS/Grand-Am driver Patrick Long; Bryan Herta from ALMS; NHRA's Steve Johnson; and sports car drivers Wayne Taylor, Memo Gidley and Joey Hand. Other drivers have yet to be announced, but the competition will likely be close and tough for this special race offered free to attendees and locals. Racing starts at 7:00 p.m.
Also of great appeal to both show attendees and Orlando residents is Friday night's open wheel extravaganza, the MOPAR-PRI Sprint & Midget Classic presented by DHL, and held at Orlando SpeedWorld, Dec. 6th. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. for race fans who will watch the leading competitors in Sprint and Midget racing, who will compete for the Crane Cams $50,000 bonus prize for the driver who can win both feature events.
In addition to these events, daily seminars and press conferences will be held in meeting rooms, and in the press room, respectively. Other exhibitors will hold media announcements within their booths. A full schedule of events will be released shortly. For more information, please visit www.performanceracing.com.
With more than 45,000 racing industry entrepreneurs in attendance from 45 countries, the three-day PRI Trade Show is timed so that racing retailers, engine and car builders, wholesaler/distributors, professional race teams and other industry participants can shop the latest new product introductions and have them in inventory for the next racing season.
For more information, please contact:
Pete Evanow
pevanow@performanceracing.com
714.305.8083
