AP Racing is helping put a stop to the vehicle aiming to reach 1000mph in 2016, by providing bespoke brake systems.
 
Breaking the Land Speed Record is a major challenge, but bringing the vehicle safely to a stop afterwards is another and the team behind BLOODHOUND SSC turned to AP Racing when figuring out how to stop the jet and rocket-powered vehicle. AP Racing’s experience with other world record attempts, and its history of innovation, proved valuable in tackling this unique challenge.
 
Providing the last link in the chain, AP Racing’s contribution will handle the final stage of braking BLOODHOUND SSC after the vehicle’s air brakes have been deployed.
 
Initially the team looked at using off-the-shelf brake components for the record attempt but, due to the huge forces at work, they quickly realized that a unique solution would be required. Drawing on the engineering behind aircraft brake systems and data from RTO (Rejected Take Off) scenarios, the team carefully mapped out the requirements with the BLOODHOUND team.
 
Providing different brake systems for both the initial runway testing in the UK and the high-speed runs in the South African desert, AP Racing have selected the materials best suited to each run: taking into account speed, centrifugal force and operating temperature. Cooling was one prime consideration: the vehicle cannot afford air cooling as this would increase aerodynamic drag.
 
“The two scenarios under which BLOODHOUND SSC will run present very different operating parameters,” explained Richard Bass, AP Racing. “The trial runs will actually require the braking system to slow the vehicle from a higher speed, but for the record attempts the brake components have to withstand far harsher conditions.”
 
For the trial runs in the UK, braking will be provided by two AP Racing systems, on the front and rear, both employing carbon/carbon disc brakes. These will slow the vehicle from a maximum 235mph as the car completes its assessment and shakedown runs.
 
However, for the high-speed runs only the front brakes will be employed, using specially constructed steel brake discs. Designed to withstand the high centrifugal forces generated, they can rotate at 10,000rpm without disintegrating and will take over once BLOODHOUND SSC’s air brakes have been deployed. These friction brakes handle the last stage of the vehicle’s deceleration, from 160mph to a complete stop.
 
An extra complexity was that, as part of the rules covering an LSR attempt, the vehicle has to make the two timed runs within 60 minutes. This meant that all components had to work flawlessly for the two runs, as there would be no time to affect repairs. The engineers also had to allow for an emergency situation, where the brake system could be engaged, at a higher speed, if the other braking systems malfunctioned for any reason.
 
As part of its work on BLOODHOUND SSC, AP Racing also produced the two front suspension uprights for the vehicle. In order to keep the frontal area of the car as small as possible, and so more aerodynamic, each front brake caliper is half built into the front upright. This unique solution allows the suspension and brake package to be as narrow as possible and help deliver the car’s narrow front track. Despite the condensed design each upright, made from solid aluminum, weighs over 21kg, and together both can withstand 30 tons of peak suspension load, as the car breaks its 1000mph target.

The second round of voting for the 2014 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational has produced the first-ever race starters from Utah and Washington.

Chase Hansen of Myton, Utah, and Joe German of Aberdeen, Wash., were among the 13 drivers added to the field for the Sept. 5 All-Star race, held during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.

Three drivers from each of the five IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified regions were elected to start that event during the first round of voting; the next 13 All-Stars were elected at-large from among the next 50 drivers in vote totals in balloting via Facebook that ended on Tuesday.

Joining Hansen and German as the newest All-Stars are 2011 race winner Chris Abelson of Sioux City, Troy Cordes of Dunkerton, Jeremy Frenier of Fort Morgan, Colo., Jimmy Gustin of Marshalltown, Scott Hogan of Vinton, Mike Jergens of Plover, Ryan McDaniel of Olivehurst, Calif., Jason Noll of Peoria, Ariz., Jared Siefert of Luxemburg, Wis., Dustin Smith of Lake City and Jesse Sobbing of Glenwood.

Abelson will make his career fourth All-Star start, Gustin and Smith both their third.

Second-time All-Stars are Frenier, Hogan, McDaniel, Noll and Sobbing. German, Hansen, Jergens and Siefert are first-timers.

The All-Star field now includes drivers from 15 different states, the most ever in the 11-year history of the event. Completing the 30-car starting grid will be All-Star candidates with the top national point total and the most feature wins as of Aug. 28 competing at Super Nationals.

Elected in the first round were Dean Abbey of Waco, Texas, Chris Fleming of Union Springs, N.Y., Cody Gearhart of Turpin, Okla., William Gould of Calera, Okla., Robert Hellebust of Minot, N.D., Corey Lagroon of Salina, Kan., Jason Murray of Hartford, Brad Pounds of Bakersfield, Calif., defending race winner Todd Shute of Des Moines, Kyle Strickler of Mooresville, N.C., Jeff Taylor of Cave City, Ark., Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., A.J. Ward of Ionia, Mich., Tim Ward of Gilbert, Ariz., and Keith White of Little River Academy, Texas.

More than 120 drivers raced their way onto the 2014 All-Star ballot by winning features that paid $1,000 or more or by winning state or regional crowns.

Taylor and White both make their career fourth All-Star starts, Pounds and Tim Ward both their fifth.

All-Star drivers will draw for starting positions in the Fan Zone behind the main grandstands on race night. The feature pays $1,000 to win and a minimum of $200 to start, and is a qualifier for the 2015 ballot.

Hastings Manufacturing Company, a global manufacturer of piston rings celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2015, announces the appointment of Sarah Kollar as Marketing Manager.
 
Kollar has been appointed to the position of Marketing Manager reporting to Ken Holbrook, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing. She previously performed account management for the Company’s OEM activities as well as significant interaction with Aftermarket activities including Customer Service.
 
In her marketing capacity, Kollar will be responsible for leadership and direction to the sales and marketing team to develop both aftermarket and OEM partnerships worldwide that support the company’s strategic growth plans.

“Hastings service to the industry continues to grow both domestically in the United States and in markets all around the world. We plan to actively support the Hastings brand through sales and marketing initiatives including our 100th year celebration in 2015, with our iconic Tough Guy as our spokesman. Sarah’s energy and enthusiasm is a perfect fit,” said Ken Holbrook. 

Kollar has multiple degrees including a Masters from Clemson University in South Carolina.

VP Racing Fuels announced the appointment of industry veteran Chris Wall as Chief Marketing Officer. This announcement is another strategically significant step in VP’s transformation, according to Alan Cerwick, President of VP Racing Fuels.
 
“Given the growth of the company in size and complexity, there’s a need for a senior-level leader to energize our strategic marketing plan over the long term,” said Cerwick.  “With his extensive industry experience and wide-ranging network of contacts, we’re confident in Chris’ ability to lead VP’s marketing team to new levels of creativity and market strategy. VP’s success has always been derived through its relationships with its customers, and providing this high level of marketing expertise and energy will result in more value to our distributors and customers and an even greater competitive advantage in the marketplace.”
 
Wall will be responsible for developing and executing a long-term cohesive international strategic marketing plan that encompasses all VP divisions, including Race Fuel, Consumer Products, Retail Branding and Specialty Chemicals.
 
Wall arrives at VP Racing Fuels from Pirelli Tire where he headed the marketing department for the motorcycle division for over a decade. Prior to Pirelli, Wall held key positions in advertising and public relations at Porsche Cars North America and Yamaha Motor Corporation.
 
“VP Racing Fuels is a brand I have known and respected for over 25 years," said Wall. “It is a privilege to come on board during this period of rapid growth for the company. With all of our different product lines and brand initiatives, VP Racing Fuels is quickly going from an iconic racing brand to a household name."
 
“In his new role, Chris will be building on a solid foundation laid by Steve Scheidker, who has been instrumental in the growth of our Race Fuel division, as well as the successful launch of VP’s Consumer Products and Retail Branding program.  Going forward, Steve will continue as Director of Corporate Communications, an area critical to keeping the VP brand top of mind and in which Steve is particularly adept,” Cerwick concluded.

On the eve of its 26th Induction Class, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America announced an ambitious $7.5M campaign to build a new, permanent home at Daytona International Speedway. The move coincides with the scheduled January 2016 completion of DAYTONA Rising, the Speedway’s $400 million renovation project currently underway. Once it’s completed, the Hall of Fame will be one of the main stops on every track tour.
 
“Daytona is the perfect home for the Hall of Fame,” said MSHF President Ron Watson, “because it is home or near home to all the forms of motorsports the Hall of Fame honors. The biggest stock car race, the biggest sports car race, the biggest motorcycle race, as well as an area known for great achievements in drag racing, powerboating and aviation.”
  
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America represents the diversity of motorized competition including Open Wheel, Stock Cars, Motorcycles, Aviation, Drag Racing, Sports Cars and Powerboats. The 2014 class that will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 6 include Ole Bardahl, Raymond Beadle, John Bishop, Ricky Graham, Arie Luyendyk, Marshall Teague and Rusty Wallace.
 
Plans call for a new 10,000 sq. ft. Hall of Fame exhibit area, featuring interactive displays, vehicles, images, artwork, stories and bronze sculptures of 216 icons of American motorsports. The $7.5 million will be used to develop displays that tell both the people and technology stories within motorsports.

Automobile Racing Club of America President Ron Drager announced that the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will introduce a progressive and innovative engine package option for use in competition beginning in 2015.
 
"I am pleased to announce today the conclusion to a long and extensive search to find the right strategic partner to help us address the challenges of rising costs in our series," stated Drager. "It is my pleasure to announce that Ilmor Engineering has partnered with us to develop the ARCA Ilmor 396, engine technology which provides a long term, stable platform delivering an economical and competitive option to our existing engine configurations."
 
The ARCA Ilmor 396 engine will be a purpose-built powerplant, developed and assembled by legendary engine builder Ilmor Engineering. The ARCA Ilmor 396 will deliver 700 horsepower and 500 ft. lbs. of torque, with durability and performance standards.
 
"We've partnered with ARCA to construct a durable, reliable engine capable of running 1500 miles between re-builds," affirmed Paul Ray, President of Ilmor Engineering.
 
"The teams will be able to use the same ARCA Ilmor 396 at short tracks or a superspeedway, a road course or the mile dirt tracks. We have begun to conduct extensive testing, and our plan calls for the first engines to be available for purchase by the teams by early December," Ray concluded.
 
The ARCA Ilmor 396 will be fuel injected, with Holley EFI technology regulating the Electronic Control Unit and the fuel injection system.
 
"Holley carburetors have powered ARCA racers over two million miles in the last two decades alone, so it is a natural transition for Holley fuel injection to deliver the fuel on the ARCA Ilmor 396," said Drager.  
 
"We're proud to add ARCA and Ilmor to the growing list of sanctioning bodies, OEMs and professional level engine builders using Holley EFI electronics and hardware on their race engines," said Trevor Wiggins, Holley VP of Sales. "Our EFI engineering and tech groups are gearing up to assure this transition is seamless."
 
ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards teams will have the option of utilizing the new ARCA Ilmor 396 beginning in 2015, or can continue to use the open motor rules package currently in place.  
 
"We have identified and are addressing the financial challenges of racing competitively faced by many ARCA teams," Drager said. "Our responsibility as the sanctioning body is to manage the bigger picture business model for all our stakeholders. The ARCA Ilmor 396 is the best engine option we can introduce for the long-term health of our series," Drager said.

Janet Barber comes to Impact Racing, Inc with nearly 30 years of hands-on experience in the performance apparel industry from her prior role as the Vice President of Product Development, Production, and Sourcing on the global level at FOX Head, Inc. She will afford Impact the ability to create new innovative products, cutting edge designs, increase productivity, and attract new drivers, globally.

Barber has spent years sourcing the best materials offered, setting quality standards, and establishing quality control measures that will allow Impact to improve upon its already strict internal quality control criterions. With prior success at leading companies such as FOX Racing and Eddie Bauer, she is adept in all elements of modern design and apparel fitment and brings a wealth of knowledge to Impact in an effort to set a new industry standard for motorsports safety equipment.

“Janet joins us at an important time in the rise of safety requirements in motorsports and racing,” Impact Racing Inc. owner Robbie Pierce explained “Her experience, dedication, and passion for creating innovative products will add tremendous value as we set forth to enter a new era of motorsports progression and competition.”

With advancements taking place in suit production options and processes, dye sublimation, helmet construction, and the addition of new product lines currently on the Impact drawing board, Barber is the ingredient that will allow Impact to win the race that matters most—innovative racer safety equipment.
 
“In a capitalist market, you always have to stay one step ahead of the competition,” noted Pierce. “We have made huge improvements in our quality, our fill rate, and our customers’ confidence since taking control of Impact in 2010. To reach the next level we need knowledgeable leadership with proven success, and Janet brings both of those to the MasterCraft Safety and Impact brands.”

In a move to broaden the scope and quality of historic and vintage automobile racing across the United States, General Racing Ltd. will merge with Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), effective immediately.

Tony Parella, CEO of SVRA, has put forth a major effort to re-organize the SVRA after taking over the reins two years ago. In a relatively short time, Parella has taken SVRA events to some of the most important race tracks in the country, including Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sebring International Raceway, Road America, Watkins Glen International, Pocono Raceway, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Circuit of The Americas, where the rapidly growing organization hosted the first US Vintage Racing National Championships in 2013.

After Steve Earle founded General Racing Ltd. in 1970, his vision forever changed the vintage racing landscape. In 1974, with the support of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance organizers, he launched the inaugural Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca Raceway. It was a huge success, and sparked the interest for what would become the world’s premier historic auto race.

That spawned additional General Racing events, including the Portland Historic Automobile Races, the Coronado Speed Festival, special events at the Long Beach Grand Prix and the Kansas City Historic Grand Prix, as well as the Wine Country Classic at Sonoma Raceway, which celebrated its 28th season in 2014, the fifth under the banner of the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival.

With the merger, Earle will act as an advisor to the SVRA on the organization of its national historic and vintage events throughout the US, including the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, which will continue under the aegis of SVRA, on May 28-31, 2015. Initially, he will focus his attention on SVRA’s Gold Medallion Program as a member of SVRA’s executive team.

The Gold Medallion Program is intended to identify and reward owners who prepare their vintage race cars “as originally raced,” reflecting the configuration the car would have raced when new.

This program reflects SVRA’s commitment to quality and historical accuracy, principles the organization considers essential to the vintage racing experience and growing the sport of vintage racing.

“I am thrilled to have Steve Earle join our team,” said Parella. “Steve shares our vision and focus on developing national vintage racing. He has shown himself to be an extraordinary leader throughout his career, and has a proven track record in identifying, encouraging and celebrating authentically prepared cars. His view of vintage racing cars and events is a perfect match for the goals of SVRA.”

“I am excited to join the SVRA team,” said Earle. “I have been involved in vintage racing at all levels for over 40 years. I look forward to lending my experience and knowledge to help and support the growth of SVRA through the Gold Medallion Program, which will benefit the individual vintage racer, and the community as a whole.

"There is a recognized need for car period-authenticity and preparation as well as events that embrace it," he added. "I’ve been impressed with Tony Parella’s vision and determination to open the doors for those who share similar interests in the historic significance of the cars they and their competitors enjoy owning and racing.”

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will play host to a round of next year’s FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy.

The track, which is home to both the Formula One Grand Prix as well as the MotoGP Grand Prix, will stage the Barcelona RX race in September 2015.

Built in 1991, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is based in Montmelo in northern Barcelona and has been used as an F1 track for 24 years. It was also used as a venue of the 1992 Summer Olympics. Barcelona will become the second major city to host a round of World RX after Istanbul will stage the Championship’s inaugural city race at the Intercity Istanbul Park this October.

“This is extremely positive news for our Championship. It’s a new market for us and the organisers in Barcelona have worked extremely hard to help get this project off the ground,” said Martin Anayi, managing director at World RX for IMG Motorsport. “The team are very experienced having previously brought X Games to the city so I have no doubt that the same level of professionalism will be delivered in our Championship. Work will shortly be underway on the new rallycross track and I’m excited by the prospect of a World RX race in one of the world’s major economic and sporting hubs.”

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with the government in Barcelona to create what I expect will become a permanent fixture in the motorsport calendar,” said Rob Armstrong, Global Head of Motorsport for IMG. “Barcelona is already a mecca for motorsport fans being home to the F1 and MotoGP races and with a population of more than 1.6 million the event in Barcelona is likely to grow into one of our biggest. This latest news also goes to show the true potential of World RX as we are beginning to witness purpose built tracks at some of the world’s most famous motorsport venues.”

World RX is head to head, short sharp racing around mixed surface (dirt and tarmac) contained within amphitheatre venues. High profile drivers in high performance compact vehicles are equipped with cars accelerating from 0-60mph in less than 2 seconds. These incredible machines drag race from the green lights, tackle jumps and ruts, effortlessly drift around corners while over a combination of mixed surfaces.

The Barcelona round of World RX will be organized by IMG together with Seven Marketing and Mila Events, companies with experience in organising international major events such as X Games Barcelona, Barcelona Snowboard FIS World Cup, FIM Motocross World Championship Spain and corporate events including Quiksilver Tony Hawk European Tour, Red Bull Skate Arcade International Final and Desigual Night Run.

More than 200 promoters, race track owners and associated stakeholders are expected to attend the inaugural Speedway Benefits Promoters Conference, which will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in conjunction with the 2014 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show.

The upcoming conference, scheduled for December 12, 2014, will allow promoters to gather, share ideas, and learn from industry leaders about promotion, advertising, concession, sponsorship sales and public relations during the world's premier racing industry trade show, which takes place annually in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"It is a natural fit," said H.A. Humpy Wheeler, legendary promoter and founder of Speedway Benefits. "PRI is the leading motorsports show in the country, with 50,000 in attendance. And with 200 promoters already attending, it was no brainier. Our members work 18 hours a day promoting races, so we wanted a centralized location where they were already going in order to save them both time and money.”  

Launched by Wheeler in October 2013, Speedway Benefits recognized the power of grassroots racing if it were unified. In the months since, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based marketing alliance has amassed 330 members that host 7920 events, with 26,400 teams and 18 million attendees.

"We will host a show packed with actionable content," Wheeler added. "The ideas they will share and learn are things they will be able to take home, and will make a noticeable difference for next race season. Our promoters have asked to get together since we launched the idea, and this is the perfect place to do it." 

Final plans, including times and speakers for the event, will be announced in the coming weeks.

To learn more about Speedway Benefits, visit www.speedwaybenefits.com.