Al Speyer is returning to work.

Speyer, who retired earlier this year after 39 years with Bridgestone/Firestone, has joined DeltaWing Racing Cars as president and chief operating officer. Speyer’s initial focus will be on integrating all of DeltaWing’s activities, preparing for 2014 and transitioning DeltaWing into a new organization for long-term growth.

Speyer directed Firestone’s return to racing in 1993 and oversaw all aspects of the program. During his tenure, the Bridgestone/Firestone brand dominated American open-wheel racing and set new standards for product performance, customer support and overall team image.

Firestone brand sales correspondingly made very significant market gains.

“DeltaWing is a terrific concept, and I am delighted to be joining the team,” said Speyer. “I have been a passionate believer in DeltaWing since its inception and am very enthusiastic about the future. I am grateful to managing partner Don Panoz and partners Chip Ganassi, Joe Walton and Duncan Dayton for selecting me for this key position. I am fully aware that there is a lot to be done and am eager to get started.”

The DeltaWing is unique in running at half the weight, half the fuel and half the horsepower of a normal prototype, and three quarters of the tire consumption. The car ran for the first time in the LMP1 class at Sebring.

“Al Speyer was one of the original supporters of the DeltaWing,” added Panoz, “I’ve gotten to know him through that support and through his representation of motorsports through Bridgestone. He is an enthusiastic believer in the car and brings a great deal of experience and expertise to our company. We look forward to working with Al and to a future of even more success.”

Iowa Speedway CEO Doug Fritz has resigned after two years on the job.

The track announced Fritz's resignation Tuesday, saying he left to pursue another opportunity.

Fritz attended Sunday's NASCAR Camping World Trucks series race, and his resignation became official on Monday.

Fritz, the former president of Richmond International Speedway, took over for Jerry Jauron after the 2011 season.

Iowa president Stan Clement will add the chief executive's duties to his job description.

Debra Weld, President of Weld Tech a provider of C.N.C. Ported Cylinder Heads, has entered into an agreement of sale with Chris Grace. “Chris has been with Weld Tech for sixteen years, and we feel he is the one who can continue to operate business with the same quality and integrity that is synonymous with Weld Tech” said Weld. The day to day operations have been turned over to Chris Grace effective September 1, 2013.

“Debra and Mary Weld gave me an opportunity sixteen years ago, and through all of our highs and lows there is a bond that cannot be broken. I have nothing but respect for the Weld family and appreciate their confidence in me. I look forward to providing our customers with the exacting quality the industry has come to expect from Weld Tech, and by introducing new products in the future.” said Grace. By fielding customer phone calls over the past five years as well as overseeing the machining operations for the last ten years, Chris is ready for the next challenge.

Weld Tech (www.weldtech.com) has been a leader in providing C.N.C. Ported Cylinder Heads to the high performance motorsports industry for 25 years. Weld Tech has aligned itself with world class port designers. They are contracted, for compensation, to develop a port shape designed to meet the needs of specific applications. The company specializes in reverse engineering of privately supplied port shapes and providing the utmost confidentiality of its customers’ port profiles.

Weld Tech is now Weld Tech, LLC and will remain at the current location in Brownsburg with no changes in its contact information.

For more information please call 317/852-4450 or email: weldtechcnc@gmail.com.

As students head back to school, Advanced Clean Air Technologies Global (ACAT Global), manufacturer of lightweight and efficient catalytic converter substrates, is placing a high priority on education by supporting students at universities in Michigan and California, employing interns and starting a local training program to instruct a new generation of workers in advanced manufacturing technology.

ACAT Global is actively involved with three collegiate programs, engaging students in real-life projects that have a positive impact on the business. ACAT works with the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, providing real-world experience for students in engineering and metallurgy. ACAT’s sister company, Oliver Racing Parts of Grand Rapids, Michigan, also works with the engineering program at U of M. ACAT also works with students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and the University of California at Davis, in developing and defining surface structure and metallurgical properties of ACAT’s products.

“We want to provide educational opportunities that will develop and train future engineers for manufacturing careers,” said Joseph A. Moch, president and CEO of ACAT Global and Oliver Racing Parts. “The advancements in manufacturing technology that have occurred over the last ten to twenty years make it imperative that students get as much hands-on experience as possible, and we’re fortunate to be able to provide opportunities to students. It’s a true investment in our future.”

To that end, two University of Michigan engineering students worked this summer as interns for ACAT (Dennis Arutyunov of Cleveland, Ohio) and Oliver Racing Parts (Harlan Dannenberg of Cincinnati, Ohio). Dannenberg, who wrapped up his internship in August, received hands-on experience in research and development, documenting manufacturing processes and also studied Finite Element Analysis (FEA) results from Roush Advanced Engineering on connecting rods made by Oliver Racing Parts.

“It was great to see and experience an FEA report in real life, to see the testing and results, to analyze how the connecting rods were tested, and to ensure the data was correct, which verified Oliver’s high quality,” said Dannenberg. “This has given me a chance to apply some of what I’ve learned in school, plus it’s confirmed that mechanical engineering is the right career choice for me.”

ACAT Global is also making an impact on education in their local area, having partnered with educators, manufacturers, economic development groups and Chambers of Commerce throughout the region to launch a computer numerical control (CNC) program in northern Michigan. The “CNC Center for Excellence,” located in the Charlevoix High School machine laboratory, will offer certificate and associate degree options for students beginning this fall.

The new CNC program addresses a critical issue for Michigan’s workforce by providing education for workers in the advanced manufacturing technology field, supplying skilled labor for the numerous manufacturing companies located in the state, with specific plans to target veterans.

“Veterans are a tremendous resource for employers, and I feel we can address the shortage of skilled CNC machinists by creating a program that brings together veterans retraining programs, educators and industry,” said Moch. “We need to create a new image of 21st century manufacturing and encourage more people to consider advanced manufacturing, CNC and CAD/CAM engineering as a career.”

QA1 is proud to announce that the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) has named QA1 President Melissa Scoles to SEMA’s 35 Under 35, a list of 35 young and rising stars in the aftermarket industry.

“It’s an honor to be included on this list with others who are making a mark in the aftermarket industry,” Scoles said. “Being recognized by SEMA shows that QA1 is on the right track and that we have exciting times ahead.”

This is the second year SEMA has assembled this list that highlights people with a thorough knowledge of the aftermarket industry, and who are moving the industry in new directions. To be considered, the individual must first be nominated, then SEMA evaluates each nominee based on leadership qualities, industry involvement and expertise in their particular market.

Recently named QA1 President, Scoles has already left an impressive mark on the aftermarket industry. She has shown a passion for creating the latest in suspension technology with a focus on manufacturing American-made products, and continues to promote innovation and growth for QA1. “Quality, innovation and affordability will matter more and more,” Scoles noted in the article, “which puts QA1 in an excellent position for future growth.”

MSD Performance is pleased to announce the grand prize winner for this year's Lucky 7/ SEMA Getaway Promotion—Mark Corns. Corns is the recipient of round trip airfare for two, two-night accommodations and two passes for the trade-only SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 5-8, 2013.
 
MSD featured a Lucky 7 promotion this year, which allowed the consumer to participate in seven independent promotions that included free product or a cash back rebate. However, in addition to this promotion, the consumer also got a chance to win a trip for two to this year's SEMA Show.

Corns participated in week three's promotion: buy a set of MSD Super Conductor Wires and get a free set of wire separators. This entered him for the chance to win the SEMA trip, and on September 5th, his name was randomly drawn to win the grand prize.

Corns is a banker by day and an avid car enthusiast in his free time. He races a '68 Mustang in the Run Tuff series at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado. He is 25th in points for the year out of over 100 racers. He equips his Mustang with MSD coil, wires, ignition box, and distributor.

"MSD is always my first choice for ignition system products. They haven't let me down yet. Thanks again," stated Corns upon hearing the news. The set of wires he purchased with this promotion were for his next project, a '67 Fairlane with a 419 Windsor, AOD transmission and an aftermarket suspension.

NASCAR has issued severe penalties to Michael Waltrip Racing following the sanctioning body’s review of Saturday’s race at Richmond International Raceway.



MWR was found to have violated Section 12-4 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing). As a result, MWR’s three teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (No. 15, 55, 56) have been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver and 50 championship owner points, respectively. These point penalties are assessed following the season’s 26th regular-season race and not after the seeding for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Therefore, the point total for the No. 56 car driven by Martin Truex Jr. is reduced to 691, putting him in 17th position and eliminating him from the second Wild Card berth for the Chase field. Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 car, now moves up into the Chase as the second Wild Card participant.



NASCAR has also fined the MWR organization $300,000 and indefinitely suspended Ty Norris, MWR Executive Vice President/General Manager and spotter for the No. 55 car, for violating Section 12-4. The three crew chiefs—Brian Pattie (No. 15), Scott Miller (No. 55) and Chad Johnston (No. 56)—have all been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

“Based upon our review of Saturday night’s race at Richmond, it is our determination that the MWR organization attempted to manipulate the outcome of the race,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “As the sport’s sanctioning body, it is our responsibility to ensure there is a fair and level playing field for all of our competitors and this action today reflects our commitment to that.”

Season-ending awards ceremonies for the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) and National Mustang Racers Association (NMRA) will take place Friday, December 13, 2013, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, site of the 26th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show.
 
Hosted by TV personality Bret Kepner, the NMCA/Flowmaster Muscle Car Nationals Awards Ceremony will feature Aerospace Components NHRA Unleashed Winners, as well as awards for Rookie of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, Crew Member of the Year and Ambassador of the Year. 
 
The program takes place from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the Convention Center's Sagamore Ballroom 1-3. Admission is open to the public, but RSVP is requested for reserved seating.  
 
Also hosted by Kepner, the NMRA/Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals Awards Ceremony will take place from 8:30–10:30 p.m., also in the Sagamore Ballroom 1-3. Again, admission is open to the public, but RSVP is requested.
 
In addition to Rookie, Sportsman, Crew Member and Ambassador honors, a special Jim Swarr Award of Perseverance and Dedication will be given in recognition of resilience in the face of adversity.
 
Last year over 400 people packed each ceremony, where they witnessed the rare passion and support the NMRA and NMCA communities possess, as well as their unique relationships with the series' promoters, sponsors and media.
 
For more information or to RSVP, visit www.nmcadigital.com or www.nmradigital.com, or call 714/444-2426.

Melling Engine Parts has hired Steve Arent for the position of Eastern Regional Sales Manager. He will replace Jerry Hendrix, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Arent brings strong knowledge and experience of the industry with over 17 years in the automotive aftermarket. He comes to Melling/Dura-Bond from Dart Machinery, where he served as National Sales Manager since 2006.

He also worked at Keith Eickert Performance Products and Paul Pfaff Enterprises.

Arent owns a BA degree from Citrus College in Azusa, California.

For more information, visit www.melling.com.

On October 5, Kooks will hold its 4th Annual Kooks Kruise In at Kooks Custom Headers at company headquarters, 141 Advantage Place in Statesville, NC (28677)

Guests are invited from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (9 a.m. for show cars and 8 a.m. for vendors) to enjoy a host of great events and attractions, including:

-Big Smokey Burnout Contest (trophy to the winner)

-Dyno Challenge (trophies for top 4 street cars)

-Kooks krew choice awards with trophies to the winners of each class

-Fun for the entire family, including a DJ, Bounce House, and Dunk Tank.

Food and drinks will be available as well, and all proceeds benefit F.U.E.L. For A Cure.

For more information, visit the Kooks website.