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Race Industry Week Activities Set Stage For Opening Of 2014 PRI Trade Show
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The 27th Annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show won’t formally kick off until December 11, but the Indiana Convention Center was abuzz Wednesday as Race Industry Week played host to three major conferences, nine MPMC Education Day presentations, and more than a dozen teams of students from around the nation competing in the opening rounds of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge.
Overall, some 30-plus Race Industry Week conferences, seminars and gatherings will continue through the weekend in conjunction with the 2014 PRI Trade Show, which runs December 11-13.
The two-day Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC), celebrating its 25th year in 2014, drew a variety of attendees including engine builders, design engineers, business owners and parts manufacturers.
“Our turnout is very good this year, with more paid attendees than there has been in the past, and we’re still establishing ourselves here in the new venue,” said AETC’s Ron Coleman.
Meantime, conference attendees were eager to soak up the latest industry trends.
“I’m here to learn – it’s a great collection of minds and leading people in the industry,” said Lake Speed, Jr., of Driven Racing Oil. “It’s always good to see things outside your normal realm that you wouldn’t normally see. It makes you think. We’re an engine lubricant supplier. We’re a part of the engine like everything else is. You have to know what everyone else is doing.
"So the AETC is a great place to be because everyone is here for the same reason – to learn,” Speed added.
The International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) once again brought together a number of the leading medical and safety minds from around the world to its Annual Congress to share the latest advances in motorsports safety.
“There’s a lot of information with the ICMS meetings,” said Jeff Horton of IndyCar. “We’re listening and learning and also trying to educate people with the type of technology we use. It’s crucial to be here – there’s a very wide range of people and expertise. If you have anything to do with safety, from racetrack design to driver safety and everything in between, there are people here who can help you.”
The Race Track Business Conference (RTBC) pulled in record numbers in its third year running in conjunction with the PRI Trade Show. Sessions covering several different areas of race track operation and management were addressed. And legendary promoter, agent and attorney Cary Agajanian provided a compelling keynote.
“This conference has people from all over the industry," said Rich Tobias of the Action Track in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a quarter-mile dirt track. “You pick up little things that are from outside your realm and may work for you. You get to see people you don’t normally see, and if you can pick up even one thing that can make you profitable, it’s worth it.”
The RTBC-2014 also hosted a special announcement from Lyn St. James and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Project Podium, which awarded its 2014 Leadership Award to SCCA President Lisa Noble. The award highlights the contribution of those in the racing industry who have gone above and beyond in providing opportunities to women in the sport.
The day's activities extended well beyond the major conferences to include the MPMC's Education Day series of product training seminars, while the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow began its Engine Challenge, which will continue through Saturday.
This year’s PRI Trade Show will play host to exhibits from over 1100 racing companies occupying 3200 booths, and attract tens of thousands of racing professionals from across the US and 70-plus countries from around the globe. For more information, go to www.pri2014.com.
Overall, some 30-plus Race Industry Week conferences, seminars and gatherings will continue through the weekend in conjunction with the 2014 PRI Trade Show, which runs December 11-13.
The two-day Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC), celebrating its 25th year in 2014, drew a variety of attendees including engine builders, design engineers, business owners and parts manufacturers.
“Our turnout is very good this year, with more paid attendees than there has been in the past, and we’re still establishing ourselves here in the new venue,” said AETC’s Ron Coleman.
Meantime, conference attendees were eager to soak up the latest industry trends.
“I’m here to learn – it’s a great collection of minds and leading people in the industry,” said Lake Speed, Jr., of Driven Racing Oil. “It’s always good to see things outside your normal realm that you wouldn’t normally see. It makes you think. We’re an engine lubricant supplier. We’re a part of the engine like everything else is. You have to know what everyone else is doing.
"So the AETC is a great place to be because everyone is here for the same reason – to learn,” Speed added.
The International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) once again brought together a number of the leading medical and safety minds from around the world to its Annual Congress to share the latest advances in motorsports safety.
“There’s a lot of information with the ICMS meetings,” said Jeff Horton of IndyCar. “We’re listening and learning and also trying to educate people with the type of technology we use. It’s crucial to be here – there’s a very wide range of people and expertise. If you have anything to do with safety, from racetrack design to driver safety and everything in between, there are people here who can help you.”
The Race Track Business Conference (RTBC) pulled in record numbers in its third year running in conjunction with the PRI Trade Show. Sessions covering several different areas of race track operation and management were addressed. And legendary promoter, agent and attorney Cary Agajanian provided a compelling keynote.
“This conference has people from all over the industry," said Rich Tobias of the Action Track in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a quarter-mile dirt track. “You pick up little things that are from outside your realm and may work for you. You get to see people you don’t normally see, and if you can pick up even one thing that can make you profitable, it’s worth it.”
The RTBC-2014 also hosted a special announcement from Lyn St. James and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Project Podium, which awarded its 2014 Leadership Award to SCCA President Lisa Noble. The award highlights the contribution of those in the racing industry who have gone above and beyond in providing opportunities to women in the sport.
The day's activities extended well beyond the major conferences to include the MPMC's Education Day series of product training seminars, while the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow began its Engine Challenge, which will continue through Saturday.
This year’s PRI Trade Show will play host to exhibits from over 1100 racing companies occupying 3200 booths, and attract tens of thousands of racing professionals from across the US and 70-plus countries from around the globe. For more information, go to www.pri2014.com.
