NHRA will enter the 2013 season with a new anchor on its ESPN telecasts and a fresh approach to the television coverage of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. 

The 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opens Feb. 14-17, with the 53rd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Dave Rieff, who has been a pit reporter since ESPN began its NHRA coverage in 2001 and a staple of NHRA television for 17 years, will move into the anchor announcer position for the 2013 season. In addition to hosting coverage of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, Rieff will continue his lead role on the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series telecasts.

Joining Rieff in calling the action from the booth will be former NHRA racer Mike Dunn, who is beginning his 12th year with ESPN as a color analyst for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Gary Gerould will return as a pit reporter at all 24 events. Veteran announcer John Kernan, who joined the NHRA telecast team in 2007, will split pit reporter and trackside duties with Jamie Howe. Howe has served as a pit reporter for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series telecasts since 2011. and this year she will increase her presence in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series telecasts.

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series viewers can anticipate a fresh approach to the telecasts in 2013. As ESPN and NHRA constantly work together to bring viewers the highest-quality coverage, programs will capture even more of the drama of NHRA, showcase the stars of the sport, and incorporate new format changes to both the qualifying and race-day telecasts. 

ESPN will look to deliver more stories and analysis on the strategy of the sport, a stronger focus on head-to-head matchups, and more technical pieces. The stars of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing will be showcased with all-access wired segments, features on the drivers, and the development of power rankings in the categories. ESPN and NHRA also will work to make more use of social media platforms during the telecasts.

In all, ESPN will dedicate more than 110 hours of original programming to the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the world’s quickest, fastest, and most intense motorsport, on a same-day basis.

NHRA and ESPN will experiment with live coverage of qualifying and finals during the year. The first weekend to feature live racing action is the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries from Royal Purple Raceway in Houston, April 27-28. The final session of qualifying will air live on Saturday, April 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. ET. In addition, NHRA and ESPN will telecast live on Sunday, joining the racing action beginning with the semifinals in the Professional categories. The Sunday telecast will begin at 2 p.m. ET on April 28.

The prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Aug. 28-Sept. 2, will again feature 11 hours of wall-to-wall coverage, including complete coverage of final eliminations on Monday, Sept. 2, from noon to 6 p.m. ET.

AEM has announced that its Infinity stand-alone programmable engine management system was selected by Olsbergs MSE for use in its new Global Rallycross (GRC) SuperCar Lites program.

The Infinity ECU was chosen by Olsbergs MSE for its power, flexibility and durability, as these purpose-built Rallycross cars are specifically designed to withstand the abuses incurred in Global Rallycross competition.

The Infinity’s tuning power and processing speed, combined with a fully sealed enclosure able to withstand harsh environments made the it the ideal engine management system for these cars.

In addition to the tuning capability of the ECU, the teams will also rely on the Infinity’s state-of-the-art data logging capabilities and on-board wideband air/fuel controllers for accurate air/fuel readings and calibrations. The cars are also using AEM’s 4-Channel Coil Driver to drive the ignition coils.

AEM worked directly with Olsbergs MSE on the integration of the Infinity onto the SuperCar Lites.

The Infinity EMS delivers high-end engine control for the racing masses, providing technology, durability and capabilities that are typically found only in engine control units used at the top echelons of Motorsports, but at a price level that makes state-of-the-art ECU technology attainable to both professional teams and amateur racers.

Built around a latest-generation 200MHz automotive processor, the Infinity is capable of processing 400 MIPS (millions of instructions per second) and is among the fastest aftermarket ECUs available today.



The 2013 GRC Lites class was created as a way for drivers to gain experience in a car that will prep them for GRC SuperCars. Olsbergs MSE SuperCar Lites are purpose built cars designed to compete in the punishing environment of Rallycross, which features wheel-to-wheel action, multiple terrains and long jumps.

The cars feature rear mounted, Mountune/Olsbergs-built engines that deliver over 300 horsepower, 6-speed sequential transmissions with no-lift shift, AiM Sports dashes, tubular construction and fiberglass bodies. They are reported to accelerate to 60 mph in under three seconds.

Visit www.aemelectronics.com for application information and to find or become a Factory Trained Infinity EMS Tuner, or call AEM at 310/484-2322.

Granatelli Motor Sports is holding its first Dyno Day on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

Anyone who wants to pre-register can download the registration form from the following address: www.granatellimotorsports.com/forms/DYNO_DAY_REGISTRATION.pdf

Then, fax (805-486-6684) in the completed registration with the credit card information for a credit card payment, drop by the shop for a cash payment, or email Granatelli Motor Sports (sales@granatellimotorsports.com) a copy of the completed registration form.

People who pre-register can save and spend only $55 for three dynamometer power pulls. To register the day of the event is $65.

The day will feature multiple classes and many different types of vehicles: FORD vs. CHEVY vs. DODGE / TURBO vs. BLOWER vs. NITROUS / 4, 6, and 8 Cylinder Classes, and much more.

Huge discounts will be offered for people interested in any products.

Food will be provided, and WiFi is available for anyone with a portable device who wants to access the Internet.

Pictures and videos will be taken during the event as well, so cars will be featured on Granatelli Motor Sports’ webpage and social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.

The Dyno Day takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If there are still vehicles that paid and need dyno numbers, Granatelli Motor Sports will stay and finish dynoing the vehicles.

This Dyno Day will be held at Granatelli Motor Sports’ facility:

Granatelli Motor Sports
1000 Yarnell Place
Oxnard, CA 93033

For more information, visit granatellimotorsports.com.

Oliver Racing Parts, manufacturers of connecting rods for motorsports and other high-performance vehicles, has hired veteran manufacturing engineer Kenneth Ondercin as vice president of operations.

Ondercin will oversee all production activities for Oliver Racing Parts—from design and engineering to manufacturing and quality assurance. He will also be responsible for implementing machinery and equipment upgrades over the next year to enable the company to increase production capacity and expand its lineup of aftermarket racing parts.

“Ken has run facilities large and small, from machine shops to highly precise aerospace operations,” said Joseph A. Moch, President and CEO of Oliver Racing Parts. “Having dealt with all aspects of CNC [computer numerical control] operations, he is well-suited to oversee our facility operations and infrastructure improvements.”

Ondercin has 45 years of manufacturing experience and joins Oliver from DE-STA-CO industries, where he was manufacturing engineering manager for their Charlevoix, Michigan, operation.

From 1999 to 2010, Ondercin was with Skilled Manufacturing, Inc. (SMI) of Traverse City, Mich., developing equipment to manufacture aerospace and automotive components. He worked with management, quality and production to achieve AS 9100 quality standard, and was in charge of the continuous improvement cost reduction programs for SMI.

He is married with two grown children and two grandchildren, and lives in Kewadin, Michigan.

In January, ACAT Global of Charlevoix, Michigan, which manufactures lightweight, efficient metallic catalytic converter substrates, purchased a significant stake in Oliver Racing Parts, including all of the company’s debt. ACAT is also investing in Oliver’s upcoming machinery and equipment upgrades.

In response to overwhelming support over the last few days from racers and fans in favor of a legal Pro Modified class remaining part of the American Drag Racing League tour in 2013 and beyond, Pro Modified will be contested at all 2013 ADRL Tour events, the sanctioning body announced this week.

ADRL officials plan to follow all 2013 NHRA Pro Modified rules to the letter.

An official announcement including event and championship payouts will be made later this week.

For more information, visit www.adrl.us.

The West Coast Super Stock Weekly Racing Series will have the backing of IMCA this season.

Thirty-six series events are now scheduled at six different tracks in California and Nevada. IMCA is providing administration for the series, which will use the sanctioning body’s 40-point system.

“This is a unique situation,” IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root said. “We’ve been asked to administer a series at six tracks with one or more sanctioned divisions. The Super Stocks are also very similar to classes at several other IMCA tracks that are not part of the series.”

“We want to help this series grow,” he added. “Super Stocks have an aftermarket body and use the IMCA-stamped Hoosier G-60 or Hoosier 500 tire and, while not compatible to a single IMCA division, their rules are a combination of multiple IMCA divisions. IMCA will not control the rules."

Chris Kearns is the division director and will handle all rule enforcement and scheduling. Tracks hosting series dates include Bakersfield Speedway, Kings Speedway, Thunderbowl Raceway and Santa Maria Speedway in California, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Pahrump Valley Speedway in Nevada.

Track champions will be crowned at the three venues planning to hold four or more events; series standings will be based on the best 20 of each driver’s first 40 starts—that second number assumes more races are scheduled—and a maximum of 20 bonus points will be awarded at tracks scheduling a minimum of eight races.

An overall division champion will be crowned. Super Stock point funds will be similar to those for sanctioned Stock Cars.

License cost is $90. Drivers should cross off ‘Stock Car’ and write in ‘West Coast Super Stock’ when using the 2013 IMCA competitor’s application. Both the insurance policy and newsletter subscription IMCA members receive are included in that cost.

IMCA Sunoco Stock Car rules are very similar to those for the Super Stocks, but drivers will not be allowed to compete in both divisions. They can, however, race a Super Stock and an IMCA Modified or Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod.

“We will treat the Super Stocks like a sanctioned division. We’re not trying to make them Stock Cars or our Stock Cars into Super Stocks,” Root said. “Point standings will be posted on our website, and drivers’ pictures will be published in the newsletter.”

Questions can be directed to Root at the IMCA home office or to Kearns at 805/714-8538. His website is www.chriskearnspresents.com.

For more infomation, including schedules, visit www.imca.com.

Columbia Marking Tools has appointed manufacturers' representatives for the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States.

Gene Kennepp of Systems and Components, Inc. in Antioch, Ill., is responsible for northern Illinois, eastern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa. He has been a manufacturers’ rep for over 20 years, with emphasis in the automation industry. He was formerly a regional manager for a ball bearing company and sales and service manager for a stamping equipment manufacturer, and served in the US Marine Corps.

Wayne Beavers of Wayne/White Sales, who covers New York and New England for CMT, has spent 27 years representing manufacturers of automation feed systems and precise metal components. He previously held sales engineering and product management positions with the Milford Rivet and Machine Division of Raybestos Corp. Beavers is a veteran of the US Marine Corps and earned a B.S. degree in marketing from Quinnipiac College.

Columbia Marking Tools is a global leader in the design and manufacture of marking tools and systems for metal and plastic components. Marking expertise includes dot-peen, scribe, laser, impact marking, and roll marking systems, as well as dies, hand stamps and numbering heads.

For more, visit www.columbiamt.com.

Hoosier Racing Tires have been announced as the official racing tire supplier of the 2013 NASCAR racing season at Irwindale Speedway.

"We're so pleased that Irwindale has signed on with us to supply race tires for the next three seasons,” said Hoosier Tire West's president Rick Gerhardt. “Everyone knows what Irwindale means to short track racing in the Southland ... we're very proud to have been chosen to support this premier track with our American-made tire products."

Hoosier will also continue as the official tire supplier to Irwindale Event Center's onsite stock car driving school, the L.A. Racing Experience.

For more information, visit www.hoosiertirewest.com.

In related news, Bruce Flanders will return as the announcing voice of Irwindale Speedway on Saturday night, April 6, 2013.

"We couldn't be more pleased that Bruce is back for our re-opening season," said GM/COO Bob Klein. "Bruce is simply the best there is in this business. He was our voice when we opened in 1999 and it's just great to be able to say that he'll be back with us in April at Irwindale, where he has so many friends and fans."

Pasadena, California-born, Flanders' announcing credits run from the classic Hangtown motorcycle races to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, and from Mickey Thompson's stadium off-road races to being "type cast" in a number of blockbuster movies as, of all things, a racing announcer.
 
Flanders will be assisted at Irwindale by his daughter Megan, who will be up in the booth with him acting as his engineer, key grip, and more.

Circuit of The Americas has been selected through a competitive bidding process to host an installment of the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championships through a six-hour race scheduled for Sunday, September 22.

The 6 Hours of Circuit of The Americas will be partnered with two days of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón set for the preceding Friday and Saturday (September 20 and 21).

The World Endurance Championship (WEC) was created in 2011 by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for international motorsport, and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), replacing the ACO's former Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.

The series’ marquee event is the 24 Hours of Le Mans, held each summer at Circuit Le Mans in France, and each WEC event embraces the “Spirit of Le Mans” while offering six hours of endurance racing.

WEC features multiple classes of cars competing in endurance races, with sports prototypes competing in the Le Mans Prototype categories, and production-based grand touring vehicles competing in the GT Endurance categories.

Vehicle manufacturers and drivers compete for points and the chance to win “World Champion” titles each season.

NHRA has announced changes to sections 17 and 18 of the 2013 Rulebook regarding prohibitions on modifying Funny Car and Top Fuel components.

Only safety-enhancing modifications will be considered for approval and implementation during 2013.

Performance-enhancing modifications may be submitted for approval; however, even if approved for future use, it is NHRA’s plan that no performance-enhancing modifications will be implemented during 2013 in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories.

The rule change is intended to maintain parity and reduce the escalating costs of racing.

Only items or components currently approved by NHRA may be used in competition. If a vehicle is found to be using any item or component that is different from that which is approved, including an item or component that has been modified or altered from the approved configuration, then the driver will be penalized with a minimum $25,000 fine and deduction of 75 points.

Multiple violations and/or flagrant disregard for this policy may result in additional penalties as determined by NHRA in its sole and absolute discretion. Such additional penalties may include disqualification, suspension or loss of season points.

Among items and components that are subject to inspection and penalty if found to be different, altered, modified or otherwise not the same as the item or component that is approved, are the following: injector hats; supercharger cases (excluding end plates); supercharger inserts; supercharger rotors; cylinder heads (intake valve sizes may be increased to 2.470-inches max.); engine blocks; magnetos; ignition systems; data acquisition systems; safety shutoff system; event data recorder; front wings; rear wings; tires; and nitromethane.