The NASCAR Euro Series is proud to announce a new partnership with iRacing, which will bring the European NASCAR championship to the motorsport simulation platform.

As part of the collaboration, iRacing will become an official partner of the championships and the NASCAR Euro Series cars will soon be available on iRacing, allowing users to experience firsthand the raw, mechanical feel and great balance of the EuroNASCAR V8 machine, which has no electronic assistance and a European-style light and dynamic chassis.

The iRacing brand will also be featured on all NASCAR Euro Series cars. The partnership was already visible during the NASCAR GP UK at Brands Hatch, where iRacing was featured on the doors of all cars competing.

Several European NASCAR venues are already available on iRacing, including:

• Brands Hatch, United Kingdom
• Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, Germany
• Circuit Zolder, Belgium

In addition, Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain--host of the season-opening NASCAR GP Spain--has been confirmed to be added to iRacing.

Further details, including car release timing and special events, will be announced soon.

For more information, visit iracing.com or nascar.eu.

Image courtesy of NASCAR Euro Series, iRacing

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and the new ownership group for Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California, announced a new partnership.

The Petersen Automotive Museum will help create the new Petersen Pavilion, an outpost of the Los Angeles institution, to be built at Willow Springs. The new facility is designed to play a key role in elevating Willow Springs as a cultural and historical landmark, and the timeline for the construction will be announced at a later date.

"As one of the most iconic racetracks in America, Willow Springs, is an ideal place to celebrate the passion, heritage and innovation that define the automotive world," said Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. "We look forward to bringing our expertise in storytelling and curation to create an environment where enthusiasts can engage with automotive culture in a dynamic and meaningful way."

Willow Springs was purchased in April 2025 by an affiliate of CrossHarbor Capital Partners in collaboration with Singer Vehicle Design. The new ownership group is focused on preserving the facility's rich history while making significant investments to establish it as the premier venue for automotive and motorsports enthusiasts.

"The Petersen has helped set the bar for automotive museums around the world, and it is the perfect partner to help us engage with the vibrant history and future of automotive culture," said Sam Byrne, co-founder of CrossHarbor Capital Partners. "Stunning exhibitions and immersive storytelling are at the heart of what the Petersen does, and the showcase will be a tremendous asset as we reimagine Willow Springs Raceway."

Maintaining public access is a key element of Willow Springs' success, and the raceway will continue to host both public and private events. The Petersen Automotive Museum joins a growing list of industry experts who will help upgrade and improve the track experience. Former Formula 1 driver, Le Mans winner and track designer Alex Wurz, head of Wurz Design, has been tapped to enhance existing track design and safety, while Speedway Motorsports' subsidiary Sonoma Raceway is set to help offer premier on-track experiences to oversee track operations.

For more information, visit petersen.org and willowspringsraceway.com.  

 

Image courtesy of Petersen Automotive Museum, Willow Springs Raceway

Marla Moore, a highly influential and beloved figure in the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries, has passed away. Throughout her distinguished career, Moore was known for her tireless work as a business leader, industry advocate and mentor to many.

As co-founder of Autofluencer, a cutting-edge partnership management platform designed specifically for enthusiast industries, Moore played an instrumental role in shaping the way brands and influencers connect in the automotive space. Prior to her work at Autofluencer, Moore served as the marketing director for Legendary Companies from 2019 to 2023 and held a similar role at Coker Tire Company, a subsidiary of Legendary Companies, from 2013 to 2019. She also made significant contributions as director of marketing and advertising at Hypertech earlier in her career.

Marla Moore's legacy is defined by her ceaseless passion for supporting the automotive aftermarket community. Moore is seen here at the 2015 SEMA Show.

Moore's legacy is defined by her ceaseless passion for supporting the automotive aftermarket community, which SEMA recognized through numerous awards. Moore was named SEMA Person of the Year in 2012, received the SEMA Businesswoman's Network (SBN) Woman of the Year Award in 2013, and was inducted into the SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Hall of Fame in 2018, followed by her induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2019.

Naturally, Moore's leadership and mentorship reached far beyond her professional roles. She was a constant presence at SEMA events, including sharing her expertise on the SEMA Education stage at the SEMA Show (watch a sit-down with her and Myles Kovacs on the SEMA Show stage below or at this link.), and participating in the SEMA Washington, D.C., Rally, which sheds light on issues and challenges important to the industry.

Moore also left an indelible mark on the SBN, helping to lead an all-female Mustang Build in 2012 and inspiring countless individuals through her work. In addition, her contributions helped create and grow what is now known as the SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), a network designed to identify, communicate, and provide automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers, and product developers with knowledge of emerging vehicle trends and new technologies to ensure continued success.

The industry will never forget Moore's contributions and her ability to connect people with a shared passion. Her influence will continue to be felt for years to come.

Marla Moore, seen on the left at the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference in 2006, was a near-constant presence at various SEMA industry events. On the right, Moore accepts the SEMA Person of the Year Award in 2012.

For more on Moore's life and legacy, read this tribute article written by fellow SEMA Person of the Year Ian Lehn here.

Meyer Distributing, Inc., the Jasper, Indiana-based parts distributor, has added a new crossdock in Columbus, Ohio.

The crossdock will have a direct feed from Meyer's Jasper, Indiana, distribution hub, which houses an inventory of automotive accessories, crash and collision, 4x4 and off-road, tire and wheel, RV, and trailer parts.

"Meyer stocks over 50 brands of tires, wheels and related accessories," states Scott Hohler, category sales manager for tire and wheel. "Our experienced sales team can help size out the best package for a lifted truck or direct you to the hottest wheel to accentuate your ride. Please give our dedicated Tire and Wheel team a call today at 800-367-9344."

"The Columbus, Ohio, dock will provide top notch delivery service to central Ohio with significantly upgraded daily capacity," said Jeff Braun, CEO of Meyer Distributing. "We continue to invest in our fleet and infrastructure and are actively looking for both distribution and truck fleet acquisition opportunities. Interested parties should contact Meyer Distributing at acquisitions@meyerdistributing.com."

For more information, visit meyerdistributing.com.

Registration for the Cup Karts North America (CKNA) Summer Nationals at the Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati closes on June 28, series officials have announced.

Following the closing of registration, series officials will release an official race schedule for the Friday, July 4, karting event in Batavia, Ohio.

The series is currently accepting entries for the following classes:

• Senior Heavy
• Senior Medium
• Senior Light
• Junior
• Sportsman
• Legends
• Masters Cadet
• Kid Kart

The weekend's events will be livestreamed via Kart Chaser, and the series will be utilizing the CKNA South division's full video review system for the entire weekend.

For more information on the event, visit cupkarts.com. To register for the CKNA Summer Nationals, click here.

Apex One Events, an American testing and racing event organizer, has partnered with Creventic, a Dutch promoter of endurance races in Europe, to create the new Apex One Endurance series.

Formally known as Apex Driving Events, Apex One will host a two-round winter series featuring a spectrum of GT cars in a multi-class format.

The series will launch in November at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, with the Sebring 10 Hour in November. The series will utilize Creventic's FIA-approved 24H Series rulebook and BoP.

The multi-class field will be open to a variety of cars in Pro/Am and Am classes, including all generations of homologated GT3s, a Porsche GT3 Cup 992 class, a TC4 class allowing production-based racecars built after 2015, and the TCE class, which is open to touring cars, BMW M2 CS, Ginetta G56, Porsche 981/982 and more.  

For more information, visit apex-one.us/race.

What should racers and engine builders discuss when it’s time to choose an engine block?

 

So many factors come into play when choosing a race engine block. Iron or aluminum? Cast or billet? OE-based or aftermarket? Solid or water-cooled? Deck height? Cam location? Power adder? And the all-important one: How much horsepower do you want to make?

"There has to be a good conversation between the racer/customer and his engine builder, so they get on the same page," said Ben Mens of Energy Manufacturing, Fremont, Ohio. "That way everybody knows going forward what the engine's going to be. The customer needs to understand what he needs to reach the performance potential to shoot for his goals, and the engine supplier should know the requirements for that combination."

We spoke with engine block and sleeve manufacturers to get ideas on how to get to that "good conversation" Mens spoke about. What questions need to be asked by—and of—the racer? And what are some of the trends in race engine block design and manufacturing to help steer that conversation?

Any Power You Want

Energy Manufacturing's engine blocks "are all solid billet, not water cooled," Mens said, "so our customers are all drag race customers." Block platform choices include LS, big block Chevy, and small block Ford.

Energy offers a range of bore sizes, cam bore options, and lifter configurations for each platform. "And we raise cams in relation to the crank bore and give room for increased stroke and the big power adder connecting rods so that everything is going to clear and be happy," Mens said. "We also build very stout lower ends, so it'll hold about any power you want."

Bill Mitchell said his company’s aluminum blocks, like the Gen II Hemi shown here, “were always pretty stout.” But to keep up with the stress generated by higher power targets, he has “increased the thickness of the main webbing and added more material and more structure.”

 

Elaborating on that "good conversation" between racer and engine builder, Mens believes there needs to be "a commitment on both ends" of the discussion. "The racer should commit to wanting the best for his program and ensuring he has the best opportunity to realize success. Then the builder should commit to being forthright and honest, telling the customer, 'I need you to have these top-shelf billet components and everything else that goes with them to create what you're expecting from me as the builder to meet your goals.'"

Mens recognized that not every racer has unlimited funds. But rather than skimping on the engine block, he suggested the use of "mid-level performance" components in the engine buildup, like a forged crankshaft instead of billet, or a set of cast heads. That's a "much better choice than putting great parts in a weak block and hoping it keeps everything where it needs to be."

Racers should also have "a solid foundation for anything they do in the future. The power adder portion and the EFI systems seem to be on a high-end improvement curve all the time. If a racer had, say, a smaller supercharger or turbocharger or a single and wanted to upgrade to twins or something like that in the future, you definitely have room to grow" with a billet block.

Racers should "plot out and plan ahead," Mens said. "Maybe you don't have the money for a billet block today, but it's still going to take you 10 to 12 weeks to get one from us if we start from scratch. You have time to gather things."

Correct Block Every Time

Scott Patton of M&M Competition Engines in Franklin, Indiana, provided a succinct list of questions racers and engine builders should discuss: Type of racing? Any weight concerns? Size of engine (and any plans of changing this down the road)? Any power adders (and any plans of changing this down the road)? What is the horsepower goal of the combination? Any rpm limitations?

"With an in-depth conversation about these questions, the racer should end up with the correct block every time," Patton said.

M&M caters to the "high-end drag racing market," he said, with cast-iron blocks "that can withstand the abuse of high-revving naturally aspirated applications along with extreme power-added applications." Because M&M makes its own tooling, has its own foundry, and has a machining center, "we can begin with a clean sheet of paper and create a block design that incorporates not only the necessities that the market needs, but also technology options that have never been offered to racers."

M&M's Evolution block, for example, incorporates...

To read the entire article for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.    

Once you download the Zinio mobile app or are logged into Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including "Block Talk: Choosing a Motorsports Engine Block" story here and more road racing coverage in the July 2025 issue here. 

 

Sources

Bill Mitchell Hardcore Racing Products
billmitchellproducts.com

Dart Machinery
dartheads.com

Darton Sleeves
dartonsleeves.com

Energy Manufacturing
energymanufacturing.com

LASleeve
lasleeve.com

M&M Competition Engines
mmcompetitionengines.com

World Products
pbm-erson.com

 

How PRI Show exhibitors can get the most out of their experience with the least amount of headaches.

 

 

Your company has signed up to exhibit at the 2025 PRI Show, and your team members have booked their Indianapolis hotel rooms for December. Since so much additional preparation is needed to guarantee a successful exhibit experience, where does someone begin?

Our show and sales teams are willing to offer their expertise, and on the following pages they offer some best practices for exhibitors to maximize return on investment (ROI) at the PRI Show.

Plentiful Resources

First, determine what goals are to be accomplished by exhibiting at the PRI Show. Goals can include: increase awareness of the exhibiting company, generate sales leads for future orders, network with others in the industry, introduce new products, and visit with current customers.

"What's the goal and principle of going to the Show?" asked PRI Show Director Karin Davidson. "What are you trying to gain from it? What's the ROI? Is it leads? Is it, 'I made connections with potential customers. Do people know my brand?' You have to put yourself out there a little bit at shows.

"Work your booth," she continued. "Do you know how to promote your product or brand? Be proactive. Be open. You know it all starts with a 'hello,' not just saying, 'hey, come buy my product.' You've got to be open and personable and have that connection with attendees."

After securing a booth on the PRI Show floorplan, the next step is to consider the goals to be accomplished by exhibiting. These can include increase brand awareness, generate sales leads for future orders, network with others in the industry, introduce new products, and visit with current customers.

 

After the goals are determined, next review the Exhibitor Service Manual, which can pretty much answer every question about exhibiting at the PRI Show. This can be viewed in sections at performanceracing.com/trade-show/exhibit. The PRI website features links to a wealth of information for exhibitors, which includes sponsorship opportunities, booth payment, floorplan, Featured Products Showcase, booth guidelines, move-in and move-out procedures, regulations and policies, registration and online forms, vendor information, FAQs, and more.

Davidson advised exhibitors to read the Exhibitor Service Manual and become familiar with it. For example, pay attention to booth height, where to place tables in the booth, demonstrations, entertainment, electrical, labor, security, noise level, and more.

"Reading the Exhibitor Service Manual allows you to review all the rules and regulations, so when you and your team get onsite, you aren't surprised by being called out for a 20-foot-wide wall or not being able to hang a particular banner," she said. The Manual details all the regulations regarding linear booths, peninsulas, and the Lucas Oil Stadium exhibits, such as trailers and motor coaches. But, she noted, "Whether you are a first-time exhibitor or a 36-year exhibitor, the rules have changed over the years, so it's best to review the Manual, where it's all right there at your fingertips, before arriving at the Show.

"Definitely do your homework," she added. "See how you can take advantage of making your booth the best it can be."

Booth Design

Once the booth space has been secured and the Exhibitor Service Manual guidelines reviewed, the next step is to design and build the exhibit display.

Whether the exhibitor plans to display in a 10- x 10-foot booth or a two-story peninsula, PRI's general contractor and decorator Fern is a helpful resource as the company offers booth design and building services as well as onsite drayage assistance.

For any exhibitor planning to invest in a new booth display for this year's Show, PRI Senior Show Specialist Tiffany Hale advised starting the process now. "I always recommend that exhibitors go to Fern first to look at that booth design and build," she explained. "They have a lot of helpful resources and creative designers. Based on your budget, they can do everything from just pipe and drape and a table to a full booth design and build out. They have the resources to do pretty much anything you would need there. There are other third parties as well, but we always recommended to start at Fern."

Whether it be booth design or any other help sourcing booth assistance, Davidson suggested contacting your company's PRI sales director. "Reach out to the salespeople because there are things that we can help with and direct them to use. They can provide contacts and even recommend companies to build ads for the magazine. There's always a way to help people, but a lot of our exhibitors may not know those avenues or those vendors to get that done."

Keep asking questions about how to improve the exhibitor experience. Turn to your PRI sales rep, who can offer advice about drayage, shipping, electrical, and anything else booth-related. You can count on their years of experience.

Drawing People to the Booth

In addition to the PRI show and sales teams, Hale recommended looking into a trade show marketing program that offers helpful tips, such the Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) program from Exhibitor Magazine. "They will actually train your trade show team how to speak to people walking the aisles. If you have a team of introverted people or people who aren't comfortable doing that, that program will give them the tools they need to actually get the ROI you need instead of just showing up and saying, 'I'll just talk to whoever walks by.' That eliminates the hesitancy of talking to people."

PRI exhibitors should familiarize themselves with the Exhibitor Service Manual, which covers all the rules and regulations of the PRI Show. Utilize this guidebook for information about booth payment, move-in and move-out procedures, different required forms, vendor information, and hanging signs guidelines.

 

For those who may feel more comfortable behind the scenes, consider which employees would contribute best to not only drawing people into the booth to see your company's products but also those who are knowledgeable to discuss the products or services in detail and answer questions. For smaller companies, consider which team members interact best with the public. Is it a rock star receptionist who makes every customer feel special when they call? Utilize those skills at the Show by welcoming people to the booth.

Team members will need to answer questions about the company's products or services. Consider a salesperson who interacts daily with customers by answering questions and taking orders, an engineer who designs products and can answer installation or use questions, or someone from tech support who is skilled at answering customers' technical questions on a daily basis.

"Everybody brings something to the table differently, and it's how you utilize your people," explained Davidson. "Everybody has their traits. You just have to know your team, especially your strong salespeople."

While the travel and meal costs for bringing additional employees may seem a bit daunting, consider the value these employees bring to the company and translate that to the trade show experience. Remember those goals you determined already for the PRI Show? Utilize the assets found in these stellar team members and let them contribute to the overall success of your display.

Saving Money

Exhibiting at a trade show can easily cost in the thousands of dollars, but numerous opportunities exist to save money. One method is to utilize early-bird discounts per PRI Sales Director Scott Hartwick. "Plan ahead and take advantage of the various early-bird discounts that are available," he advised. "Most advance pricing discounts are specific to housing, Fern booth services, Featured Products Showcase, etc. Many of the higher charges are from orders completed onsite and at the very last minute."

For example, when ordering electricity for the booth through the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium (ICCLOS), the electrical price list shows savings of a minimum of $50 up to hundreds of dollars, depending on the service, by ordering more than 14 days in advance of the first day of the PRI Show.

Exhibitors can generate additional buzz and exposure by submitting products into PRI’s Featured Products Showcase. Not only do buyers scan these cabinets and tables for new products to add to their inventory, but motorsports journalists and sanction officials judge the entered products and determine awards for the products they believe will have a significant impact for the following race season.

 

PRI Sales Director Celina Kluba cited one common misconception about exhibiting in the trade show as "it's too expensive," according to potential exhibitors. However, she emphasized that proper planning can alleviate added expense. "Secure third-party services early—exhibitors can save up to 50% by securing carpet, furniture rental, electric, etc., early." Aim to complete everything by October, she noted.

Shipping freight to the ICCLOS can be costly, so review your options. "Source multiple options for shipping," said Kluba. "Contact your freight provider, check with Fern, check with Performance Plus Global Logistics, as they offer discounted shipping for PRI Business Members."

When shipping smaller packages to the Show, consider mailing them directly to the hotel where the team will be staying, which saves money compared to sending them to the convention center. However, be aware that the hotels still may charge a fee for the shipment.

Another way to save money during Show move-in days is to roll in smaller displays and boxes to the convention center. Davidson said, "We always kind of kid around with the exhibitors saying, 'If you could push, pull, or drag it into the convention center, do it,' because it's less expensive for you to do that and bring an extra person, whether it's your coworker, or temporary labor, it can add up to a lot of extra expense."

Exhibit materials must be carried or "rolled." Rolling carts and casters, hand dollies, and push carts are allowed.

"We have to work smarter and not harder," said Davidson. "It's about using all your tools and what's in your toolkit in order to be creative and adjust to make it eventually work out for you."

One tip for those planning to unload smaller freight for their booths on either Maryland Street or Capitol Avenue is to be mindful of the posted parking signs in the loading/unloading areas. The city of Indianapolis does enforce its parking policies, and vehicles left unattended for more than 30 minutes are subject to tow. Additionally, no exhibitor move-in parking is allowed inside the Maryland Street canopy.

While it's not a time-saver—actually the contrary—moving in on Tuesday, December 9 rather than Wednesday, December 10 can save the team from the stress of moving in on the day prior to the PRI Show's opening.

"If you plan to come a little earlier, it might cost you another night for the hotel room, but you can pretty much have the whole place to yourself," Davidson stated. "Take the time that you need, set up your booth correctly. Use all the available resources onsite, whether it's the PRI personnel, Fern personnel, whatever can help you tweak your booth to be the best it can be."

Promotion

Reach existing and potential customers in advance of the PRI Show with numerous promotion opportunities and invite them to your booth.

PRI News: With a weekly distribution of more than 75,000 and an open rate of 30%, a $625 banner ad is reasonable, but the cost doubles during the premium PRI Show lead up from November 5 through December 13. Another option is to have sponsored content featured in the eNewsletter, which is also shared on PRI's website and its social media platforms. This article can be up to 1,000 words and can share a company's marketing message, reveal a new product, offer tech assistance—your company controls the message.

MYS Sponsorship: PRI Show exhibitors are listed on the online floorplan, but make your company stand out with an online floorplan upgrade. For only $545, this upgrade includes company information, booth number, product images or video, access to pre-Show leads and statistics generated from the listing on the PRI Show floorplan, links to press releases, floorplan "corner peel graphic," and being highlighted as "featured exhibitor."

"That Map Your Show corner peel graphic on the floorplan is one of the best ways to get a foot in the sponsorship door at an attractive price point," said Hale.

PRI Magazine: Advertise in PRI's flagship publication. Direct buyers to your booth by including the booth number in the advertisement. Plus, exhibitors receive special recognition in the PRI Show Exhibitor List, found in the November edition, which serves at the official PRI Show Guide. A special advertising deal is now available when placing an ad in PRI's "big three" issues, which consist of the October pre-Show edition, November Show Issue, and the December Buyers Guide. Every PRI member receives a subscription to PRI Magazine—either digitally or in print. Contact your sales rep for more information.

PRI Website: Stay top-of-mind with PRI Show attendees throughout the year and leading up to the Show with a web banner ad that is visible on both desktop and mobile devices. Floorplan and Show App sponsorship are also available. The website accounts for more than 2 million views annually.

Social Media: The marketing landscape has changed drastically with the incorporation of social media, and motorsports companies need to use social media for brand awareness.

When determining a social media campaign for the 2025 PRI Show, Hale advised, "I recommend exhibitors look at last year's hashtags (#PRI2024, #PRIShow). Look at those hashtags on Instagram, on social media, and see what got the most hits. See what was trending and take that and carry it into the 2025 Show and just expand on that. It's not stealing someone's idea, but it's taking that fresh initiative and maybe rolling with something that aligns more with your company or your product.

"What does that look like and how does that align with your audience?" she continued. "And how can you align your booth with that audience as well? Our recommendation is to look at last year's Show. What was popular and how can we evolve into this year with that?"

When posting about the PRI Show, include this year's hashtags—#PRI2025 and #PRIShow—which can be used before, during, and after the event.

"You have to market ahead of time," confirmed Davidson. "You have to get your brand out there. You have to use social media. Whether it's an upgrade on our floorplan, just be visible.

"People want to see these industry brands and videos of what you produce. If you're not out there, you're just getting left behind," she said.

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available throughout the PRI Show, including hanging banners and signs, meter boards (seen here), various signage throughout the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, and more.

 

After the pre-Show promotion has rolled out, consider the various marketing opportunities onsite in Indianapolis. Numerous opportunities are available, including carpet ads, meterboards, aisle signs, window clings, hanging banners, column banners, stair signage, Lucas Oil Stadium scoreboards and ribbons, plus event and area branding.

"Sponsorships are endless," observed Davidson. "From carpet ads, aisle signs, banners, cups, clings in the bathrooms on the mirrors, there is a plethora of options all at different price points. Get your brand out there and make sure people know that you're going to be at the Show. Put your booth number on there, too."

Promote your products and direct buyers to your booth by entering several products into the Featured Products Showcase. Located in the Yellow Hall at the Capitol Avenue entrance, the display will include hundreds of motorsports products with printed descriptions that also show the company name and booth number.

The PRI Show attracts media from throughout the world who are looking to report on the latest products, technology, and news in the racing industry. To help reach media, PRI offers exhibitors opportunities to promote their Show activations and increase their brand awareness.

By participating in the Featured Products Showcase, an exhibitor's product is automatically entered into the Featured Products Showcase Awards program and could potentially be selected as a top product by expert journalists who serve as judges. Exhibitors can also promote their PRI Show activations and news by uploading press releases to the PRI Show Online Media Center and by being part of the Official PRI Show Press Conference Schedule, both of which are distributed to media covering the Show.

"Helping an exhibitor maximize their ROI and experience at the PRI Show is a priority for us," said Juan Torres, PRI Senior Manager-Public Relations & Media Management. "Our current tools and programs, which are free of charge, help us keep media informed before, during, and after the PRI Show."

For more information on these programs and tools, exhibitors can contact Torres at juant@performanceracing.com.

"Participate in the Featured Products Showcase," advised Kluba. "This is a great opportunity for exposure outside of your booth. Products are professionally photographed upon check-in, and the information is made available to the media. This is a great opportunity for media outlets to pick up your products for post-Show coverage. By participating, you're also eligible to win an award."

She continued, "Have a marketing plan, whether you have budget for advertising or sponsorship or not. Have a plan to promote your presence and products at the Show." Again, use the knowledge and experience from the PRI sales team, which can share proven ideas and advice.

Lead Retrieval

Those valuable leads can turn into profitable sales, so treat them as such. Some people may still covet the traditional business card, but electronic scanning can compile all the data of current and potential customers into one organized file. Maritz is PRI's new partner to collect buyer data. Visit the Maritz lead retrieval counters with the other exhibitor services at the ICC or Lucas Oil Stadium to rent an electronic scanner to scan the badges of PRI Show attendees who want more information about your company or who are serious about placing an order.

"Create a plan to capture leads at the Show," advised Kluba. "Utilize the lead retrieval service, host a giveaway from your booth to capture data, etc. Perhaps you offer a show special at the Show to close sales onsite. Devise a plan to follow up with leads post Show. Categorize leads into buckets: follow up this month, follow up within three months, follow up within six months."

Assign an employee to actually follow up or divvy up the leads. Buyers have expressed to the PRI team their confusion and disdain when they visit a booth, have their badges scanned, and then never hear a word again from that company. Don't let those sales leads prove void.

After Show Hours

Connections are made at the PRI Show, but don't overlook the value of networking before and after the event. Opportunities are endless from standing in line to get coffee in the morning, to sitting at a table at the Grand Opening Breakfast with people you have never met before, to sitting at the bar before or after dinner, and even while waiting to be seated at a restaurant.

"Networking after hours is important," advised Kluba. "Don't miss the Thursday night gathering in Lucas Oil Stadium after the close of the first day of the Show. And one piece of advice: Make dinner reservations early."

"Maximize the Show experience and take advantage of the afterhours options as well," added Hale. "You're going to start seeing people on the Show floor that you met the night before or you met in line getting lunch, and they're going to bring people to your booth. That's just that organic networking that happens at a trade show."

One more piece of advice from Hale for a successful trade show experience: "Wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated."

 

To read more like this, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.    

Once you download the Zinio mobile app or are logged into Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including "Special Report: ROI at PRI" story here and more road racing coverage in the July 2025 issue here. 

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has issued a decision that could alter the extent of California's authority to establish its own vehicle emissions regulations. In a 7-2 decision, the Court ruled that fuel companies and other businesses can proceed with a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for allowing California to establish stricter clean car standards than other states.

This decision means a lawsuit related to the matter, Diamond Alternative Energy LLC v. EPA, can now be heard in court (more details below). PRI and SEMA supported this outcome last year by filing a legal document called an amicus brief, arguing that California's rules hurt small businesses in the automotive industry.

SCOTUS' decision also establishes that businesses (like fuel producers or aftermarket parts makers) and trade organizations have the right to sue if they can prove California's emissions rules hurt their business.

Because of the Supreme Court's new ruling, a lower court, known as the D.C. Circuit, will examine the actual issue in the lawsuit — whether the EPA was correct in allowing California to create its own rules regarding carbon dioxide emissions.

The recent SCOTUS ruling also effectively overturned a lower court decision that had previously blocked the Diamond Alternative Energy LLC v. EPA case. The lower court ruled that the businesses weren't harmed enough to sue, but the Supreme Court disagreed. Now, a different court will decide whether or not the EPA was right to give California permission to set its own vehicle emissions rules.

Background 

SEMA's amicus brief, filed in August, argued that California's non-technology-neutral regulation that limits sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will have a devastating impact on the automotive aftermarket industry, effectively killing, rather than fostering innovation that can help produce cleaner, safer automobiles. 

SEMA is not, and never will be, anti-EV; rather, it champions a technology-neutral approach that fosters innovation and ingenuity. The association will continue efforts to preserve Americans' rights to vehicle choice and the automotive aftermarket industry's ability to design, manufacture, and bring to market products that help solve the emissions challenge. 

For additional information, contact Eric Snyder, SEMA's senior director of federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org.  

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Senator Shannon Grove and Robert Tabaldo of the United Motor Vehicle Coalition of California at the 2025 SEMA California Rally in Sacramento.
 

California's legislation has the potential to significantly impact national automotive policy, making PRI and SEMA's advocacy in the state essential for the industry's future. That's why PRI and SEMA convened advocates from across California's automotive aftermarket on June 11, 2025, for the annual SEMA California Rally in Sacramento, where business leaders and content creators addressed lawmakers on the key issues affecting the industry. Advocates discussed Leno's Law, Proposition 65, emissions compliance and tax credits for manufacturing and R&D equipment, all of which are critical problems that PRI and SEMA are currently addressing. 

 

Joel Ayres, 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee, and Senator Shannon Grove at the 2025 SEMA California Rally in Sacramento.

The event highlighted the significant economic impact of the specialty automotive aftermarket industry in California. PRI and SEMA's members in California play a significant role in the aftermarket's $40 billion annual economic contribution, which sustains nearly 150,000 jobs. 

 

California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones speaks with 2025 SEMA California Rally guests during the Sacramento event.

The 2025 SEMA California Rally in Sacramento concluded with a reception attended by notable lawmakers, including Senators Bob Archuleta, Steve Choi and Brian Jones and Assemblymembers Mike Fong, Diane Dixon, Leticia Castillo, Dawn Addis and Gail Pellerin. During a luncheon, Sen. Shannon Grove, author of Leno's Law (Senate Bill 712), delivered an impassioned speech on the importance of passing the bill and the intersection of business interests and legislative initiatives affecting the automotive aftermarket and racing. 

 

(Left to right) Christian Robinson, SEMA Director of State Government Affairs; Melanie White, SEMA Board Chair-Elect; and Senator Brian Jones at the 2025 SEMA California Rally in Sacramento.

The critical role of member engagement in events like the SEMA California Rally allows members to amplify the industry's collective voice and shape policies that directly impact it, driving positive change and ensuring a vibrant future for racing and the automotive aftermarket in California. 

 

Todd Payne, Magnuson Superchargers and Senator Diane Dixon at the 2025 SEMA California Rally in Sacramento.

For more information, contact Victor Muñoz, PRI and SEMA senior manager for state government affairs, at victorm@sema.org. 

 

(Left image) Senator Bob Archuleta and Assemblymember Leticia Castillo (right image) attended the 2025 SEMA California Rally in Sacramento.