In 2014, the DRT Racing team will support one of America’s growing touring programs—the United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS). The four-event championship series travels throughout the eastern half of the United States, holding its events at some of North America’s most well-known karting circuits.

DRT is set on competing for race wins and championships in 2014, boasting a very talented three-driver line-up that will take to the track aboard the successful DR Racing Kart. Representing the DRT Racing team in a very stout Leopard 125 Pro class will be Arie Ouimet and Carter Fartuch, while Team Manager Brian Fisher will compete in the Parilla 125 Challenge.

2014 will mark Ouimet’s first year competing in the USPKS after the series held its inaugural season in last year. The 23-year old has been karting since he was nine, and has the accomplishments of an obviously seasoned pilot. As the 2008 United States Rotax Grand National champion and a two-time US KF2 champion, Ouimet has the skills behind the wheel and incredible racecraft. Adding Ouimet’s name to the Leopard Pro category, teamed with DRT Racing and the DR Racing Kart, places him as an early championship contender in the headline class.

Ouimet has been working over the past few seasons with rising star Carter Fartuch. The Pennsylvania native has been positioned alongside DRT Racing brass over the off-season, working directly with DR Racing Kart’s Danilo Rossi, testing and preparing for a full assault in 2014. Fartuch has been a natural in the seat of his DR Kart. Fartuch honed his skills running indoor karts before moving to competition karts for the first time in 2010. The 2013 F-Series Gearup Challenge F355 champion will also be making his first start in the USPKS at the series opener in April.

At the forefront of the success that DRT Racing and the DR Racing Kart is enjoying here in the United States is team manager Brian Fisher. Normally found at the front of the S4 Master Stock Moto fields or banging gears on the country’s fastest road racing circuits, the ‘Fish’ will add single-speed TaG racing to his on-track action as he contests the USPKS program. Fisher is a threat each and every time he hits the track, having racking up an estimated 100 feature wins over his career and earning 10 championships across several series. Most recently, Fisher was a double winner at the SKUSA SummerNationals and the vice-champion in the S4 Master Stock Moto category on the SKUSA Pro Tour.

Fisher also delivers the power to DRT Racing team karts, along with many other drivers across the country, as the accomplished engine builder has put Fisher Racing Engines among the nation’s top service centers. Fisher will complete the trio of DRT Racing team drivers who are making their first appearance with the USPKS, as he looks to bring home another championship in the fiercely competitive Parilla Challenge category.

“The United States Pro Kart Series gained high praises last year, and we are excited to be part of the program in 2014,” stated DRT Racing owner Don Guilbeault. “We are familiar with all four facilities on the schedule, especially the opener at the GoPro Motorplex. During a weeklong test session last October, DR Racing Kart’s Danilo Rossi helped us test five new chassis models in preparation for the 2014 season. So far, we’ve gained strong results on the shifter kart side of our program, and now, we look to continue that success with the TaG models in the USPKS.”

In addition to the USPKS program, DRT Racing is preparing another strong assault on the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour and other major events as well. DRT Racing has two locations along the East Coast, the original shop is located in Hudson, New Hampshire and the warehouse, engine development and race team in Bluff City, Tennessee. For more information, or to be part of the growing DR Racing Kart chassis dealer network, email info@drt-racing.com, phone 423-538-3838 or find them on Facebook.

IndyCar announced a multi-year entitlement agreement with Verizon that will see North America’s premier open-wheel racing championship become the Verizon IndyCar Series.

Verizon replaces IZOD as title sponsor of the IndyCar Series. IZOD served as title sponsor of the series from 2010 to 2013.

The partnership aligns IndyCar with Verizon, whose technical expertise will be utilized to activate programs that will benefit fans, the series, teams, commercial partners and race venues.

Verizon will also continue its sponsorship of the Verizon P1 Award presented to the Verizon IndyCar Series pole winner at each race.

“Verizon is delighted to become the title sponsor of the Verizon IndyCar Series and to bring even more of our innovative technology to the fans, to the teams and to the entire motorsports community,” said Dan Mead, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. “The intersection of racing and technology has never been more relevant, and our expanded partnership with INDYCAR provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate that synergy, integrate new services like LTE Multicast and help propel the sport forward.”

IndyCar and Verizon will engage in a multi-dimensional partnership linking sports, entertainment and technology beginning at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which kicks off the 18-race season March 30.

“Verizon is the perfect partner for us to showcase the high level of innovation and technology that is inherent in our sport,” said Mark Miles, CEO, Hulman & Co., the parent of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “IndyCar will provide a large audience of tech-savvy consumers who are eager for the latest technology to further enhance their experience.

“Verizon’s commitment to IndyCar demonstrates its belief in the direction of our sport and further corroborates our long-term goals.”

The collaboration includes significant network coverage upgrades to Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of its Project 100; short- and long-term technology enhancements to IndyCar Race Control; the addition of pit lane monitors and enhancing connectivity for spectators at each domestic race venue.

Verizon will also deploy its LTE Multicast solution at racetracks in the future, complementing the Verizon IndyCar 14 app and indycar.com, the official website of IndyCar. This emerging technology delivers rich multi-faceted multimedia content to multiple devices at once rather than sending it in a separate stream to each user.

Verizon has been an Official Partner of IndyCar the past four years and the primary sponsor of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car driven by Will Power. The relationship with the team owned by Roger Penske will expand for the 2014 season as Verizon also will be the primary sponsor of the No. 2 entry driven by 1999 CART champion and 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya for at least eight races.

Cooper Tires Europe has signed a three-year deal to supply its tires to drivers during all 12 rounds of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy.

World RX, which is promoted by IMG Motorsport, has made a number of significant announcements over the past few months including the signing of former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve and several broadcasters who are set to air race action live to fans across the globe.

Cooper, along with its sister brand—Avon Tires—is the rallycross tire of choice for several series across the globe, having supplied tires to European Rallycross Champions for the past two decades.  In addition to World RX, Avon Tires is also exclusive tire supplier to the French Rallycross Championship, an agreement which began in 2013.

“We’re extremely excited about the inaugural World RX season and we’re thrilled to have Cooper on board for the next three years,” said Martin Anayi, managing director of FIA World Rallycross Championship for IMG Motorsport. “Cooper has a very long and extremely successful history in the rallycross arena and it’s undoubtedly the tire of choice for the vast majority of competitors. Ultimately, it is a result of these qualities that we and the FIA have selected Cooper as our exclusive tire supplier for the next three seasons.”

“Rallycross is a very demanding sport which provides unique challenges,” said Sarah McRoberts, marketing communications manager for Cooper Tire Europe. ” For competitors to tackle the changing surfaces, from tarmac to gravel, they need a tire which is capable of handling both rough and smooth surfaces. Meeting this unique challenge is something that Cooper excels at and particularly prides itself on. We’re very much looking forward to being part of the FIA World Rallycross Championship and this new chapter of rallycross history.”

The all-new FIA World Rallycross Championship will kick off with the season-opening round at Montalegre in Portugal, May 3-4.

The debut of Mopar’s newest Pro Stock class vehicle, the Dodge Dart, will take place this weekend at the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Gatornationals, following its reveal by world champion drivers Allen Johnson and Jeg Coughlin Jr. at Two Tails Ranch near Gainesville, Florida, on Thursday.

Joining the Dodge Charger R/T in the Funny Car class and the Dodge Challenger in Sportsman competition, the Dodge Dart was chosen as the next generation Pro Stock vehicle and developed on a virtual platform, using production-based technology and tools used for street vehicles, with Chrysler Group LLC race and production engineers working hand-in-hand with the race teams.

The new Dodge Dart race car design was validated with aerodynamic wind tunnel testing at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, in late February, then made its first test runs at Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park prior to arriving in Gainesville for the third national event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag racing season schedule.

Retiring from competition with Johnson’s win at the last NHRA event in Phoenix, the four-door Dodge Avenger ends its run as the most successful of Mopar racecars in its class after claiming a total of 27 NHRA national titles and a record 28 No.1-qualifier positions, in addition to consecutive championships in 2012 and 2013.

Two Dodge Dart cars will make their competition debut at this weekend’s prestigious national event with defending title holder Johnson and five- time Pro Stock Champion Coughlin at the controls, while Vieri Gaines will join the fray in a few weeks upon completion of his new HEMI-powered race car.

“We are very excited to launch the Dodge Dart, and along with our Mopar fans, to see what Allen (Johnson) and Jeg (Coughlin Jr.) can accomplish with this new vehicle as they vie for a third championship in the high-performance and ultra-competitive Pro Stock division,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “The new Dart is a testament of how Mopar uses the motorsports program as a technological proving ground with Chrysler’s own leading-edge technology and production processes. We have great expectations for its on-track success.

“Mopar also is very pleased to extend our partnership with Magneti Marelli to include primary sponsorship of Allen’s new Pro Stock in order to continue to raise awareness for our brands and quality products while bolstering our collective support and commitment to NHRA drag racing.”

Johnson’s HEMI- powered Dodge Dart will carry the “Magneti Marelli Quality Auto Parts Offered by Mopar” sponsorship as an extension of Mopar’s partnership with Magneti Marelli. Their racing alliance was initiated in 2012 and developed into a primary sponsorship the following year, sharing in Don Schumacher Racing driver Matt Hagan’s successful runner-up championship season.

“We at Magneti Marelli are very enthusiastic to be the main sponsor of Allen Johnson’s new Dodge Dart NHRA Pro Stock car and team for 2014,” said Pietro Berardi, CEO Magneti Marelli Aftermarket. “We have co-sponsored Allen for two years now and he has proven to be a great asset for our company with his excellent performance of becoming 2012 Pro Stock World Champion and coming close again in 2013 with the second place in the overall championship. Also this year, Allen is off to a great start already with a win in Phoenix under his belt for 2014.

“Allen and his entire team are very gracious with our customers who are always excited to meet the racing legends of Pro Stock racing,” Berardi added. “It is great that the new vehicle will be revealed at the Gatornationals as this is where Magneti Marelli started its very first NHRA involvement in 2012 and Allen has proven to be a great brand builder for Magneti Marelli with the target customer group of racing enthusiasts and independent repair facility workers. We are hoping and wishing for a very successful 2014 season for Allen and his team.”

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest and the German firm, which is making its comeback this year in an attempt to add to its victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours, will open the only Porsche Experience Center in France in 2015. The contract was officially signed on Wednesday, March 12, at Le Mans.
 
Porsche has forged its sporting legend in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Since 1951 the German make’s cars have been at the start of the race without a break. The manufacturer holds two impressive records: the number of victories in the overall classification (16, the last of which was in 1998) and that of different category wins, which hit the one hundred mark in 2013.

From the above it follows naturally that Porsche decided to choose the Le Mans circuit to implant the brand’s sixth test center in the world after Leipzig (ALL), Silverstone (GBR), Shanghai (CHI), Los Angeles and Atlanta (USA). Its opening is scheduled for the first three months of 2015 and it should create around 10 jobs.

This ultra-modern complex will complete Porsche’s offer, as since 2011 the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has run the only Porsche Sport Driving School in France thanks to the skills of its monitors and technicians.

The Porsche Experience Center (PEC) answers a clear concept, namely: to offer a full range of driving experiences and sensations to Porsche owners, future clients and enthusiasts. 

The Center will offer an extensive range of unique track driving experiences through different workshops. It will give visitors a chance to try out the entire gamut of Porsche technology, learn how to handle a Porsche like a professional thanks to the training supplied by the ACO, get to grips with the vehicle’s on-road potential or simply find out more about the brand by learning about its history and its future prospects. The Center will house a permanent exhibition of classic Porsches.

The project has been developed after careful analysis to ensure that the infrastructures at the Le Mans circuit meet the high expectations of both partners.

The Porsche Experience Center will be spread over more than 3,000 square meters and will comprise:

• an adapted version of the White House circuit (a 2.9km layout using part of the Le Mans 24-hour track), together with various driving experience modules
• function venues and a restaurant
• a reception area for all the events at the circuit, in particular the 24 Hours of Le Mans, including an area with a view overlooking the track
• a dedicated driving training center
• a permanent exhibition of current and classic Porsche vehicles
• a Porsche Service Center
• a “Porsche Exclusive” custom tailoring area
• a Driver’s Selection by Porsche Design shop

The Nurburgring, the German race track known as Green Hell for its challenging Formula One course, was bought by an auto-parts maker two years after the former owner and operator filed for bankruptcy protection.

The acquisition by Capricorn Group values the 379-hectare (937-acre) property at more than 100 million euros ($139 million), lawyers managing the insolvency of owner Nurburgring GmbH said in a statement. That includes 25 million euros that the Dusseldorf-based buyer will spend to further develop the site.

The Nurburgring, about a 172-kilometer (107-mile) drive northwest of Frankfurt, was built in 1927 and has hosted at least 30 Formula One races. The site was put up for sale last year after its owners failed to pay loans taken out to build hotels and a roller coaster.

“The creditor committee had two very good offers and in the end decided on the offer with the highest price and good prospects for the region,” insolvency lawyer Jens Lieser said in the statement.

Capricorn’s acquisition includes the 21-kilometer North Loop and newer 5-kilometer Grand Prix circuit. Last year, Hyundai Motor Co. (005380) built a research center at the Nurburgring with direct access to the tree-lined track, which was dubbed Green Hell by driver Jackie Stewart.

German auto club ADAC bid for the property, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported in November. Formula One Management Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Bernie Ecclestone also submitted an offer, WirtschaftsWoche reported in January.

The Nurburgring has staged the German Grand Prix every other year since 2008, alternating with the Hockenheimring track.

Capricorn will continue to hold races and concerts on the site and keep the hotel running, according to the statement.

The popular Stand 21 Safety Foundation / "Racing Goes Safer" Seminar will make an encore presentation next month at the IndyCar Series' Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 12, in Rooms 102 A and B in the Main Hall.

Racers, team owners, crew members, track operators, manufacturers, sanctioning body officials, and media members are invited to the interactive presentation that will feature a panel of experts sharing the latest technologies and best practices in accident prevention.

Admission is free.

Stand 21 founder Yves Morizot said, "We encourage anyone with an interest in auto-racing safety to join us as we share specific, practical information from recognized medical and engineering authorities about safety at the racetrack. Together we can improve the quality of racing by drastically reducing the number and severity of accidents in the sport we love."

Previous "Racing Goes Safer" Seminars have explored the spectrum of racing-safety topics, including:
•    Heat stress management
•    Head and neck restraint systems
•    Helmet technology
•    Racing seat construction
•    Safety certification
•    Driver psychology

Attention to details, right down to embroidery thread and its application, reinforces surprisingly simple ways to prevent accidents.

Panelists for the 2014 Stand 21 Foundation/"Racing Goes Safer" will be confirmed soon. Dr. Terry Trammell, Dr. John Melvin, and Dr. Jacques Dallaire have been among the featured speakers at previous seminars.

Officials of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series announced that COMP Cams will return as the title sponsor of the COMP Cams Engine Builders Challenge Program. COMP Cams and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series have partnered together to create a points competition among engine builders that compete within the series in 2014. This program will reward engine builders across the country through product awards from COMP Cams and multiple engine component companies.
 
The Lucas Oil Late Model Series Dirt Series continues to support open competition engines as the choice for the series engine rules platform. The LOLMDS is the premier super late model dirt division in the country and the open engine rules of these cars provide fans the most exciting and entertaining form of motorsports. Participating engine builders will earn points at each event and the engine builder that earns the most points will be crowned the COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year at the awards banquet. Several companies are offering product awards to any engine builder based on finishing positions at each series event.
 
"COMP Cams is thrilled to be a part of the Engine Builders Program again this year.  We pride ourselves on building the industry's best and toughest valve train components, and the demanding races on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series are a perfect place to showcase our parts. We're proud to support racers and teams that are just as dedicated to dirt racing as we are. Their passion for the sport truly reflects the mindset of all COMP Cams employees," stated Chris Douglas, Vice President of Marketing, COMP Performance Group.
 
The Engine Builders Challenge, will award $1500 cash and a $500 product to the engine builder that earns the most COMP Cams points during the season on the series. The 2nd place engine builder in COMP Cams points will win a $750 product award from COMP Cams. Several companies are offering product awards to any engine builder based on finishing positions at each series event. Companies contributing to the program include COMP Cams, Edelbrock, CV Products, Dyers Rods, Brodix, Total Seal, Hedman Hedders and Roush Yates Performance Parts. Participating engine builders in the competition include Clements Race Engines, Cornett Race Engines, Jay Dickens Race Engines, Pro Power Race Engines, Grover Race Engines, Kuntz Race Engines and Vic Hill Race Engines.
 
To keep up with the COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year points visit http://www.lucasdirt.com/point-standings/comp-cams-engine-builders-challenge-points/

"Having COMP Cams supporting this program has been vital in maintaining open engine rules for super late model racing and the series. We are very grateful for all the companies that support this program and our open engine rules for super late models. The many engine builders, both small and large, that build these incredible power plants are the heart and soul of this division. These engines and the many stars that drive these awesome racecars are the reason our fans continue to fill up grandstands all across America for a chance to see the best of the best compete and feel the excitement these cars bring. COMP Cams support of this program is a testament to their commitment to super dirt late model racing and the LOLMDS," stated Ritchie Lewis, Director, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
 

Royal Purple announced its sponsorship of Pro Stock driver Erica Enders-Stevens.
 
2014 marks Erica’s tenth season competing in Pro Stock as she works to continue her reign as the most successful female Pro Stock driver in NHRA history. A native of Houston, Texas, Enders-Stevens will drive the Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro, which is tuned by the father/son duo Rick and Rickie Jones, with in-house horsepower crafted by Nick Ferri and Jake Hairston.
 
“Royal Purple is proud to support Erica and the Elite Motorsports team this season,” said Kyle Neal Motorsports Coordinator. “As the lone female in the Pro Stock class, it’s exciting to be on board with Erica as she begins this new chapter in her storied career driving for Elite with sponsorship from Royal Purple.”
 
As part of this announced agreement, Royal Purple will provide support by furnishing its advanced lines of synthetic lubricants, coolant and fuel system additives for Enders-Stevens efforts on and off-track in the series. Enders-Stevens and her Elite Motorsports team will also provide Royal Purple with valuable feedback helping to make the company’s products more effective.
 
“Re-establishing a partnership with Royal Purple is a nod to their commitment to NHRA drag racing and hometown racers,” said Enders-Stevens. “I’m looking forward to a great season with Royal Purple.”
 
From greases to transmission fluids, fully synthetic API-licensed/warranty compliant engine oils and racing synthetic oils, formulated for stock to blown alcohol and nitro-methane engines, Royal Purple manufactures a number of high performance lubricants with both street and track applications. For more information on Royal Purple’s full line of premium synthetic lubricants, please visit www.royalpurpleconsumer.com.

EcoMotors, Inc., (EM) announced the purchase of Katech, Inc., the Michigan-based manufacturing company known for developing advanced engines and powertrains, adding additional expertise, manufacturing and testing capabilities to an already growing company.

EM will use Katech’s proven testing, research and development, and manufacturing capabilities to continue to research, design and build advanced engine technologies that seek to redefine the internal combustion engine, while maintaining Katech’s core business and providing new paths for growth.
 
“The purchase of Katech will significantly grow EM’s ability to bring things from design to life at a rapid pace, taking us further down the path of redefining how the world is powered,” said Amit Soman , EM president and chief operating officer. “With this, we are adding a remarkable team with a long-standing reputation for high quality and a proven track record in the space.”
 
EM has appointed Tony Mannarino as CEO of Katech and to oversee day-to-day operations.  Former Katech CEO John F. (Fritz) Kayl will maintain a consulting role with the company. Under EM, Katech will continue to operate as the Katech brand, maintaining its current business operations and staff.
 
“It’s great to see another Michigan company taking advantage of what we’ve built at Katech during the past 37 years,” said Kayl. “This new relationship will accelerate change in the engine industry and will allow both companies to realize their full potential.”
 
Mannarino said, “Katech and EM have a shared goal to develop ground-breaking technology. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do together.”
 
EM is a privately held company, founded in 2008, whose primary investors are Khosla Ventures, Bill Gates and Braemar Energy Ventures. EM is challenging the conventions about the size, efficiency and versatility of the internal combustion engine, starting with the EM’s opposed-piston opposed-cylinder (opoc) engine. The opoc engine architecture is smaller and lighter than conventional engines, with 50 percent fewer components. The engine is highly versatile, offers unprecedented power density and has a broad range of applications in both vehicles and machines.
 
EM Founder, Chairman, Chief Technical Officer, and inventor of the opoc technology, Professor Peter Hofbauer, said, “Katech has an exemplary reputation in engine development and I’m confident we can learn from each other to make both companies even stronger.”
                                                                                                             
Founded in 1977 and based in Clinton Township, Mich., Katech specializes in design, prototyping, testing, research and development, and manufacturing of engines and engine technology.
 
Katech has developed and produced technology for multiple automakers, including General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. Katech engines have also powered the famous GM Corvette Racing team that has dominated the U.S. and global GT racing circuits by capturing six championships and winning the legendary 24 Hours of LeMans six times.
 
This announcement comes on the heels of news of EM’s $200+ million joint venture with First Auto Works Jingye Engine Company to develop, manufacture, sell and service the opoc engine technology in China.