AED Performance and RacingJunk.com congratulate Van T. Free, III of Montgomery, Alabama, the winner of the AED Performance/RacingJunk.com 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Extended Cab pickup. The truck represents the grand prize of a nearly yearlong campaign of giveaways and events to celebrate the 15th anniversary of RacingJunk.com. The prize also included a trip for two to the 2014 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. On Wednesday, November 5,  RacingJunk.com handed over the keys to Free and his wife at a reception at the Weld Racing booth, #24957, where the truck was on display for the show.

“It started as just an idea between Trey Dotson (of AED) and I,” said Rob Adams, VP of Sales and Marketing for North Adams, Mass. based RacingJunk.com. “We got the truck and then brought all of these wonderful partners on board, including WELD Racing, who provided these wheels that we saw debut at last year’s SEMA show. It grew from there and we couldn’t be happier to hand the finished product over to Van and his wife.”

The keys were handed over to the winners by Jerry "Monza" Johnston, star of the television show "Street Outlaws." Representatives from Magnaflow, WELD, JHR Performance, Mickey Thompson Tires, Crawford Service, and AED Performance were on hand to congratulate the Frees at Wednesday’s reception.

The trip to SEMA acts as a sort of second honeymoon for Free and his wife. They were married in Las Vegas 25 years ago, and the bonus of the trip on top of the truck win made the whole thing sweeter for all of the involved partners who contributed to the build.

The Silverado has been modified with aftermarket components, including Mickey Thompson tires, WELD Racing wheels,  Magnuson supercharger installed by JHR Performance,  and ARE Tonneau Cover,  while Crawford’s Service worked with us to install the Dupli-Color Bed Armour system, Magnaflow Exhaust system, and a lift kit from Rough Country Suspension Systems.  It traveled around the country as part of the giveaway contest, appearing at the Charlotte Auto Fair, the Hot Rod Power Tour, the NASCAR Coke 600, NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, the Knoxville Nationals, and other events. The truck makes its final stop at SEMA, where it will appear as part of the new SEMA Ignited after show event before going to Alabama.

“This giveaway is part of our effort to give back to the motorsports community that has supported both RacingJunk.com and AED Performance over the years,” said Adams.  “Our customers are the heart of the industry, and we wanted to celebrate them by giving them a chance to win a truly one-of-a-kind truck.”

“Like RacingJunk.com, AED Performance has long been a supporter of the motorsports community, as well as a strong supporter of RacingJunk.com itself,” said Trey Dotson, director of sales and marketing for AED. “We were excited to help celebrate their fifteenth anniversary by partnering with them on one of the best giveaways in motorsports history.”

North Carolina’s Rockingham Dragway, affectionately known as “The Rock,” will rejoin the NHRA Member Track Network on Jan. 1.

Built in 1971, Rockingham Dragway will return to NHRA’s Southeast Division, where it previously held membership from 1989-1998 and served as the longtime host of the NHRA Winston Invitational all-star race. The track will host one of the NHRA’s Southeast Division events in the 2015 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series as well as many other NHRA-sanctioned racing programs.

“The NHRA Sportsman racers throughout the Southeast are the real winners in this announcement,” said NHRA Division Director Rich Schaefer. “They will have a chance to race at a great facility with lots of heritage. Rockingham Dragway is one of the sport’s original showplaces and continues to add to that legacy today.”

As an NHRA-sanctioned track, the facility will be eligible to offer racers a variety of NHRA racing opportunities, including the NHRA Summit Racing Series, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA Jr. Street and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA.  Additionally, the track has the opportunity to host NHRA’s specialty events including the National DRAGSTER Challenge, NHRA Summit King of the Track, and NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge.

“I think it is the right thing to do for our racers and our track at this time,” said Steve Earwood, Rockingham Dragway owner. “We are anxious to get started on an exciting new chapter in our history with the world’s top drag racing sanctioning body, NHRA.”

Hulman & Co. President and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Belskus will retire from the company early next year, according to a statement released by the company.

Belskus began his 27-year career with Hulman's affiliate, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in 1987. Belskus has served in various roles with Hulman, IMS and other affiliates during his career.

He is perhaps best known for his four years as president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He succeeded Tony George in that position.

George was removed from the Speedway’s top job after the Hulman board—which consisted of his three sisters and mother—became upset over continued financial losses at the track and IndyCar Series, which George started in 1996 to compete with the Champ Car series.

In late 2012, when Mark Miles was named CEO of Hulman & Co.—a position which included overseeing the Speedway and IndyCar Series—Belskus was reassigned to a less public role within the company.

In addition to heading up the Speedway, Belskus in late 2012 was also interim chief of the IndyCar Series after the board fired Randy Bernard from that post. Miles took over those responsibilities as well.

"I'm extremely appreciative to the Hulman-George family and the entire Hulman Board for all of the opportunities they have provided me over these many years. I'm proud of our multiple accomplishments over my 27 years with IMS and Hulman & Company," said Belskus in a statement. "I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my life and career."

Richard Childress Racing has hired Jason Golden to join their Business Development Department, effective immediately.

Golden is a native of New Lebanon, Ohio and a graduate of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Industry/Sports Sciences and Masters in Sports Administration. He comes to RCR from IMG College where he was the Associate Regional Vice President, Midwest Region developing corporate partnerships for seven different schools and the Mid-American Conference.

Prior to joining IMG College, a leading collegiate multimedia, marketing and licensing brand-management company, Golden held similar roles at Marshall University, ISP Sports at University of Nevada at Las Vegas, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NBA's Houston Rockets and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

He will work with the Business Development team led by Rick Penn, Vice President of the department.

"We are fortunate to have Jason join the Business Development team and are looking forward to putting him in a situation to continue his successful sales career," Penn said. "His leadership and experience will enhance our incredible team as we continue to add blue chip partners to the RCR family."

Golden will be relocating from Columbus, OH to North Carolina with his wife, Jaime, and their two children.

"I am honored and feel very privileged to join an iconic and first class organization in Richard Childress Racing," Golden said. "I also look forward to getting back into the world of NASCAR as the sport has always been a great passion of mine. My goals are to build meaningful partnerships with new corporations for RCR, while helping add incremental value for the organization's current partners."

obp Motorsport announces that it's now an Official and Authorized HEL Performance Hose supplier with full manufacturing facilities, based at its UK factory in the World Famous Motorsport Valley.

obp Motorsport has invested in the HEL authorized equipment, support, training and stock to be able to offer a wide range of Car Specific hose kits.

Over the coming months you will see a large selection of hose kits on its website.

The company will be manufacturing kits for BMW, VW, Honda, Mazda, Ford, Subaru, Renault etc.

If you require this service please email the sales team sales@obpltd.com they will send you a protocol sheet so we get the correct information to manufacture your hose kit exactly to you specifications.

HEL is an ideal partner for obp Motorsport due to some fundamental reasons:

· World Leader – Hose Manufacture
· UK Based Company
· World Wide Test Certificates
· Track & Race Proven Products
· Focus on Quality
· Respected & Trusted In Motorsport

With the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season in the books, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) opened its annual entrant application process yesterday to teams looking to compete in 2015.

The window for teams to apply for IMSA membership is open through Dec. 1. After the deadline passes, IMSA will review and confirm the entries in mid-December, setting the grid for an action-packed 2015 season.

As was the case for the 2014 TUDOR Championship season, there are again two types of entrants—Premium and Standard—for 2015.

Premium Members are considered full-season entrants and are committed to enter all scheduled events for the TUDOR Championship season, a calendar that includes 12 events (10 per class) at the best road courses and street circuits in North America.

Standard Members are considered partial-season entrants committed to enter certain events during the season, including the four Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup events: the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida, Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and the Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda at Road Atlanta.

The next official on-track activity for the TUDOR Championship is the annual Roar Before The Rolex 24 At Daytona test, scheduled for Jan. 9-11, 2015. The 2015 season opens with the 53rd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 24-25.

The new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata will be raced in a new Global Cup series, in North America, Europe and Asia, Mazda announced at the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
 
Starting in 2016, there will be multiple Mazda Global MX-5 Cup series around the world, all using identically prepared cars. Full details of the Global MX-5 Cup, including which countries will be involved and when the races will take place, will be announced as they are confirmed. 

The Global MX-5 Cup will culminate at the end of 2016 with a Global Shootout at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., to crown the series champion. Among other prizes, the series champion will receive a one-day test in Mazda’s top-level TUDOR United States SportsCar Championship SKYACTIV prototype racecar.
 
“Since the first Mazda MX-5 Miata took the green flag back in 1990, the car has been the ideal platform for both veterans and rookies alike,” noted John Doonan, director of motorsports for Mazda North American operations. “Because the MX-5 is inherently such a good car to drive, it is an ideal platform to learn basic and advanced race-craft, and this has made the professional MX-5 Cup series very successful to date.”
 
While Mazda did not release final specifications, equipment or technical partners for the car, it was confirmed that the Global MX-5 Cup racecar will be equipped with a 2.0 liter SKYACTIV-G four cylinder engine. Beginning this winter, Mazda Motorsports will undertake a development period to select the optimum tires, suspension and powertrain and safety modifications. The final specifications will be announced in 2015 when Mazda is ready to accept orders for the 2016 series.
 
In a first for Mazda, the Global MX-5 Cup racecars will be sold “ready to race” from a single supplier.
 
For 2015, the third generation MX-5 will be utilized for its final season of professional racing in North America. The 2015 Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires will kick off at Sebring in March, and conclude at the Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda at Road Atlanta in October.  For 2016 and beyond, the existing third-generation MX-5 Cup racecars will be eligible to compete in club racing only.

VIRginia International Raceway has announced the spectator race schedule for 2015. Kicking off in April, the 2015 schedule is one of VIR’s most prominent to date, featuring 10 events.

Two major events will return to the southern Virginia track in late summer for back-to-back high-octane weekends. The TUDOR United SportsCar Championship will once again return to VIR Aug. 21 to 23 as one of 12 stops in the series. In addition to the GTLM/GTD race, the Oak Tree Grand Prix, the three days of racing will also feature several support series, including the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and Lamborghini Super Trofeo. The following weekend, the Biscuitville 125 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, which features some of NASCAR’s most talented up-and-coming stars, will return to VIR for a third year.
 
Also, as recently announced, pro motorcycle racing will return to VIR with the MotoAmerica Road Racing event in May. The race weekend will be the fourth stop in the nine-track series, and is expected to again be one of VIR’s largest spectator events.

“We’re thrilled to once again host the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Biscuitville 125 and welcome MotoAmerica to this year’s slate of amazing spectator events in what will undoubtedly be one of VIRginia International Raceway’s best seasons yet,” said Connie Nyholm, owner and CEO of VIR. “Attendance numbers continue to dramatically grow as a direct result of the ever-increasing caliber of races and fans really getting to know the beauty of all VIR has to offer. We look forward to continuing that tradition with huge crowds throughout 2015.”

VIR’s full spectator schedule for 2015 is as follows:
April 17-19:          The Sports Car Club of America Majors Tour
May 15-17:           MotoAmerica Road Racing Series
June 5-7:              North American Road Racing Association
June 13-14:          Championship Cup Series Motorcycle Road Racing
Aug. 7-9:              ChumpCar World Series: 24 Hour Champ Truck
Aug.  21-23:          Oak Tree Grand Prix/ TUDOR United Sports Car Championship
                             Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge
                             Lamborghini Super Trofeo
Aug. 29:                 Biscuitville 125 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Sept. 4-6:               National Auto Sport Association Championships, presented by Toyo Tires
Sept. 19-20:           Championship Cup Series Motorcycle Road Racing
Sept. 25-27:           Heacock Classic Gold Cup, presented by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association
 
Additional information on ticket availability, support series, hotel packages and more will be announced as they’re available. For more information, visit www.virnow.com.

WELD, manufacturers of WELD Wheels based in Kansas City, Mo., has acquired Complete Custom Wheels (CCW) of Holly Hill, Fla., a manufacturer of premium forged road race, sports car and luxury car wheels, creating CCW Forged Performance. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Offering a variety of sizes, finishes and styles, CCW’s reputation for quality and performance is well known. WELD president and CEO Norman Young says CCW’s championship-winning road racing heritage and uncompromising attitude aligns perfectly with WELD’s philosophy and corporate DNA, making it a strategic fit for both companies.

“CCW is the perfect complement to WELD’s current product range,” said Young. “CCW’s ability to produce high-performance forged racing and sports car wheels is proven through over 25 national and international road racing championships. WELD’s expertise can only further accelerate product development and build on that established success.”

With deep roots in road racing and luxury European car communities, Young said the transaction provides WELD with access to a new portion of the market it previously did not cater to. He said WELD intends to keep CCW’s Florida manufacturing facility intact and sees CCW as a new sister brand to round out its portfolio.

For more information about WELD, call 800/788-9353 or visit www.weldwheels.com.

Over the last 10 years, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series has grown into NASCAR’s top developmental series—a proving ground for tomorrow’s stars. Tuesday at the 2014 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, NASCAR introduced the series’ newest innovation designed to help prepare drivers to compete at motorsports’ highest level.
 
NASCAR President Mike Helton and a trio of drivers representing the new wave of young talent surging through the sport unveiled the new NASCAR K&N Pro Series body at the Las Vegas Convention Center, home to the automotive industry’s largest annual event. Each year more than 100,000 industry executives, buyers, influencers and car enthusiasts attend the SEMA Show.
 
Assisting Helton in introducing the car body were NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and 2012 K&N Pro Series East champion Kyle Larson, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver and K&N Pro Series East team owner Ben Kennedy, and 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion and Sunoco Rookie of the Year Ben Rhodes. The announcement was streamed live on Fanschoice.tv.
 
The body, a game-changing leap forward for the K&N Pro Series, is made from a state-of-the-art composite laminate blend and was developed in partnership with Five Star Race Car Bodies, a long-term NASCAR contingency sponsor.
 
“The new K&N Pro Series body represents a major win for the teams, the fans, and the racing industry as a whole,” said Jim Cassidy, senior vice president, racing operations for NASCAR. “This will give our emerging talent the opportunity to gain more valuable, relevant racing experience, and our fans and industry partners will appreciate the car’s similarity in appearance to both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars and street models.”
 
The new body’s modular design allows teams to easily install and repair damaged panels, and is expected to cut labor costs associated with body maintenance by up to 50 percent. The body is eligible for competition beginning in the 2015 season and is mandated as the only approved body in the series in 2017.
 
It will be available in all three manufacturer models: Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry. The final season for the steel bodies is 2015, and the current one-piece composite body will be phased out after the 2016 season. The new body will also be eligible for competition in the ARCA Racing Series beginning in 2015.
 
“We are proud of our involvement in the introduction of the new NASCAR K&N Pro Series body,” said Carl Schultz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Five Star Race Car Bodies. “This body is at the forefront of modern advanced composites, utilizing technological advances in material laminates and manufacturing processes. All of this would not be possible without the great teamwork and cooperation of every person involved. We would like to thank NASCAR for this great opportunity and look forward to building our relationship into the future.”