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PRI 2019: New Technologies, Challenges & Opportunities Among Hot Button Topics At RTBC
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Motorsports professionals representing every aspect of racing gathered Wednesday for a day of education and networking at the eighth annual Race Track Business Conference (RTBC), held in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. Featuring panel discussions by industry experts, the conference was themed around new technologies, challenges and opportunities confronting racing worldwide.
According to RTBC host Tim Frost, the yearly gathering aims to create dialogue between various business aspects of motorsports, including all types of facilities and series, so they can learn from peers and establish relationships that will enhance racing and safety throughout the season, on track and off.
“RTBC 2019 has exceeded our expectations,” said Frost. “We have set new records as far as attendance, number of speakers and topics presented to the racing industry. We are very pleased with the turnout, the involvement and the interaction and dialogue between the attendees and the panelists.”
Among the day’s key sessions was “Racing Towards the Future,” a panel discussion of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s recent announcement of its $1 million autonomous vehicle racing challenge. The presenters included Doug Boles, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, who emphasized the 100-year history of motorsports as a proving ground for new technologies.
“I do think our hardcore Indianapolis 500 fan who understands our history and tradition and understands that we are a platform and a place to test technology will understand [the Challenge] and get it,” he said, adding that the competition is not about replacing drivers, who are as important to fans as the cars on the track.
“You can’t take that element away from the fan, and that’s not the purpose of this,” he said.
The esteem in which fans hold drivers was underscored with the RTBC’s keynote lunch speaker, Lyn St. James, president of LSJ Racing. Delivering remarks that centered on women in motorsports, the famed racer said she prefers not to carve out special events and categories for women, but rather to integrate women at all levels of racing on the same footing as any other motorsports professional.
“We should pay attention to women in racing, but not be so focused on labeling it,” she said. “The sport is a very complex sport. It takes a team, and everyone should get a fair shot, but everyone also has to earn that.”
The conference also included sessions on marketing, driver development, track operations and security, and media outreach, among other topics. Attendee Shaun Johnson, executive director of operations at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finds the RTBC unique for its ability to bring together industry professionals of every discipline.
“I think it’s interesting that such a diverse group of individuals has a lot of the same problems and concerns,” he said. “When you come together and collaborate then you can solve the problems stronger together than apart and on your own. I get the best ideas, the best practices, and usually pull at least two or three ideas from every session.”
For more information on the 2019 PRI Trade Show, visit prishow.com.
According to RTBC host Tim Frost, the yearly gathering aims to create dialogue between various business aspects of motorsports, including all types of facilities and series, so they can learn from peers and establish relationships that will enhance racing and safety throughout the season, on track and off.
“RTBC 2019 has exceeded our expectations,” said Frost. “We have set new records as far as attendance, number of speakers and topics presented to the racing industry. We are very pleased with the turnout, the involvement and the interaction and dialogue between the attendees and the panelists.”
Among the day’s key sessions was “Racing Towards the Future,” a panel discussion of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s recent announcement of its $1 million autonomous vehicle racing challenge. The presenters included Doug Boles, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, who emphasized the 100-year history of motorsports as a proving ground for new technologies.
“I do think our hardcore Indianapolis 500 fan who understands our history and tradition and understands that we are a platform and a place to test technology will understand [the Challenge] and get it,” he said, adding that the competition is not about replacing drivers, who are as important to fans as the cars on the track.
“You can’t take that element away from the fan, and that’s not the purpose of this,” he said.
The esteem in which fans hold drivers was underscored with the RTBC’s keynote lunch speaker, Lyn St. James, president of LSJ Racing. Delivering remarks that centered on women in motorsports, the famed racer said she prefers not to carve out special events and categories for women, but rather to integrate women at all levels of racing on the same footing as any other motorsports professional.
“We should pay attention to women in racing, but not be so focused on labeling it,” she said. “The sport is a very complex sport. It takes a team, and everyone should get a fair shot, but everyone also has to earn that.”
The conference also included sessions on marketing, driver development, track operations and security, and media outreach, among other topics. Attendee Shaun Johnson, executive director of operations at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finds the RTBC unique for its ability to bring together industry professionals of every discipline.
“I think it’s interesting that such a diverse group of individuals has a lot of the same problems and concerns,” he said. “When you come together and collaborate then you can solve the problems stronger together than apart and on your own. I get the best ideas, the best practices, and usually pull at least two or three ideas from every session.”
For more information on the 2019 PRI Trade Show, visit prishow.com.
