As PRI and SEMA prepare for the 2027 legislative session, lawmakers nationwide are getting a firsthand look at the racetracks, manufacturers and businesses that power the motorsports industry. Through facility tours, race-day experiences, and direct conversations with industry leaders, policymakers are learning about motorsports' impact on local economies, tourism, workforce development, innovation, and community engagement—and why protecting longstanding racing facilities matters.

These educational experiences are a key component of PRI's and SEMA's Right to Race initiative, which seeks to protect motorsports facilities from nuisance lawsuits brought by new neighbors and developers who move near existing racetracks. By connecting lawmakers directly with the people and businesses that make motorsports possible, PRI and SEMA are building support for policies that promote and protect racing's future.

PRI Hosts Indiana Legislators at IRP to Highlight the Need for Right to Race Protections

Right to left: State Representative Beau Baird, Glynn Cromwell, President of NHRA, State Representative Chris May, State Senator Brett Clark.
 

PRI recently hosted Indiana State Senator Brett Clark and Representatives Chris May and Beau Baird at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park during the NHRA U.S. Nationals, providing a firsthand look at the motorsports industry's impact on the state's economy, tourism, workforce development and local communities.

The event brought together legislators, industry leaders, racers, race teams and facility operators to showcase the important role motorsports play across Indiana, generating $2.75 billion in economic output annually and supporting more than 11,300 full-time jobs.

Throughout the day, lawmakers learned how motorsports supports jobs, drives innovation and manufacturing, generates significant tourism spending, and serves as an important community asset statewide. Discussions also highlighted the challenges facing racetracks nationwide, including increasing development pressures and the importance of protecting longstanding facilities that contribute to local economies.

During the 2027 legislative session, PRI and SEMA will pursue Right to Race legislation in Indiana to protect longstanding racetracks from nuisance lawsuits brought by new neighbors and developers who move near existing facilities.

The visit is part of PRI's ongoing effort to educate policymakers about the value of motorsports and build relationships with lawmakers nationwide. PRI and SEMA have hosted similar events in multiple states as they continue working to advance policies that support and protect the motorsports industry.

Michigan Manufacturers Join PRI's Right to Race Efforts at Lane Automotive

Left to right: Jeffrey Hillman, Office of State Senator Sean McCann, State Representative Joey Andrews, State Representative Pauline Wendzel, State Senator Aric Nesbitt.
 

PRI and SEMA recently hosted State Senators Jonathan Lindsey and Aric Nesbitt and Representatives Joey Andrews, Nancy Jenkins-Arno, Mark Tisdel and Pauline Wendzel, along with several legislative staff members, and industry leaders for the PRI Motorsports & Legislative Experience at Lane Automotive in Watervliet, Michigan, providing policymakers with a firsthand look at the businesses, jobs, and innovation that power the state's motorsports ecosystem.

The event brought together lawmakers and staff from across Michigan to learn more about the motorsports industry's impact on the state's economy, tourism, workforce development, community engagement, safety, and innovation. Attendees toured Lane Automotive's facility and heard directly from industry leaders about motorsports' role in supporting Michigan's manufacturing base and creating high-quality jobs across the state.

More than two dozen Michigan-based manufacturers participated in the event (A&A Manufacturing, Auto-Wares Group of Companies, Baker Engineering, BC Warehouse, Dart Machinery, DeWitts Radiator, Duco Performance, Green Bay Packaging, GT Products, Hastings Manufacturing Company, Howe Racing, IDIDIT, Mark Pack Inc., Melling Engine Parts, Needles Speed Solutions, Oliver Racing Parts, Outerwears, Inc., Owosso Speedway, PAC Racing Springs, Senneker Performance, Specialty Auto Parts USA, Inc., Sweet Manufacturing, Vel-Kal Manufacturing, and Weber Specialties.) representing a diverse cross-section of the motorsports and automotive aftermarket industries. Company representatives discussed the products they develop, the skilled workforce they employ, and the economic contributions they make to communities across Michigan. The experience provided lawmakers with valuable insight into how motorsports supports businesses both on and off the racetrack.

The event also highlighted the interconnected nature of Michigan's motorsports industry, demonstrating how racetracks, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, suppliers, and service providers work together to create a thriving economic ecosystem. Through facility tours, discussions, and networking opportunities, lawmakers gained a deeper understanding of the industry's role in driving innovation, investment, and economic growth.

Left to right: Max Colchin, Senior Manager of State Government Affairs, SEMA/PRI, Tierra Hubbard, Director of Government Affairs for Racing, SEMA/PRI, Doug Lane, President and CEO of Lane Automotive and SEMA Board of Directors.
 

In Michigan, the SEMA- and PRI-led Right to Race legislation remains active as lawmakers continue discussions on the proposal. The bill passed the Michigan House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support and is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee. To move the bill forward, please call Senator Jeremy Moss' office and ask him to hear our bill or write a letter to voice your support.

The PRI Motorsports & Legislative Experience is part of PRI's ongoing effort to connect policymakers with the businesses, facilities, and individuals that make motorsports possible. By bringing lawmakers directly to racetracks and industry facilities, PRI and SEMA continue building support for policies that protect motorsports while increasing awareness of the industry's economic and community impact.

For more information about PRI's government affairs efforts or to learn how your racetrack or motorsports business can support legislative initiatives in your state, contact PRI Director of Government Affairs for Racing Tierra Hubbard at tierrah@performaceracing.com.

U.S. Rep. Carbajal Tours Magnuson Superchargers

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA), representing California's 24th Congressional District, recently visited Magnuson Superchargers' Ventura facility to see firsthand how specialty automotive products are designed, manufactured and tested in his district. 

Rep. Carbajal was welcomed by Magnuson leadership, including Dan Bronsten, the company’s vice president of operations, and SEMA/PRI's Victor Muñoz. During the visit, Rep. Carbajal toured Magnuson’s engineering and manufacturing operations and discussed the skilled workforce, advanced technology, and regulatory compliance required to bring performance products to market. 

"I want to thank Magnuson Superchargers and SEMA/PRI for the tour of Magnuson’s Ventura manufacturing facility and the thoughtful discussion on the future of automotive technology," said Rep. Carbajal. "Central Coast companies like Magnuson consistently push the frontier of innovation forward, and Congress must ensure it supports their growth. I look forward to working together to advance policies that fuel the cutting-edge work happening right here in our community." 

Magnuson develops and manufactures supercharger systems for motorsports and automotive aftermarket applications. Its Ventura operations support engineering, machining, assembly, and testing for performance vehicles, trucks and SUVs. The tour highlighted the company's investment in California manufacturing and the work required to develop products that deliver added performance while meeting emissions requirements. 

The visit also provided Magnuson and SEMA/PRI with an opportunity to discuss issues facing specialty automotive manufacturers, including federal support for domestic manufacturing, workforce development, emissions certification, and the time and investment required to develop compliant aftermarket products. 

"We are proud to manufacture our components, assemble and test our supercharger systems here in Ventura, and there is no substitute for seeing firsthand the equipment and skilled work that go into what we build," said Dan Bronsten, vice president of operations at Magnuson Superchargers. "We appreciate Congressman Carbajal taking the time to visit our facility, meet our team and learn how California manufacturers like Magnuson support innovation, quality jobs and the California economy."

"Facility tours give lawmakers an opportunity to meet the people behind our industry and better understand the engineering, manufacturing, and compliance work that goes into every product," said Muñoz, SEMA/PRI's senior manager for state government affairs. "We appreciate Congressman Carbajal taking the time to visit Magnuson and engage directly with an innovative automotive business in his district."

To host your federal lawmakers at your facility, contact Juan Mejia, SEMA's senior manager for federal government affairs, at juanm@sema.org.