Online attendee registration for the 2013 PRI Trade Show is now open!

Click here to register for the one-of-a-kind event known as “The Three Biggest Business Days In Racing,” which takes place December 12-14, 2013, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN.

Registration takes just a few minutes, and after verification of their role in motorsports has been approved, attendees will receive an official confirmation email of their acceptance. The deadline for attendees to register online is November 14, 2013.

The PRI Show is a trade-only event, and only members of the racing industry are allowed admission. Race teams, racing entrepreneurs and other motorsports professionals are encouraged to register.

This year’s 26th Annual PRI Trade Show features exhibits by over 1100 racing companies occupying 3300 booths, and will bring more than 40,000 racing professionals from across the US and 72 countries to the Racing Capital of the World, Indianapolis.

Held in Orlando, Florida, for the previous eight years, the PRI Trade Show returns to the Midwest in 2013 following its consolidation with the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS). The Indianapolis-based IMIS was purchased by SEMA, which owns PRI, in November 2012, and the two shows have since been merged under the umbrella of the PRI Show.

As always, the hottest new racing products, the latest advances in motorsports engineering, and the best of today's precision automotive machining equipment will be on display at PRI, where all forms of racing are represented, including stock car, sprint car, dirt late model, open wheel, drag racing, off-road, karting and much more.

"We've got an extraordinary array of exhibitors that hasn't been experienced in years all in one place, all at one time," said PRI Trade Show Producer John Kilroy. "It's going to be an incredible showcase of the latest advances in racing technology—a 'must attend' event for racing professionals everywhere."

But PRI is much more than a trade show, as the days leading up to and including the Show have come to be known as Race Industry Week. With over 35 conferences, seminars, social events and gatherings, this year’s Race Industry Week provides an abundance of activity in and around the Indiana Convention Center.

An expanded seminar program offers unparalleled educational opportunities, from returning favorites like the 'Winning the eRace' digital marketing conference to the all-new Race Safety & Technology Center. Additional Race Industry Week events include: Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC), International Council Of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) Annual Congress, Vehicle Dynamics & Data Acquisition Seminar, Race Track Business Conference, Grand Opening Breakfast, Exhibitor Reception and more!

For additional information on the 2013 PRI Trade Show, visit www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow. For Trade Show hotel and travel information, visit the PRI 2013 Housing Webpage.  

MAVTV, America's fastest-growing independent cable network, has announced that it will join the DIRECTV line-up starting June 10 on Channel 219 between the Golf Channel (218) and NBC Sports (220).

Since taking control of the Network in September of 2011, owner Lucas Oil Products, Inc. has added 22 million American households to its original four million, for a total of 26 million.

MAVTV American Real expects to top 30 million households by the end of 2013.
 
With a full schedule of more than 40 programs, ranging from the best in motorsports to original programming and classic films, MAVTV focuses on American families who have an appetite for action and adventure.

"With the recent rebranding of SPEEDTV to Fox Sports 1, MAVTV is now the must-have network for racing and motorsports fans," said Bob Patison, President of MAVTV. "MAVTV offers the widest coverage of grassroots racing and special events on every surface, including Endurocross, Late Model Dirt, Off Road, Red Bull World Rally, Chili Bowl, Pro Pulling League, Drag Boat Racing and more."
 
For additional programming schedule and details, visit www.mavtv.com.

Honda-powered IndyCar racer Simon Pagenaud, winner of this year's IZOD IndyCar Series race in Detroit, will make his “Race to the Clouds” debut later this month, driving a highly modified Honda Odyssey as part of Honda’s record-setting 11-vehicle, nine-class effort at the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

With support from Honda’s North American motorsports and R&D companies–Honda Performance Development and Honda R&D Americas, Inc.–the company will campaign a broad range of Honda and Acura vehicles, motorcycles and ATVs.

Pagenaud will pilot a turbocharged, 500+ horsepower Honda Odyssey, originally developed for competition by associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.

Modifications to the Odyssey include a turbocharged, intercooled 3.5-liter V6 engine; six-speed transmission and limited-slip differential from the Acura TL product line; racing suspension and brakes, including 19-inch BBS wheels equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires; and a full competition roll cage.

Pagenaud and his Odyssey will be entered in the “Exhibition” category, as will a Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe, driven by Sage Marie from Honda North America, as Honda showcases a diverse range of “fun to drive/ride” products in both car and motorcycle classes.

Other than Pagenaud, the entries will be piloted by Honda associates under the Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Team Honda Research (THR) banners.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. will serve as Partnering Sponsor of the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the first time the company has participated as a corporate sponsor of this historic event, which celebrates its 91st running on June 30.

In addition, Honda Power Equipment will be supporting race operations, with Honda generators providing electricity and light to the pits and staging area.

For more information, visit hpd.honda.com.

Toyota Racing Development President Lee White has elected to retire at the end of the 2013 race season.

Due to family health care needs, White will step down from his daily duties and will vacate the position of president and general manager of TRD, effective immediately.

“I have been planning and working toward retirement at the end of this race season in December," he said. “I have been offered and accepted an opportunity to perform a reduced amount of duties from my home office. This generous arrangement afforded to us by the company will allow me to attend to personal family priorities.”

White has been with TRD for more than 15 years and held responsibility for all TRD activities in North America, including engine development, manufacturing, chassis design and development, team and manufacturer relationships, manufacturer and sanctioning body relations in both CART and the IRL as well as engineering support for Toyota teams participating in National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), United States Auto Club (USAC), National Hot Rod Association, Grand-Am and Off-Road competition.



Prior to joining Toyota in 1997, White began his career in racing with LeeCo Engineering as an owner, driver and engineer. He served as manager and engineer for Read Racing Engines and later became team manager and engineer for Herman Miller Porsche Racing. He has since held positions as general manager and engineer for Roush Racing, Rocketsports Racing and Newman Haas Racing.



Throughout his career, White has participated in programs totaling approximately 1000 individual race victories and 250 championships. He is also a private, instrument-rated pilot, aircraft tuner and holder of two US National and World FIA speed records.

White will continue as a Special Advisor to TRD and Toyota Motorsports until his planned retirement at the end of the season. Assignment of his duties will be determined shortly.

Advanced Clean Air Technologies Global, a manufacturer of lightweight and efficient catalytic converter substrates based in Charlevoix, Michigan, has hired veteran accounting professional James Lentz as controller.

Lentz will be responsible for all accounting functions at ACAT including planning, reporting and maintaining key accounting processes. He will also develop detailed production cost reports, budgets and forecasts, and contribute to decision making, goal development and implementation of company strategies.

Prior to joining ACAT, Lentz was part of A.L.P. Lighting, formerly known as LexaLite International, in Charlevoix.

In related news, Cyndi Noirot has been named Director of Human Resources at ACAT

Noirot comes to ACAT from DE-STA-CO, a manufacturer of material handling tools and automation equipment. She was a human resources generalist at their Charlevoix facility, where she advised management and supervisors on all aspects of labor and employment.

Noirot also led the staffing and recruitment of new employees. She had previously served as Human Resources Manager at A.L.P. Lighting, formerly known as LexaLite International, in Charlevoix.

For more information on ACAT Global, visit www.acatglobal.com.

The American Bank of Oklahoma Sooner Region will have a new face at the helm for the remainder of the 2013 season as Drumright, Oklahoma, native Terry Mattox has been named as the Competition Director.

Despite his young age, the 18-year-old Mattox has worked in racing for the past three years as a scorer, flagman, announcer, and general official for OCRS from 2011 through April 2013 before taking over Competition Director and Public Relations at the Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

The founder of the new NOW600 Micro Sprint Series, several shows with his new venture will pair with the American Bank of Oklahoma Sooner Region, including the Speedweek appearance with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real at the Creek County Speedway on Thursday, June 20.

All inquiries about the American Bank of Oklahoma Sooner Region can be made to Terry Mattox by calling 918/508-9657 or by email to ascsterry@gmail.com.

The next American Bank of Oklahoma Sooner Region events will be Wednesday, June 19, at the Lawton Speedway and Thursday, June 20, at the Creek County Speedway with the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real.

For all news and information regarding the American Sprint Car Series and its regions, log onto www.ascsracing.com.

Attendees of the 2013 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show will have the opportunity to receive face-to-face product training from more than a dozen leading race parts and equipment manufacturers.

Organized by SEMA's Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC), the all-new Education Day includes dedicated sessions by 15 top-level manufacturers throughout the day on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis—site of the PRI Show. All seminars are provided free of charge to Show attendees.

Sessions will occupy five separate time slots, with three manufacturers filling each slot. The first three hour-long sessions begin at 9 a.m., while the last three conclude at 4:15 p.m.

These unique seminars may be about a particular product in a manufacturer’s inventory, or several products, or cover a “category," i.e. “Basic Race Car Wiring" or “4 Link Suspension Simplified."

Participating manufacturers include: Hedman Performance Group, MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Painless Performance, Turbosmart USA, MAHLE, Flaming River Industries, COMP Cams, Jiffy-tite Company, Coker Tire / Phoenix Race Tire, Joe Gibbs Driven / Driven Racing Oil, Lunati, Flowmaster, Ron Francis Wiring, Trend Performance / Diamond Racing.            

In addition to the technical information provided in each seminar, the face-to-face time between manufacturer and buyer/installer/end user could prove to be invaluable to both parties.

For more information on the 2013 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, visit www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow.  

The Advanced Engineering Technology Conference has announced that Harold Bettes of Power Technology Consultants will be presenting a seminar at the 2013 AETC in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bettes has been involved with the AETC for over 20 years as the master of ceremonies, and 2013 marks the first time he has ever presented.

Bettes is widely acknowledged as an expert in dynamometer and flow bench technologies, and has consulted with many top engine developers and race teams over his career.

As the author of “Engine Airflow” and co-author of “Dyno Testing and Tuning,” Bettes provides an incredible look into the science of airflow through an engine combined with the knowledge required to understand engine formulas and analyze data from flowbenches and engine dynos.  

As a mechanical engineer with over four decades in motorsports, this presentation promises to be both informative and entertaining.

Bettes joins an already-impressive list of presenters for this year’s conference, slated for December 9-11 at the Indiana Convention Center, just prior to the PRI Trade Show. In addition to Bettes, scheduled speakers for the 2013 AETC include: Lee Carducci from Arrow Racing Engines; Cecil Stevens from Illusions Engine Development; Bill McKnight of Mahle; Total Seal’s Keith Jones; Dan Jesel of Jesel Valvetrain Innovation, Vince Roman of Burns Stainless; Ben Strader from EFI University; Chris Paulsen of C&R Racing; Laura Shehan and John Sams with Holley Performance Products; Greg West of Fel-Pro Gaskets; Stephen Golya from Performance Motorsport Inc.; Brian Kurn of Four Stroke Design; Ozzie Hutchins with Roush Yates Engines; and Bruce Baldwin from Oliver Racing Parts.

Furthermore, a panel discussion on Wednesday, December 11, will bring together all AETC speakers from the previous days and special guests Doug Yates of Roush Yates Racing Engines and Danny Lawrence of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines.

To learn more about the AETC, including updates on other speakers, news and testimonials, or to register for the conference, go to www.aetconline.com. Inquiries can also be made by calling 866/893.2382.   

On June 15, NASCAR drivers Kenny Wallace, South Bend, Indiana, native David Stremme, Ken Schrader, David Reutimann and Justin Allgaier will be driving their modified machines around the dirt track at Plymouth Speedway in northern Indiana.

The top three drivers in the Modified Series—Frank Marshall, Tommy Beezley II and Adam Williams—and a few of the more locally recognized racers will be testing their rides against the popular drivers from the NASCAR series to see who can win the 30-lap A Feature, with $1000 to the winner.

The action is sponsored by Wings Etc. in Plymouth, courtesy of owner Jim Weaver. Wings Etc. will also sponsor the Bob Newton Classic set for August 17 at Plymouth Speedway featuring NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.

The street stocks, thunder stocks, USAC 600 sprints and USAC 600 restricted winged sprints will also run heat laps and features to round out the racing on June 15.

Discounted pre-sale tickets are available now for $15, but will rise to the regular price of $18 after June 8. Pit pass information is also available on the website, www.plymouthspeedway.net.

President Obama’s new health care law—the “Affordable Care Act”—is being phased in over a number of years, and January 2014 is the deadline for larger companies to offer coverage or pay a penalty.

It is not too soon for all companies to understand the law and plan accordingly, including reviewing their current situation, speaking with health insurance professionals, and determining how to proceed.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), parent company of PRI, has put together the following brief informational guide outlining key issues that company executives should consider when discussing the law with insurance professionals.

Quick Guide

A primary purpose of the law is to expand coverage to all Americans while working within the traditional private insurance, employer-based system. The law establishes a “play or pay” system for larger companies (50 or more workers) but does not impose any coverage mandates on smaller companies. It requires all individuals to obtain minimum levels of coverage in order to make everyone participate in the system or face a financial penalty. It provides subsidies and tax credits to help low-wage individuals and small companies purchase insurance.

The law prohibits insurance companies from denying care for individuals with pre-existing conditions and sets specific limits on the cost of premiums based on age, individual versus family enrollment, geographic area and tobacco use.

On January 1, 2014, companies with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees must offer insurance or face a penalty. Already offering insurance? Your company just needs to check with an insurance professional to confirm that the coverage meets the minimum amount required by law (“qualified coverage”) or that an existing plan is “grandfathered” under the law.

Companies not currently offering coverage must decide whether to now offer health insurance or pay a penalty. The penalty for 2014 is $2000 for every full-time employee, minus the first 30 employees. For example, a company with 51 employees would be assessed a fine of $42,000 annually. The penalty will be indexed to inflation in future years.

If the worker is picking up a portion of the premium cost, it must be “affordable.” It is not affordable if it exceeds 9.5 percent of the worker’s household income. (Verifying affordability may require a complex computation, but there are three employer safe harbor options for making determinations.) The issue of affordability is generally associated with lower-wage workers. It is consequential since the company will face a $3000 penalty for each full-time worker that obtains a health care subsidy from the federal government.

Companies with 49 or fewer employees are not required to offer insurance. However, the government offers tax credits for companies with 25 or fewer workers to offer coverage.

Beginning in 2014, companies with 50 or fewer employees (and in some states companies with 100 or fewer workers) will be able to buy health insurance for their employees through exchanges. Exchanges will offer a range of health plans and are intended to infuse competition within the private insurance marketplace. The exchanges will be state-based and offer at least one federal plan. After several years, states will have the option of allowing large companies to participate in the exchange.

The new federal health care law is very complex. There are many variables on how it applies to an individual company. Consequently, it is important that each company review its current health care strategy and talk with insurance professionals to determine whether changes need to be made in advance of January 1, 2014.