Christopher R. Pook has joined the Formula One Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial executive team as Special Assistant to the Chairman, Leo Hindery Jr.

With decades of experience developing venues and events, Pook joins an established executive team including YES Network founder Hindery, sports and entertainment veteran Dennis Robinson, and sports marketing and corporate development specialist Dick Goldschmidt.

Pook will provide consultation with respect to all aspects of construction, planning and execution of the Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial race.
Pook founded and managed the USA Grand Prix West, which was the first Formula One street circuit race in the US and later evolved into an annual event in the Formula One World Championship.

He also helped develop other races around the country including races in Detroit, Las Vegas, Dallas, St. Louis, Denver and St. Petersburg, Fla. Pook is the former CEO of the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series in the US and a past member of the board of Dover Motorsports, Inc.

The inaugural Formula One Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial is planned for June 2014. The race will be run on a 3.2-mile course using existing streets in Weehawken and West New York, N.J., along the Hudson River and at the top of the Palisades, with the New York City skyline as the backdrop.

Must See Racing officials are proud to announce Engine Pro of Michigan as the Must See Racing Supermodified Series entitlement sponsor with Oliver Racing Parts named as the series' presenting sponsor.
 
“Must See Racing and Engine Pro have had a long and successful partnership built on performance with our Xtreme Sprint Series. We are delighted to have Engine Pro, the nation’s leading specialty engine parts distributor featuring name brand and custom engine kits, and their 35 distribution outlets, support our Supermodified Series and race teams,” stated Must See Founder and President Jim Hanks.

The Engine Pro Must See Racing Supermodified by Oliver Series sanctions winged Supermodified races at speedways throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania at some of the country’s most recognizable and famous race tracks including Lucas Oil Raceway, Winchester Speedway and Anderson Speedway, home of the Must See Racing sanctioned Pay Less Little 500.

Additionally, Engine Pro presents the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series “Fast Car Slash” Championship Event at Berlin Raceway in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on August 24, broadcast to a national television audience.
 
For more, visit www.mustseeracing.com and www.engine.com.

The SEMA Garage-Industry Innovations Center is now open to provide manufacturers with access to a full emissions-testing EO certification lab and dyno services.

Located directly across the parking lot of the SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, the 15,000-square-feet facility will include a full mechanics garage and tech center.

The building was purpose-built 10 years ago with a full dyno lab that uses highly technical and sophisticated equipment to measure emissions output at a level consistent with the Air Resources Board requirements for EO certification. Working in conjunction with the Auto Club, SEMA is able to use the equipment to provide members with a valuable, low-cost resource for testing and obtaining certifications for new products.

“SEMA is in a unique position to provide members with a reliable and affordable way to test their products, thereby helping them get their products to market quickly,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA's VP of the Product Development Center. “We’re excited to be opening the Center up with EO testing and dyno services, and look forward to expanding on these offerings.”

With the emissions lab, SEMA is able to be an advocate and help manufacturers test and apply for EO certification. Basic dyno services are also available for the purpose of performance product development as well as iterative testing.

Future plans for the center include providing members with measuring sessions, R&D facility, and marketing assistance in the form of a media center complete with a photo cove, photography center and media coordination services.

To learn more about the Product Development Center or to schedule an appointment at the lab, contact Spagnola at mikes@sema.org or call 909/978-6707.

The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) announces that Toyo Tires will offer a new open tire contingency program to all Enduro classes during the 2013 regional racing season.

The new contingency program will be available immediately and, like all Toyo contingencies, it will be available to Enduro entrants competing on the Proxes line of Toyo tires.
 
This new offering to the expansive Toyo contingency program in 2013 increases the available contingency from Toyo Tires to a whopping $10 million in contingency value to NASA racers.

One important note about this new program is its availability to current Toyo contingency participants in other classes.

Product awards are available to competitors in addition to any regional Toyo contingency they may have qualified for during the same day. This program is separate in nature and eligible for contingency awards even if a competitor may have already qualified for “Toyo bucks” during the same day.

Simply put, if you usually run in a regional sprint racing class on a Toyo tire and collect contingency, you are now eligible to join the ranks of the Enduro competitors and vie for contingency in those classes as well!
 
This new contingency program from Toyo Tires will allow competitors using the Toyo Proxes R888, Proxes RA1, or Proxes RR competition tire to compete for $825 in “Toyo Bucks.” For this regional open tire contingency program, Toyo will pay out awards of $300, $200, $150, $100 and $75 in the form of “Toyo Bucks” to the top 5 finishers in each regional Enduro race. 

Complete details on NASA’S Toyo Contingency program can found at www.nasaproracing.com/contingency.
 
For information on the Proxes line of competition tires from Toyo Tires, visit toyotires.com.

Dallas Raceway and the International Hot Rod Association have announced that Mike Adcock has purchased the facility located in Crandall, Texas, and will keep the track in operation with little disruption.
 
The track will continue to operate as normal under the direction of Adcock and will host the Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL, an event that was originally scheduled for May at Dallas Raceway, the weekend of July 12-14. The track will also host the Summit Team Finals event as scheduled in September.
 
Mike and Sharon, his wife of 38 years, will take over as sole owners and operators of Dallas Raceway effective immediately. Adcock was involved with the construction of the track when it first opened in 2009 with the hopes of turning Dallas Raceway into one of the top drag racing facilities in north Texas.
 
Adcock also owns and operates a construction company servicing the hospitability industry in hotel renovations across the country along with his brothers Denny and Gary and longtime friend Randy Wilson.

Adcock became of fan of drag racing in 1975 with his first pass down the track at Cedar Creek behind the wheel of a beautiful ’69 Chevrolet Camaro. Since then Adcock has raced against some of the best in the business and has continued to learn from these great drivers in the north Texas area.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing our numerous friends back out at the track as well as the many new racers we are sure to meet,” Adcock said. “Hopefully this will only help grow the facility as we strive to provide one of the top racing facilities in the state.”
 
Racing at Dallas Raceway will resume this month.
 
For more information on Dallas Raceway and the rescheduled Summit Pro-Am event, visit www.ihra.com.

Drag racers and fans from all over New Mexico and as far as Texas, Colorado and Arizona will converge on Albuquerque Dragway, Mesa de Sol on June 1 for the third annual All Out Call Out.

The 2013 All Out Call Out is a one-of-a-kind drag race event like no other in the USA. Five classes of street car racing, ranging from the 14.5 second Elapsed Time, (ET) “Slow Poke” class, all the way to the 10.2 seconds and faster ET “Let it Eat” class, will battle it out for over $5000 in cash and prizes.

The All Out Call Out is a single elimination street car race. Racers in each class will have tickets drawn to “call out” other racers in their class. Racers cannot turn down a race when challenged. The winner of the race will be the first car across the finish line without breaking out of the ET limits of their class, not necessarily the car with the faster time.

The 2013 All Out Call Out is unique because it combines the fun and excitement of a heads up street race, with the timing equipment, organization and safety of a race track. Thanks to numerous sponsors, the winner of each class will receive over $1000 cash prize.

Visit www.alloutcallout.com for a full list of classes, rules and details of the race.

Award winning chassis manufacturer and champion Modified racer Jason Hughes has formed a technical partnership with JRi Shocks to offer Hughes Race Cars customers the company's exclusive shock absorber technology.

“JRi Shocks designed a really good shock,” said Hughes of the JRi SL/10. “I am very impressed with the performance of the shock, and the fact that JRi improved and customized the shock package to achieve the feel I was personally looking for based on my feedback.”

The JRi SL/10 Steel Body Damper features innovative technology that allows for low hysteresis, high frequency response, low rod pressure, and a low drag, lightweight design. The nitrogen charged shock is available with or without a Schrader valve and in non and double adjustable designs to conform to series rules.

Whether in circle track, drag racing, NASCAR, or IndyCar, JRi Shocks provides industry leading on-site track support and non-stop customer service to all customers.

In order to extend JRi’s technology and performance, Hughes Race Cars has joined JRi Shocks as a distributor.

Over the past several years, Hughes Race Cars have become one of the most renowned Open Wheel Modified chassis in the country. Hughes himself is the 2010 United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) Champion.

For more information, visit www.jrishocks.com.

Road America announced recently that CTECH, a leader in innovative aluminum trailer, shop, cart storage and cabinet solutions, has agreed to be the circuit’s official tool cart and cabinet provider.

Using proprietary designs, patented Motion Latch handles on doors and drawers, and GasketLoc counter tops that are durable, robust and aesthetically pleasing, CTECH gives racers the cabinets and carts to be the most productive and the most competitive.

CTECH custom designed carts and cabinets will be utilized at various locations around Road America, providing an opportunity for fans and racers to see firsthand the latest CTECH innovations and products that CTECH has to offer.

CTECH will also have an at-track marketing presence during events.

For more information on CTECH, visit www.racecabinet.com.

NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) has announced the recent addition of Gladys Kurzava to the position of Bi-lingual Customer Service Representative, as well as the promotions of Lisa Rodriguez to Social Media & Events Administrator, Terrence Steffes to Marketing Services Manager, and Nikki White to Assistant Product Services Manager.

Kurzava began last week as Bi-lingual Customer Service Representative in the Aftermarket division. In addition to assisting the team with all Customer Service issues, Kurzava will also support the company's Spanish-speaking customers. Kurzava will report to Carrie Gajewski, Customer Service Supervisor-Aftermarket.

Rodriguez has been with NGK for two years. In her new role, Rodriguez will focus her efforts on leading marketing strategies and initiatives, within the scope of global social media and national consumer events and trade shows. Rodriguez will continue to report to Terrence Steffes, Marketing Services Manager.

Steffes has been with NGK for over seven years. Previously the Media Supervisor, Steffes was recently promoted to Marketing Services Manager. Steffes will manage all graphic and advertising needs of the Aftermarket brand. Steffes will maintain control of the NGK website, as well as manage all marketing collateral. Steffes will continue to report to Mark Sprague, Corporate Marketing Manager.

White has been with NGK for over six years. Previously the Product Marketing Analyst, White was promoted to Assistant Product Services Manager. White will manage the Product group, which includes product development, cataloging, and sales support. White will report to Mark Sprague, Corporate Marketing Manager.

For more on NGK Spark Plugs, visit www.ngksparkplugs.com.
 

For motorsports safety experts in a variety of disciplines, everything from itchy underwear to a seven-point harness was up for discussion last month at the second edition of the Racing Goes Safer! Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix Motorsport Safety Conference.

Lecturers included:

* Dr. Jacques Dallaire, inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2006, is a Founding Member of the International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) and has been an ongoing member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

* Dr. John Melvin, Biomechanical engineer, research manager for the GM Racing Safety Program from 1992 through 1998, has been an independent advisor on racing car crash protection for IRL, CART, F-1, USAC, NASCAR, NHRA, and GM, Ford and Dodge Racing)

* Dr. Terry Trammell, one of the first fellowship trained spinal surgeons in Indiana, FIA medical, ICMS member

* Veteran off-road racing fabricator and racer Danny Ebberts and Formula DRIFT Technical Manager Kevin Wells, who personalized the value of head-to-toe protection at the racetrack.

Representatives from the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, SCORE, Porsche, the Vintage Auto Racing Association, and industry giant SEMA—as well as track managers, racing-school operators, drivers, and crew managers—took advantage of the gathered wealth of knowledge from medical, technical and scientific researchers.

The popular seminar from the Stand 21 Safety Foundation included firsthand testimony of drivers involved in incidents and/or accidents.

The audience saw video of Ebberts’ refueling-stop fire during last November’s Baja 1000 off-road race that left him with second- and third-degree burns on his hands and face and crew member Dan Caufiel with burns over 28 percent of his body.

As part of Trammell’s presentation about maximizing fire protection and heat stress control, Ebberts then drove home the necessity of wearing the most fire-resistant and breathable clothing available.

“When you hear racers saying the suits are too hot, send them to me,” Ebberts said. “I will explain to them how a fire is hot. When you hear them saying protective underwear is itchy, send them to me, and I will tell them how itchy it is when your burns start healing!”

Trammell warned of the dangers of heat exhaustion on drivers and how proper racing undergarments can reduce that stress on the body. He said a recent US Army study clearly showed that “soldiers equipped with proper heat-reducing undergarments under their uniforms were able to continue their activities far longer and with more concentration than those who wore just their uniforms.”

During his “What is a safe helmet?” segment, Trammell introduced Formula DRIFT expert Wells, who shared his experience with damage from rocks being flicked his way from another car during an off-road race tryout. One broke Wells’ helmet visor, and while he was trying to hold his visor together, another rock broke his arm.

Award-winning biomedical research scientist FIA member Melvin, who has served as a consultant to General Motors, NASCAR, the National Hot Rod Association and more, taught how to minimize body injury in racecar crashes. He shared the latest improvement in harness, head and neck restraints, and cockpit safety nets.

A steadfast advocate of head and neck restraints who helped design safer passenger vehicles, as well, Melvin told racers, “These devices are the only way to reduce neck and head injuries in the event of an accident.”

Furthermore, he demonstrated that improved driving seats have dramatically enhanced safety.

Mental skills expert Dallaire, a dynamic speaker with a flair for the interactive presentation, addressed the importance of mental conditioning and appropriate concentration for drivers of all levels.

“A driver must remain focused on the task at hand,” he said. “By maintaining his concentration, he alleviates anxieties that would corrupt his correct focus, altering his performance and potentially risking an accident.”

But he did not simply talk about his theory. He enacted it with audience participation to show “How to Bring Your ‘A’ Game.”

After a quick introduction by moderator Don Taylor, Stand 21 founder Yves Morizot explained that his passion for motorsport safety, which compelled him to leave his business as a baker years ago, is his main motivator in offering this conference.

“Racing is still a risky sport, but through our combined efforts in the development of safety measures, we can drastically reduce these risks and continue to save lives. We need to give back to our motorsport community and not focus entirely on individual success,” he said.

The Racing Goes Safer! Motorsport Safety conference is founded by The Stand 21 Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to the promotion and enhancement of safety in motorsports. The Stand 21 Safety Foundation works in collaboration with such motorsport safety & technical institutes such as the FIA Institute for Motorsports Safety, SNELL, and SFI Foundation, as well as major race series, including the FIA, NHRA, SCCA, SCTA, and SCORE. The foundation has an open-door policy to all who can help promote safety in the motorsport.

For additional information, including excerpts, videos, and photos from the 2013 Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix Racing Goes Safer! Motorsport Safety Conference presented by The Stand 21 Safety Foundation, visit www.racinggoessafer.com.