Power Automedia announced plans to launch Turnology—a new digital magazine for enthusiasts of high performance driving.

“If you’re into open track days, time attack, SCCA racing, autocross, or any kind of racing (amateur to professional), and you love the spirit of driving, Turnology is going to be published for you,” explained Power Automedia Vice President, Jason Snyder.

Turnology isn’t specific to any make or model of vehicle—it’s designed for those that appreciate the art of driving and pushing any car to its limits—regardless of cost.

“This magazine will be about the art and technology of driving, plus we plan to target semi-professional and novice drivers that engage in frequent open track events, and have developed a lot of driving experience,” said Mark Gearhart, Editorial Director.

Turnology will deliver content enthusiasts crave, including:
● Technical content and how-to tech, with a focus on vehicle set-up, tire testing, and performance upgrades
● Performance driving tips and driver education
● Track information and event coverage
● The latest product information and technology from industry manufacturers
● Driving school reviews
● Car reviews of popular and new vehicles in the performance driving segment

Power Automedia currently publishes ten 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

This is going to be fun!

On the morning of Thursday, December 11, 2014, the great heritage of the Grand Opening Breakfast at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show continues with the special appearance of two of the biggest names in drag racing’s storied history: Don ‘Snake’ Prudhomme and Tom ‘Mongoose’ McEwen.

The two were part of the greatest rivalry in drag racing history—Snake and Mongoose! With 49 career victories, Prudhomme ranks sixth in NHRA history for most wins. Beginning his driving career in 1962, he was the first driver to win the NHRA series title four consecutive times. McEwen is listed as No. 16 of the 50 most significant drivers of NHRA’s first 50 years, winning five NHRA national events.

McEwen started racing in 1953, and received the nickname “the Mongoose” in 1964 from engine builder Ed Donovan as a way to promote Funny Car match races against Prudhomme, nicknamed Snake. McEwen’s promotional abilities evolved into a 1969 deal with Mattel’s Hot Wheels toy line that become one of the biggest, most successful national promotions in racing history.

The Hot Wheels promotion of Prudhomme’s Plymouth Barracuda and McEwen’s Plymouth Duster was so big, and made such an impact on so many children at the time, that Mattel organized a two-day, 35-year anniversary celebration in 2005. The original Hot Wheels Snake and Mongoose toys are now highly sought-after collectibles.

A film on the two Southern California drag racers was released in 2013.

“We’re honored to have Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen as our special on-stage guests at the Grand Opening Breakfast,” said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. “In addition to their skills as racers, they were responsible for a promotion that started countless boys, as well as girls, dreaming about becoming drag racers.

“I’ve seen Don and Tom together before, and the friendship and the rivalry of Snake and Mongoose will be a treat for the audience, as Dave Despain is sure to draw out their best racing stories,” continued Kilroy.

The Grand Opening Breakfast begins at 8 a.m., Thursday, December 11, 2014, with doors set to open at 7 a.m. It will be held in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center.

The PRI Trade Show takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 11–13, 2014, in Indianapolis. Over 1100 industry suppliers occupying 3200 booths will exhibit the latest developments in auto racing technology before 40,000 attendees from the US and 70 countries. It is the premier trade show for motorsports professionals throughout the world. It is open to the trade only; race fans are not permitted.

To register for the PRI Trade Show, or for more information, go to www.pri2014.com.

Roush Yates Engines has formed a new technical partnership with manufacturing technology company Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Corporation.

Under the new agreement Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Corporation is now the Official Tooling Partner of Roush Yates Engines. This new relationship brings two technology-focused companies together to better serve the performance industry.

Roush Yates Engines is the sole provider of Ford Racing engines for NASCAR’s premier racing series. The quality of Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Corporation tooling capabilities is trusted by Roush Yates machinist and engineers when machining components for the Ford FR9 engine. The shared commitment to technology, research, and development from Roush Yates Engines and Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Corporation will help to ensure continued success in the performance market.

“Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Corporation is a leader in manufacturing technologies,” said Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “I am proud to use their tooling in machining components for our Ford FR9 engines. Their pledge to continually improve technology and quality in their products falls directly in line with Roush Yates Engines’ goal of power, performance, and reliability. I look forward to enhancing our relationship and having them onboard as our official tooling partner.”

Roush Yates Engines, Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, and Roush Yates Performance Engine Group in Mooresville, N.C., have more than 50 machines that use Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Corporation tooling to machine engine parts for NASCAR and IMSA V6 Ford EcoBoost engines as well as the RY45 platform, which is ideal for Saturday night racers. Thousands of components are milled, drilled, and quality inspected to strict tolerances each day before being used in Roush Yates’ engines.

“Mitsubishi Materials USA Corporation is excited about our partnership with Roush Yates Engines,” said Motoharu Yamamoto, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Corporation. “Like Mitsubishi Materials USA, Roush Yates is a market leader in their industry. As the preferred cutting tool supplier for Roush Yates Engines, we look forward to providing the best cutting tool materials, products, and services to enhance their reputation for power, performance, and reliability. The partnership between our two companies will lead to the development of new tooling technologies, products, and processes used in the manufacturing environment.”

Having recently solidified the sport's domestic television future as part of record-breaking media rights partnerships with the FOX Sports and NBC Sports groups, NASCAR announced that it has selected IMG to assist the sanctioning body in establishing a long-term and sustainable global commercial broadcast media distribution strategy.

As NASCAR's international media representative, IMG will be responsible for helping the sport increase its footprint, audience base and revenues outside of North America and South America. In addition to leveraging the popularity of motorsports in key international territories like Western Europe and Australia, IMG will further develop NASCAR television rights commercially in markets where motorsports are less widely known such as Southeast Asia, China and Eastern Europe.

"NASCAR, already a global brand with deep international appeal, is positioning itself for robust growth beyond our borders by partnering with the world's television and digital media content delivery leader," said Brent Dewar, NASCAR chief operating officer. "This long-term partnership with IMG Media signals to the world our strong intentions to grow the sport in every corner of the world."

Currently, NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 175 countries through more than 20 broadcast partners worldwide. All of NASCAR's current international broadcast rights will expire at the end of the 2014 season and IMG will begin assisting NASCAR with creating and executing a new international media strategy for 2015 and beyond.

Hillary Mandel, senior vice president, Head of Media North America, IMG, said: "We have a history of working with 'blue chip' world-class sports in the U.S. and developing brands internationally. This experience and expertise will ensure the right broadcasters embrace NASCAR for the renowned sports property it is. Our dedicated team will work with NASCAR and alongside our unrivaled global sales force in more than 30 offices worldwide to ensure both extensive media coverage across all platforms and increased awareness worldwide. We are extremely excited by the opportunities that lie ahead."

As its agent, IMG will work with NASCAR to secure broadcast exposure for NASCAR's national series as well as other NASCAR series in hundreds of countries across the globe beginning in 2015, including expanding into countries which have not broadcast NASCAR content in the past.

These new international broadcasting rights will coincide with the domestic broadcasting rights partnerships with FOX and NBC announced last summer. Beginning in 2015, FOX Sports holds the rights to the first 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points races, the first 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series races and the entire NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Starting the same year, the NBC family of networks will be home to the final 20 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, including its season-ending championship event which will return to network television in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Among other NASCAR series, NBC holds the rights to the final 19 races of the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

The Australian Grand Prix will remain in Melbourne until 2020 after a new five-year contract was announced on Saturday by the state premier of Victoria, Denis Napthine.

The city has hosted the race since 1996 after picking up the contract from Adelaide, but with its current deal set to run out after the 2015 race, there were some doubts about the future of Formula 1 in Australia.

Race promoter Ron Walker was one of the biggest critics of the new sound and formula of the sport after the Australian Grand Prix hosted the first race with the V6 power units and revamped cars. However, he has managed to agree a new deal with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, which ensures that the sport will continue to visit Australia for the next six years.

The contract also states that the race will remain as the first of each season and will not become a night race.

“I can tell you the new contract is significantly better for Victoria,” Napthine said. “This reaffirms Melbourne and Victoria as the sporting and major events capital of the world.”

Ecclestone was also pleased to sign the new deal, saying: “I congratulate Melbourne for the excellent way in which is presents Formula 1 to the world.”

The success of home driver Daniel Ricciardo will also have played a part in the new deal. The Red Bull driver has claimed two race wins so far this year, and is quickly establishing himself to be one of the most popular figures in the sport as well as a highly talented driver.

Racers who are focused on moving up the sport’s ladder, or even up-leveling their teams, will have a unique opportunity to learn from one of the most influential marketing and thought leaders in motorsports today during a special presentation at the 2014 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis.  

Renowned motorsports marketing mentor and sponsor attraction coach Annamarie Malfitana-Strawhand will share her proven step-by-step process to get the winning marketing mindset, attract more sponsor dollars, boost racing teams and income, and advance driving careers in her exclusive seminar titled, “How To Attract All The Sponsors and Opportunities Racers Need.”

The seminar takes place from 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014, in an upstairs seminar room of the Indiana Convention Center, site of the 27th annual PRI Trade Show.

“Many of you could be stuck, not having the means or finances to keep racing and are looking for answers and help to keep going,” said Malfitana-Strawhand, the founder of Marketing at Full Speed and creator of the Sponsor Attraction System. “You know deep inside that you must be able to attract funding and the right opportunities to reach your goals in the sport, whatever they may be. You can reach your goals by learning how to easily implement some simple steps that will show you the path to success and keep your racing career and team alive and growing.”

In her presentation, Malfitana-Strawhand will demonstrate how racers can easily become “the complete package” that sponsors are looking for in today’s market, including:   
* Getting the ‘Mind’ Set Up For Success
* How to Play Big on a Budget and Get Bigger Opportunities Quickly
* Marketing Strategies That Do the Heavy Lifting for You
* Why Sponsor Attraction Works and How to Easily Apply It

During her seminar she will also host a drawing for a live Sponsor Attraction Makeover, in which one lucky audience member will be given a winner’s circle mini-makeover on stage—addressing his or her biggest challenges—and will walk away with implementable tips and advice for attracting sponsors right away. The program further includes worksheets and takeaways for attendees, as well as a Q&A session.

“This presentation is a game-changer for racers of all types and levels who are finally ready to take charge of their futures, overcome their own limitations, play bigger, and learn how to become instantly more sponsor attractive,” she said. “In this one-of-a-kind learning experience, you will feel the support of someone who knows and understands your needs as a racer, and has insider information to share about sponsorship from both the racing and business side. Get the tools, knowledge and inspiration to immediately take and apply to your own racing!”

Drawing on her own 30-plus years of experience as a motorsports professional, combined with her corporate sponsor experience, Malfitana-Strawhand has a unique skill set that allows her to see through the myths, rumors, trends and false starts that can be career killers. Her helpful video tips, advice blog and client success stories are available on her website at www.marketingatfullspeed.com.

The ULMS Racing Series was founded in November 1999 by Smethport, Pennsylvania, native Chris Zuver, and operated until the end of October 2013 by sanctioning events in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

It will be up and running once again.

After the series was absorbed by the National Dirt Racing League, the NDRL national and regional series folded last month, leaving a void for a regional series in the northeast for the super late model and emod race teams.

“I am pleased and excited to bring back the series to the fans and racers,” Zuver said. “After the announcement by NDRL President, John Kennedy that he was folding all three NDRL series, I immediately started to think about the old ULMS series and had racers and fans asking me if there would be a return. Mr. Kennedy and I talked and negotiated having the series come back alive under my operation as it has been since 1999.”

It is late in the season to book many shows, but with McKean County Raceway being managed by Zuver, it is an obvious choice to have the 2014 return of ULMS at its home track as part of the return of the super late models to MCR in part of the 10th annual Stephanie Eckl Memorial, which has been ULMS sanctioned for seven of its nine events held. The ULMS Late Models will also be sanctioning the 9th annual MCR Fall Classic in October as well. Other additional dates will be looked at.

The UEMS Emods will return to action in part of the MCR Fall Classic weekend on October 10-11. ULMS Racing Series will be looking to add a few dates prior to this event as well to give the northern tier Emod racers the support that they have been looking for all year long.

At this time, ULMS Racing Series will allow both brand of tires (Hoosier and American Racer) for both the super late models and emods. The ULMS Late Models will follow the American Racer 44 Hoosier 1300 tire rule, while the UEMS Emods will any medium American Racer, Hoosier or Goodyear tire. No soft compounds will be allowed.

At this time, ULMS Racing Series will be using the pill draw format with a redraw that will be both driver and fan friendly.

“We intend to put racing but in our sport as lately it seems that there is less and less passing in events and fans want to see passing not a single file racing," commented Zuver. “Also, with my current duties of general manager at McKean County Raceway, all 2014 dates that we may add will be worked around the current MCR schedule and the same in 2015 as I intend to manage and operate both series and the track.”

While plenty of action remains on Eldora Speedway’s robust 2014 schedule of events, track officials are using the momentum of a record-setting year to announce the 2015 dates for their traditional major event spectacles.

- The 21st annual Dirt Late Model Dream, paying $100,000-to-win, is scheduled for Thursday–Saturday, June 4–6.

- The 32nd annual Kings Royal Weekend, paying $50,000-to-win the battle between the World of Outlaws and sprint car racing royalty, will be contested on Friday and Saturday, July 17–18.

- The 45th annual World 100, affectionately known as ‘The Granddaddy of Them All,’ will be held Thursday–Saturday, Sept. 10–12.

- The 34th running of the Four Crown Nationals, the open wheel classic, will take place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25–26.

Due to the positive fan reaction and support of these events through the years, track owner and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart has instructed Eldora officials to continue offering event tickets and camping prices at 2014 levels.

“We wanted to announce our traditional Major Event dates as soon as possible for the 2015 season so our loyal fans and competitors can make their plans now,” said Roger Slack, Eldora Speedway general manager. “Friends and families can begin requesting their vacation time, booking hotels and reserving RV rentals now for their annual pilgrimage to Ohio for the biggest dirt races in the world.”

The on-track competition thus far into the 2014 campaign has produced some of the fiercest action seen on the high-banked clay oval in years.

Following a preliminary night photo-finish that found Brian Birkhofer beating Rick Eckert in the closest triumph in Eldora history, Dale McDowell rallied from his 22nd starting position to beat 24th place starter John Blankenship in this year’s Dream.

In the recently completed Kings Royal, Kerry Madsen rocketed off the high-side of the banks to become the first Australian to sit atop Eldora’s celebrated throne.

In a few short weeks, the action continues as Dirt Late Model’s most illustrious event, the famous World 100, will take to the clay Thursday–Saturday, September 4–6 where West Virginia’s John Blankenship will defend his title. This follows the annual Baltes Classic for UMP DIRTcar Late Models, Modifieds and Eldora Stocks on Sunday, August 31.

Completing the 2014 major event timetable will be the Four Crown Nationals featuring Steve Kinser’s “Salute To The King Tour” and the final appearance of the season for the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars on Friday, Sept. 19. The United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown, National Sprint Car Series and National Midgets Tour again battle the fearsome high-banks on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Sprint car drivers and teams have come together to establish the Renegade Sprints, which will debut later this year.

The 410ci series will compete in approximately 50 races each year throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Michigan. Details on a points fund and race payout are in the works, but Renegade Sprints President Shane Helms expects each race to pay at least $5000 to win.

“The most important thing is that a group of drivers in this area have decided to band together to form a new series,” Helms said.

“Our desire is to do this for the fans and for the racers. We want to be able to control our own destiny, take care of the fans and grow the sport.”

Approximately 12 drivers have committed to running the series, including former All Star Circuit of Champions title winners Tim Shaffer, Greg Wilson and Chad Kemenah.

The officers for the series are Helms, Rob Hunter and Larry Helms, who will also serve as the competition director.

“My dad has been racing his whole life,” Shane Helms said. “He’ll be the main honcho on race day to make sure everything is flowing right.”

In addition to the officers, drivers will be elected to a board that will set up and enforce rules, work on the schedule and deal with the everyday circumstances of operating a sprint car series.

The series creates a new option for sprint car competitors currently competing with the long-running All Star Circuit of Champions.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has made a small change to the previously posted tire rule for the 11th Annual Scorcher at Volunteer Speedway on August 21, 2014
 
Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier Rib 1300, 1350

Right Rear - Hoosier 01, 03, 05, LM30S
 
This matches the tire rule the series utilized May 30 at Tazewell Speedway and June 21 at Smokey Mountain Speedway.