Back by popular demand, top experts in the world of dirt late model racing will once again share their insights in a special seminar at the 2013 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis.

"Winning Setup Strategies for Dirt Late Models" will take place at 3 p.m., Thursday, December 12, inside the Race Safety & Technology Center, located in Rooms 116 & 117 in the Main Lobby of the Indiana Convention Center.

The speaker lineup includes dirt late model champions Scott Bloomquist and Rick Eckert, pictured above—left to right—as well as Mark Richards, owner and founder of Rocket Chassis. It will be presented by Dick Berggren and Karl Fredrickson of Speedway Illustrated Magazine.

"Last year it was standing-room only in this valuable seminar organized by Dick and Karl for attendees of the PRI Trade Show. We're excited to be able to bring it back to this year's PRI Show, as we make our big return to Indianapolis," said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. "The teams will find all the hot new parts on display in the Show, and this seminar will help them develop new strategies to go even faster."

There is no charge to attend for registered Trade Show guests; but seating is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

NASCAR announces the hiring of David Hart as its Director, International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Communications and the promotion of Nate Siebens to Senior Manager, IMSA Communications.
 
Hart, a seasoned motorsports communications professional, will lead all communications efforts for IMSA following the conclusion of this year’s GRAND-AM Road Racing season, as he completes his current responsibilities with GRAND-AM team 8Star Motorsports. He will begin his new role with NASCAR and IMSA on September 30, and join the IMSA Communications team for the final two 2013 American Le Mans Series Presented by Tequila Patron events. Hart’s focus will then shift to planning around the inaugural United SportsCar Racing season set to launch in 2014. He will be based out of IMSA’s Daytona Beach, Florida, headquarters.
 
“David’s deep roots in motorsports and particular passion for sports car racing provide us with a leader to usher in an exciting new era for the sport,” said Brett Jewkes, NASCAR vice president and chief communications officer. “He’s a team player who earned his stripes in the motorsports garages and extended his impact into marketing and corporate communications.
 
“Additionally, Nate joined our team in January and has proven himself to be invaluable in our efforts to enhance our efforts in sports car communications. Having new leadership in place before the 2013 sports car season concludes gives us sufficient time to ramp up our communications activities months before the inaugural United SportsCar Racing season.”
 
Prior to serving this season as director of marketing and communications for 8Star Motorsports, Hart spent 15 years at Richard Childress Racing (RCR). From 1999-2009, he led competition communications for the team before taking the role of director, corporate communications, overseeing strategic communications for all of Richard Childress’ business ventures, including RCR and Childress Vineyards. Hart held that position from 2009 through April of 2013.
 
Hart previously held positions with Sonoma Raceway, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and the Cotter Group, managing communications for sponsors involved in both NASCAR and NHRA.
 
“The opportunity to contribute to IMSA and the United SportsCar Racing in its inaugural season and beyond is the culmination of my 25 years in motorsports communications,” Hart said. “I’ve been a sports car racing fan since I stood on the driver’s seat and held onto the steering wheel of the Bugeye Sprite my dad and uncles raced in California in the mid-1960s. I look forward to working with the media, teams, manufacturers, marketing partners and everyone at IMSA to build a strong foundation for the future of sports car racing in North America.”

Siebens joined the NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications team fulltime in January of 2013, continuing a communications career in motorsports with roots in NASCAR, the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), GRAND-AM, IndyCar, CART/Champ Car and motorcycle racing. Prior to rejoining NASCAR in a new role this year, Siebens had been operating his own motorsports PR company since 2007.

Oliver Racing Parts, manufacturers of high-performance connecting rods for motorsports applications, is moving its operations and manufacturing to a more modern facility in Charlevoix, Michigan.

The relocation will take place in three phases and is expected to be complete by the first week of October. The move will allow Oliver an opportunity to upgrade its manufacturing and packaging equipment in a new facility, enabling the company to continue expanding its line of high-performance products.

“The opportunity to move Oliver Racing Parts into a more modern facility allows us to upgrade the company and our products in multiple ways, while staying in Michigan,” said Joseph A. Moch, president and CEO of Oliver Racing Parts. “The move to a modern facility in a greener, outdoors-friendly environment will improve the quality of life for our employees and hopefully encourage them to grow with our company.

“The proximity to other automotive companies was a factor (in selecting Charlevoix), Moch continued. “As a native Michigander, I wanted to locate our company in an area with all the great things we have here: natural beauty of the Great Lakes region and outstanding quality of life for our employees. This is a great area to not only grow a family, but a company, too.”

Oliver Racing Parts will now be located at 5339 N. M-66 North in Charlevoix, a 70,000 sq. ft. facility. Effective October 1, the company’s new telephone number will be (231) 237-4515.

ProMedia LLC, home of the NMRA, NMCA, and NMCA WEST event series, is proud to announce that Chris Vopat has been promoted to National Sales Director.

Vopat, who spent 5 years at Petersen Publishing before joining ProMedia, has worked for the company since 1999 and was most recently publisher of NMRA's Race Pages magazine and sales manager for NMCA's Fastest Street Car. Vopat has always prided himself on exemplary customer relationships and has effectively serviced many of ProMedia's customers at all levels.

Moving forward, Vopat will be responsible for all sponsorship, magazine, website and business to business sales. ProMedia is one of the largest promoters of street-legal/muscle car motorsport events in the US and produces hardcore magazines and websites that cater to racers of all levels.

The countdown is already started less four weeks before the Croatia Rally 2013, tenth round of the European Rally Championship, scheduled in Poreč for 26th to 28th of September.

Rally organized by CCKF (Croatian Car & Karting Federation ) will comprise fourteen special stages split in two legs for a total of 239,12 km.

Entry requests must be made using the specific form and sent to the Rally's Secretariat together with the entry fee payment receipt by e-mail to entry@rallycroatia2013.com, by Friday of 6th September, 2013.
 
The original entry form and entry fee payment receipt must be received by the Organizer within seven days (i.e. by Friday 13th September 2013).

Entry requests will not be accepted without payment receipt. The entry requests without payment receipt will be considered invalid and the Organizer will not notify the Entrant.
 
All competitors who pay the accommodation for themselves and their team in Zelena Laguna in Poreč through the agency SPEKTAR PUTOVANJA d.o.o. in Zagreb (alma@spektar-holidays.hr; tel: 00385 98 9829-922) are entitled to 20% discount when paying entry fee.
 
In order for discount to be realized it is necessary to attach the copy of payment for accommodation booking when paying entry fee.

NAPA Auto Parts and zMAX Dragway have agreed to terms on an entitlement sponsorship for the fall NHRA race at the sport’s premier drag strip.

Fans from across the country and around the world will be on hand when the Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts brings drag racing’s best drivers to Concord, North Carolina, for three high-octane days of excitement, September 13–15.

“From NASCAR to the NHRA, NAPA already has strong ties across the world of motorsports, and we’re honored to have them as a partner as we kick off the Countdown here at zMAX Dragway,” said Christian Byrd, general manager at zMAX Dragway. “The fact that NAPA is expanding its presence in the NHRA shows the level of commitment the company has to the sport and provides us a great ally to work with as we continue to grow the sport of drag racing and create the most unforgettable experiences for our fans.”

The partnership also provides a high-profile event for NAPA to share more information about the Carlyle Professional Hand Tools brand with the NHRA’s loyal fan base.

“Carlyle is a relatively new brand of professional, high quality hand tools that is currently being introduced into the NAPA system,” said Tip Tollison, president of Balkamp, Inc., the distribution company for Carlyle Hand Tools. “We have more than 1700 items in 12 major hand tool categories that combine the quality, features and coverage that NAPA customers look for. By sponsoring the NHRA Carolina Nationals at the spectacular zMAX Dragway, we have the opportunity to get the Carlyle name out in the mid-south region in a very big way.”

The FIA Foundation’s Director General, David Ward, has announced he is resigning from his post with the charity to stand in this year’s FIA Presidential election.

The FIA—Formula One racing’s governing body—is currently headed by former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt.

“After much careful thought I have decided to stand,” said Ward in a statement. “The election period begins in September and it will be necessary for me to approach FIA members to secure nominations. In these circumstances I think that the correct course of action is to resign.

“Election processes inevitably involve robust and lively debate, and whilst the Foundation is independent and there is no legal requirement for me to resign, I believe that it is in the best interests of the charity that I stand down now.”

Ward, 56, made his name as a policy advisor in UK politics. The Briton has worked in road safety for the past 18 years and played a key role in establishing the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2010.

Frenchman Todt, elected in 2009 after beating sole rival Ari Vatanen, has yet to confirm whether he plans to stand for a second term in December’s contest.

Independent film "Snake & Mongoo$e" roared to life in packed theaters during its Indianapolis premiere this week, synching with the opening of the world's most prestigious drag race, the 59th annual Chevrolet Performance National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) US Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. 
      


"Snake & Mongoo$e" depicts the fierce rivalry between legendary drag racers Don "The Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "The Mongoo$e" McEwen, who through the years became close friends and great rivals. Set in the heyday of drag racing and featuring historic footage of races, "Snake & Mongoo$e" brings to life the complex characters and legendary races that defined those exciting times. 
 


When the lights went up at the close of the film, the audience came out exhilarated and inspired.
      


"It was awesome," Prudhomme said. "What makes me happy is that the drag racing fans liked it. If they like it, I like it."
      


For McEwen, watching the film brought back memories. "It turned out really nice," McEwen said. "I've been here 50-some times for this race, so there are a lot of memories here in Indianapolis for me, and a lot of friends."  
      


"Snake & Mongoo$e" also portrays the personal hardships the men endured, which were not so publicized, as they worked to balance family life with their passion for racing. Proceeds from the Indy premiere benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of Jamie, McEwen's son, who died of leukemia just weeks before McEwen won the 1978 NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. 
     


"I was there in Indy when Tom lost his son and I know how emotional Prudhomme was; we all were," said NHRA drag racer John Force, owner of John Force Racing and one of the most dominant figures in drag racing with 133 career victories. "I wasn't 10 minutes into the movie and I believed it—they even looked like them. They really pulled it off; it was just a great job."
      



Prudhomme's and McEwen's talent and high-profile rivalry helped rivet the nation's attention to the sport of drag racing, while a groundbreaking sponsorship deal they made with Mattel's Hot Wheels Division helped revolutionize entertainment sports marketing. 
      


The Indy premiere kicked off with a red carpet event, in which Hollywood met the racing world, melding glamor with athletic allure, as actors, filmmakers, professional drivers and NHRA members all graced the red carpet.
 
Indy-born Ashley Hinshaw, who portrays Prudhomme's wife, Lynn Prudhomme, and Richard Blake, who plays McEwen, posed for photos and greeted fans.  
     


Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria, who had a cameo in the film and is competing in the Chevrolet Performance US Nationals, also appeared on the carpet. In attendance with DeJoria were her husband, Jesse James of West Coast Choppers fame, and her father, John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of the Paul Mitchell hair care products line and the Patrón Spirits Company. 
      


Filmmakers at the premiere included "Snake & Mongoo$e" Producer and President of Entertainment Universe Robin Broidy, and her husband, Executive Producer Elliott Broidy. Prudhomme and McEwen served as executive producers and on-set consultants, ensuring the film was as true-to-life as possible. 
     

Parked outside the Regal were the iconic yellow and red haulers and the 'Cuda and Duster Funny Cars Prudhomme and McEwen drove, which will be crossing the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January 2014.
      


"Snake & Mongoo$e" opens in select theaters around the country September 6, with a DVD release date in time for the holidays. Directed by Wayne Holloway, "Snake & Mongoo$e" features Jesse Williams, Richard Blake, Ashley Hinshaw, Kim Shaw, Maxwell Perry Cotton, Fred Dryer, John Heard, Julie Mond, Leonardo Nam, Ian Ziering, Tim Blake Nelson and Noah Wyle. The film was produced in association with Rhino Films and the NHRA.

For more information, visit www.snakeandmongoosemovie.com.

The Armory, a Southern California-based advertising agency and production company, is acquiring the motorsports racing series, TORC: The Off Road Championship, from the United States Automobile Club (USAC).

The Armory has been working with the series since 2010 primarily in the form of television production for the Discovery Networks, SPEED, FUEL & NBC Sports. The change in series management will be effective prior to the beginning of the 2014 racing season.

BJ Birtwell, owner of The Armory, said he wanted to make it clear USAC would remain onboard as the sanctioning body, while The Armory would handle all other aspects including strategy, marketing, promotion, media, on-site production, television production, and athlete/sponsor relations.

“Our team at The Armory has crafted a five-year strategic road map to set the series on a path that will help achieve the goals we have put in place," he said. "As for changes, some will happen immediately, and others are a mid and long-term play.”

One of the changes currently under way is a strategic alliance between TORC and the FIA. Birtwell added, “The FIA alliance will become increasingly important in our five-year strategic plan, and we are proud to be a partner with the United States Auto Club, member of ACCUS-FIA, one of six leading sanctioning organizations in the US.”

In announcing the planned markets for 2014, Birtwell added that future schedules may take on a different look: "I can tell you that 2015 and beyond will look different as we build out the brand and go into markets that are not only beneficial to our marketing partners, but will grow our national audience as well.”

Additional insights regarding TORC's five-year strategic roadmap will be presented firsthand by Birtwell and The Armory team to current and potential sponsors at the upcoming sponsor summit at Oakley HQ.

For more information on The Armory, visit www.armorymarketing.com.