Goodridge Limited was recently sold by the Goodridge family and share holders, and acquired by Rubicon Partners and Grovepoint Capital LLP (RG Industries). RG Industries acquired Goodridge Ltd on December 30, 2013, and the change of control is now effective.

Rubicon plans to utilize its extensive industrial expertise, strategic vision adn hands-on operational appraoch to take Goodridge to the next level in its development.

This will include RGI investing extensively in automotive quality production and product development. Under RG Industries's ownership the business will be well placed to take advantage of future growth opportunities and develop even stronger relationships with its prestigious customer base.

For any questions or more information, visit Goodridge at www.goodridge.net.

TORC: The Off-Road Championship, the nations premiere short-course, off-road racing series, has announced the return of AMSOIL as series presenting sponsor in a renewed multi-year commitment to supporting one of the worlds most exciting, high-energy motorsports concepts.

"There is a tremendous future in short-course racing," said Jeremy Meyer, AMSOIL Race Program Manager. "As presenting sponsor since its inception, AMSOIL is excited to continue our partnership with TORC as well as the commitment to keep the foundation of the sport in Crandon and Bark River while expanding to legendary venues like Sturgis. The best is truly ahead of us, and AMSOIL will continue to test its products in this harsh environment."

In addition to its presenting sponsor role, AMSOIL also sponsors drivers Scott Douglas in the PRO 4 division, Chad Hord in Pro 2 and Brad Lovell in PRO Light.

"AMSOIL's longstanding relationship with TORC is built on a mutual commitment to making this series best in class, said TORC President BJ Birtwell. Their dedication to the sport, the drivers and TORC via a multi-year agreement is proof that they see TORC as a valuable marketing tool today and for years to come."

Engineers recognize synthetic lubricants as critical to increasing the power, longevity and energy efficiency of vehicles and equipment. AMSOIL's four decades of innovations in synthetic motor oil, gear lube, automatic transmission fluid, two-cycle oil and other products have helped introduce a new age in equipment and engine design.

TORC: The Off-Road Championship Presented by AMSOIL will hold seven events across the United States this year, with NBC Sports providing television coverage and a behind-the-scenes docu-reality series. The 2014 event schedule features races at the following venues:

April 5-6: Primm, NV (Primm Off Road Raceway)
April 25-26: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte Motor Speedway)
May 17-18: St. Louis, MO (Gateway Motorsports Park)
June 28-29: Crandon, WI (Crandon Intl Off Road Raceway)
July 19-20: Bark River, MI (Bark River Off Road Raceway)
Aug 5-6: Sturgis, SD (Buffalo Chip Powersports Complex)
Aug 30-31: Crandon, WI (Crandon Intl Off Road Raceway)

For more information on TORC: The Off-Road Championship including NBC Sports episode premiere dates, visit www.torcseries.com or find TORC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/torc and Twitter @TorcOffRoad.

Effective immediately, David Wilson is promoted to president and general manager of TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development). Previously, Wilson, who has been with TRD since 1989, was acting president and general manager of the organization since last June. Prior to that, he held the title of senior vice president.
             
“David Wilson has been an integral part of the success of our Toyota Racing efforts, and we are pleased to promote him to this important leadership position at TRD,” said Bob Carter, senior vice president of automotive operations of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. “We look forward to many more trophies in NASCAR, NHRA and other racing series.”
 
Wilson is responsible for all TRD activities in North America, including engine development and manufacturing and chassis design/development, as well as team and sanctioning body relationships for Toyota teams participating in National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), United States Auto Club (USAC), National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship and off-road competition. His responsibilities include overseeing two TRD facilities: the engine manufacturing location in Costa Mesa and the chassis engineering center in Salisbury, N.C.
 
“We have an outstanding group of TRD associates in Costa Mesa and Salisbury, and the entire organization is looking forward to the start of the 2014 racing season,” said Wilson. “Together, TRD and all our race team partners are looking forward to getting the season started, winning races and battling for championships. Since TRD was established in 1979, we’ve had many racing firsts and highlights, and we look forward to adding to that list of accomplishments in the future.”
 
During the 2013 season, Toyota drivers registered a single season record of 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins, including three victories during the 10-race Chase championship playoff. Toyota’s 41 wins across all three NASCAR national touring series in 2013 were the most among the three manufacturers competing in the sport. Since Toyota began participating in NASCAR at the start of the 2004 season, Camry and Tundra drivers have recorded a total of 263 wins (63 NSCS, 88 Nationwide Series and 112 Camping World Truck Series).
 
Since its inception in 1979, TRD has developed cutting-edge race engine technology for a wide range of motorsports activities. The state-of-the-art operation includes complete engine design, development and assembly, as well as production and development of engine component manufacturing.
 
Together, Toyota and TRD have earned many illustrious accomplishments in American racing history, including a win in the 2003 Indianapolis 500 with Gil de Ferran, multiple victories in the Daytona 24 Hours and the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance races, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000. Toyota has also earned manufacturer’s and driver’s championships in the Indy Racing League, NHRA, Grand-Am, CART, IMSA, SCORE, USAC, MTEG, CORR, TORC and LOORRS. In stock car competition, Toyota has earned six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series manufacturer’s championships (2006-2010 and 2013) and three consecutive Nationwide Series manufacturer’s titles (2008-2010).

A graduate of Virginia Tech, Wilson and his family reside in Newport Beach, Calif.
 
TRD is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The 2014 Hoosier Tire Midwest Sprint Car Series season is scheduled to begin on April 5 with an appearance at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind. The series will headline Bill Gardner’s Indiana Open Wheel.Com Racin’ Fest that night.

This will be the first of 18 MSCS sanctioned events scheduled to be held across Indiana and Illinois this season. This is one of the most ambitious and balanced schedules that MSCS has ever released. Purses will range from $2000 to $10,000 for race winners.

The series will then spring back into action the last weekend of April. The Spring Showdown at Tri-State Speedway at Haubstadt, Ind., on April 26 will pair USAC’s AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series with MSCS. The Spring Fling at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track on April 27 will include the King of Indiana Sprint Series battling with MSCS on the half mile.

During Memorial Day weekend the series will be at Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway Friday night, Lincoln Park Speedway Saturday night and Tri-State Speedway on Sunday night. Friday night’s event on May 23 will be the Josh Burton Memorial Race. Saturday of that weekend, MSCS will be at Putnamville for the second of three stops there during the season. Sunday’s Memorial Weekend Classic at Haubstadt will again feature a joint appearance of the KISS and MSCS sprint cars.

Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway will host the MSCS sprint cars on June 6. This will be the first time that MSCS has raced at the quarter-mile fairgrounds facility. The series will return to Illinois again over the 4th of July weekend. On July 5 MSCS will be racing at the third-mile Clay County Speedway in Flora, Ill.

Tri-State Speedway will present the MSCS Sprints twice in June. On June 21 the MOWA winged sprint cars will split the racing card with MSCS for the Southern Indiana Sprint Stampede. A week later on June 28 the Summer Blast will include the POWRi midgets and micro sprints in addition to the MSCS sprint cars.

The Hoosier Sprint Nationals will be at Haubstadt on Aug. 2 and will pay $5000 to the winner. However, the biggest purse drivers will be competing for in 2014 will be at the Haubstadt Hustler on Sept. 13. That event is co-sanctioned with by USAC with a prize of $10,000 going to the winner.

The MSCS sprint cars will return to Putnamville’s Lincoln Park Speedway in August with a $3000 to win event scheduled for Aug. 9. Bloomington Speedway will be paying $3000 to win Aug. 15 when the MSCS sprint cars return for the Summer Doubler. Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway will host it’s very first MSCS event on Aug. 30. The sprints will race at Brownstown on Saturday night and then run at Haubstadt Sunday night in the Labor Day Weekend Challenge.

A Sept. 27 racing date at Tri-State Speedway will include the ALMS Late Model Series along with the MSCS sprint cars. The Class Track Fall Roundup will be a unique opportunity for a fan to see both sprints and late models during the same racing program. Tri-State Speedway will host the MSCS Season Finale on Oct. 11. The feature winner will receive the Harvest Cup.

2014 Hoosier Tire Midwest Sprint Car Series Schedule:

April 5 – Lincoln Park Speedway – Putnamville, Ind.
April 26 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Ind. (Co-Sanctioned by USAC)
April 27 – Terre Haute Action Track – Terre Haute, Ind. (Co-Sanctioned by KISS)
May 23 – Bloomington Speedway – Bloomington, Ind.
May 24 – Lincoln Park Speedway – Putnamville, Ind.
May 25 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Ind. (Co-Sanctioned by KISS)
June 6 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, Ill.
June 21 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Ind.
June 28 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Ind.
July 5 – Clay County Speedway – Flora, Ill.
Aug. 2 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Ind.
Aug. 9 – Lincoln Park Speedway – Putnamville, Ind.
Aug. 15 – Bloomington Speedway – Bloomington, Ind.
Aug. 30 – Brownstown Speedway – Brownstown, Ind.
Aug. 31 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Ind.
Sept. 13 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Ind. (Co-Sanctioned by USAC)
Sept. 27 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Ind.
Oct. 11 – Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Ind.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced that Deltran Battery Tender, a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency battery chargers, has increased its role with the team.

Battery Tender was an associate sponsor of the team’s 2013 IndyCar Series program and in 2014 they will expand their involvement with RLL as an associate sponsor for both the IndyCar program and two-car TUDOR United SportsCar Championship effort. In addition to strategic branding across both IndyCar and United SportsCar programs, the partnership includes a personal services role with IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal, who is expected to again be featured in a commercial for the brand.

“Deltran Battery Tender is thrilled to expand upon the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Partnership! After last year’s success on and off the track with Graham Rahal we could not be happier with our marketing efforts and exposure,” said Evin Prelec, Director of Marketing and Advertising for Deltran Battery Tender. “Expanding the partnership to include BMW Team RLL makes perfect sense. We have had a long, successful branding/supplier relationship with BMW and are looking forward to supporting the team and drivers on track.”

“We are very pleased to have Battery Tender back with us for 2014,” added Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. “It’s a great company with great people and we are fortunate to have them extend and grown their partnership with us. We look forward to continuing to help them achieve their goals through their association with us.”

ProMedia Events, the company that brings you the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, is pleased to announce what will once again be the largest all-GM event of the year—the 3rd Annual Chevy High Performance Nationals, which will take place at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia, the weekend of May 30–June 1, 2014.  This event, presented by Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center, is sure to attract some of the best Chevy and GM show cars, drag cars, and autocross competitors in the US for year-long bragging rights and awesome event coverage in Chevy High Performance magazine.
 
"ProMedia has a rich history of exciting heads up doorslammer action and we're proud to have a joint venture with such an incredible organization," said Henry De Los Santos, editor of Chevy High Performance. "Whether you're a serious competitor, an avid car show buff, or just a big time enthusiast of performance street machines... having a show of this caliber takes all-GM branded events to a whole new level."
 
The Chevy High Performance Nationals will once again feature a huge all-GM car show, where you will see some of the coolest early and late-model muscle cars and hot rods on display for the fans.  Hundreds of awards will be given away both days, Saturday & Sunday, and winners have a chance to be featured in a national magazine!  Chevrolet Performance is putting up big money for five heads-up LSX race classes with the pinnacle being LSX Drag Radial, a turbocharged, supercharged, and nitrous-powered GM class with speeds upwards of 200 mph!  Corner carvers are in for a treat at the CHP Nationals with the JET-HOT autocross course, presented by Performance Distributors, where some of the best-known tuners race for awards and glory!  Also be sure to check out the 4th Annual Street Machine Challenge, an invitational only event, where top tier street machines are guaranteed to be seen pushing it to the limit on the dragstrip, 60 to 0 braking challenge, and autocross course.
 
Other features of the 3rd Annual Chevy High Performance Nationals include 300+ mph jet cars attempting to break the Georgia land speed record.  There will be plenty of race classes for all levels of competition beginning with the Summit Racing sponsored bracket competition.  Want to know who has the fastest GM-powered street cars... there will be a TREMEC True Street class with nine different class winners.
 
Other attractions of the Chevy High Performance Nationals include a huge manufacturers midway, a giant used parts swap meet, the world famous burnout contest, and much more. For more information, please visit www.CHPnationals.com or call 714-444-2426.

 Painless Performance has engaged InGear Media to assist with media and promotional support for 2014. InGear Media will help Painless target the best media outlets including print and internet as well as other projects and opportunities for their product mix and promotional plans.

“With our aggressive marketing and media plans for the future, Todd Ryden and InGear will be able to assist Painless in filtering through the multitude of media outlets, projects and opportunities to best fit our goals and new product mix,” said Adrian Murray, President of Painless Performance.

Ryden, the proprietor of InGear Media added, “I’ve used Painless products for years and look forward to working with their team to help promote and expand the brand. They have some great new products and plans in the near future. We’re looking forward to a busy and exciting year with Painless.”

Painless Performance is the leader in performance wiring and aftermarket electronic accessories. They have been designing and manufacturing wiring solutions in their Ft. Worth, Texas, based plant for over 25 years.

InGear Media, based in El Paso, Texas, specializes in media and marketing support. The group was formed in 2012 by aftermarket media professionals with over 20 years’ experience in the industry.

NASCAR has named Richard Buck, a NASCAR executive with a wealth of diverse experience in motorsports, as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series managing director. Buck will serve in the role held the past 12 years by John Darby, who will remain at NASCAR as managing director, competition. Buck and NASCAR’s two other national series managing directors—Wayne Auton (NASCAR Nationwide Series) and Chad Little (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series)—now will report directly to Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president, competition and racing development.
 
Buck currently serves as vice president, racing operations for the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), a role he will maintain through the 2014 Rolex 24 At Daytona (Jan. 25-26), at which time he will assume his new position. In addition to his role with IMSA, Buck has been serving as the managing director of NASCAR’s Touring Series, the all-important grassroots racing program that has developed numerous top-flight NASCAR drivers over the years.
 
”Richard Buck has demonstrated a deep and unique knowledge of motorsports, and his versatility and innovative approach to competition should serve the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage extremely well,” said Mike Helton, NASCAR president. “His wide range of expertise will be of great benefit to our premier series. NASCAR is in the midst of exciting change in the Competition area, and Buck will be instrumental in providing us with fresh insights and implementing many of the changes in the years ahead.”
 
A native of Phoenix, Buck worked from 1980-2000 as a crew chief, team manager and director of operations with open-wheel racing teams. As a crew chief, he is a multiple-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. Prior to joining NASCAR in January 2005, Buck worked with teams in all three NASCAR national series.
 
“I’m eager and ready to pursue this unique opportunity to serve as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series managing director,” said Buck. “I appreciate the faith that NASCAR’s management team has entrusted in me for this role. As we prepare to launch the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, I’m thrilled to expand my role in the sport of NASCAR, and I look forward to helping the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition team continue to produce the best racing in the world.”
 
Buck will maintain his current role as IMSA prepares to hold the 2014 Rolex 24 At Daytona during the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season. With his pending departure, IMSA will realign its competition structure, with Scot Elkins, IMSA vice president, competition and technical regulations, to work even more closely with NASCAR’s top executives in racing, including Steve O’Donnell, executive vice president, racing operations; Gene Stefanyshyn, vice president, innovation and racing development; and Pemberton. They will form a joint NASCAR / IMSA Competition Committee to meet routinely to share ideas, best practices and resources on innovation and development regarding the two different types of racing.
 
Additionally, as Buck has been serving as NASCAR’s managing director of its Touring Series, he will relinquish that role and NASCAR will promote Brad Moran to that position. Moran has been serving as the Touring Series director.
 
Darby will retain responsibilities as managing director, competition, helping to transition the NASCAR Competition model as it evolves to incorporate more technology and innovation originating at the NASCAR Research & Development Center. Over the past 12 years, Darby has been an instrumental part of a significant number of enhancements for NASCAR, including the introduction last year of the Gen-6 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car and an innovative laser inspection process.

Brandon Igdalsky, Pocono Raceway President and CEO, announced the addition of Kevin Henry to the Raceway staff as Senior Director of Facility Operations. Igdalsky also announced the promotions of Ben May and Roger Green. “The addition of Kevin, and the promotions of Ben and Roger, will strengthen the Raceway’s management team and help lead Pocono Raceway on a successful growth path in future years,” stated Igdalsky.

Henry comes to Pocono Raceway after a thirteen year professional experience at Penn State University’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, where he took on numerous operational roles from facility management of venues such as Medlar Field at Lubrano Park—Penn State’s mixed collegiate and professional baseball venue—to event management of varying scales to include Penn State’s Beaver Stadium. In recent years, Henry’s focus was on event operations at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium, working with major contractors and event personnel to successfully implement game operations for full-scale collegiate football games.

Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Henry holds a Bachelors’ degree in Recreation and Park Management and a Master’s Degree in Project Management from Penn State University. In addition, Hnery is an active member in the National Center for Spectator Sport Safety and Security (NCS4) and holds certifications in venue safety and security from both NCS4 and the Department of Homeland Security. Henry and his wife, Colette, will soon relocate to the Pocono region and are the proud parents of two children, Audrey and Will.

Ben May was promoted to the position of Pocono Raceway’s Chief Marketing Officer. May has been a member of the Pocono Raceway family since 2000, where he began his career as the Trackside Sales Manager.  Formerly, May was the Chief Operating Officer of the Pocono Raceway concessions arm, Mountain Concessions. May leads a dedicated team determined to exceed the experience the Pocono faithful deserves. He also heads up the concessions business for Pocono Raceway’s sister track, South Boston Speedway. Additionally, May is a member of Pocono Raceway’s sales, marketing and promotional team and proudly helps Pocono continue as a leader in the NASCAR industry with its entertainment, sustainable energy and fan -driven mindset. He is a Greenville, NC-native, a graduate of Elon University and lives in Effort, PA with his wife, Cory and son, Nate.

Roger Green assumes the position of Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships. Green joined the Raceway staff in 2004, previously handling Trackside Sales including Corporate Displays, Driver Souvenir Trailers and Corporate Hospitality. He is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University with a Sports Management Degree. Roger resides in Saylorsburg, PA with his wife, Sandra and two children Braydon and Alexandra.

Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR), whose drivers Max Angelelli and Jordan Taylor captured the 2013 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype-class championship, announced the appointment of Michael Levinsohn as president and chief operating officer of the organization, effective immediately.

Levinsohn is a seasoned corporate executive and entrepreneur with 25 years of experience running both public and private companies. He will be responsible for all commercial activities pertaining to WTR while Taylor focuses on the team’s racing program.

“Michael and I have known one another for more than 25 years and he has always expressed an interest in becoming involved with motor racing,” said Taylor, the three-time sports car racing champion who formed WTR in 2007 and has seen his team capture 17 victories and 44 podium finishes in 89 races, as well as the 2013 championship and runner-up finishes in the championship twice. “The upcoming 2014 season is going to be a huge year for the team, with us going into the newly merged Tudor United SportsCar Championship on the heels of our 2013 Grand-Am driver championship. I need to focus on ensuring that the new car is competitive and making sure that we keep winning. Michael has a tremendous amount of experience in the areas of business development and strategy, so it makes perfect sense to bring him on board at this very important time.”

Levinsohn is the founder of Seattle-based Archer Mobile, a leading mobile marketing services and solutions company, as well as 121 Mobile Solutions, a privately held consulting company. He has advised brands and wireless carriers around the world on business development and customer relationship management programs. Levinsohn also is an advisor to WHOLE WORLD Water, a global social enterprise that seeks to unite the travel, tourism and hospitality industry for the purpose of raising funds for clean and safe drinking water initiatives worldwide.

The South African native’s interests include travel, snow skiing and his passion for motor racing. He is married and currently lives with his wife and son in Seattle. The family plans to relocate to the Indianapolis area in 2014.

“Joining WTR is a wonderful opportunity, particularly coming off the championship-winning season in 2013,” Levinsohn said. “Wayne and Max have built the best team in sports car racing and, with Ricky (Taylor) and Jordan in the No. 10 car for 2014, we have the foundation for another successful year. I am looking forward to working with everyone involved in WTR, including our commercial partners and the Indianapolis-based crew.”