NHRA has entered into an agreement with Rocky Brands for promotional rights at select NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events in 2013. As part of the agreement, Rocky Brands will have display space at select events and the right to conduct a national promotion.

The national promotion will be centered on the final race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Nov. 7-10. Rocky Brands will utilize advertising, promotions, and point-of-sale materials at approximately 2,500 retail locations to support the national promotion. Details on the promotion, including how fans can sign up and participate, will be announced in the near future.

"Rocky Brands is excited to be involved with the NHRA for the fifth straight year,” said Seann Anderson, sponsor manager, Rocky Brands Inc. “The NHRA fan is a key component to our involvement with the sport. Just like our Rocky Funny Car driver Matt Hagan, the fans are hardworking people that like to play hard. Our products complement that lifestyle."

Rocky Brands has been involved in NHRA since 2009 in a variety of capacities, including on-site displays, national promotional sweepstakes, and as a team sponsor. Earlier this year, Rocky Footwear & Apparel signed a multiyear sponsorship with Don Schumacher Racing that will feature primary sponsorship at select events on 2011 NHRA Mello Yello world champion Hagan’s Funny Car.

Founded in 1932, Rocky manufactures and markets rugged outdoor, duty, work, and Western footwear, apparel, and accessories. The company’s products are available in nearly 3,000 retail and catalog outlets. It is a division of Rocky Brands, a publicly traded company on NASDAQ under the symbol RCKY.

Defending champions Red Bull celebrated not only one, but two achievements at the Bahrain International Circuit. Firstly, Sebastian Vettel overtook Sir Jackie Stewart in the list of all-time race winners. He now stands at 28 wins and at 6th on the table.

Infiniti Red Bull Racing made another bit of F1 history after the team’s win in Bahrain, when Electronic Support Group Leader Gill Jones became the first female member of an F1 team’s technical staff to appear on the podium. (see Q&A below)

There are very few woman in the sport in high positions. Sauber’s team principal, Monisha Kaltenborn, being the highest of them all, hasn’t had the opportunity to collect a trophy although she came agonizingly close last year at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

“It was great to send an important member of our team up today, Gill Jones, who has done an awful lot,” team principal Christian Horner told reporters.

Red Bull top the constructors points with 109 points ahead of Renault and Ferrari who stand at 93 and 77 points respectively.

Q&A with Gill Jones:

Gill, congratulations on making F1 history. It’s a pretty special achievement. How did it make you feel?

It was my 177th race, so it took me a while to get there! For me, as a personal achievement, it’s brilliant, I’m really proud. I’m really pleased to be able to represent the team and also the department I work for – electronics – because I think we play a massive part in the team. Again, being female as well makes it special. So, yes, very proud.

How did you find out you’d been chosen to go up to the podium to accept the constructors’ trophy?

[Team manager] Jonathan Wheatley came on the radio and said Christian had asked for me to go up. It was a massive surprise. I didn’t expect it all, so I was totally unprepared.

Did you get a chance to tell anyone at home you were going up there?

Not at all. In fact, there was a mad panic to get to the podium, because I sat there [in the garage] for a minute before I left… just with my head in hands really! You only hear after the race and the podium is so soon after that.

So what do you do once you’re told? Is there a set or protocols in getting to the podium?

It was really down to me. I didn’t know what to do, so I just made my way there [down the pitlane]. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to go anywhere different and I actually grabbed our Head of Marketing Dominik [Mitsch] and said: ‘how do I get in there?’ He pushed through and got me through the barriers. After that I just found my own way up there. At one point I went through a door and then I saw Sebastian and just followed him up there.

Before the drivers go out to receive their trophies they spend a couple of minutes getting ready in the room behind the podium. How was that, and what were Sebastian, Kimi and Romain talking about?

I have no idea! I just stayed out of the way because the cameras were on them. I didn’t really hear what was going on. I was too nervous to listen to anything anyway!

I was really, really nervous. Mostly because I just didn’t know what I was supposed to do or where I was supposed to go. I was just thinking ‘what am I supposed to do?’ It was very strange.

So, what happened when you finally went out onto the podium? What was it like?

I actually stood in the wrong place! Before we went out a guy said to me: ‘you need to stand at the other end to walk past the podium’. So I did that but that was the wrong place so half way through they moved me across.

Strangely, it felt quite quiet up there. You hear the anthems and the music but you don’t really hear anything else. I could see where everyone was. I could tell our team was all at one side below the podium. Also I could see Ciaran [Pilbeam – Mark Webber’s former race engineer] in the middle, obviously he’s with Lotus now, and I could see one of the guys that works for me. So I could sort of see key people, but as for hearing things, not much really. All you can hear is the music.

It looked like a pretty hefty trophy. Were you worried you’d drop it?

Yeah. On the way up, Sebastian said: ‘oh it’s a mega trophy here, it’s really big’ and I was like, ‘oh no, it’s going to be really heavy and I’ll drop it’. Then I saw it had handles and I was a bit more comfortable.

What was the most memorable part of the experience?

I think just the fact that everyone is congratulating you. It felt like people were saying well done to me. I thought ‘well, I haven’t done anything different to how I normally do things’ but it is nice getting all the messages from home and everyone’s seen it. Obviously, it’s massive, with people posting messages and people sending me emails that I’ve not heard from for years.

Did you ever expect that something like this might happen when you started in motorsport?

Never. I don’t think it was anything I’d ever thought about really. Obviously as the team started winning more and more it was becoming scarily close because quite a lot of different people had been up before me – the guys on the pit wall and the guys from the office. So, yeah, it was a bit special.

Ryan Hunter-Reay suffered a disappointing 2013 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, but he didn't leave SoCal empty-handed. On the night before the race, the reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion received his RACER of the Year Award trophy presented by Hawk Performance.

The Andretti Autosport driver, who last year scored four wins on his way to the championship, also won the hearts, minds and votes of RACER readers to finish top of the polls for both RACER of the Year and Road Racer of the Year. He collected his award at the RACER party held the night before the Long Beach race.

Hunter-Reay said, “We had a great year in 2012. We were quick from the word go, we knew we had a great chance at the title and, even after some setbacks, the entire Andretti Autosport team dug deep and showed that we can be as strong as anyone out there.

“To know that our efforts were appreciated so much by RACER readers makes me very proud. I've read the magazine right from the start, issue 1, when as an 11-year-old kid, I'd read it cover to cover. I love the insights, the quality of the writing, the photos, the feel of it.

“So to have the readers vote for me is awesome and is definitely one of the reasons that 2012 will be a year that I remember for the rest of my life. Thank you to RACER, its readers and of course to Hawk Performance. And I really appreciate you going the extra mile to create this trophy.”

Presenting the award to Ryan was Andrew Hisey of Hawk Performance and RACER editor David Malsher.  Hisey commented, “We're thrilled to have the opportunity to extend our long-standing relationship with RACER magazine by supporting the RACER of the Year Awards. Hawk Performance's roots are in racing, and that's something we're very proud of.

“We're particularly excited to be able to present the 2012 road racer and overall awards to Ryan Hunter-Reay. He earned a hard-fought IndyCar championship in 2012, and RACER readers recognized him for it. We couldn't be happier with their choice for Hawk Performance RACER of the Year.”

Malsher added, “First of all, I'm really happy that Hawk Performance has partnered with us for the RACER of the Year Awards, not just because it's a strong and well-regarded brand, but also because Hawk Performance is noted for the quality of its products. In those regards, I feel Hawk and RACER have the same goals. But the bonus is that the two logos look really good together so that trophy is pretty damn cool."

He continued, “As for Ryan, well, we really aren't surprised that he won the readers' votes for this award. Last year, he did what an IndyCar champion should do – he won races on both road courses and ovals – and he also showed this huge fighting spirit whenever he was hit by misfortune. It sounds a bit whimsical, but I think that Ryan's mental attitude in not letting one day's bad luck inhibit his next day's performance is a kind of reflection of how he overcame difficult times in his career.

“That alone makes his championship victory one of those rags-to-riches stories that capture people's imagination. Combine that with Ryan's eye-catching and aggressive driving style and also the ability to speak well as an ambassador for the IZOD IndyCar Series, and you have a true people's champion. And judging by his superlative performance at Barber Motorsports Park a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Hunter-Reay is making a serious run at another championship and another RACER of the Year Award presented by Hawk Performance.”

IndyCar officials announced that the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program has been re-scheduled for May 11-12.



"With some teams having to load equipment for Brazil following the Long Beach event, and long-standing community activities scheduled at Indianapolis Motor Speedway prior to Opening Day, moving ROP to Opening Weekend was the only option we had to give the ROP participants adequate track time and a chance to complete the program," said IndyCar president of operations and strategy Brian Barnhart.

The on-track schedule of activity for May 11-12:


Noon-2 p.m. - Track open to all cars

2-4 p.m. - Rookie Orientation Program

4-6 p.m. - Track open to all cars



AJ Allmendinger (Team Penske), Conor Daly (A.J. Foyt Racing), Carlos Munoz (Andretti Autosport) and Tristan Vautier (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports) are scheduled to participate in the Rookie Orientation Program, which is designed to provide first-year Indianapolis 500 drivers with an informal opportunity to get acquainted with the 2.5-mile oval through laps turned at three speed phases set by IndyCar.



IndyCar officials will work with any driver unable to participate in ROP during the opening weekend to schedule a time to complete the three phases of ROP prior to qualifying May 18.

Kentucky Trailer, a leading custom trailer manufacturer, announces the opening of its 46,000-square-foot service and reconditioning facility at 53000 Grand River Avenue in New Hudson, Michigan.
 
Located 35 miles northwest of downtown Detroit near I-96, the new facility marks the third service and reconditioning location for Kentucky Trailer, in addition to Louisville, Kentucky, and Los Angeles/Fontana, California.

The New Hudson facility is equipped with ten manufacturing bays, CNC brake press and shear, multiple overhead cranes, and two paint booths. Complete paint, repair and reconditioning services are available for trailer and truck bodies regardless of type or brand.
 
The New Hudson service center is the second Michigan-based operation for Kentucky Trailer. Kentucky Trailer Technologies, located in Walled Lake, Michigan, opened in 2001 and builds highly specialized mobile expandable trailers and vehicle transporters. The two divisions work in tandem to provide aftermarket service work through Kentucky Trailer-New Hudson and expanded production capacity for Kentucky Trailer Technologies.
 
With approximately 30 technicians at each service facility, customers benefit from OEM quality repair and service work on door and seal applications, LED light conversions, lift gate installation and repair, ABS, tire inflation and auto lubrication systems. Additionally, aerodynamic and corrosion protection improvements and installation are available.

KartSport North America has announced a partnership with Fernando Alonso Racing Karts as the newest United States distributor of FA Kart.

KartSport North America has served and will continue to be the exclusive North American importer for Arrow Racing Karts, adding the FA Kart brand to their inventory in an effort to better serve their customer base.

The operation relocated within the new Moorseville Motorplex, offering a large showroom with full retail and service kart shop. Their on-site presence at the North Carolina facility has given them a larger customer base, including a number of professional drivers within the racing industry.

In addition to adding FA Karts to their extensive inventory of karting products and services, KartSport NA will also begin to carry a larger selection of OTK parts that will service not only the FA Karts, but also Kosmic and Tony Karts.

To keep up with the KartSport North America operation, visit their website at www.kartsportna.com.

Few companies can claim continued success over a 50-year span, much less companies dedicated to the motorsport industry.

One glaring exception is Carrillo.   

Founded by legendary Fred Carrillo in 1963, CP-Carrillo announces the 50th anniversary of Carrillo Connecting Rods.  

Carrillo, a leading manufacturer of high performance connecting rods, is celebrating 50 years of successfully meeting and exceeding customers’ high performance connecting rod requirements for the most demanding racing applications in an increasingly diverse and technologically challenging industry.

Fred Carrillo established the company in 1963, originally known as Warren Industries, with a vision to design, manufacture and test high performance connecting rods.

Fred approached the challenges of manufacturing with the idea of no compromise. He knew the never-ending quest for speed would require the same intensity in component manufacturing.  

This Carrillo philosophy is as evident today as it was at Carrillo’s conception in 1963—a legacy that remains the backbone of the company today.
 
“This is an incredible milestone for Carrillo and in particular quite an achievement in this day and age,” stated Cindy Verkooij, Marketing and Promotions Manager, CP-Carrillo. “We want to celebrate this achievement and commemorate this anniversary by honoring our history and the future of this great company.”

During the 1960s, Carrillo pioneered the development of the traditional H-beam design for demanding race engine applications. Fred’s involvement with Dan Gurney and Jack Brabham helped propel his connecting rod business after winning the Formula 1 World Championship in 1966.  

Carrillo rods became, and still are, the ultimate high-performance connecting rods, desired by racers all over the world.    

In July 2001, Fred Carrillo sold his interest in the company, and in 2008, CP Pistons, a member of Pankl Racing Systems, acquired Carrillo.  

In 2009 they moved the corporate headquarters and manufacturing plant from San Clemente, CA, to Irvine, CA, and in 2010 CP Pistons and Carrillo Industries incorporated into CP-Carrillo, LLC., continuing Fred’s legacy and remaining a leader in the connecting rod field.

Today, CP-Carrillo remains a subsidiary of Pankl Racing Systems, with Barry Calvert serving as the CEO/President.

The company continues to specialize in the innovative design and production of both high performance connecting rods and pistons for the high end racing industry.  

Throughout the year, CP-Carrillo will have various events to celebrate its anniversary.

For more, visit www.cp-carrillo.com.

It’s Saturday night, April 6, and I have the good fortune to be sitting high up in the packed grandstands of Irwindale Speedway for the opening night of the 2013 race season. Irwindale is one of two local short tracks for us at PRI, and the evening’s excitement started immediately with the steady stream of cars we encountered entering the race track more than an hour before the racing began. Irwindale is one of the country’s premier short track venues, and it was shuttered for all of last year. In a beautiful Southern California early spring twilight, we see 50 people in line for the Will Call window.  We see a line of people 35 deep at each of five ticket windows. Lots of families. Mr. Horsepower T-shirt. Chevrolet Racing jacket. Winternationals T-shirt. Roush Fenway jacket. Yep, racing folks are here in droves. Part of the beauty of the night is that Irwindale Speedway is clicking along as smoothly as always. The irrepressible Bruce Flanders is working the announcer’s booth. He has a problem with the scoring system on his computer, and turns it into fun: “Bill Gates to the announcers booth. Bill Gates to the announcers booth.”

We enjoyed catching up with Jeff Schrader, of the Race Car Factory, which builds so many of the late models that race at Irwindale. He reminded us that a new half-mile asphalt track was set to open in Bakersfield in weeks—Kern County Raceway Park. It’s a striking moment to be standing in the pits of a track shuttered a year ago and now successfully reopened, talking about a brand new race track within driving distance about to open. A lot of good news this night for the future of late model racing in Southern California.

Every opening night gives one a certain feeling of coming home. I am reminded of my friend, Ken, who has visited every professional baseball stadium. He knows everything about baseball. When I told him we were naming our youngest son Matthew, he asked if he was named after Matt Kilroy, the pitcher with the most strikeouts in a single season, striking out 513 batters for the Baltimore Orioles in 1886. One of Ken’s favorite things in life is to simply be in the grandstands at a baseball field, maybe with a hot dog and soda. Any baseball stadium anywhere. Major or minor league. Sitting here in the grandstands of a short track on a Saturday night, I think I know why. It has to do with connecting. The crowd roars as one when the first green flag is waved to the mini stock racers by our friend Doug Stokes, the track’s communications VP. There’s a connection to all that’s come before. Turkey Nights, NASCAR All-Star Showdowns, the Saturday night mains...and that’s just Irwindale. We’re all connected to the rich pageantry and extraordinary history of this thrilling sport. You feel that a lot on opening night.

We all have a season in racing that becomes part of our clock. Opening night signals the winter of no racing is over. Our racing heroes are back at it, including the technical heroes in the pits and the race shops. Once again, we’re going to see who’s fastest. New stories and amazing memorable moments are going to be born. Speaking for just about all of us in the grandstands, we’re happy. Let’s go racing!

Fred Anyzeski, a seasoned veteran of the automotive repair and aftermarket industry, has joined the Fidanza Performance Key Account Sales team.  

Anyzeski brings with him a BS Degree from Cornell University in AG engineering and experience fixing and/or modifying gas and diesel engines, as well as drivetrains, over more than four decades.

“Having a lifelong intense interest in motorcycle and automobile repair, restoration and tuning, as well as a background in engineering and education, Fred will be a real asset to our company and our customers.” Says Jeff Jenkins, owner and President of Fidanza Performance.

Located in Perry, Ohio, Fidanza Performance manufactures high quality aluminum flywheels, performance clutches and adjustable cam gears. For more information, call 440/259-5656 or visit www.fidanza.com.