Aston Martin Racing is launching a young driver program, the Evolution Academy, which offers a coveted 2016 Aston Martin Racing works driver contract to the most successful participant of the season.

The academy, being launched at the Autosport International Show, is open to applications from drivers aged 17-25 competing in an Aston Martin racing car this season. It has been devised by the Banbury-based team to help support and develop young talent, as well as creating a breeding ground for Aston Martin Racing works drivers of the future.

Successful applicants, limited to a maximum of 10, will be assigned a professional mentor from Aston Martin Racing’s team of top GT drivers. In addition, they will be given fitness and nutrition assessments and advice; PR, marketing and sponsorship support; training sessions in an Aston Martin Base Performance Simulator; and Evolution Academy-branded apparel including a race suit and team kit.

At the end of the season, the most successful participant will be offered an Aston Martin Racing works driver contract for 2016.

Applicants will be asked to send in a CV for review by a panel of senior team management including Team Principal John Gaw, who commented: “We’ve been very supportive of young drivers at Aston Martin Racing for several years now. We had seven young drivers in our team at Spa 24 Hours last year and have signed two young drivers to our works team for the past two years.

“However, this is the first time we have offered a full program designed specifically to develop some of the sport’s top upcoming stars, focusing not just on on-track activities but all areas required to become a successful driver with a long and lucrative career.”

Aston Martin Racing competes at the highest level of GT racing, including a full works team in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Nürburgring 24 Hours; and works-supported entries in Blancpain GT Series and other major GT races.

With its full range of GT racing cars ranging from the V8 Vantage GT4—its entry-level race car aimed at those starting out in a GT career—through to the V12 Vantage GT3 and the V8 Vantage GTE, there is a clear progression path for drivers of any age looking to begin or develop their racing career.

Thanks to an anonymous supporter of the IHRA and the Super Rod class, IHRA announced this week a new Super Rod bonus program available to 9.90 index racers in IHRA's popular North Stars Division on the Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL.

What began in 2014 as a qualifying bonus for Super Rod racers in Division 1, the Super Rod bonus program will now move to Division 3 and will reward winners and runner-ups in the Super Rod class with a bonus payout courtesy of an appreciative and anonymous supporter of the series.

"It is always rewarding to see people give back to the sport that they enjoy. Here we have someone who enjoys the sport and wants to give anonymously to racers and I think that is a wonderful thing," said Mike Baker, IHRA Senior Director of Racing Operations. "We are excited and very appreciative of this gesture and look forward to awarding this nice bonus to Super Rod racers in 2015."

At each Division 3 North Stars event, a $750 bonus will be paid to the winners of the Super Rod class and a $250 bonus will be paid to the runner-up finishers. The total added payout equals $8,000, up from $5,000 in 2014.

The 2015 Division 3 schedule consists of a combination of single and double events at Cordova International Raceway (May 29-31), Cordova International Raceway (June 19-21), Grand Bend Motorplex (June 26-28), Pittsburgh Raceway Park (July 10-12), US 131 Motorsports Park (August 7-9) and Dragway 42 (September 11-13).

For more information on the Super Rod bonus program, visit www.ihra.com. 

Memphis International Raceway is geared up for the 2015 season. With more than 150 events on the schedule and the opening of the new dirt track scheduled for the summer, this year will be one of the busiest season’s to date at the multi-use facility in Millington, Tennessee.

The 2015 on-track action will kick-off on February 14 with an open Test N Tune session for all street legal vehicles on the drag strip. The first scheduled event on the 1.8-mile road course is the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) on March 14-15 and the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience (RWRE) will host their first fan experience on March 21 at the tri-oval.

On the drag strip, MIR is happy to announce the nation’s largest automotive show, Super Chevy Show presented by Chevrolet Performance, is scheduled to return in April. Additional national events include: the Mega Mopar Action Series, Fun Ford Series featuring FocusFest, Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA), International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Pro-Am Tour, IHRA Team Bracket Finals and the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment World Finals featuring Nitro Jam. The ever-popular weekly events are slated to return as well and consist of the Summit Bracket Racing Series presented by COMP Cams, Test N Tune, Midnight Madness and Street Warz.

In addition, MIR has secured the Outlaw Street Car Reunion for the second year in a row, the 25K Showdowns, Great American Bracket Race, Pre-Thanksgiving Bracket Bash and the HOT ROD Power Tour will return after a one-year absence. New to the drag strip schedule this season is the IHRA Street Warriorz, Mid-South Summer Bracket Nationals and Manufacturer’s Cup Motorcycle Race.

The road course at MIR will host events with the Porsche Club of America (PCA), National Auto Sport Ass’n (NASA), River City Beemers Autocross and Traction Optional drifting events throughout the year. There’s over 20-events scheduled to run on the 1.8-mile course with a select few NASA Autocross dates running in conjunction with national events.

The schedule is also highlighted by three running events in 2015. Instead of tires smoking down the drag strip, sneakers will blaze down the pavement as a Black Light Run, Glow Brite Run and a 5K will take place on the almost 400-acre property. For those people looking for something a little faster paced, RWRE is onsite and offers a stock car driving experience at the .75-mile tri-oval. Once a month guests can enjoy a NASCAR like experience and have a chance to ride or drive at MIR.

The newest addition to the multifaceted property is the state-of-the-art 3/10- mile dirt track that is scheduled to open during the summer. MIR will host Friday night races and special events throughout the season. A schedule is currently in the works for the dirt track and will be announced in the coming months along with class and rule information.

When Perris Auto Speedway’s annual Budweiser Oval Nationals Presented by All Coast Construction takes place for the 20th time Nov. 12-14, it will return to a format that endeared it to race fans around the country in previous years.

The Oval Nationals began life in October 1996 as a two-day event.

The race remained a two day affair through 2000. In 2001 promoter Don Kazarian added an extra night and split the field in two. Half the cars raced on Thursday, the other half on Friday and they all raced together on Saturday. He kept the event at three days and instituted the policy of all drivers having to race all three nights.

In 2012, it went back to the original two-night format. In 2013 and 2014, it was back to three nights again, but only the last two of those nights featured the 410 sprint cars. It was still the Oval Nationals, but it was not the same show and the fans let Kazarian know that they wanted the three nights of 410 sprint cars back. Much to their delight, in 2015 the show is going back to what made it great in years gone by: Three straight nights of 410 sprint cars with every driver competing all three nights.

“The fans have been asking for three straight nights of 410 sprint cars like we used to have at the Oval Nationals and that is what we are going to give them,” Kazarian said. “The race did lose a little bit of its luster for a few years, but things began to swing around again when we started getting purse back up, thanks to Mike Grosswendt at All Coast Construction. There was a buzz around the race again the past two seasons and there will be even more this year as fans will be able to see their favorites from the USAC National and USAC/CRA Series’ go at it three straight nights like the old days.”

The 2015 edition of the prestigious race will also see it go back to another past tradition of the Oval Nationals. The race started out with just 410 sprint cars and stayed that way for quite some time. However, the past few years have seen a couple of support classes sharing the program with the 410’s. That is not going to be the case this year.

“Fans also asked for 410’s only and no support classes at the Ovals, so that is what we are going to do,” Kazarian said.

The addition of the third night of 410 racing brings on another big chunk of change for the drivers. It will be the largest purse in the 20-year history of the race. That should not only draw the attention of the local drivers in the USAC/CRA Series and the Indiana based USAC National Series, but it should draw interest from drivers from other parts of the nation as well.

Advance tickets for the 20th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals will go on sale within the coming weeks.

Towards the end of 2014, the FIA established that it would be implementing a new protocol for how it determines who can get an F1 Superlicense.

It’s not officially known as the “Max Verstappen rule,” but with the 17-year-old Dutchman set for his debut in two months, he’ll likely be the last 17-year-old for some time.

On Tuesday, they’ve revealed the details in full.

Prior to today’s announcement, drivers would have needed to fulfill at least one of the following criteria:
• Made at least 5 Grand Prix starts the previous year, or 15 over the past three years
• Have previously held a Superlicense and been regular test driver for a team over the past year
• Have been classified, in either of the last two years, in the first three in the final classification of: F2, International F3 Trophy, GP2, GP2 Asia or Japanese Formula Nippon; in the first four in IndyCar; or current champion of F3 Euro Series, principal national F3 championships (Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Japan), World Series by Renault
• Be judged by the FIA to have consistently demonstrated outstanding ability in single-seaters but with no opportunity to qualify, at which point they’d need to drive at least 300 km in a current F1 car over two days

That has now changed. The new details include being 18 years old, completing a question and answer session regarding the International Sporting Code and F1 Sporting Regulations, completed at least 80 percent of two full seasons in a championship outlined in Supplement 1 of the regulations, drive at least 300 km, and at fulfilling least one of the two new criteria:
• Made at least 5 Grand Prix starts the previous year, or 15 over the past three years
• Have accumulated at least 40 points during the three years preceding his or her application

Championships that count towards the points structure include any of the Formula Renault 1.6 or 2.0 International Series, Formula 3 National Championships, Formula 3 European Championship, Formula 4, Indy Lights, IndyCar, GP2, GP3, Super Formula, World Series by Renault, FIA WEC (LMP1 only), and a future Formula 2 championship.
The table of points is outlined with finishes from first through 10th place, and is revealed as follows:
• Future F2: 60-50-40-30-20-10-8-6-4-3
• GP2: 50-40-30-20-10-8-6-4-3-2
• F3 Europe, WEC LMP1, IndyCar: 40-30-20-10-8-6-4-3-2-1
• GP3, World Series by Renault: 30-20-15-10-7-5-3-2-1 (points to ninth)
• Super Formula: 20-15-10-7-5-3-2-1 (points to eighth)
• Formula 4, National Formula 3: 10-7-5-2-1 (points to fifth)
• Formula Renault: 5-3-1 (points to third)

The takeaway here is that GP2 and F2 rank much higher in the points system than GP3 and WSR, which have seen a number of graduates in recent years.

It also is meant to discourage the likelihood of F3 drivers making it to F1 straight from F3, without at least a year in either Super Formula or GP3/WSR first.

The full regulations, changes of which can be found starting on page 21, are linked here.

Rolex continues as title sponsor for the Australian Grand Prix, it was announced Monday. This will be the luxury Swiss watchmaker’s third straight year as title sponsor of the season-opening round of the 2015 Formula One calendar.

“The opening round in Australia is always highly anticipated by sporting fans worldwide. It’s a truly world class event which is not only a favorite of drivers and teams, but fans too,” Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex SA Communication and Image Director, said.

“The Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix is a crowning moment in Rolex’s support for Formula One and sets the scene for the rest of the season.”

Rolex is also the official timepiece of F1.

There’s just 66 days until the season opener, which will occur on March 15.

Heatshield Products is celebrating 30 years of business in 2015. The company started with just two products, Thermal Sleeving and Thermaflect Shield (originally called Heat Blanket), and the Heatshield Products line has grown to more than 400 products that span the automotive, marine, industrial and military markets.

When Mel Heye and his son Bruce started Heatshield Products, their goal was to engineer and manufacture the most technologically advanced and efficient thermal and acoustic shielding products the automotive aftermarket had ever seen. From the confines of the family’s two-car garage, Heatshield Products has expanded to more than 500 dealers globally. Today, Heatshield Products encompasses two manufacturing facilities with a combined total of 20,000 square feet, and the company plans to open a third facility in 2015.

Even with 30 years of change and growth, some things are the same today at Heatshield Products as they were when the company started. The company is still family owned, and every Heatshield thermal and acoustic barrier product is still made in the USA. The company maintains a design philosophy and drive to ensure every product it makes represents the latest and most innovative thermal and acoustic barrier products on the market.

For more information, contact Heatshield Products at 800-750-3978 or visit www.heatshieldproducts.com.

MSDP Group LLC, a manufacturer of vehicle aftermarket performance ignition and tuning technology, has acquired ACCEL Performance Group, a performance aftermarket parts manufacturer, with brands including ACCEL, Mr. Gasket, Mallory Ignition, Lakewood, QuickTime and Hays brands.

“The acquisition of ACCEL significantly enhances our position in ignition technology and allows MSDP to expand our product portfolio aimed squarely at diehard racing and street performance enthusiasts,” said Rick Ruebusch, CEO of MSDP. “ACCEL complements our existing brands, providing us with both increased capability and an unmatched footprint in the aftermarket platform. With this complementary acquisition and ACCEL’s impressive portfolio of brands, MSDP has an even greater ability to serve our customers with new, innovative product offerings and a higher level of personal service.

“The automotive aftermarket is a highly dynamic space with consumers that are deeply passionate about performance, reliability, and heritage as well as the challenges of next-generation vehicles and government regulations,” added Ruebusch. “Adding ACCEL to the MSDP family gives us the bandwidth and brands to ensure that we continue delivering value to our customers and stakeholders.”

“ACCEL is a natural fit for MSDP and a valuable addition to the Company’s product portfolio,” said James Zenni, chairman of MSDP and CEO of Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. “Since making our investment in December 2013, MSDP has experienced significant growth, as well as enhanced its product innovation, brand marketing and distribution strategies. We look forward to the Company’s continued success with the addition of ACCEL and its impressive collection of brands.”

* #WhatAShow: So much positive energy from the 2014 PRI Trade Show, and such optimism for the racing industry heading into 2015! While our February issue will include complete coverage of PRI 2014, at this time we can report that PRI’s social media efforts during the Trade Show were a big hit. In fact, it’s come to our attention that during at least one of our Trade Show days, “#prishow” was one of the top trending topics on Twitter! According to the folks that track such metrics, Twitter Trends are identified as “topics that are being talked about more right now than they were previously. The Trends list is designed to help people discover the ‘most breaking’ news from across the world, in real-time.” That said, we thought it would be fun to list some of our favorite tweets from the 2014 Show. Following, listed in chronological order, is a look back at PRI through the lens of Twitter:   

‏@kyleluetters Dec 11
Best breakfast of the year..... Opening day of the #prishow
‏
@ACCELIgnition Dec 11
For those of you who didn't get up early for the kickoff breakfast, you missed out!! #weareawakenow #prishow

@Sunoco_UK Dec 11 Indianapolis, IN
PRI2014 good morning America. Legends Snake and Mongoose with Dave Despain - classic! #prishow @SunocoRacing

@indyraceparts Dec 11 Indiana, US
Looking forward to the next couple of days meeting new friends & seeing old friends #prishow

@IndyCar Dec 11
News from #PRIshow! @CFHR_Indy announces partnership with @Indiana_EDC! @edcarpenter20 @SarahFisher

@AshleyK199 Dec 11
Someone's getting her first set of ear molds... Thank you Joey with @REradioz! #PRIshow

@IndyCar Dec 11
We've got @GrahamRahal and @bobrahal on the stage here at #PRIshow!

@keizerwheels Dec 11
Fun w/ @lucasdirt Champion driver @15SteveFrancis @ClintBowyer being interviewed by our own @Anthemdirt #PRIShow

‏@RustyWallace Dec 11
Having fun at the #prishow today! I'll be signing autographs for our friends at @JET_Industrial from 2:30-4:00.

@GrahamRahal Dec 11
Thanks to everyone that came to @BobRahal and my Q&A for @IndyCar. Great turnout at #PRIShow today!

@Coop1930 Dec 11 Indianapolis, IN
Lots of horsepower & eye candy at 2014 @prishow! #prishow
‏
@mittler_bros Dec 11
@markmartin stopped by to talk to Mike Mittler @prishow . Who else will be by our booth #1215 ? #PRI2014 #prishow

@CGRTeams Dec 11
@scottdixon9 talking new houses, last season, and what he's looking forward to in 2015 at @IndyCar #prishow booth.

@QA1Motorsports Dec 11
@Andrade4336 stopped by our booth today to check out carbon fiber driveshafts for #TheCutty! #StreetOutlaws #prishow

@GatewayMSP Dec 11
@ChrisBlair4B @NASCAR legend @HumpyWheeler & Curtis Francois share a drink at #PRIShow happy hour @LucasOilStadium

@RogerSlack Dec 11
Retweet if you saw Junior Hanley walking around #PRIshow today in Indy. Fav if you wish you had #PRI2014.

@ashleyvandyke Dec 12
Too many bruises to count this morning. Awesome night Karting with @ReplayXD and we are still laughing! #PRIShow #FastTimes #Indy

@ralphsheheen Dec 12
Had to make sure @Rico_Abreu was dressed like the winner he is at PRI #prishow @SPEEDSPORT_

@CPGNationLive Dec 12
It's always cool to see so many champions in one place. #pri2014 #prishow #myprishow #racing

@AshleyK199 Dec 12
Sitting in on the #WomenofRacing panel at #PRIshow. Love hearing from two of my heroes, @SarahFisher & @PippaMann!

@Coop1930 Dec 12 Indianapolis, IN
Amazing how the sound of one starter cranking at #PRIShow gets about 100 people to stop and turn around instantly.

@GarrettBarbee Dec 12
I wish I was at the #PRIShow

@Lucas_Oil Dec 12
#PRIShow - @JFR_Racing stopped by the Lucas Oil booth this afternoon. Looking forward to the 2015 @NHRA season!

@nasaproracing Dec 12
Tons of traffic through the NASA booth today at the PRI show. #PRIShow #PRI2014 #nasaproracing #nasaprototype.

@milesamartin Dec 12
Having the best time at the #PRIShow with @markamartin

@JeffLee Dec 12 Indianapolis, IN
Mean as hell blown 2015 #Mustang Cobra Jet in the Watson Racing booth #PRIShow

@wblair1987 Dec 12
Reutimann and @JeffBurton enjoying the @prishow in Indy. #racing #PRIShow

@steph_beane Dec 12
Such a fantastic day at the #PRIShow #PRI2014 #DoingBigThings #RSBMotorsports #MakingProgress

@StephenJBurke Dec 12 Indianapolis, IN
Hard not to consider opening a racing parts store after a few days at PRI. #prishow

@Howard3Racing Dec 12
Having an absolute blast at the #PRIShow ! Loving all the new people to meet. Cannot wait for tomorrow!

@epotkanowicz Dec 12
How can I honestly say what I do for a living is work?! Seriously enjoy this trip each year. #PRIShow

@MichaelClary70 Dec 13
Sitting in a very packed room at the PRI show on how to attract sponsorship #PRIShow #PRI2014

@MarinaAFD Dec 13
Learning a lot at #PRIShow already!

@kyleluetters Dec 13
It never ceases to amaze me how much business you truly get done at the #PRIShow. Worth the hard work to get here.

@MichaelClary70 Dec 13
It's hard to explain how big the PRI show is unless you have been here...@prishow #PRIShow #PRI2014

@driftpoint Dec 13
Speed is a byproduct of awesome. #prishow #Indianapolis

@MomoMotorsport Dec 13
When it comes to racing, annual #PRIShow means business #NASCAR #NHRA

@GatewayMSP Dec 13
Great hanging out w/ 3-time Gateway champ @AntronBrown @shoeracing @NHRA booth 3415 #PRIShow

‏@KMZ_Motorsports Dec 13
Just wrapped up the last day at the @prishow with some great seminars from Optimum G and @GaleForceSus #engineering #learning #PRIShow

@Wesirwin9 Dec 13
It was a pleasure talking racing with @braddoty18 today at @prishow thank you Brad! #PRIShow #racing

@MorinRacing98 Dec 13
This place is like heaven! #PRIShow

NeSmith Racing officials have announced the 21-race 2015 schedule for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division. The 11th season for the NeSmith Late Model tourists will have them visiting 11 different race tracks in six different states over 11 weekends.

For the first time in the ten-year history of the NeSmith Late Model Series there will be more than one $10,000-to-win race on the schedule. Each year for the past ten years, the NeSmith Late Models have competed in the $10,000-To-Win 100-lap Chevrolet Performance World Championship Race season finale.

Since the 10th Annual World Championship Race was postponed by rain on November 22, that race has been rescheduled as a non-points race for January 31, 2015 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, FL. The second $10k-to-win race will be on August 21-22 at Golden Isle Speedway in Brunswick, GA. The third race of the $10k-to-win Triple Crown will be the 11th Annual Chevrolet Performance World Championship Race at Bubba Raceway Park on November 19-21.

Bubba Raceway Park will bookend the 2015 NeSmith Late Model 2015 schedule. The first three point races of the 2015 season will be held on January 28, 29, and 30 prior to the 10th Annual World Championship Race. The 11th Annual World Championship Race will end the 2015 season for the NeSmith Late Models on November 19-21.

The first three point races at Bubba Raceway Park will be a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race on January 28, a 50-lap $2,500-to-win race on January 29, and a 50-lap $3,000-to-win race on January 30. The 10th Annual World Championship Race on January 31 will be a non-points race, as the front half of the field was filled in preliminary events on November 21, 2014.

Golden Isle Speedway will also host five NeSmith Late Model events over three weekends. In addition to the $10k-to-win race on August 21-22, there will be twin 50-lap $2,500-to-win races on February 14 and 15, and twin 50-lap $2,500-to-win races on October 16 and 17 as a part of the Showdown On The Coast.

The NeSmith Late Models will make their first visit to Waycross Motor Speedway in Waycross, GA for a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race on April 10, and a 50-lap $2,500-to-win event on April 11. Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, TN will welcome back the NeSmith Late Models for the first time since 2007 on May 1-2 for the $5,000-to-win Rumble At The Duck 75.

The traditional Memorial Day Weekend events for the NeSmith Late Models will take place at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS on May 23 and Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS on May 24 with a pair of 40-lap $2,000-to-win races. Magnolia Motor Speedway will also host a Labor Day Weekend 40-lap $2,000-to-win race on September 6.

The $2,000-to-win 2nd Annual Bill Hendren Memorial 40 for the NeSmith Late Models will be at Tri-County Race Track in Brasstown, NC on June 5, and then 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, TN will host the $4,000-to-win 3rd Annual J.T. Kerr Memorial 40 for the NeSmith Late Models on June 6.

The three-race Alabama July 4th Weekend Extravaganza returns the NeSmith Late Model schedule in 2015 with a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL on July 2, a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race at Penton Raceway in Penton, AL on July 3, and a 50-lap $2,500-to-win race at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL on July 4.