Several Talladega Superspeedway staff members entered Birmingham area elementary schools last week to teach students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
 
The staff members will be in front of their classes for the next couple of weeks teaching from lessons provided by Junior Achievement of Greater Birmingham, a non-profit group that allows volunteers from the business community to deliver a curriculum while sharing their personal and professional experiences and skills with students.
 
Talladega Superspeedway is providing volunteers at Rocky Ridge Elementary School, Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights and Vincent Elementary School, reaching a total of 645 students in 34 classrooms. As volunteers, Talladega staff are helping students make the connection between what they are learning in school and what they will need to succeed in work and life.
 
“Our staff has had a wonderful time teaching important lessons to our country’s future leaders,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. “It’s crucial for these students to hear firsthand knowledge of the way business works in their community, and we’re happy to be there to give them guidance.”
 
To promote Talladega’s family-friendly atmosphere, the track has unveiled historic frontstretch ticket prices in 2014 for kids 12 and under. Kids can sit for free in some areas of the grandstands and receive $50 off regular pricing for all other areas of the grandstands.
 
NASCAR returns to Talladega Superspeedway in 2014 with the Aaron’s Dream Weekend, which is set for May 2-4. The NASCAR Nationwide Series and ARCA Racing Series will take to the track on Saturday, May 3 while NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series machines take the green flag on Sunday, May 4. For ticket information, log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame welcomes its new team member Mike Laheta as manager, corporate partnerships. Laheta will be responsible for developing corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales and activation opportunities for the NASCAR Hall of Fame with current and prospective partners.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Laheta earned his Bachelor of Business with a concentration in motorsports management from Belmont Abbey College. He most recently served as director, marketing and business affairs for Front Row Motorsports (FRM), which fields the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams for drivers David Ragan and David Gilliland.

Partnerships Laheta developed for FRM include CSX Transportation, Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Farm Rich, Dish Network and McCall Farms through their Glory Foods and Peanut Patch brands among others. Laheta also has experience with Bulldawg Marketing, the NASCAR Kinetics Marketing in Motion College program, and worked on Lionel’s “Where’s Waldo” 25th anniversary celebration.    

The Show-Me 100 Race of Champions has expanded to feature more drivers this season.

The $1000 Friday night preliminary event as part of the 22nd annual Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 will include all past Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 winners, but will now also include all former Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and Lucas Oil MLRA Series champions.

“We just felt this was a great way to truly have a Race of Champions,” said Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Dan Robinson. “This opens it up to some of the best in the business including Shannon Babb, Earl Pearson Jr., John Anderson, and Tony Jackson Jr., among others.”

The star-studded field already includes past Show-Me 100 winners Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Brian Birkhofer, Wendell Wallace and Terry Phillips.

The Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 begins Thursday, May 22 with a $5000-to-win MLRA event plus a complete USRA modified show featuring NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace.

Action on Friday, May 23 will get underway with Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series qualifying followed by six 20-lap heat races as the top three in each heat race automatically transfer to the $30,000-to-win Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 on Saturday night.

Friday night racing action also includes the aforementioned Crawford Supply Race of Champions and the Hot Rod Tracker Manufacturers Dash featuring the fastest qualifiers in each chassis brand running for a $1000-to-win top prize. The Pitts Homes USRA modifieds will be running preliminary events as they attempt to qualify for their main event on Saturday night.

On Saturday night May 24, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competitors who are not already locked into the 100-lap event will attempt to work their way in through B mains and the Midwest Sheet Metal Show-Me Challenge.


The 100-lap finale and a $1000-to-win modified feature conclude the weekend.

Dyson Racing has formed a new program to promote the development of particularly promising young talent within sports car racing.

In addition to announcing the formation of the Dyson Racing Junior Development Program, the team’s Vice President and Sporting Director Chris Dyson also named the program’s first member, 16 year-old Skip Barber Racing Series and US F2000 graduate Matt McMurry.

“The Dyson Racing Team has during its long history been home to many of the best drivers in sportscar racing,” said Dyson. “Over the past three decades our team has also nurtured the careers of a number of up-and-coming drivers, including my own. With the creation of the Dyson Racing Junior Development Program we’ve made a more formal commitment to accelerating the progress of new generations of driving talent.”

McMurry, the son of sports car racing veteran and former team driver Chris McMurry, joined Dyson Racing drivers Tom Kimber-Smith and Chris Dyson last weekend in Kershaw, South Carolina, for a two-day test in the same Caterham-liveried LMP2-class Zytek-Nissan that will be fielded for TK-S and Dyson by Greaves Motorsport in the European Le Mans Series.

McMurry’s first outing as part of his Dyson Junior Development program will see him rejoin Greaves on April 1-2 at the European Le Mans Series official test at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me, and I’m honored to be Dyson Racing’s first Junior Development Program team member,” said McMurry. “Sportscar racing is an international sport and to have the chance to compete in Europe and learn from guys like Tom, who’s won the LMP2 class twice at Le Mans, and Chris, who’s twice been the IMSA American Le Mans Series driver champion, it’s just such a great thing.”

Dyson Racing Team President Rob Dyson said he is looking forward to watching McMurry’s racing career progress this year with the support of Kimber-Smith and Chris Dyson.

“I saw how having the support of a well-organized and experienced team behind him helped accelerate Chris’s development as a driver. It allowed him to fully focus on building his skill behind the wheel,” Rob Dyson said.

“What impresses me the most about Matt is not how good he is for a driver his age,” Chris Dyson said. “It’s just how flat good he is. I watched him drive last week in testing and I came away with the sense that he has enough talent that if he plays his card right, there’s no limit to how much he can accomplish. In the car and working with the team running the test, Matt showed an unbelievable degree of maturity. All of us at Dyson Racing are happy to welcome him to our Junior Development Program, and we are excited to see him grow with us.”

TORC: The Off-Road Championship has announced a partnership with YouTube’s largest automotive channel, Motor Trend, for live broadcasts of the entire 2014 TORC series.

The channel has a subscriber base of more than 2 million and has garnered some 560 million views in total and was recently scored as the leading automotive-related channel by OpenSlate, generating over 20 million visits per month by users with an interest in racing and car culture. It is also the largest producer of daily, original automotive content.

“We are delighted to bring the best in short-course, off-road racing to our viewership,” said Angus MacKenzie, Chief Content Officer for Source Interlink Media, publisher of Motor Trend. “We’re taking a very serious, best-in-class approach to distribute the most exciting content, and the addition of TORC reinforces that commitment. Their vision for off-road racing, mixed with an innovative digital and social media strategy is a perfect match for where we’re headed with the channel.”

This partnership represents the first time that the Motor Trend YouTube channel will broadcast live coverage of a motorsports series. Fans can expect a fully produced web broadcast that will bring them all 14 rounds of racing from the 2014 TORC season.

“Broadcasting through YouTube’s largest automotive channel via Motor Trend provides our series partners with significant reach and media value,” noted TORC President BJ Birtwell. “Sponsors can rest assured that, whether on a computer or mobile device, fans will be treated to a premium viewing experience that will elevate the awareness of their brands globally, as well as provide an additional messaging opportunity.”

“This season we’re bringing a high-end broadcast mentality and effort to our TORC shows,” added Tim A. Watson, Webcast Producer for The Armory. “We’ll be translating the incredible dynamics, characters and energy of TORC to any screen, regardless of the device, through the latest production technology. We’re excited to fulfill the growing viewer demand for high-end web production.”

Powertrain specialist Swindon announced that it has opened a division in France. The new division is the result of the buyout of the Cupissol Moteurs company, who specialized in the maintenance and testing of rally engines. The new, French-based Swindon operation is managed by Oliver Volpi, who comes to Swindon with ten years' experience as a Project Manager at Sodemo Moteurs.
 
Volpi said: "I'm delighted with the opportunity. We offer comprehensive engine assembly, maintenance and testing services here and joining forces with Swindon's UK head office gives us access to high technology in the fields of design, simulation and manufacturing, which will help developing our business in France."
 
Managing Director Raphael Caille said: "The opening of the new facility France also heralds a new era, with the company being rebranded as 'Swindon' to better reflect the wider range of services offered. The French division is putting the Swindon name out into the rally scene and also gives our UK Engineers more scope to export their development and manufacturing capabilities to the continent."
 
Swindon France is located at:
Route d'Ales
30330 St Marcel de Careiret
Tel: +33 04 6679 0458
Email:information@swindon-engines.com
 

Holley has announced September 5–7, 2014, as the official dates for the 5th annual Holley LS Fest. Once again Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, will host the largest all-LS celebration in the country.

2013 saw record numbers of both participants and spectators, and there was already excitement in the air about 2014 being the 5th anniversary of the event.
 


LS Fest continues to be the only event in America where you can bring your custom LS powered vehicle and participate in the following events: autocross, drag racing, dyno challenge, engine swap challenge, show-n-shine, the 3S Challenge, countryside cruise, drifting and more. All of these performance disciplines can be enjoyed in one venue over the course of the three-day event.
 


While a good portion of the competitive field is bolstered by late model F-bodies and Corvettes, they are not the only vehicles at LS Fest. The event is for any vehicle with a GM LS engine installed between the frame rails. The 2013 LS Fest brought in everything from LS swapped rock crawlers, import drift cars, street rods, trucks and much more. 
 


Grand Champion participants compete in the largest variety of events at LS Fest looking to be crowned the best all-around street machine.


LS Fest would not be the same without serious drag racing, and the classes continued to grow in numbers for 2013 with well over 200 cars competing.


LS Fest has held a Drift Challenge for the last three years and 2013 was the most action packed yet. Several drifters with lightweight, caged LS powered imports as well as a drift prepped Pontiac GTO competed in tandem competition for a cash prize. 

The autocross is a great place to test your technical driving ability behind the wheel of your performance car. 



The Car Craft Engine Swap Challenge introduced new rules in 2013, increasing the amount of time it took two teams to shoehorn LS engines into two identically prepped, never before seen cars. 2014 Engine Swap Challenge rules and entry details are yet to be announced.
 


While LS Fest is definitely focused around performance driving, it would not be the same without a Show-N-Shine.
 

To find out more information on the various events taking place at LS Fest log on to www.lsfest.com. 


High Performance Group, along with Crawford Composites, LLC, has announced the formation of the Formula Lites series and the debut of the Formula Lites Crawford (FL15) chassis. This collaboration brings High Performance Group's Dennis McCormack, a 43-year motorsports veteran and former Indy car team owner and SCORE Baja Champion driver Ryan Arciero, together with Max Crawford of Crawford Composites, LLC, a leader in designing and producing autoclaved composites for the racing industry.

The series, sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing and scheduled to launch in 2014 at select events with a full schedule in 2015, aims at developing drivers interested in entering professional motorsports, including those who seek to make the leap from karting to open-wheel racing.



"The Formula Lites series provides economy, available resources and an emphasis on safety while giving drivers the opportunity to develop their skills to progress into higher levels of open-wheel racing," said McCormack. "SCCA Pro Racing was a natural partner for us, having worked so closely with them in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup program. They have a strong commitment and track record in driver development."



Created in Crawford Composites' 48,000-sq.-ft. facility in Denver, N.C. by the company's design team, led by chief designer Andy Scriven, the Formula Lites carbon composite chassis is built to FIA F3 2014 technical regulations. Scriven focused on state-of-the-art technology to produce a competitively priced, innovative and exciting chassis to pilot. The new FL15 has exceptional electronics and paddleshift designed by Crawford Composites' in-house Controls Group.



The FL15 is powered by a 2-liter, 210hp turbo Volkswagen engine. Pirelli is supplying tires, ensuring the same quality and consistency afforded to Formula 1 racing is also present in Formula Lites. Sports car racing legend and renowned driver, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, is overseeing the test drive program. Each vehicle will be 100 percent ready to race when driven off of Crawford Composites' lot.



"Crawford Composites is very proud to announce the release of the new Crawford FL15 single-seater," said Max Crawford. "The Formula Lites concept has been in the making for the past two years and we are very pleased to partner with Dennis and Felicia McCormack of High Performance Group. They have brought together very powerful partners in Pirelli and Volkswagen."

SCCA Pro Racing President Tom Campbell added: "Pirelli has enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with Dennis McCormack and Ryan Arciero and we are quite excited to see this project come together so we can get back on the track together again. The opportunity to develop our platform for open-wheel engagements in North America is important for our future growth locally and is a logical extension of what our motorsport organization is doing globally."

IndyCar has a new Director of Communications, in the form of former Panther Racing communications director Mike Kitchel.

Also known in the paddock as “Kitch,” he’ll bring a distinct motorsports background to the role and serve as the head of communications for the open-wheel series.

There’s been a number of other restructuring changes within IndyCar’s communications department as it heads into the 2014 season, including the C.J. O’Donnell and Jay Frye hires to the series’ marketing staff. Mark Miles, Hulman & Co. CEO and the de facto head of INDYCAR, has tasked the new group with shifting the message and helping to grow the sport this year.

Simpson Performance Products Inc., a globally recognized brand in racing safety equipment, has launched a new website at www.TeamSimpson.com.

The newly designed website launched Jan. 8, 2014 and features key updates that will enhance the shopping experience for Simpson customers and provide important racing safety information and updates. The new website is also mobile friendly, a growing trend that makes TeamSimpson.com accessible through any browser the user may already have installed on a mobile device.

The new TeamSimpson.com features faster navigation and the ability to shop by product category or by sport. Drag racing, circle track racing, dirt track racing and many more segments of the motorsport market are covered by Simpson’s comprehensive range of racing safety products. A few of the many new products available at TeamSimpson.com include the Venator and Smoke Air Inforcer Shark Helmets.

The Hybrid Sport and the HANS Device Pro Ultra represent the latest advances in head and neck restraint technology. The Crossover SFI.5 racing suit features genuine Nomex® fire protection and a slim line design that stands out at the track. These products are just a small sampling of what is available at TeamSimpson.com. Simpson also offers free shipping for order of $100.00 or more.

“We are proud of our new website and look forward to posting up to date safety bulletins and product solutions that will help our customers race as safely as possible. I hope customers will visit our website and then like us on Facebook at Simpson Race Products. Please give us your feedback about TeamSimpson.com,” said Debbie Bishop, vice president of Marketing for Simpson.