As Power Automedia continues to grow in its array of online magazines, it welcomes Evan Perkins as head of its newest endeavor, Turnology.

Turnology will be the 12th online magazine in production by Power Automedia and will cover automotive performance driving in autocross and open track environments. Turnology will embody the spirit of driving for car enthusiasts of all skill levels, giving life to the turns and speed, while educating drivers on technical car set-up, track days, racer safety and much more.

As Editor for Turnology, Perkins harnesses his own personal passion along with his professional experience in heading the new magazine, slated to launch in the fourth quarter of 2014.

"As a dedicated and passionate automotive enthusiast, I am truly excited to join the Power Automedia team and embark on the highly anticipated launch of this new title,” Perkins expressed. “The birth of Turnology will fill a fresh niche in Power Automedia’s already vast digital coverage spectrum and provide the readership with access to a provocative array of performance driving, news technical stories, reviews and event coverage."  

Perkins brings a lifetime of passion and experience to Turnology readers. From working for a road racing organization during college and taking on his own project builds over the years to, most recently, running the 24 Hours of LeMons series, there is little Perkins has not done. Before coming to Power Automedia, Perkins was Editor of Fastest Street Car Magazine.

Power Automedia currently publishes ten leading automotive performance magazines that reach over 1.3 million readers a month—each with fresh, unique content delivered daily.

Turnology will launch in Q4 2014 at www.turnology.com

Team Penske announced that it has extended its partnership with Alliance Truck Parts (ATP), building on the relationship between the two transportation-based organizations that began in 2010.

Under the new multi-year agreement, Alliance Truck Parts will continue to be a primary sponsor of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Fusion driven by 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) champion Brad Keselowski. The 2015 season will mark the second consecutive year that ATP, an industry-leading provider of heavy duty truck parts for the commercial transportation industry, will be featured in the Sprint Cup Series.

Enhancing its allegiance with Team Penske, Alliance Truck Parts will race with its distinctive bright yellow colors adorning the No. 2 Ford driven by Keselowski during eight races as the primary sponsor throughout the agreement and as an associate sponsor for the balance of the NSCS schedule.

“Team Penske is excited to build on our relationship with Alliance Truck Parts,” said Roger Penske. “We have worked closely with ATP as one of our key partners in NASCAR to build value for both of our organizations. As we continue to enhance our business relationship, we look forward to experiencing more success with Alliance Truck Parts on the track as well.”

Alliance Truck Parts has successfully integrated its relationship with Team Penske to drive awareness of its brand through the sponsorship of the No. 2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford and Keselowski, one of the most recognizable personalities in racing. Team Penske and ATP have combined efforts in social media, sales-driven performance race packages and with Keselowski making key appearances at customer events to help reinforce the connection between the two organizations. These initiatives have all played a vital role in driving revenue and awareness of the Alliance Truck Parts brand.

“This extension is a big deal to all of us at Team Penske,” said Keselowski. “Alliance Truck Parts is a great brand—I actually own a few Freightliner trucks and we use Alliance Truck Parts to maintain them. We appreciate all they do for the Team Penske organization and I’m looking forward to continuing our success with ATP in the future.”
 
Alliance Truck Parts made its debut with Team Penske at the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The partnership expanded in the 2011 Nationwide Series when Alliance Truck Parts was a partial season primary sponsor and the following two seasons the bond with ATP grew to include a full-season Nationwide Series primary sponsorship with Team Penske. Alliance Truck Parts made its debut in the Sprint Cup Series this year and 2015 will mark its second consecutive year as an NSCS sponsor with Team Penske.

“There is a special excitement when the No.2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford Fusion is featured on track,” said Friedrich Baumann, senior vice president, Daimler Trucks North America - Aftermarket. “Sundays have a new meaning for our customers and our presence in NASCAR has allowed them to connect with Alliance Truck Parts in a very special way. Alliance Truck Parts is proud to be partnered with a champion both on and off the track. We look forward to continued success with Team Penske.”

Following the recent move by its parent company NASCAR, the IMSA-sanctioned TUDOR United SportsCar Championship has adopted the policy of requiring its drivers to stay inside stricken cars unless personal safety is at risk.

The change was first made by NASCAR for its touring series in the wake of the accident involving Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart that claimed the life of Kevin Ward Jr. at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in New York. Ward, who exited his sprint car after spinning and pursued Stewart on foot, was hit and killed by Stewart's car, leading the popular stock car series—and now its sports car property—to expand its rulebook to govern its drivers in the event of a crash.

IMSA's Rule 48.5.1 states:

DISABLED CARS. During an Event, if a Car is involved in an incident and/or is stopped on or near the Racing surface and unable to continue to make forward progress, unless extenuating emergency conditions exist with the Car (i.e. fire, smoke in cockpit, etc.), the Driver should take the following steps as a Full Course Yellow is declared:

• Communicate the condition of the Driver and Car to Officials where possible;
• Shut off electrical power;
• Do not loosen, disconnect or remove any Driver personal safety equipment until directed to do so by Officials;
• After being directed to exit the Car, Driver should proceed as directed by Officials;
• A Driver must not approach any portion of the Racing surface; A Driver must not approach another moving vehicle.

48.5.2. DRIVER EGRESS.
A Driver exiting a Car stopped in a location away from the Racing surface should first communicate the condition of the Driver and Car to Officials where possible, shut off electrical power, and only move directly to a protected location behind a wall, other barrier, or as directed, and must not approach the Racing surface or other moving vehicles.

Champion Oil, a player in development and manufacturing of performance lubricants, announced that Fredy World Est. Trade and Industry is its exclusive Master Warehouse Distributor in Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Northern Cyprus, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, and Yemen.

Fredy World Est. Trade and Industry is a recognized leader in the distribution of performance, racing, commercial and industrial lubricants. They will offer Champion products in a number of categories, such as motor oils, transmission fluids, hydraulic fluids, coolant, diesel motor oil, differentials lubes, greases, power steering fluids, brake fluids, and automotive chemicals and additives.

“It is extremely important for Champion Oil to identify a partner that shares the same goals and has the ability to provide our Middle Eastern customers, retailers, dealers, and installers with first class service, support and distribution,” said Karl Dedolph, Director of International Sales for Champion. “Fredy World Est. Trade and Industry clearly fits the stringent criteria we identified to disseminate our motor oil, chemical, additive and lubricant line in key demographics, applications, and strategic global markets.”

Fredy World Est. Trade and Industry now proudly promotes the “Purpose-Built” line of Champion Motor Oils, Chemicals and Lubricants. For more information about  Fredy World Est. Trade and Industry, contact the company at Industrial City / Virgin Mary Quarter, Massad Bldg. No. 167, PO Box 147, Zahle- Lebanon
961-8-932-451 (phone) fred.sh@live.com (email)

The Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame has teamed up with Mad Media, OMG and Racing For Life to bring you this exciting first year event, scheduled for Saturday October 18, 2014. The Legends Rally will be staged at the Buttes and Saddles Ranch in Anza, California. Nestled in the foothills above the Anza Borrego Desert the Legends Rally will be a fun day of riding and 4-wheeling along a choice of three beautiful desert and mountain loops, followed by a blowout party with live music and a fully catered prime rib dinner.

The Legends Rally is an invitation-only charity fundraiser for the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. Invited guests will have the opportunity to ride along with industry legends and fellow hall of fame inductees like Walker Evans, Rod Hall, Larry Roeseler and Ivan Stewart. Many of the members of the hall of fame have signed up to attend as our special guests. We will be celebrating their contribution to our sport, while having an amazing day together. Stay tuned to this website as we announce additional hall of famers who plan to attend!

Invitations will be sent to prominent members and leaders of the off road community. There will be a limit of just 200 guests at this exclusive event!

This is a non-race pleasure ride for all participants. We have designed three beautiful loops for guests to choose from: Ride along with the Legends to the top of nearby Thomas Mountain with 100 mile views of Southern California. Or ride along into the upper edge of the Anza Borrego State Park to Bailey’s Cabin. For the adventurous, challenge yourself to dual sport ride specially designed for the two wheel crowd up to picturesque Idyllwild nestled in the shadows of Mt. San Jacinto. A GPS map will be available for those who wish to ride at their own pace.

Visit the website for more information: http://offroadlegendsrally.com/

With Monday’s money-saving pre-entry deadline still several days away, 82 drivers have already submitted their intentions of competing in Eldora Speedway’s 44th annual running of the famous World 100, September 4-6.

The intrigue of capturing dirt late model’s highest honor, the famed globed trophy, has attracted entries from 19 states and two foreign countries to date; with Illinois leading the way at 18. While the celebrated trophy is the ultimate goal, just earning one of the 32 starting positions into Saturday’s (Sept. 6) century grind over a talent-laden field of entrants is considered a victory by many drivers.

A total of 35 of the pre-registered drivers to date will be shooting to etch their name into the World 100 history books for the first time.

Drivers filing prior to the August 25 deadline are entitled to a complimentary three-day World 100 pit pass, valued at $89, plus save $25 on the entry fee over those that file after August 25; representing a savings of $114.

NASCAR announced it has elevated the responsibilities of Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell with both assuming leadership roles in NASCAR’s Charlotte region offices effective immediately.

The moves are designed to balance the company’s senior leadership across NASCAR’s various offices and accelerate the implementation of several key growth initiatives.

“In Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR has two seasoned leaders who are highly respected throughout the industry and have records of success in leading key functions within NASCAR,” said NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France. “Our strong teams in Charlotte and Concord are engaged in many efforts critical to the sport’s future and we’re confident having these two leaders at the helm on a day-to-day basis will accelerate projects and help us drive innovation for the future.”

Phelps, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, now will lead the company’s operations at NASCAR Plaza in Uptown Charlotte. Phelps, who will continue to report to NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Brent Dewar, retains all of his current responsibilities which include oversight of Brand Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications, NASCAR Digital Media and NASCAR Properties. As part of this move, Phelps now also will assume oversight of Licensing, as well as Entertainment Marketing to bolster integration between the Los Angeles-based division and the other marketing and content disciplines operating primarily out of Charlotte.

O’Donnell assumes leadership of NASCAR’s Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina. Reporting to NASCAR President Mike Helton, O’Donnell has been named Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Development Officer and will add oversight of all operations in Concord, including Racing Development and Innovation, as well as Competition. O’Donnell maintains oversight of Racing Operations, Industry Services, Green Innovation, Touring / Weekly Series and Membership Services in addition to his new responsibilities.

Gene Stefanyshyn, who leads NASCAR’s Racing Development and Innovation group, and Robin Pemberton, who heads the Competition department, both have been promoted to senior vice president and now will report to O’Donnell. Additionally, Tom Swindell who has played a key role on several recent Racing Operations initiatives has been assigned to Concord where he will work closely with O’Donnell on short- and long-term development projects.

Stefanyshyn, who joined NASCAR in May 2013, has made an immediate impact on the company in leading the transformation and modernization of NASCAR’s rules package development, testing and parts approval processes and set in motion a number of innovation projects for future racing development. Pemberton, a long-time crew chief in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has played a key role in the evolution of NASCAR’s officiating model, qualifying procedures and championship format since his arrival at NASCAR in 2004.

“Gene and Robin both bring invaluable experience and unique expertise to our team in Concord, and we are enjoying some of the best competition ever in NASCAR due to their efforts,” said O’Donnell. “We are constantly looking to improve and while we have very good momentum on an array of projects, we believe we can make an already strong product even better in a variety of ways for the industry and most importantly, for the fans.”

New Jersey Motorsports Park announced completion of phase 1 construction of the Exotic Car Garages at Thunderbolt Raceway.



The initial structure, located prior to the bridge at the facility’s southern circuit, includes garage and loft units of varying sizes and layouts, with roadside and trackside options available. Buyers began moving into the highly customizable spaces last month. 



Standard garage features include raised panel garage door with remote openers, climate controlled spaces, sprinklers, CO2 detectors, and water/flood drains, in addition to 24-hour security. Upgrade options vary from lofts, kitchenettes, refrigerators, air compressors, bathrooms, wine rooms, lounge areas, home theaters, designer bars, offices, and more.



“We are pleased to see the completion of the first phase of this project and want to thank everyone involved,” said NJMP general manager/COO Brad Scott. “This is an important project for New Jersey Motorsports Park and we look forward to continued progress and customization of the first units, in addition to the planning and unveiling of Phase II.”



The second phase of the Exotic Car Garages is expected to be rolled out and announced by Park management sometime this fall, with completion slated for early 2015.   

In October 2013, Cumberland County Freeholder Director Joe Derella joined a host of elected officials and garage buyers to break ground for Phase 1.



“I do truly believe the economic opportunities that this project has brought to the county have been second-to-none, so thank you to everyone who has supported it, it’s been a tremendous ride.” Derella said.

Suspension specialist, ThyssenKrupp BILSTEIN, has won another prestigious award. The jury of international journalists from the globally renowned Optical Engineering trade journal “Vehicle Dynamics International,” has awarded ThyssenKrupp BILSTEIN with the coveted “Vehicle Dynamics International Award 2014,” as supplier of the year for their DampTronic sky shock absorbers. The progressive technology and outstanding value for money of the DampTronic sky shocks were the decisive factors in the clear decision of the specialist jury.

“We are very proud of this award,” commented ThyssenKrupp BILSTEIN Managing Director, Guido Grandi. “To be awarded this prize by a specialist jury of international journalists is a wonderful tribute to our continuous work of developing high-quality technologies for our customers.”

With the new generation of the DampTronic sky, the damping force is adjusted by two infinitely variable adjustment valves on each shock absorber. One valve controls the alternating rebound and compression stages. Using the data from the acceleration and wheel speed sensors, the suspension control unit can individually adjust the damping forces for each wheel in a matter of only a few milliseconds, thus adapting to the road influences; which spoil driving comfort.

Thanks to the adjustment valves, the shock absorbers are also able to ensure damping force adjustment in the high-frequency range of wheel vibration. With its independent adjustment of the rebound and compression forces, the new BILSTEIN DampTronic sky is the high-end system of semi-active damping force adjustment.

With just three rounds of the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship remaining in the 2014 season, GB Autosport will look to make the most of each of them.

The first-year team heads to a classic track this weekend as Virginia International Raceway plays host to IMSA with a race that will feature the GTD and GTLM classes in a two hour, 45-minute sprint.

With Ben Barker back in European race action with a SuperCup round at the renowned Spa-Francorchamps, GB Autosport will bring a new driver line up for the VIR round.

Stepping in and stepping up will be promising young American racer Michael Lewis.

The start is the first TUDOR outing for Lewis, who brings a huge depth of experience to the team, having made over 100 starts in Formula 3 action in Europe before moving to IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge competition this year. That transition has proven fruitful as he is in contention for the championship with multiple race wins for his Competition Motorsports squad.

“It is very exciting to be racing for GB Autosport in my first IMSA TUDOR Championship series start,” said Lewis. “I am really grateful to the team and Michael (Avenatti) for this opportunity. It will be fun to learn this new (Porsche) GT America car, learn a new track, and learn from my very experienced teammate, Damien Faulkner. Racing a Porsche in the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge will definitely help with this transition to the more powerful spec Porsche 911, and I will work hard to get the Tully’s No. 81 up front!”

With Michael Avenatti having to step aside from the car for surgery following a training injury, GB Autosport has developed procedures to quickly adjust, and will look to do that once again.
Lewis will also have a strong teammate to lean on this weekend, as co-pilot Faulkner has a particularly strong record of success at VIR that includes a race win in ALMS competition as well as two poles.

“We are hoping to make real progress as a team this time around,” said Faulkner. “We have implemented a few changes because we have been working to address some issues with the car and hopefully this will make us more competitive starting this weekend.”