Mrk1 Consulting has once again played an instrumental role in the development and delivery of a new world class racing circuit.

Chang International Circuit, located 400km north of Bangkok, is the first FIA Grade 1 circuit in Thailand. The track was constructed in a record 422 days and built by Mr. Newin Chidchob, motorsport enthusiast and owner of Buriram United, Thailand’s most successful soccer team.

The inaugural event for Chang International Circuit was the Japanese Super GT championship attracting over 100,000 spectators over the course of three days.

Mark Hughes, owner and MD of Mrk1 Consulting said, “Once again my team have delivered on our promise to our clients and I’m enormously proud. We have now been directly instrumental in the planning, implementation and running of tracks in six different countries and have unrivaled experience in our field. The Thai team has done an amazing job in an incredibly short space of time and their first event was a great success with 131,000 spectators over the weekend.

"Being the first Grade 1 track in Thailand and only 25th globally, there is the inevitable speculation regarding F1 and Mr. Ecclestone is fully aware of the track as are DORNA (organizers of MotoGP and World Superbikes).

"We are looking forward to a continued relationship with Chang International Circuit and seeing their calendar and Thai motorsport grow.”

Tanaisiri Chanvitayarom, Project Director, Chang International Circuit said, “Mrk1 Consulting have been working closely with us for the past 12 months and their knowledge transfer program, commercial guidance and general support has proved invaluable. They have so much experience of developing and training teams in countries with limited or no motorsport history and we can’t thank them enough for their input. Any organization thinking of building a new track should speak with Mrk1 Consulting for support.”

Chang International Circuit already has a busy calendar ahead of them with the Asian Road Racing Championship, Asian LeMans Series, Touring Car Asia and numerous corporate and retail events.

In addition, the track will be homologated to FIM Grade A standard to host international motorcycle racing in the near future.

Sir Frank Williams, founder and currently team principal of Williams F1, has been named the recipient of the 2014 Bernie Ecclestone Award by Brembo.

Sir Frank Williams represents a great figure in the history of Formula One. In 1966 he founded Frank Williams Racing Cars after a brief career as a driver and mechanic. In 1977, along with engineer Patrick Head, announced the establishment of Williams Grand Prix Engineering. Williams F1 team has achieved 16 FIA Formula One World Championships, nine in the Constructors’ Championship and seven in Drivers’ Championship, scoring 114 victories and 127 pole positions.

In 2012 he decided to step down from the Board of Williams F1 team, replaced by his daughter Claire, while remaining with the team in the role of team principal.

The award, a Formula One braking system, will be presented during a ceremony scheduled for Oct. 12 in the hospitality area of Formula One Management inside the paddock of Sochi Circuit prior to the Russian Grand Prix.

The Bernie Ecclestone Award by Brembo was born in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Italian Company. On that occasion, Alberto Bombassei, Brembo chairman, gave to Bernie Ecclestone a braking system personalized with the color of the Italian flag. In 2012 the award was given to Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Ferrari Spa Chairman, while last year the prize was given to Niki Lauda, non-executive chairman of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team.

A little over a month after Comcast’s XFINITY brand announced it would take over sponsorship of what’s currently known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the new logo for the soon-to-be renamed division has been released.

Nationwide Insurance’s standard shade of blue has been swapped for XFINITY’s usual red in the new logo, which goes along with the oval-shaped marks of its fellow NASCAR national series, Sprint Cup and the Camping World Truck Series.

In a statement, NASCAR said the logo was being provided in advance “solely for the purpose of allowing teams and tracks to prepare for integration of NASCAR XFINITY Series marks for the 2015 season (i.e. uniform production, paint scheme design, promotional materials, etc.).”

XFINITY will officially become title sponsor of the NNS on January 1, 2015, beginning a 10-year-run that will match the longest single series entitlement sponsorship deal in NASCAR history.

NBC Sports Group, which is owned by Comcast, will begin broadcasting the XFINITY Series as well as the top-level Sprint Cup Series starting next summer.

That deal, which also runs for 10 years, will have NBCSN and NBC-TV broadcasting 19 XFINITY Series events annually.

A seaside street course will await Formula One when it visits Baku, Azerbaijan for the European Grand Prix starting in 2016.

The Hermann Tilke-designed circuit was officially unveiled in Baku as part of a press event that featured F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone in attendance.

In a statement, Tilke said that his firm has created a track that “thrives on Baku’s very attractive urban atmosphere and its great combination of history and 21st century style.”

“Obviously street circuits present a number of challenges, in terms of circuit design, but we have been able to incorporate some unique features that will provide the teams and fans with fascinating racing,” he continued.

“For example, there will be an extremely narrow uphill section at the old town wall that will reward pinpoint accuracy and courage, and we have an acceleration section of almost 2.2 kilometers along the promenade which will see the cars running flat out at very high top speeds—something that will create an incredible spectacle for the race fans on track and the viewers at home.”

Azerbaijan was confirmed this past July to be joining the F1 calendar in two years’ time. A date for the event has not yet been announced.

The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) will team up with Performance Racing Industry for the PRI International Business Reception at the 2014 PRI Trade Show.

More than 40,000 buyers from over 70 countries will visit the PRI Trade Show, taking in over 1100 exhibiting companies across 3200 booths and making the Show an ideal venue to meet international buyers for those interested in exporting products.

The MIA and PRI teams will host a gathering on Thursday, December 11, upon conclusion of the first day of the Trade Show, to meet international buyers, network, and enjoy a beverage. The reception will be held from 6–8 p.m. at Columbia Club on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

This relaxed and informal event is a key meeting point, and a valuable way to make new contacts, explore new export opportunities, and share information during the world’s biggest motorsports trade show.

Ticket prices are as follows:

• UK-based companies attending or exhibiting are entitled to up to two free tickets, courtesy of UKTI

• MIA Members – Free Tickets

• Non-members – $50/£35 (including tax)

• All International attendees are welcome, and can purchase tickets at a rate of $50/£35 (including tax)


Registration is essential, as capacity is strictly limited at this exclusive event. To register, including those who require more than two tickets, contact Clare Kelly at +44(0) 2476 692 600 or via email at clare.kelly@the-mia.com.

Marvin Riley has been hired as INDYCAR’s new director of engine development. He will work with the sanctioning body’s technical group in developing the rules and performance standards for the Verizon IndyCar Series engine manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda.

Riley, 33, a native of New Jersey, received his undergraduate mechanical engineering degree from University of Michigan and earned his MBA in 2012 from UCLA. He has been a Honda Performance Development associate the past decade, most recently serving as assistant manager of the engine development department.

“I’m happy to have someone of Marvin’s experience join the team,” INDYCAR vice president of technology Will Phillips said. "As well as helping to define the future Verizon IndyCar Series powertrain regulations, Marvin will oversee the engine manufacturers' performance and competition to ensure they are competing within the current rules.”

Chevrolet and Honda also will supply aerodynamic bodywork kits that will debut at the 2015 domestic season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 27-29. The on-track testing window opens Oct. 8.

“With HPD, I’ve worked mostly on IndyCar projects my whole time. I do it because I have a tremendous love for racing and a tremendous respect for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its heritage," Riley said. "More importantly because of how competitive it is. INDYCAR is willing to push the boundaries of motorsport. It is the fastest motorsport in North American by far. It’s technically compelling and challenging and has some of the best racing, and that's what appeals to me."

The Rislone URC Sprint Series has announced plans to move to Hoosier Race Tires for the 2015 season.

The series has raced on American Racer tires for several years, but the decision was made to go in a new direction in 2015.

“Most if not all sprint car groups in our immediate area are on Hoosier and it only makes sense that URC drivers are on the same tire as the dynamics of scheduling races is constantly changing,” read a statement from the series. “This change allows URC drivers to increase their level of comfort on the Hoosier Tire and at the same time, allows other drivers currently competing on Hoosiers to possibly compete in URC scheduled events.”

The series has also confirmed that unlike in 2014, all URC events on the schedule will be full point races. In the past URC offered just flat or appearance points at designated races, but with numerous rain outs, many full point events were eliminated from the schedule.

In conjunction with its retail branding program, VP Racing Fuels introduced “Winner’s Circle,” its new c-store brand. At its core, the new brand reflects VP’s racing heritage, which VP acknowledges as the foundation on which the company’s current expanding business model was built.
 
“We would not be where we are and have the opportunities we have today without nearly 40 years of helping our customers win races off road and on the track,” said Alan Cerwick, President of VP Racing Fuels. “Everything we’ve done has been born out of the genius of the Mad Scientist’s leading edge technology and fueled by a passion and dedication to helping our customers win, so ‘Winner’s Circle’ is a perfect fit.
 
“That hasn’t changed with our new expanded business model except that now our passion extends to helping our retail partners ‘win’ with our branding program, which was specifically designed to help c-store owners become more competitive and more profitable,” Cerwick said.
 
“Similarly, our new ‘consumer’ products were each designed to help our retail customers and their equipment deliver a ‘winning’ performance. That includes, for example, our Madditive performance chemicals to help ensure they get the optimum performance their vehicles were designed to deliver and VP Small Engine Fuel, which helps ensure their outdoor power equipment starts easily, stays out of the repair shop and operates at peak performance.
 
“This philosophy is summed up in our new tagline, ‘Our Passion is Your Performance,'” Cerwick added. “Whether it’s the owner of a VP Racing Fuels / Winner’s Circle station or the retail customers who do business there, our goal is to make them feel like winners and be confident in VP’s commitment to helping them perform like champions in whatever they undertake.”
 
VP’s philosophy was not lost on Mike Frank, owner of TMT, Inc., which converted nine stations in Dallas, Texas to the VP brand earlier this year. “The idea that a brand is actually interested in helping us make money and not just acting like the gas gestapo is refreshing,” said Frank. “It's a pleasure to hear from my VP rep, as I know he's calling with ideas and suggestions as opposed to complaints and nitpicking. I've been in and around this business my whole life and these guys get it.”

Chrysler Group LLC announced today that it is discontinuing the factory-backed SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Motorsports racing program in IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) with the conclusion of the 2014 season. This decision affects participation in the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with the Dodge Viper SRT GTS-R GTLM-class team. The Dodge brand will redirect its focus and efforts on the brand's product lineup. 

"Our company has made a business decision to discontinue the SRT Motorsports Dodge Viper GTS-R racing program," said Ralph Gilles, Senior Vice President of Product Design, Chrysler Group LLC. "We are very proud of the amazing achievements our fantastic teams, drivers and partners have achieved on track the last few seasons. We thank them for their hard work, effort and commitment to SRT Motorsports. It's been an honor to be a part of the inaugural IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season and we wish them every success in the future."

The Dodge Viper SRT GTS-R 2014 racing season concluded Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Petit Le Mans. The two-car SRT Motorsports team won the team and driver (Kuno Wittmer) titles in the inaugural IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship GTLM-class. SRT Motorsports won two-of-three championships contested in the class and finished second in the GTLM manufacturer championship in just its second full year of the program.

As the company announced May 6, the SRT brand will continue to be aligned with the Dodge brand, delivering SRT ultimate performance vehicles to complement the Dodge brand's mainstream performance vehicles.

The Pro All Stars Series released its 2015 schedule for the PASS South Super Late Models on Sunday.

The 10th Anniversary season for the South’s top short track series will be highlighted by the return of stock car racing to the triangular shaped, half-mile Concord (N.C.) Speedway on Memorial Day weekend and by the move of the Mason Dixon Meltdown to the legendary Hickory Motor Speedway for the first time in series history.

With 15 dates confirmed and an additional date to possibly be added in September, the PASS South Super Late Models will compete at 11 different venues over the course of the 2015 season.

“We are very pleased to be able to release our 2015 PASS South Super Late Model schedule at such an early date and hope that will help our fans and competitors as they prepare for next season,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “We’re very excited and honored that the PASS South Super Late Models will be bringing new life to Concord Speedway on Memorial Day weekend. Additionally, Hickory Motor Speedway has been at the heart of the series since it started in 2006 and we look forward to capping off our 10th Anniversary season there in November. All in all, we’ve got a great group of tracks returning to the schedule next year and are excited for the possibilities.”

For the fifth time in the last seven years, the 2015 PASS South Super Late Model season will kickoff on Saturday, March 7, with the 10th Annual South Carolina Clash at Dillon Motor Speedway. The series will then travel north on Interstate 95 for the first of three PASS South Super Late Model events to be hosted by Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, N.C. on Saturday, March 21. The series will return to Southern National again on Saturday, July 18, while the Fall race at the 4/10 mile speedway will move up to Saturday, Sept. 27.

Hickory, the longest tenured facility on the PASS South circuit, will also host two of the premier events in short track racing in 2015. The 10th Annual Easter Bunny 150 will bring some of the best racers in North America together again on Saturday, April 4.

And, for the first time since its inception, championships will be decided on Saturday, Nov. 21 when the 10th Annual Mason Dixon Meltdown 200 lap event moves to Hickory Motor Speedway in 2015.

Two of the premier short track facilities in the South will rejoin the PASS South Super Late Model schedule in 2015. Myrtle Beach Speedway will host the series on Saturday, April 25 and Anderson Motor Speedway returns to the schedule for the first time since 2012 for the Electric City 125 on Friday, June 19.

An event sure to attract the attention of racers and fans alike will be the PASS South Super Late Model return to Concord Speedway on Saturday, May 23. The famed half-mile, known for its legendary Big 10 Series, has sat quite since PASS South held the Mason Dixon Meltdown there in 2012. Nearly three years later, the speedway will come to life again on Memorial Day Weekend 2015.

South Boston Speedway will again host two popular weekends of racing that see the PASS South Late Models on a stout racing card coupled with Twin 75’s for the NASCAR Late Model Stocks and Legends cars on June 6 and Aug. 15.

Greenville-Pickens Speedway, which first began hosting stock car events in 1946 and was once a hotbed for Super Late Model racing, will again host the Firecracker 125 on Friday, July 3. That event successfully returned to Greenville-Pickens in 2014 after originally being held there from 2008-2010.

Orange County Speedway, a favorite of many PASS South Super Late Model competitors, returns for a tenth straight year with the Orange Blossom Special on Oct. 17. Caraway Speedway will welcome the PASS South Super Late Models back on Saturday, Nov. 7 as part of the North-South Shootout along with the Tour-type Modifieds.

2015 PASS South Super Late Model Schedule

Date – Venue – Location

March 7 – Dillon Motor Speedway – Dillon, S.C.

March 21 – Southern National Motorsports Park – Lucama, N.C.

April 4 – Hickory Motor Speedway – Newton, N.C.

April 25 – Myrtle Beach Speedway – Myrtle Beach, S.C.

May 23 – Concord Speedway – Concord, N.C.

June 6 – South Boston Speedway – South Boston, Va.

June 19 – Anderson Motor Speedway – Williamston, S.C.

July 3 – Greenville Pickens Speedway – Easley, S.C.

July 18 – Southern National Motorsports Park – Lucama, N.C.

Aug. 15 – South Boston Speedway – South Boston, Va.

Sept. 27 – Southern National Motorsports Park – Lucama, N.C.

Oct. 17 – Orange County Speedway – Rougemont, N.C.

Nov. 7 – Caraway Speedway – Sophia, N.C.

Nov. 21 – Hickory Motor Speedway – Newton, N.C.