Officials of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series have announced an exclusive partnership with Hoosier Tire as the "Official" Race Tire for the series and a new tire rule implemented for all series sanctioned events in 2013.

The new agreement with Hoosier Tire will reduce the amount of tires needed including limited compounds and constructions.
 
With this new agreement the LOLMDS is taking steps to reduce the costs and burden of carrying so many tires to a LOLMDS event. The series has always welcomed two tire manufacturers to compete on the series, but the competition among the tire companies created too many compounds and new constructions for race teams to keep up with and be prepared.

With its previous tire rule, race teams were having to purchase the same amount of tire constructions and compounds as compared to the open tire rules before the series began.
 
As the series has evolved since its inception in 2005, the LOLMDS tire rules have always been a priority to keep costs down and preparation time as little as possible. As the series schedule grew to different parts of the country and new venues, it became apparent that different tire compounds and constructions worked better at certain tracks more than others.

Because of this, the series would implement a "Punch 40" tire rule with the best compounds for those areas, along with allowing local competitors to use the tires they had in their racks to try and minimize the tire bills for the local and regional racers. Because both manufacturers wanted to win, they continued to develop new compounds and constructions for all parts of the country, making it impossible to limit constructions as both brands would gain an unfair advantage at different venues.
 
"With the previous tire rule, it made events like the Show-Me 100 and Topless 100 very complicated with no less than a dozen tire choices to be made during a drivers tire selection. We were hearing from the local and regional drivers and the series drivers loud and clear that they wanted something done for the past two years. We notified our drivers in yearly meetings that we were working on this type of tire rule," stated Ritchie Lewis, Series Director, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
 
With this new agreement, and with Hoosier Tire as the exclusive race tire of the LOLMDS, competitors will now have fewer compounds and one construction to purchase. Hoosier Tire has replated six of their current rib construction Right Rear tires.

The LOLMDS will continue to limit the amount of compounds used at events from the six available compounds. These six tires will be shoulder plated and carry a 01/1300, 02/1320, 03/1350, 04/1425, 05/1450 and 06/1640 numbering system with the four-digit compound number everyone is familiar with underneath the new numbering system. Everyone can find the legal tire compounds for each LOLMDS event at the series website www.lucasdirt.com/rules/tire-rules/
 
The left rear and front tires on the car will see similar limitations. Competitors will choose a rib constructed Hoosier Tire for the left rear and steer tires. The series will continue to limit the amount of compounds used for the rib constructed tires on these three corners (LR & Fronts) that work best and are used at each track. This will allow race teams to use the rib constructed tires and compounds they have in stock on these three mentioned corners of their cars.
 
Hoosier recently started producing two new 28.5 rib constructed tires (left rear/fronts) that are identical to the LM20 & LM40. The new tires (1320 & 1640) will allow racers to purchase these tires to coincide with the right rear 02/1320 & 06/1640 selected tires at designated tracks. The series will allow the LM20 & LM40 at designated tracks where 02/1320 & 06/1640 compounds are permitted.
 
All the tires will be rib construction and treaded tires. This will allow a budget-minded racer to purchase the softest right rear tire before an event. When the racer performs well and transfers to the main event, the racer may need a different right rear tire for the feature event. Because the tires are treaded this will allow the racer to purchase the desired feature tire at the last minute and have enough time to have it mounted and cut for completion in time for the feature event.
 
The tires will be mandatory and available for the next series event at Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, Indiana, on March 23. For more information about the "16th Annual Indiana Icebreaker," visit the track website at www.Brownstownspeedway.com.
 
For further questions, call Rick Schwallie at 951/403-1609 or Kenny Kenneda at 951/746-8577.


Right Rear Tire Legend:

92.0/11.0-15 LATE MODEL 



01 = 1300

02 = LM20/1320

03 = 1350

04 = 1425

05 = 1450

06 = LM40/1640 (these tires will have D-55 Shoulder Plate)

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, visit the series' website at www.lucasdirt.com.

JRi Shocks, an industry leader in advanced suspension technology, announced recently that Pete Brower has accepted and will immediately assume the role of Market Manager for the Drag Racing Market.

As Market Manager, Brower is responsible for providing quality service, superior components, and unmatched shock absorber technology to all of JRi’s valued Drag Racing customers.

To maximize the technical support to local and national drivers alike, Brower will also provide track support services at various local, regional, and national events, including select National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and American Drag Racing League (ADRL) sanctioned races.
 
“We are very excited to add Pete to our team,” said Dan Kungl, Managing Director of JRi Shocks. “His expertise in shock absorber work combined with his passion for Drag Racing will be a real benefit to both JRi and our Drag Market customers."

Brower, who worked as a Shock Specialist, Race Day Engineer, and Mechanic for both Turner Motorsports and Braun Racing, brings over a decade’s worth of industry experience and knowledge of the inner workings of a race team to his new position at JRi.

For more information about JRi Shocks, visit jrishocks.com or call 704/660-8346.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad honored NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace with a State Proclamation in a special ceremony Wednesday afternoon, February 27, at the Capitol building in Des Moines.

Speaking on the main floor of the historic State Capitol Rotunda, Branstad commended Wallace for his contributions to the state of Iowa as designer and part owner of the Iowa Speedway in Newton, and to the sport of NASCAR racing nationwide.

“As Governor of Iowa, I am very proud to honor Rusty Wallace with this Proclamation today,” Branstad said. “His many contributions to NASCAR racing have earned him a well-deserved induction to NASCAR’s Hall of Fame, and his forward-thinking design of Iowa Speedway helped to create a destination in central Iowa that benefits every Iowan. Rusty may have been born in Missouri, but we will always claim him as one of our own.”

Wallace expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received from Iowans all across the state, and specifically to Branstad for the official Proclamation.

“I am humbled and honored that Governor Branstad made time to recognize me today with an official Proclamation,” Wallace said. “As an ‘Honorary Iowan’, I couldn’t be more proud of this great state, or of the racetrack we have in Newton, and I look forward to being here for as many Iowa Speedway
events as possible.”

Wallace, whose post-racing career combines a busy ABC/ESPN broadcast schedule, managing his son Steven’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race team, overseeing his auto dealership interests and fundraising for the charitable NASCAR Foundation, nevertheless finds ample time to promote Iowa Speedway.

The inaugural TRAXXAS Combine, to be held March 21-25 in Primm, Nevada, will offer Pro Off-Road teams five days of open testing at one of the most iconic off-road tracks in short course racing.

A special event open to all pro teams will be held during the popular Mint 400 desert race weekend in Las Vegas*.

The testing session will be highlighted with a special "money" race for attending teams, with the winner taking home a very special prize: the Combine Cup.
 
"The idea of the TRAXXAS Combine has been in the works for the last two years, as many teams are looking to test new trucks, drivers, and new setups worked on over the winter months. We felt that a fun, casual event at a great race course, combined in a rich off-road surrounding that the Mint desert race provides would be a great way to shake off the winter blues. Throw in some cash and bragging rights such as the new Combine Cup, it should be a fun and entertaining event for all," stated Kevin Miller, CEO of USAC Racing.

Along with a great money payout, the Combine Cup will benefit the top finishers with guaranteed top starting positions in one of the biggest paying Cup races on the TORC Schedule later in the season.
 
The Traxxas Combine race(s) will be held on Friday, March 22, to allow off-road enthusiasts attending the Mint 400 desert race in the Las Vegas area over the weekend to stop by the Primm short track and take in some short-course action and kick tires with friends.

The Primm grounds will be open for spectators all weekend with free entry, as well as all teams and crew.

As a means to keep costs down for this special event, tire companies will not be allowed to bring in support trailers. There is no limit on tires or servicing in team areas.

PRIMM SCHEDULE (tentative):
 
March 20: Team Load-In (flexible schedule)
March 21: Open Testing (10 am - 4 pm)
March 22: Open Testing (10 am - 2 pm)
Combine Cup Race(s): 2:00 pm
March 23: Open Testing (10 am - 4 pm)
March 24: Open Testing (10 am - 4 pm)
March 25: Open Testing (10 am - 4 pm)

Entry Fee: $300 Per Truck, Per Day

* The TORC PRIMM Event is not associated with the Mint 400

NASCAR and FDP Friction Science, a leading manufacturer and supplier of brake pads, announced recently a new agreement that designates the Duralast brand as the ‘Official Brakes of NASCAR.’

With more than 50 years of brake technology and friction development experience, FDP manufactures Duralast Brakes, which are sold exclusively at AutoZone.
 
Duralast will also participate in the NASCAR contingency program, with the creation of the “Brake in the Race Award” across both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series. The weekly award will be given to the highest eligible driver in the running order at the time of the first caution of each race.

The year-end award winner will be the driver who wins the “Brake in the Race Award” the most times during the course of the season. In the event of a tie, the final series point standings shall serve as a tiebreaker.  
 
A full line supplier of both disc pads and brake shoes, FDP clients include OE manufacturers, retailers, program groups, warehouse distributors, exporters, and other brake manufacturers. FDP is headquartered in Tappahannock, Va., with manufacturing and R&D facilities located throughout the world.

Beginning with the San Antonio Nitro Jam in April, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) will follow a new qualifying schedule that gives all participants a round of qualifying on Friday night just prior to the Nitro Jam professional rounds at all Nitro Jam/ Pro-Am events. 

The move will place sportsman racers center stage Friday night during the opening round of Nitro Jam, and will cut down on Saturday’s schedule to better allow for an earlier finish, with all finals scheduled to be run during Saturday’s Nitro Jam finale. Saturday winners will also receive a special-edition Nitro Jam Ironman and increased contingency.

“After watching entry patterns last year 90 percent of the competitors are already on the property Friday evening anyway so really it is a win-win for everyone,” said Skooter Peaco, IHRA Vice President. 

Racers will get one round of qualifying on Friday prior to the Nitro Jam professional rounds and one additional round of qualifying Saturday morning at all Nitro Jam/Pro-Am combination events. Eliminations for Saturday’s race will take place throughout the day, with the semifinals and finals being included as part of the Nitro Jam show Saturday night. 

Sunday’s Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am presented by AMSOIL race will be run as originally scheduled.
 
The new qualifying schedule will begin at the San Antonio Nitro Jam April 5-7 at San Antonio Raceway and will be in effect at the Bradenton, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Grand Bend, Martin and Memphis Nitro Jam events. 

For more information on the 2013 IHRA Summit Pro-Am and Nitro Jam schedules, visit www.ihra.com.  

The FIA’s new electric racing formula is gathering speed with the launch of the FIA Formula E Team China Racing.

The new squad was officially proposed to the FIA as the second of 10 teams set to take part in the zero-emissions championship, which launches next year.

The announcement was made during a gathering this week at the Place de la Concorde, in which Alejandro Agag, the CEO of promoter Formula E Holdings, and Yu Liu, the Chairman of Team China Racing, met with FIA President Jean Todt. Also present were Steven Lu, CEO of Team China Racing, and Liang JianSheng, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy.
 
Agag said that China has “enormous potential” for the expansion of electric vehicles as a way to fight pollution in cities. “We think the FIA Formula E Championship can be a powerful tool to make electric cars popular with the Chinese public, particularly the younger generations,” he said. “Having a Chinese team with us in the Championship will be key to succeeding in that challenge.”
 
The zero-emissions championship, which begins next year, will feature electric-powered cars racing on city street circuits. This most recent announcement follows the launch last month of the FIA Formula E Team Drayson.
 
While Team China Racing will initially use the Formula E customer car currently being developed by Spark Racing Technology (SRT), McLaren and Dallara, its aim is to build its own Chinese electric formula cars within three years, supported by Chinese EV manufacturers.
 
Team China Racing has previously competed in championships including A1GP, Superleague Formula and FIA GT1.

New SCORE President Roger Norman has announced some additional staff appointments as he continues to prepare to launch his first season at the helm of SCORE at next week’s 27th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.
    
Having purchased SCORE International from Sal Fish on December 20 of last year, Norman has been finalizing his race staff to start the SCORE year.

While several primary personnel were part of the original SCORE, several key new appointments have been made by Norman, including Jessica Armstrong - Director of Racer and Event Services, and Ramses Perez - Marketing Director.

Both Armstrong and Perez have been working for several weeks after joining previously announced SCORE personnel: Oscar Ramos - Mexican Liaison and Attorney, Mandy Winger - Corporate Administration, Jose Grijalva - Race Director, Jake Velasco and Art Savedra - Co-Tech Directors, and Andrew Grimshaw - SCORE Media Production Manager.

Additional new consultants include George Antill - Start/Finish Announcer and Dirt Live anchor/producer, Bill Black - Safety Coordinator, Scott Estrada - Race Ops, Art Verling - Timing and Scoring, Manuel Gonzalez - SCOREgear/SCORE Store, and Art Eugenio - Official Photographer.

SCORE also announced that Tampa Digital of Florida, with Mike McKown as coordinating producer, will produce the SCORE races for national television. Negotiations are still under way for where and when the telecasts will be broadcast.

Additionally, SCORE announced that Tempt Media of Escondido, California, with Bryan Moore as associate producer, is involved with developing social media content as well as providing content for SCORE television productions.

Diligently helping oversee and direct the integration of all the myriad aspects of the administration side of what is basically a new racing organization is Norman’s wife Elise Norman, SCORE Vice-President.

In addition to Ramos, returning key consultants from the original SCORE include Dominic Clark - Media Director, Charlie Engelbart - Contingency Director, Dr. Jeff T. Grange - Medical Director, and Bob Steinberger - Radio Relay Operations.

The speedway at Irwindale has expanded its 2013 lineup of racing events to include three 'spec' classes, according to Irwindale Event Center GM Bob Klein.

Klein announced that 15 more individual race events had been added to the track's 2013 NASCAR calendar, including:
 
* The Bandoleros (driven by youngsters age 8 to 16) will contest a series of eight races at Irwindale in 2013 with four "dual-night" appearances at the Speedway on the following Friday and Saturday nights: April 26/27, June 14/15, October 4/5, and October 18/19.

"Bandos" are full-bodied, steel-tube-framed, mini-race cars powered by a 570cc / 30-horsepower Briggs and Stratton "Vanguard" engine that employs a centrifugal clutch to transmit power to the rear wheels.

* The S2 division, set up as the step between Karts or Legends Cars and full-size stock cars.
  
The concept was to use the most economical parts and establish rules that work to keep costs reasonable. These are full size race cars that feature a full tube frame, fiberglass bodies, and factory-sealed 350-horsepower V-8 engines.

The S2's are a touring division, and fans will see them at Irwindale twice this season: on April 27 and again on July 20.

* The Southwest Tour Trucks will compete in five events at Irwindale this season: May 4, August 31, September 21, September 28, and October 19.

The Southwest trucks combine a much-modified GM "metric" chassis with a tube frame upper section; they cover that frame with a replica pickup truck body rendered in fiberglass, and power the machine with a closely controlled V-8 engine.
 
Note: With the establishment of a separate set of events, SWTT are no longer one of the truck divisions that will compete at Irwindale in the new combined "Irwindale Race Trucks" category.

For more, visit www.irwindalespeedway.com.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has announced that Tim Goss, formerly the team's Director of Engineering, has been appointed to the position of Technical Director, effective immediately.
 
Goss joined McLaren in 1990 as a Development Engineer, and has been a central and successful stalwart of the team's engineering and technical function ever since, leading car design operations since his elevation to Director of Engineering in January 2011.

"As before, I'll be leading our car design operations, while continuing the process of evolving and improving our technical and engineering function in collaboration with Martin [Whitmarsh], Jonathan [Neale], Sam [Michael], Neil [Oatley] and the rest of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' hugely experienced technical and engineering team," Goss said.