Cam Benty, a performance industry veteran, has joined Holley Performance Products to manage the Hooker and Flowtech brands.
 
“Cam has been immersed in high-performance and racing throughout the course of his career so he understands what it takes to bring exciting products to market,” said Holley’s President, Tom Tomlinson. “His hands-on experience and industry knowledge will be a real asset for our company. Over the last few years, we’ve been busy taking Holley’s fuel systems business to the next level and now it’s time to focus on our Hooker and Flowtech brands.”
 
Benty has a long history in the performance aftermarket having spent six years consulting with Competition Cams and two years at SEMA. He began his career as a journalist starting as an Associate Editor at National Dragster before moving to Hot Rod magazine in 1980. From there he held the positions of Editor-in-Chief for Popular Hot Rodding, Car Craft, and Motor Trend Specials. Most recently Benty was Director of Marketing at Flowmaster.
 
“Aftermarket exhaust products give vehicles their personality and make them exciting,” stated Benty. “There is no other component, pound for pound, that delivers as much owner satisfaction. It is that enthusiasm that made Hooker a legendary performance product, a feeling that continues 50 years after Gary Hooker created his first set of headers back in 1963. Why else would the slogan, “I Love My Hooker Headers” still be significant today? I look forward to carrying that torch and building upon its rich legacy.”

Tom White, one of DCE’s most experienced engineers, has relocated to the company’s US production facility in North Carolina. White, who has worked for DCE UK since July 2006, will bring his vast knowledge of motorsport electronics to the Mooresville site, further expanding the company’s capabilities.

White has an extensive background in electrical system design, hardware programming and system integration as well as being a highly skilled harness builder. He also has provided trackside support at a variety of different championships and has worked on many different vehicle projects ranging from Indycar, NASCAR, ALMS and Drag Racing to F1, Touring Cars, World Rally and Superbikes.

In addition to this White is a trainer for DCE’s Formula Student training courses in the UK, and the company hopes to replicate this program in the US. White commented, “I am really excited about my move to the USA and I am thrilled that DCE has offered me this opportunity. I have worked with the company for seven years and I believe that my experience will help grow DCE’s already strong US presence even further. I feel this will be a significant career move for both my own development and the company as a whole.”

Jack Hastings, General Manager of DCE in the US, commented, “DCE, Inc. is very excited to have Tom join our team in the US. Tom’s knowledge and experience in all aspects of Motorsports Electronics will allow us to rapidly meet the growing demands of the US Motorsports and Performance Electronics markets.”

The 2013 NHRA Breakfast at the SEMA Show will honor the “Legends Behind the Microphone,” it was announced by NHRA officials.

The popular annual event at the SEMA Show, which has showcased many of NHRA’s legendary drivers, team owners and other characters within the sport, has grown into a must-attend affair for SEMA Show attendees and this year’s program promises to continue that tradition.

NHRA will bring together some of the most iconic voices and personalities to ever hold a microphone during the past six decades of racing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Dave McClelland, Bob Frey and Alan Reinhart will take the stage to share some “behind-the-scenes” stories of NHRA Drag Racing and the special moments they have witnessed throughout the years.

The NHRA Breakfast at the SEMA Show will be held Wednesday, Nov. 6th from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Las Vegas Hotel (LVH), Ballrooms A&B. The annual NHRA Breakfast is part of the 2013 SEMA Show, the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, which draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 5-8, 2013. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served.

The panel will be moderated by current ESPN2 lead announcer and long-time NHRA television personality, Dave Rieff. A special tribute is planned for the late Steve Evans, including a video presentation.

This event is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees at no cost—however tickets are required. To order your event ticket or register for the show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/register and click Add Event Tickets.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC board of directors approved an IZOD IndyCar Series race for May 2014 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

The race will be contested on the opening weekend of Month of May activities at IMS leading into the 98th Indianapolis 500 on May 25. It will be the first time the series has competed on the Speedway road course, which will undergo reconfiguration this fall and next spring to create more passing zones and fan-friendly vantage points.

“This event will bring even more energy and action to the Month of May for fans and create another showcase for the diversity and excitement of the Speedway and the IndyCar Series,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of IndyCar. “The new road race will further enhance the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the premier motorsports destination in the world and direct an even brighter spotlight on the Indianapolis 500.”

Additional details about the event, reconfigured road course and other plans for the Month of May will be announced at a media event Oct. 1 at IMS.

“I think the road race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will add to the excitement surrounding the Month of May in Indianapolis," team owner Roger Penske said. "I am encouraged that the leadership at IMS and IndyCar is exploring new opportunities to help elevate our sport.

"I have been coming to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1951 and I have tremendous respect for the history and the heritage of this special facility. As someone who has been fortunate enough to win the Indy 500 and the inaugural Nationwide Series race at Indy, I can tell you that it would be great to win that first IndyCar race on the road course.”

The sentiment was echoed by IZOD IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal, who joined Ryan Briscoe in testing on multiple configurations of the road course earlier this month. Rahal's father won the Indianapolis 500 in 1986.

"When I did the test I loved it," said Rahal of the road course that is currently used for GRAND-AM and MotoGP events. "I think it will present a great opportunity for us as a series to put on a great show. I think it presents itself as a different opportunity than the '500' and that's the biggest thing."

A meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) took place today, during which the 2014 Formula One World Championship schedule was announced.

The calendar includes 22 dates, including events at three tracks that need to be approved by the FIA before they join the calendar officially. One of those three provisional events is the much discussed Grand Prix of Americas, which is tentatively slated for June 1 at the Port Imperial Street Circuit in New Jersey.

“The entire Grand Prix of America team is thrilled to join the 2014 FIA calendar and we look forward to bringing world-class Formula One racing to New Jersey,” race promoter Leo Hindery, Jr. said.

2014 Formula One Calendar

March 16 – Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit – Melbourne, Australia

March 30 – Sepang Int’l Circuit – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

April 6 – Bahrain Int’l Circuit – Sakhir, Bahrain

April 20 – Shanghai Int’l Circuit – Shanghai, China

April 27 – Korea Int’l Circuit – Yeongam, Korea (Provisional)

May 11 – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – Barcelona, Spain

May 25 – Circuit de Monaco – Monte Carlo, Monaco

June 1 – Port Imperial Street Circuit – Weehawken, N.J. (Provisional)

June 8 – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – Montreal, Quebec

June 22 – Red Bull Ring – Spielberg, Austria

July 6 – Silverstone Circuit – Silverstone, England

July 20 – Hockenheimring – Hockenheim, Germany

July 27 – Hungaroring – Budapest, Hungary

Aug. 24 – Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – Francorchamps, Belgium

Sept. 7 – Autodromo Nazionale Monza – Monza, Italy

Sept. 21 – Marina Bay Street Circuit – Marina Bay, Singapore

Oct. 5 – Sochi Int’l Circuit – Sochi, Russia

Oct. 12 – Suzuka Circuit – Suzuka, Japan

Oct. 26 – Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi, U.A.B.

Nov. 9 – Circuit of the Americas – Austin, Texas

Nov. 16 – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez – Mexico City, Mexico (Provisional)

Nov. 30 – Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace – Sao Paulo, Brazil

Officials with 5-Hour Energy confirmed Friday morning that the company would remain as a sponsor of Michael Waltrip Racing in 2014.

The future of the partnership between the two companies came into question after MWR became tangled within a web of controversy after the team was accused of attempting to manipulate the finish of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond in an effort to help teammates earn a place in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

5-Hour Energy released a statement explaining its decision.

“This week the 5-Hour Energy team met after the New Hampshire race to discuss our future with Michael Waltrip Racing. While our original plan was to announce the status of our sponsorship at the end of the year, this time frame left many concerned about their future. There are scores of passionate fans, numerous charitable organizations, and hundreds of hard-working MWR employees and their families who are directly impacted by 5-Hour Energy’s NASCAR sponsorship. After several internal discussions and meetings with MWR, we are prepared to announce our decision ahead of schedule. 5-Hour Energy will be back as a sponsor of MWR and Clint Bowyer for 2014. We look forward to another great year of competitive racing.”

Michael Waltrip Racing was fined $300,000 and all three of its cars and drivers were docked 50 points after 5-Hour Energy driver Clint Bowyer spun late in the race to give teammate Martin Truex Jr. a final chance to race his way into the Chase. As well, MWR’s third driver Brian Vickers was penalized for pitting and giving up a position on the track to Truex.

MWR General Manager Ty Norris, who also served as Vickers’ spotter, was indefinitely suspended from NASCAR and Truex was kicked out of the Chase as a result of the point penalty, which was assessed prior to the Chase points reset. That allowed Ryan Newman, who was leading and in position to earn a wild card entry into the Chase when Bowyer spun, to be added to the Chase field two days after the race at Richmond.

Last week NAPA Auto Parts announced it wouldn’t return as Truex’s sponsor in 2014 as a result of MWR’s actions at Richmond. Truex’s status for 2014 at MWR has not been announced.

Formula Race Promotions confirmed that the Atlantic Championship Series will race in 2014, as the series will expand to include five full event weekends with two races each, comprising a 10-round Championship calendar presented by Hoosier Racing Tire.

Formula Race Promotions operated the Atlantic campaign in 2012, running an exhibition season with three race weekends and six rounds. A hiatus year was taken in 2013 to formulate an expanded operation, and a schedule including top race tracks in the country is nearing completion with dates at Watkins Glen International, Road Atlanta, Virginia International Raceway and more already booked.

“The enthusiasm I experienced last weekend from the Atlantic entrants at the 50th Anniversary SCCA Runoffs at Road America convinced me that the time is right to present the racers, teams and fans an expanded season for this iconic class of spectacular cars in 2014,” said Series Managing Director Michael Rand. “An exciting season of one double-race weekend per month starting in April and winding up on Labor Day weekend at great race tracks holds great promise for all.”

While other forms of the pro class have focused on a spec chassis, Formula Race Promotions will, like in 2012, allow all Atlantic cars a level playing field.

Fans can look forward to seeing and hearing the likes of Swift 014/Toyotas going up against the current generation Swift 016/Mazdas, and the occasional Ralt RT40 or RT41 challenging at the front of the field.

In 2012, David Grant cruised to the title for Polestar Racing Group, winning four of six races in his Swift 014. Grant moved laterally in 2013, racing in the F2000 Series, and even making a pair of F1600 starts, with two second place finishes.

The Atlantic cars will join the F2000 and F1600 Series on all their race weekends in 2014.

Similar to the business model behind F2000 and F1600, Atlantic drivers and teams can expect hefty amounts of track time, reasonable entry and registration costs, a controlled spec tire from Hoosier, and a dedicated and hard-working Series staff at every event.

The full F2000, F1600 and Atlantic schedule will be released shortly.

A senior Andretti Autosport official has all but confirmed that GoDaddy will not return to the IndyCar Series as a primary car sponsor after this season, and that could impact where James Hinchcliffe works in 2014.

John Lopes, the team’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, said Tuesday night that GoDaddy will have a reduced role with the team next year if it has one at all.

“I can’t speak for them as a company, but times have changed a little bit for them; they’re a company that relies heavily on television and they measure their return on investment based on TV,” Lopes said on 1070 the Fan, a radio station in Indianapolis. “I think it’s safe to say we’ve had a long relationship with them—I think it’s going on seven years—and I’d be surprised if we don’t have some type of relationship with them on a going-forward basis.

“[The car] is probably going to look different, but I’d be surprised if they weren’t with us in some fashion.”

Lopes said “two or three” companies are interested in sponsoring Hinchcliffe’s car next season, but none of them have committed at this point.

Michael Andretti’s team is trying to retain Hinchcliffe, who is having a breakout season with three race wins so far. Three races remain this season, starting with next week’s doubleheader in Houston.

“We’re feeling optimistic, cautiously optimistic, that we’re going to be able to pull it off with James,” Lopes said. “That deal’s not done, but we’re certainly not giving up the ghost on it.”

Hinchcliffe is believed to be the target of other teams, too, including Ganassi Racing if it can secure sponsorship.

Lopes said the team’s goal is to have five full-time cars next season, and sponsorship programs are essentially in place for Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti. The team is “at the altar,” Lopes said, with deals for EJ Viso and rookie Carlos Munoz.

All NMRA racers and crew are cordially invited to the annual NMRA Racer Appreciation Party Presented by TREMEC. This party will be held at the Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Friday, October 4.

The party will run from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and will feature lots of free pizza, beer (and sodas) and music. At NMRA and TREMEC's Racer Appreciation Party racers, crew, sponsors, vendors, and media can hang out with each other for a good time.

“This party has always been a big part of the NMRA World Finals and is a chance for our racers, crew, sponsors & vendors to get together and have some fun,” said Steve Wolcott of ProMedia Events. “TREMEC and NMRA look forward to this party each and every year.”

The Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals is the largest Ford Drag Race of the year and this party helps top off yet another great season for our competitors.

For more information on the NMRA All-Ford World Finals log on to www.NMRAdigital.com/KY or call 714-444-2426.

Merging the two desert racing organizations that he owns, Roger Norman has announced the groundbreaking SCORE World Desert Championship, commencing in 2014 with a six-race series that will include all of the car, truck, motorcycle and ATV classes in Mexico and the United States. Citing a desire to simplify the two series and make the overall championship series more appealing to national and international television and traditional media, merged into SCORE International will be Norman’s two-year old High Desert Racing Association (HDRA).

Preparing to celebrate its 41st year as the world’s foremost desert racing sanctioning body, SCORE International today officially announced its 2014 schedule, which will consist of the three major desert races held on Mexico’s majestic Baja Peninsula along with three additional races being held in the US. All classes will race in all races and five of the six best finishes will count towards SCORE World Desert Championship point titles.

“This merger is the best of both worlds for us as we are able to combine SCORE and HDRA into the new SCORE World Desert Championship series of six races for all of our classes with spectacular racing on both sides of the border,” said Norman, CEO and President of SCORE International. “Mexican races are the cornerstone of SCORE and it will be a tremendous benefit to our sport to introduce one super series that will help bring the sport and SCORE to an entire new level.”

He continued, “We currently have one race (Sept. 25-28) listed with the location in Southern California to-be-announced shortly as we are finalizing the details for that race weekend. For the racers, their best five finishes will count in the final season point standings.”

Launching the new SCORE World Desert Championship schedule will be the first of the three original SCORE Baja races—the 28th Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, February 27-March 2, in San Felipe.

Round 2 will be back in the USA with the 2nd SCORE Imperial Valley 250 in Plaster City, California, April 25-27. This event will also conclude the 2013 HDRA season after next week’s race in Moapa, Nevada, was cancelled.

Returning to Mexico, Round 3 will be the 46th Tecate SCORE Baja 500 in Ensenada on June 5-8.

Northern Nevada will host Round 4 of the series with the 3rd SCORE Reno 500 at the Tahoe Reno Motorplex to be held July 24-27.

Round 5 will be the Inaugural SCORE Desert Challenge to be finalized and the location in Southern California to be announced in the next few weeks. It will be a two-day short course-style event, patterned after the popular Laughlin race that SCORE produced for 18 years that ended in 2012.

The season will conclude November 12-16 with the 47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the granddaddy of all desert races, which will be a peninsula run, starting in Ensenada, Baja California and finishing in La Paz, Baja California Sur.

SCORE A CHAMPIONSHIP

The inaugural SCORE World Desert Championship will feature 40 Pro and 7 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, buggies, motorcycles and ATVs. All classes will run in the three SCORE Baja races like always as well as all three US races.

In order to qualify for a 2014 SCORE World Desert Championship, the top five finishes of a driver/rider will be counted in the final points and racing in the legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will also be required to be one of the three minimum races.  For those racers who run all six of the 2014 SCORE WDC races, the worst finish will not be counted in the final season point tabulations for the year-end class and overall point championships.

For more information, visit the official website of the new SCORE World Desert Championship at www.score-international.com.
 

2014 SCORE World Desert Championship Schedule of Events:

Feb. 27-Mar. 2  28th Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250
     San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
     (one loop, Approx. 250 miles)
April 25-27  2nd SCORE Imperial Valley 250
     Plaster City, California
     (three laps, Approx. 249 total miles)
June 5-8  46th Tecate SCORE Baja 500
     Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
     (one loop, Approx. 500 miles)
July 24-27  3rd SCORE Reno 500
     Tahoe Reno Motorplex-Reno, Nevada
     (multi-lap, Approx. 419 total miles)
Sept. 25-28  Inaugural SCORE Desert Challenge
     Location in Southern California TBA
     (two-day short-course race, Approx. 125 total miles)
Nov. 12-16  47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
     Ensenada, Baja California to La Paz, Baja California Sur
     (point-to-point, Approx. 1,130 miles)