Fuelab, has recently relocated to a new facility in Collinsville, IL. The new corporate headquarters is approximately 42 miles from its previous location in Litchfield, IL.

For Fuelab, a manufacturer of innovative fuel system products, the new location means increased parts production, improved customer support, and room for growth.

Fuelab will now occupy a 5,000 square foot sales and manufacturing facility located in the St. Louis, MO metro area.

“The new building will provide greater efficiency in how we serve customers. As we grew in our previous location, we simply were running out of room. Our production area was becoming tight, while components were literally stacked to the ceiling. We now have a larger area for manufacturing, inventory, sales and customer service. This will provide for our current space requirements, and meet future needs as we continue to expand our diesel and gasoline fuel system sales operations,” said Brian Paitz, Fuelab’s President and CEO.

“Our new location within the St. Louis metro area also puts us closer to freight shipment hubs, thereby allowing us to ship orders later in the day. The increased shipping time window will benefit customers as orders, which need to ship the same day, can be placed later in the day. This enables our customers to provide improved service by accepting “last minute” orders from their clients, as well as more expediently receive parts in critical situations,” Paitz concluded.

Fuelab’s new address is:
1605 Eastport Plaza Drive
Suite 125
Collinsville, IL 62234

Fuelab’s new phone number is:
(618) 344-3300

It sounds like we won’t have to wait much longer before seeing what the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rules package will look like.

Lee Spencer of Motorsport.com reports that the sanctioning body will release the rules package to teams on Tuesday. Additionally, Fox Sports’ Bob Dillner reported during this morning’s pre-race coverage that the teams would be on a conference call on Tuesday with NASCAR to discuss the changes.

Spencer reports that garage chatter about the new package has centered around a two-inch reduction to the rear spoiler, a sizable decrease of 125 horsepower, and different gear rules.
However, Dillner also mentioned in his own report that teams believe a change in the tire compounds may occur.

Last month at Michigan International Speedway, 10 teams each ran through six different aero configurations. Power optimization was also focused on during the session; USA Today and NBCSN contributor Nate Ryan reported that teams tested horsepower configurations of 850, 800, and 750.

The goal of all of this remains the same for NASCAR: Create a package that can improve racing on the series’ bread-and-butter intermediate tracks. While the Generation-6 cars have certainly had their moments, it can be argued that passing remains a general issue.

Following the Michigan test, several drivers expressed their hope to get a configuration with less downforce. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin in particular was a very vocal supporter of a configuration run during the test that cut the downforce levels by 30 percent.

But while a smaller rear spoiler would give the drivers less downforce, it sounds like NASCAR is set to follow through on a horsepower drop for the engines, which currently churn out around 850 to 900.

NASCAR CEO Brian France hinted in April that such a change was coming, and a few days after, the sport’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., expressed his belief that a drop was inevitable.

The Rallycross Argentina 2014 was presented before an important presence of spectators, media and entrants in the Rallycross Germany FIA Press Room. The presentation was led by the Argentine Ministry of Tourism Enrique Meyer, the Sport Ministry of San Luis, Arnaldo Lastra, and the Executive Director of the World Rallycross Championship Martin Anayi, the CDA President, Carlos García Remohí and the General Coordinator of Rallycross Argentina, David Eli.



Meyer pointed out before drivers, organizers and the media present the importance that it will have for Argentina to be the venue of this international rallycross event, a category which has experienced an extraordinary growth and that has been taking place with great success its first season in terms of the World Championship.



“In January there is Dakar in our deserts, in April there is Moto GP and then the WRC Rally Argentina in Córdoba, in August there is WTCC, Six Days of Enduro in October and November will have the final rallycross round in San Luis. We’re very happy to welcome you to Argentina where soccer and motor sport are the two main passions out our folks” pointed out the National Minister of Tourism.



Then, the Sport Ministry of San Luis, Arnaldo Lastra stated: “It is a big chance for the province of San Luis to be the venue of a rallycross round as part of the Speed Week which will also include a Super TC 2000 competition and a climb of the Pikes Peak style. The rallycross event will take place in the Rosendo Hernández circuit which is one of the main ones and most loved ones by San Luis’ fans."



The Managing Director of Rallycross for IMG Motorsport, Mr. Martin Anayi, pointed out: “When we decided to turn the European Championship to a World Championship we started thinking about the countries we would take it to, and Argentina was on top of our list. It was then when Jean Todt (FIA President) asked Carlos García Remohí from Automóvil Club Argentino to take care of it and to find a place in Argentina. When the Speed Week idea first came up, and knowing the Argentineans’ passion for motor sport, we visited San Luis and we thought it was the ideal place for the round.”



This new event was added this year as part of a FIA championship that will have Argentina in the calendar, which one of the most experienced countries in motor sport organizations of the Southern part of the continent. The province of San Luis will have to close the season of the FIA World Rallycross Championship and crown the best drivers of the category.



In terms of the track construction in the Rosendo Hernández circuit, David Eli stated: “We’re working hard to have a good track. We have come here to learn, to see the category. We think we will have an ideal track for this type of competition. We are experienced on this field, but we can always do it better and we’re working so as to have one of the best circuits of the championship.”



A typical rallycross circuit combines gravel and tarmac and it has an approximate length of 1300 to 1400 meters and it surface has to bear up to six cars at a time which has a power of 600 horses. That calls for a gravel section to be resistant so as not to be damaged or cause dust.



During the official presentation of the round to be held in Argentina, details were offered of the first time that the World RX in South American lands. This time, Latin-American spectators will be able to experience a race full of adrenaline and action in the Rosendo Hernández circuit in November 28 and 29 since it will be prepared to host the circuit for Rallycross Argentina 2014.


The National Corvette Museum’s Motorsports Park is open for business, and already, the park has lined up its first High Performance Driving Event at the end of this month. The event will be held from September 28–29, with four run groups: beginner (green), low intermediate (yellow), high intermediate (blue), and advanced (black). You don’t have to have a Corvette to participate, just a high performance vehicle and a thirst for conquering it.

The High Performance Drive Event includes classroom instruction and on-track experience with an instructor (except solo-rated drivers). The museum will also feature VIP Drivers available to take celebrity drives and lead engaging classroom discussions.

Those who want to tackle the new track but don’t want to participate in the High Performance Drive Event can opt to take the Touring Laps. Touring Laps are also meant for convertible drivers and will be offered in three sessions on September 28.

The two-day High Performance Drive Event is $485 for members of the National Corvette Museum and $525 for nonmembers. The Touring Lap costs $120 for the driver and $25 for a passenger.

SEMA, the trade organization representing the $33B automotive specialty equipment market, has been awarded part of a $2.2M federal grant to expand exports of automotive aftermarket products into foreign markets including Russia, the United Arab Emirates and China.

The grant, under the Market Development Cooperator Program within the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA), will assist SEMA in its efforts to provide exporting opportunities for its more than 6800 members with a new yearly fact-finding and sales mission to Russia; by working with government officials to seek pro-industry regulations that allow U.S. products equal market access; and organizing overseas vehicle measuring sessions in key emerging markets.

SEMA Measuring Sessions give member companies the opportunity to study and measure vehicles in order to develop quality products and accessories consumers can use to personalize and customize their cars, trucks and SUVs.

The $300,000 portion of the grant allocated to SEMA will enable the association to expand the program overseas and hold such measuring sessions in each market, augmenting its popular three year program of importing non-U.S. vehicles to the SEMA Garage at its Southern California headquarters under special exemption.

For the program’s initial phase, SEMA imported a Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 and a UAZ Hunter, none of which are sold in the U.S. but have strong followings in Europe, Australia, the Middle East, China and South America.

"As a global trade association, SEMA seeks to help member companies grow and expand their businesses," said Linda Spencer, International and Government Relations Director at SEMA. "One of the many ways SEMA helps its members grow is through exporting. For many of our members, exporting products to key international markets is integral to their success, and SEMA is available to help identify strategic markets and guide members along the way."

U.S. exports hit an all-time record of $2.3 trillion in 2013, and supported more than 11 million American jobs, according to the Department of Commerce.

SEMA’s Export Initiatives

Over the past two decades, SEMA has developed a successful track record regarding its overseas work. SEMA places a high priority on assisting SEMA-member companies diversify their customer base and assisting its members in taking advantage of export opportunities as the global demand for the automotive industry's products soars. 
 


As the typical SEMA-member company has a relatively small staff and modest budget compared to larger firms, SEMA’s export programs and services serve as an extension to their staffs and fill a vital void by providing needed global expansion resources.

For SEMA members, new geographic markets offer opportunities to create new revenue streams and reach new customers. Numerous studies have shown that exporters outperform non-exporters in terms of wages, productivity and innovation and, equally important, this diversification can make firms more resilient during economic downturns.

SEMA assists U.S. companies to identify strategic markets and guide its members along the way. Initiatives include everything from international research to identify developing markets, to working with international officials on legislative issues, to creating venues for SEMA members to connect with international buyers, to trade missions to key countries throughout the year. Additionally, they include importing vehicles popular outside the United States but not sold in the United States in order to assist U.S. companies create export-ready product are just some of these efforts.

A partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce enhanced with a 2011 Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award was a key factor to growing the range and depth of SEMA’s programs beyond the traditional markets to which U.S. manufacturers export such as those in Europe, Australia and Japan.

Since September 2011, nearly 300 U.S. companies have traveled to China and/or the Middle East with SEMA, and/or have measured vehicles popular in key overseas markets but not sold in the United States in order to create export-ready product. Export sales, by participants in our one-on-one programs in the Middle East and China has resulted in nearly $50 million in export sales. 



Thirteen SEMA member companies taking advantage of the expanded SEMA international programs have received Department of Commerce Export Achievement awards with additional awards expected to be presented at this year’s SEMA Show.

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and IRG Sports + Entertainment announced the 2015 IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series (NJDRS) schedule. The 12-race, 2015 IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series North American Tour will include a number of traditional favorites, plus two new stops in Ohio and Washington as the series travels to nine states and Canada, making the IHRA one of the only truly international motorsports series.

Highlighting the 2015 schedule will be a return to IHRA's home state of Ohio for the first time since 2006 as the series travels to Dragway 42 in West Salem the weekend of September 11-12. The Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series will also travel to the great state of Washington for the first time ever the weekend of July 10-11 at Spokane County Raceway and will host an additional international event to be announced later this year.

Both of the facilities in Ohio and Washington have undergone massive renovation projects and will provide fans and racers with an unmatched event experience. Spokane County Raceway boasts a sprawling, multipurpose motorsports facility highlighted by its new Nitro Jam date, while Dragway 42 is currently undergoing a ground-up renovation that will bring it into the upper echelon of drag racing facilities in the United States.

"We are very much looking forward to traveling to our new venues in Washington and Ohio, as well as visiting our longtime partners in several great markets throughout North America," said Scott Gardner, President of IHRA Motorsports. "The 2015 Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series schedule is a diverse schedule that will provide a great stage for what I believe will be one of the biggest and best seasons in the history of the IHRA."

The IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series will kick off its 2015 season at Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson for the Southwestern Nationals the weekend of February 6-7.

Following the season opener, the NJDRS will travel to one of its biggest events of the year the weekend of March 13-15 at the San Antonio Nationals at San Antonio Raceway in Texas. Florida will serve as host of the next two events on the schedule with the Southern Nationals at Bradenton Motorsports Park (April 17-18) followed by the Palm Beach Nationals at Palm Beach International Raceway (April 24-25).

Cordova Dragway Park will host the revitalized Summer Nationals, May 29-20, followed by back-to-back races during a busy month of June. The series returns to Maryland International Raceway for the President's Cup Nationals (June 19-20) followed by a trip north of the border for the MOPAR Nationals at the Grand Bend Motorplex (June 26-28).

After a week off, the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series will contest its own Western Swing beginning with a trip to Spokane County Raceway in northern Washington the weekend of July 10-11, followed by IHRA's biggest and most prestigious event of the year, the MOPAR Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway, the weekend of July 17-19.

US 131 Motorsports Park will host the annual Northern Nationals the weekend of August 7-8, followed by IHRA's much-anticipated return to the state of Ohio the weekend of September 11-12 at Dragway 42.

Memphis International Raceway will once again host the NJDRS season finale with the Summit Racing Equipment World Finals the weekend of October 9-10.

Each event on the 2015 IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series schedule will continue to provide an exciting mix of professional and sportsman competition in an entertainment-driven format. The complete lineup of professional and sportsman classes will be announced soon, along with the announcement of a brand-new international event to be added to the schedule later this year.

For more information on the 2015 IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series schedule and lineup, please visit www.nitrojam.com for complete details.

2015 IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series Schedule

DATE, VENUE, CITY

February 6-7, Southwestern International Raceway, Tucson, AZ

March 13-14, San Antonio Raceway, Marion, TX  

April 17-18, Bradenton Motorsports Park, Bradenton, FL  

April 24-25, Palm Beach International Raceway, Jupiter, FL  

May 29-30, Cordova Dragway Park, Cordova, IL  

June 19-20, Maryland International Raceway, Budds Creek, MD
 
June 26-28, Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, ON  

July 10-11, Spokane County Raceway, Airway Heights, WA

July 17-19, Castrol Raceway, Edmonton, AB

August 7-8, US 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, MI  

September 11-12, Dragway 42, West Salem, OH

October 9-10, Memphis International Raceway, Millington, TN 

The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, home of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, has announced the 24th annual International Drag Racing Hall of Fame presented by Lucas Oil induction banquet will be televised on the MAVTV cable channel.  

The first airing will be made on the network’s “Inside Drag Racing” program on Thursday, October 2 at 1:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 12:30 PM Central, 11:30 AM Mountain and 10:30 AM Pacific.  

The program was recorded on March 13, 2014 at the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites in Gainesville, Fla.  The program will feature the introduction of the 2014 inductees – John Abbott, Al Bergler, Frank Hawley, Tom Hoover, Forrest Lucas and Warren Johnson, and Founder’s Award recipient Kenny Youngblood; and their acceptance speeches.  Master of Ceremonies, the popular Bob Frey, will provide his insightful, and often humorous, commentaries.


The program will re-air on Thursday October 2 at 6:30 PM Eastern (5:30 PM Central, 4:30 PM Mountain, 3:30 PM Pacific), and Saturday October 4 at 1:30 PM Eastern (12:30 PM Central, 11:30 AM Mountain and 10:30 AM Pacific).  

MAVTV is available on DISH and DIRECT TV satellite systems, as well as select cable systems.

INDYCAR will return to Brazil in 2015 with a Verizon IndyCar Series event at Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet in the capital city of Brasília next March.

“We’re eager to continue INDYCAR’s rich history of racing in Brazil with today’s announcement of a Verizon IndyCar Series event in Brasília next season,” said Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles, who made the joint announcement alongside Maruska Souza Holanda, the President of Terracap, a government-owned company that owns the racetrack.

“This event is an instrumental step in the growth of INDYCAR as we continue to execute our strategy of adding race markets and events that drive us forward. We’ve received a tremendous amount of support from Governor Agnelo Queiroz, the Government of the Federal District – GDF and the Bandeirantes Communications Group throughout this entire process. INDYCAR fans throughout the world are unbelievably enthusiastic about our sport and we’re excited to showcase another thrilling event next season.”

The Brasília Indy will be held on March 8. INDYCAR previously sanctioned a Verizon IndyCar Series street race in São Paulo from 2010-13. CART raced in Rio de Janeiro from 1996-2000 on an oval circuit also named for Piquet.

“I look forward to having the race in Brasília; it will be a marvelous event not only for developing Brasília but for all of Brazil,” Governor of the Federal District Agnelo Queiroz said while visiting the Indianapolis 500 in May. “The racetrack is located close to downtown and we expect more than 100,000 fans at event. The racetrack is a permanent facility and built in the center of the city in 1973, and we were determined that the track should meet requirements for INDYCAR, F1 and MotoGP. We truly hope the event will bring investments and economic development for the whole Central region of Brazil.”

Brazilians Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves, two of the most successful and popular drivers in the Verizon IndyCar Series, applauded the 2015 schedule addition.

"It's awesome news that we're going back to Brazil next year,” said Kanaan, the 2004 Verizon IndyCar Series champion and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner. “The fans there love INDYCAR and support the race and we also have Brazilian sponsors involved in our sport, so racing in my home country is a no-brainer. I raced at the Brasília track a very long time ago, in the beginning of the 90's, but I remember it being very cool. I can't wait for INDYCAR to get back there in 2015."

Castroneves, the three-time Indianapolis 500 winner who recently finished second in the Verizon IndyCar Series championship behind his teammate Will Power, echoed Kanaan’s sentiments.

“We are living in great times for Brazil,” Castroneves said. “The World Cup was there a few months ago. The Olympics are coming to Rio de Janeiro in 2016. In between we will see the return of the Verizon IndyCar Series beginning in 2015. Brazilians are very proud of their sports heritage, including motorsports. I know it will be a great event at a new venue for us in the capital of Brasilia, the Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet, named after one of our greatest drivers. I love racing in my native country and I hope to be the winner next year.”

Brasília joins NOLA Motorsports Park as new INDYCAR venues for next season. INDYCAR officials are currently finalizing the entire 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule, which will be announced later this offseason.

Tommy Baldwin, Jr. and Steve Park unveiled The American Muscle Driving Experience, a unique option for car enthusiasts.

Headquartered at Thompson (Conn.) Speedway Motorsports Park and Golf Club, the program offers three customizable skill levels to advance through utilizing everything from high-performance American muscle cars to authentic race-ready professional stock cars.

The program utilizes professional motorsport vehicle data acquisition systems to minimize the learning curve, allowing participants to advance their skills quicker. The program’s custom data acquisition systems record driver inputs such as throttle, steering, and braking; along with other vehicle parameters such as engine RPM, vehicle speed, and accelerations. GPS and video-overlay technology is also used to map out racing lines and to make comparisons to our professional instructors.

The American Muscle Driving Experience will also host several of the top racing drivers in the country. Participants will not only get to meet and ask questions to these special guest instructors, they will also get to see comparisons of driving data to the professional driver in the same vehicle and can even go for a ride-a-long experience at full racing speeds.

Tommy Baldwin Jr., son of the northeast modified racing legend “Tiger” Tom Baldwin, is a Daytona 500 winning Crew Chief and current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner. Steve Park, a former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitor, is part of an elite group of drivers to record wins in all three of NASCAR’s national touring series. His first Cup Series win came in 2000 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l, arguably one of the most challenging road courses in the country.

Whether participants are just looking to learn, hone existing skills, enjoy a day of high performance driving and golf or host a catered corporate event, the program is a one-of-a-kind experience that gives the experience of a lifetime.

Look for the American Muscle Car Driving Experience on Reed Sorenson’s Sprint Cup Series No. 36 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend and at Dover Int’l Speedway on September 28th.

Sports Car Club of America is currently soliciting nominations for the 2015 SCCA Hall of Fame presented by Mazda class through October 15.

Members and others from the motorsports community are encouraged to nominate the legends of the sport who have made a significant impact on the development of SCCA, through service to the organization, achievements in competition, or bringing recognition to the Club.

The SCCA Hall of Fame was established in 2004, and honored legends Dan Gurney, Bob Bondurant, Kathy Barnes, Dr. Bob Hubbard and Jim Downing, and Pete Hylton in 2014. Cameron Argetsinger, Mark Donohue, Paul Newman and John Bishop are just a few of the stars previously inducted in the 55-member Hall.

“The SCCA had an impressive alumni and our Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of recognition for those most accomplished members past and present,” Lisa Noble, SCCA President/CEO, said. “Those who make the cut are legends, not only of the Club, but of the sport. I encourage everyone to send in nominations and not just to assume that their hero or deserving recipient has been covered, as a member cannot become a Hall of Famer without that first step.”

Each year, the SCCA Hall of Fame Nominating Committee accepts nominations from the membership. Nominations should be kept to two pages or less, and indicate the background and reasons for consideration. After reviewing the potential candidates, 15 official nominees will be submitted to the SCCA Hall of Fame Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will then conduct additional research on the 15 nominees before choosing the final five inductees, who will be formally announced in December.

Individuals may submit candidates for the Hall Of Fame by emailing SCCAHoF@scca.com or mailing to SCCA Hall of Fame Committee, 6620 SE Dwight St., Topeka, KS 66619.