The American Off-Road Racing Championship has officially announced its 2027 race schedule.  

The 2027 season will take competitors across the deserts of Arizona and Nevada, organizers said, beginning with The Parker 400 in January and concluding with the UTV World Championship in December.

The 2027 American Off-Road Racing Championship calendar features seven major events across Arizona and Nevada. The season begins with The Parker 400, January 13–17, in Parker, Arizona, followed by The Mint 400, March 3–7, in Las Vegas. Racing returns to Las Vegas for the Silver State 300, April 21–25, before the Vegas to Reno Legends Rally brings competitors together in Reno, July 28–31. Just two weeks later, the Casey Folks Vegas to Reno "The Other Way" returns August 11–14, followed by the Laughlin Desert Classic, October 13–17, in Laughlin, Nevada. The 2027 UTV championship season will conclude with the UTV World Championship, December 1–5, with the location to be announced.

"This partnership was never about simply combining two organizations," said Matt Martelli, co-founder of UNLTD Off-Road Racing. "It was about bringing together the right people, races, resources and experience to build the championship this sport deserves. After a tremendously successful first year, we're excited about what's ahead for the American Off-Road Racing Championship. Next year, we'll build on the momentum of the first-ever Vegas to Reno 'The Other Way,' relocate the Silver State 300 to the heart of Las Vegas and bring back the UTV World Championship, the event that helped launch and define a generation of UTV racing."

In 2026, the American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC) took a major step toward unifying and strengthening American desert racing by bringing UNLTD Off-Road Racing and Best in the Desert together under a single championship platform. The inaugural season established a unified points championship, rulebook, class structure, race numbering system, manufacturer competition and new opportunities for racers, teams, sponsors and fans.

"Casey built Best In The Desert around a simple promise: give racers the toughest, best-run events possible and create races they would spend a lifetime chasing," said Bryan Folks, CEO of Best In The Desert. "Today, this championship brings together decades of history and credibility with the production, media, marketing, technology and resources needed to take the sport to the next level. What we've built together in just one year is the solid foundation for greater things coming. I believe my father would be proud of where this is headed."

The 2026 American Off-Road Racing Championship concludes with the Laughlin Desert Classic, October 15–18, in Laughlin, Nevada.  

For more information, visit AmericanOffRoadRacingChampionship.com. See the full schedule below: 

For 30 years, the SEMA Motorsports Products & Media Council (MPMC) has helped motorsports companies amplify their visibility through meaningful connections with media professionals at its annual Media Trade Conference. Registration is now open for the 2027 event, taking place February 2-4 in Orlando, Florida, where participating manufacturers can engage in up to 42 scheduled, half-hour meetings with editors, journalists, broadcasters, podcasters, influencers and content creators.  

For PRI Show exhibitors, the Media Trade Conference offers a unique opportunity to extend their coverage and brand awareness by helping them build relationships with the media outlets and content creators who influence purchasing decisions and shape industry conversations year-round. 

"This industry is built on networking, and the connections you make at the Media Trade Conference can last a lifetime," said Don Meziere of Meziere Enterprises. "We're all passionate about the motorsports industry, performance, car culture and clean builds. Everyone here has something to teach and something to learn. That's what makes the Media Trade Conference special, bringing like-minded people together to share and exchange ideas." 

As motorsports enthusiasts increasingly consume information through digital media, video channels, podcasts and social platforms, securing coverage has become more important than ever. The Media Trade Conference gives PRI Show exhibitors direct access to the storytellers who can showcase their products, highlight company milestones and generate awareness before, during and after the 2027 racing season, helping brands stay top-of-mind with consumers and industry professionals alike.  

To learn more and to register, visit mediatradeconference.com. 

McLaren Trophy America will return in 2027 with a five-event, 10-race calendar that will see the IMSA-sanctioned championship staged alongside some of the biggest competitions in American motorsport.

The varied calendar includes Formula 1, INDYCAR, IMSA and FIA WEC weekends, meaning McLaren Trophy America's premier class one-make racing championship will join established events at world-class venues in front of major motorsports audiences.

2027 McLaren Trophy America Calendar
Rounds, Circuit, Date, Event

1 & 2, Barber Motorsports Park, April 2–4, INDYCAR
3 & 4, Miami Grand Prix, TBD, Formula 1
5 & 6, Watkins Glen International, June 24–26, IMSA
7 & 8, Virginia International Raceway, August 20–22, IMSA
9 & 10, Circuit of The Americas, September,10-12, FIA World Endurance Championship

"2027 is shaping up to be an exceptional season for McLaren Trophy America. Returning to the Formula 1 weekend in Miami is undoubtedly one of the highlights, and we are equally excited to open the season alongside INDYCAR at Barber and conclude it with the FIA World Endurance Championship at Circuit of The Americas. Our new partnership with IMSA is another hugely important step for the championship. The 2027 calendar offers exactly the kind of experience McLaren Trophy America was created to deliver," said Giorgio Sanna, head of motorsports for McLaren Automotive.

For more information, visit imsa.com.

Image courtesy of IMSA

Officials from IMSA and Road America have announced that the 2027 Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix weekend will now take place on the weekend of August 5-8, 2027, one week later than originally planned.

"The new August dates reduce overlap with other major events across Wisconsin during one of the busiest parts of summer," said Mike Kertscher, Road America President and General Manager. "Announcing the dates now gives everyone more time to adjust their plans."

The four-day event will once again bring North America's premier sports car racing series to the legendary four-mile circuit. The weekend will be headlined by the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship six-hour Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix race, along with additional racing, fan activities and opportunities to get close to the cars and drivers. The WeatherTech Championship race will be part of the five-race IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup schedule.

"Fan turnout at Road America has grown substantially the past few years with an all-time record for our first six-hour endurance race earlier this month," said IMSA President John Doonan. "We're already looking forward to returning one weekend later next year and we are confident that by giving the loyal Road America fans enough runway to make or alter their plans, we'll see another amazing turnout for the Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix weekend in 2027."

Tickets already purchased for the 2027 event at the advanced price of $140 will remain valid for the new dates, and fans are encouraged to take advantage of the special pricing as it will only be available for a limited time. 

For more information, visit roadamerica.com.

Background image courtesy of IMSA, Facebook
 

IMSA and the Collegiate Racing Series (CRS) today announced the joint establishment of the National Advisory Board for Motorsports Education (NABME), a collaborative effort designed to strengthen the connection between higher education and the evolving needs of the motorsports industry.

As part of the program, IMSA will provide internship opportunities in engineering and partnership marketing for qualified students, subject to IMSA business needs and applicable policies. The inaugural internship recipients will be announced during IMSA's annual State of the Sport presentation on October 1 ahead of the season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

CRS, the "National Championship for Collegiate Motorsports," is a platform that provides students with practical experience through the design, preparation, operation and management of race programs. Other notable colleges and universities participating in CRS include UCLA, University of Florida, North Carolina State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, University of South Carolina and Texas A&M among many others.

Together, IMSA and CRS have jointly established NABME to help ensure academic programs more closely reflect the skills, experiences and professional expectations required throughout today's motorsports industry.

"Motorsports continues to evolve at an incredible pace, and developing the next generation of industry professionals is vital to sustaining that growth," said IMSA President John Doonan. "Through NABME, we can help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience while providing students greater visibility into the diverse career opportunities available throughout our sport."

NABME brings together leaders from across motorsports, including engineering, race operations, manufacturing, safety, marketing and business disciplines, to help guide the development of future industry talent. The effort reinforces IMSA's longstanding commitment to education, experiential learning and workforce development while creating additional pathways for students to gain exposure to the professional motorsports environment.

"Creating meaningful pathways between education and industry has never been more important," said CRS President Jack Hobbs. "By bringing together educators and leaders from across the motorsports industry, NABME will help students gain practical experience, professional awareness and valuable industry connections that can support successful careers throughout the sport."

As universities across the United States continue expanding motorsports-focused academic programs, industry leaders have identified a growing need to better align educational experiences with workforce expectations. NABME was established to address that challenge by fostering collaboration between educators and industry stakeholders while supporting curriculum development, experiential learning opportunities and workforce readiness initiatives.

Central to the effort is the belief that successful preparation for careers in motorsports requires more than technical knowledge. Students benefit from exposure to real-world systems, team environments, regulatory frameworks and the fast-paced decision-making processes that are critical to modern racing operations.

IMSA and CRS leadership will participate in a joint NABME steering committee focused on workforce development, student engagement and long-term program growth. The organizations will conduct quarterly reviews and annual planning sessions to assess progress and identify future opportunities.

NABME's broader objectives include supporting accreditation guidance, curriculum alignment, skills-gap assessments, experiential learning best practices and workforce pathway development. The initiative is guided by principles that include industry relevance, hands-on experience, safety, leadership, collaboration, accessibility and continuous improvement.

Additional updates regarding student participation opportunities and future NABME programs are expected later this year.

For more information, visit imsa.com.

A private motorsports facility planned for Southern California is expected to feature a 3.2-mile road course, multiple configurations and a dedicated race shop focused on vehicle preparation and competition.

In the AutoWeek story, Said said the planned circuit will be built along the shores of Lake Elsinore, California, near Lake Elsinore Raceway and Skydive Elsinore. He also noted the facility would be approximately 15 minutes up Interstate 15 from BMW of Murrieta, where he is a co-owner.

According to the Elsinore Ring website, the planned circuit is expected to follow FIA Grade 2 specifications and feature 22 turns. Three configurations are planned, allowing portions of the circuit to operate independently for multiple groups.

The track is being designed with technical corners, fast straights, sweeping sections and passing opportunities. According to elsinorering.com, sessions are expected to be organized by driver experience and vehicle category.

Boris Said, the project's founder and visionary, recently spoke with AutoWeek about the project, saying the track is to be called "Elsinorering," a nod to the famed Nürburgring. The project's website currently uses the name Elsinore Ring.

A dedicated race shop is planned to support members' vehicles, with services expected to include maintenance, tire mounting and changes, track preparation and race setup, diagnostics, fabrication and major mechanical repairs. A retail store is also expected to carry racing and safety equipment.

The planned development would also include garage residences and a clubhouse with a restaurant and event center.

The project appears to have support from the City of Lake Elsinore. AutoWeek reported that Gina Gonzalez, the city's director of economic development legislative affairs, said the city appreciates the partnership and the opportunity to showcase Lake Elsinore as the action sports capital of the world.

Finnish architect and motorsports competitor Seppo Mäntylä is listed as architect, while Joseph DeJesus is identified as partner and master developer.

According to the Elsinore Ring website, the project remains in development and is currently building its founding membership list.

For more information, visit elsinorering.com.

Image courtesy of Elsinore Ring

The IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge has confirmed its seventh event venue and updated one race weekend date to complete its 2027 schedule. The championship is all endurance races next season, featuring multiple-driver lineups in multiple classes.

The VP Racing Challenge will race as part of the INDYCAR event weekend at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama, April 2-4, with a two-hour race. IMSA has held occasional races for both the VP Racing Challenge’s predecessor, IMSA Prototype Challenge, and other single-make championships at Barber in the past in addition to annual GRAND-AM events from 2003-2013. The most recent P3 races occurred at the track in 2018.

Additionally, the Road America two-hour round has been confirmed for the weekend of August 13-15, 2027. The first three events of the 2027 schedule at Sebring International Raceway, Barber Motorsports Park and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course are two-hour races.

Watkins Glen International marks the first of two three-hour races, before the Road America round up next at two hours and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round back to three hours. The season concludes with a 90-minute round at Lime Rock Park.

New for 2027, LMP3 Bronze drivers will compete in the Airbnb Bronze Cup to earn an invitation to participate in the 2028 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

For more information, visit imsa.com. See the full 2027 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge schedule below:

Images courtesy of IMSA

BMR Suspension, based in Lakeland, Florida, has announced the acquisition of Hotchkis Sport Suspension, based in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Hotchkis joins BMR Suspension's recent acquisitions of Carlyle Racing, Control Freak Suspension, Heidts Suspension, Alston Racing and Chassis Engineering Inc.

A company release stated that BMR Suspension President Allan Miller shared that bringing Hotchkis together with BMR Suspension and Heidts Suspension creates a "unique synergy among three highly respected performance suspension brands."

Former owner John Hotchkis also provided remarks, stating he expressed his gratitude to the employees, customers, dealers, suppliers, friends, and enthusiasts who helped make [his] vision possible.

For more information, visit bmrsuspension.com and hotchkis.net.

Image courtesy of BMR Suspension

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas, California, will officially dedicate and name the "Zanardi Corkscrew" on Friday, September 4 to honor the late Alex Zanardi and commemorate the 30th anniversary of "The Pass," which became one of the defining moments of his career.

The ceremony will bring together special guests from throughout Zanardi's career, including Chip Ganassi, Max Papis, Doug Boles, and other INDYCAR legends, as the motorsports community reflects on the moment that forever connected Zanardi to Laguna Seca, track officials said. Plans for a commemorative marker recognizing the Zanardi Corkscrew will be unveiled during the ceremony.

The dedication also recognizes Zanardi's contributions to motorsports and the lasting impact he made on competitors and fans around the world. On September 8, 1996, during the final lap of the CART season finale at Laguna Seca, Zanardi, driving the #4 Target Chip Ganassi Honda Reynard, made a daring move on Bryan Herta entering the Corkscrew. It was the final lap of the 1996 season and resulted in a win.

The maneuver became known simply as "The Pass." Thirty years later, it remains one of the most recognized moments in the history of Laguna Seca and American open-wheel racing. The image of Zanardi attacking the Corkscrew with characteristic determination and fearlessness has become inseparable from the legacy of the circuit itself, track officials said.

But Zanardi's legacy extends far beyond a single corner or a single race. A two-time CART champion and winner of 15 CART races, Zanardi became one of the most popular drivers of his generation through his talent, personality and unmistakable passion for competition.

Following a devastating 2001 accident at the Lausitzring that resulted in the loss of both of his legs, Zanardi made an extraordinary return to racing and later became a champion handcyclist and Paralympic gold medalist. His perseverance, competitive spirit and ability to inspire others transcended motorsports, earning admiration around the world.

The Corkscrew is one of motorsports' most recognizable and technically demanding turns, dropping dramatically in elevation as drivers crest the blind Turn 8 before plunging downhill through Turn 8A. For generations of racers and fans, it has been the signature feature of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Beginning September 4, it will also serve as a permanent tribute to a racer whose courage, determination and indomitable spirit left an enduring mark on the sport.

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship Finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca sets the stage for a thrilling Labor Day weekend on the legendary Monterey Peninsula circuit.

For more information, visit weathertechraceway.com.

Image Courtesy of Penske Entertainment | Chris Owens

Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, Canada, is hosting a racing safety demonstration to show the public the difference a fast, coordinated response can make when an emergency happens at the race track.

When Seconds Count––Race Car Emergency Extrication will have firefighters, motorsports safety personnel and emergency-response specialists come together at Toronto Motorsports Park on Thursday, September 3, at 6:00 p.m. EDT, for a realistic, controlled demonstration.

Members of Haldimand County Fire Services, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the Canadian Motorsports Response Team, M&L Supply Fire and Safety and AMKUS Rescue Systems, along with other participants involved in emergency response and motorsports safety.

An actual race car chassis will be used during the hands-on extrication exercise, giving firefighters an opportunity to work directly with the specialized construction and safety systems found in a competition vehicle.

Dave Connors, extrication specialist with M&L Supply Fire & Safety, representing AMKUS Rescue Systems, will provide rescue equipment, technical knowledge and support. AMKUS is the Official Rescue Tool of NHRA and supplies rescue equipment to the NHRA Safety Safari.

The Canadian Motorsports Response Team will also participate and display one of its specialized rescue vehicles.

NC ProModer will be on site to provide a livestream of WHEN SECONDS COUNT, giving motorsports fans, first responders and others who are unable to attend an opportunity to watch the demonstration live from Toronto Motorsports Park.

The event is being organized by Glenn Grow of the NHRA, Bruce F. Mehlenbacher and Neale Armstrong, track manager at Toronto Motorsports Park.

For more information, visit torontomotorsportspark.com.