In honor of the late Carroll Shelby’s birthday on Friday, January 11, the Carroll Shelby Foundation announced a $25,000 donation to a charity close to the philanthropist’s heart, the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA).

Established in 1991, the Carroll Shelby Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides medical support for children at home and around the world, as well as educational opportunities for young adults who want to advance their automotive trade skills.

“We wanted to do something special for what would have been Carroll’s 90th birthday this year,” said Jenni Shreeves, executive director of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “What better present to give than the gift of life. The Children’s Organ Transplant Association is a wonderful organization that continues to help thousands of children and young adults receive another chance at a happy and healthy life. We’re proud to share the same mission and values of such a highly respected team of philanthropists.”

The $25,000 donation was presented by Carroll Shelby Foundation Executive Director Jenni Shreeves and Board of Director Neil Cummings to Children’s Organ Transplant Association Representative Ben and Jodi Sornsin during the 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction gala on Monday, January 14.

As a COTA recipient, Ben Sornsin recently celebrated his 20-year anniversary of his liver transplant. The gala was a tribute to Carroll Shelby and his contributions to the automotive industry.

To learn more about the Carroll Shelby Foundation, make a donation or order an item with the exclusive commemorative signature, follow the link to www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.

Creating a new idea is a special accomplishment. While special, just because you think up an idea, it pays to consider that ownership of ideas belongs to more than just the individual. Ideas only take on life when they are supported by groups that are larger than the singularity that created inspiration. Feel good about inspiring others and your ideas will take on larger-than-life expectations. If you revere those that went out on the limb with you in support of the idea presented, you will find a higher level of success than you could find on your own.
 
Ideas are truly owned by the groups of people that pledge their belief. Ideas that are void of support muddle in the quicksand of challenge. Life is sucked out of creations before they are allowed to breathe if we are unable to motivate those around us to share in the fun. To inhale full lungs of inspiration, ideas need the energy of groups. Groups can range from just two people to the entire planet. Ownership and prosperity occur when the needed backing pushes thought into processes that can be implemented at costing that is equal to the profit potential. Profit potential can be measured in dollars, but it sometimes has more value if measured in workplace satisfaction. Great ideas are often about more than just money.
 
Ownership of ideas is found in the groundswell of activity that believers provide. Believing is contagious. Thank goodness for those creators of ideas that are dynamic enough to evangelize greatness for mass acceptance. By being appreciative and respectful, ideas are allowed to prosper when ownership is shared by those that promote the infant concepts to a level that allows more than just one person to see the benefits of thought. Traction of global acceptance is owned by all that participate. Joy is found in the inspiration that sets an original concept in motion. As more people become aware of new ideas, it seems reasonable that the odds of idea adoption are increased.

Ideas that bounce around one brain are just passing thoughts that are short on benefit. Ideas that connect the minds of many are truly owned by the groups that support them. True leaders grasp that “their” idea was never theirs, and original concepts are spurred forward by the flowing barrage of inspiration that funnels influence into a package that can be carried by others.

Every minute of every day creates interactions within our personal ecosystem. The connection of people and processes in our visible world inspires thoughts that can be put into practice. Value is found by volunteering ownership of our original thoughts to all that choose to believe. Empowerment is found at the idea ownership level. Contagious belief is the power source that fuels sustainable efforts, thus expanding ownership of ideas to more than a single individual.

Great ideas grow based on the passion of people that are willing to promote the goal. Passion pushes ideas to the stage of exponential belief. Shared ownership propels initiatives into the spotlight. Entire organizations or customer groups become stock holders in ideas simply by participating.

A concept is yours for only the amount of time that the idea is contained within your internal self. At the point your idea becomes external, innovation expands based on the passion and participation of groups you reach. If you relinquish ownership of an idea in its infancy, you increase the odds that group ownership will allow your creation to find its true potential. Pride and satisfaction squeeze ego aside, allowing those that participate to feel the inclusion of idea ownership. Partnering in ownership fuels motivation, and intellectual greed is tossed into the trash bin of waste. People that provide ornaments of idea enhancement are eager to evangelize their actions into what often becomes an entity that is larger than the concept individually stumbled upon.
 
At idea inception, at least some credit must be given to society, to the people around you, and to the groups that inspired you to think of a solution. The path of identification that allowed you to understand a problem was absolutely created by the environment you live in. Ownership truly belongs to all that contributed comments and actions, giving your brain the ingredients of inspiration. Those that spurred the tiny inputs along the way paved the path toward a shared solution.

Efforts more effectively climb the mountain of success if they are accepted by more than a single mind. It does little good to own an idea that nobody is aware of. Your so-called idea only finds prosperity when awareness of groups feels enough ownership to take chances and exert enthusiastic energy to pass on the concept to the next link in the chain. Connecting ideas to groups that can utilize the concept completes the process of positive change. What you retain is the creativity to repeat the process that inspires the next great idea, giving the world around you something new to own.

Go Forward – Move Ahead

Jeff Butcher

The British motorsport industry celebrated another successful year in 2012 with the Motorsport Industry Association’s (MIA) annual Business Excellence Awards.

The event, which took place January 10 in Birmingham, as part of the Autosport Show, saw over 500 guests from across the globe come together to recognize the achievements of the industry over the last 12 months.

The MIA Business of the Year Award was presented to Grove-based Williams F1. Williams F1 had a fantastic year in 2012, with Pastor Maldonado taking his first Grand Prix victory in Spain, the team’s first race victory since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix. Williams Hybrid Power (WHP) also made history by helping the Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro to become the first hybrid vehicle to win Le Mans.

Arianna Maugeri, European & Middle Eastern Business Development Manager at Performance Racing Industry, presented the Export Achievement Award to David Dodd, of Interex Motorsport.

The sold-out MIA Awards Dinner was attended by an audience of 500 senior executives from the international motorsport business community.

The main event was supported by PRI, Xtrac, Goodridge, Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, Grainger & Worrall, Desk Top Engineering, Ricardo and Autosport International.

First presented in 1995, the MIA Business Excellence Awards were created to recognize excellence at all levels within the motorsport and high performance engineering industry.

The 2012 winners, in the seven categories, were:

Service to the Industry supported by Goodridge 

Motor Sports Association

New Markets supported by Desktop Engineering

DC Electronics

Export Achievement supported by PRI 

Interex Motorsport

Technology and Innovation supported by Ricardo 

Millers Oils

Small Business of the Year supported by NEP 

Swindon Engines

Teamwork supported by Grainger & Worrall 

Honda Yuasa/Team Dynamics

Business of the Year supported by Xtrac 

Williams F1

Chris Aylett, CEO of the MIA, commented, “It’s a real privilege for us to be able to present the MIA awards winners every year. 2012 brought considerable success for our membership across the world and this year’s winners are unique examples of the dynamism that binds the motorsport industry together.”

The Ferrari Challenge, the longest running single marquee racing series in North America, has been added to the schedule of events for the upcoming Rolex 24 At Daytona Weekend on January 24-27 at Daytona International Speedway.

The Ferrari Challenge North America, which will feature Ferrari 458 Italias, will race the 3.56-mile road course on Friday, January 25 at 11:45 a.m. and on Saturday, January 26 at 10 a.m. prior to the start of the 51st anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Each race will be 15 laps in length.

The Ferrari Challenge is organized by Ferrari North America and its authorized dealers, and is sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association (GRAND-AM).

In 1992, Ferrari created the Ferrari Challenge, a single marquee racing series designed to allow Ferrari owners to race fellow Ferrari owners on the world’s greatest race tracks. The Ferrari Challenge expanded into North America in 1993 and has enjoyed a full schedule of races every year since.

The ARCA Midwest Tour presented by SCAG Power Equipment and Lester Buildings has partnered with Crane Cams to make Crane Cam Ignition systems the exclusive ignition systems of the ARCA Midwest Tour.



In an effort to maintain the highest level of competition, all ARCA Midwest Tour competitors will be mandated to run Crane Cams Ignition systems during all events of the 2013 season. Having one accepted ignition system will also expedite the tech process before and after the race events.



"This is something that has been in the works for some time. After working with Terry Johnson and seeing the Crane facility in Daytona Beach, it is amazing how much time goes into building and testing these ignitions," commented ARCA Midwest Tour Tech Director Mike "Lumpy" Lemke. "It should be a winning deal for all teams on the Tour. Crane Cams understands the needs of short track teams and works to create products that suit those needs. The only 'magic' in the box is what Crane has put in there."



The benefits offered to ARCA Midwest Tour competitors by the Crane Cams system include: Crane Cams Ignition systems offer low amperage draw on the car with high output and no loss of output to the plug even when the battery goes down to 8v; all systems are sealed from vibrations and moisture to ensure the maximum lifespan; and the adjustable and accurate rev limiter that is easy on the motor at max limit.



"We have worked with the Tour for several years now and have enjoyed the relationship with the series and race teams," stated Terry Johnson, Crane Cams' Ignition Products Manager. "Tim, Steve, and Lumpy have worked very hard to make the series affordable and competitive and we feel that the series is at a point of seeing tremendous growth in the coming years and we want to continue that solid partnership together."



To learn more about the Automobile Racing Club of America Midwest Tour, log on to arcamidwesttour.com.

This season the Top Fuel Dragster will return to the Nitro Jam lineup at every stop on the 2013 schedule.
 
Beginning at Southwestern International Raceway in March and ending at Memphis International Raceway in October, the 2013 Nitro Jam schedule will feature the return of Top Fuel Dragster, along with a host of returning nitro-powered machines including AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car, Nitro Harley, Fuel Altered and more.

Each stop on the Nitro Jam tour will also include the fire display of the 30,000 horsepower Super Shockwave jet truck, fireworks and unique surprises at every event.

All eight Nitro Jam events will feature Top Fuel as part of its lineup, with some races showcasing a pair of 8000 horsepower machines battling side-by-side on the quarter-mile and other events featuring as many as four.

Others will feature something quite a bit different, an experience that is expected to have fans talking.
 
“At select events on the 2013 schedule we will be racing a Top Fuel Dragster against a jet-powered dragster creating a sensory overload the likes of which many people have never seen,” said Nitro Jam President Aaron Polburn.
 
Among the drivers scheduled to race in 2013 are longtime Nitro Jam competitor and 2007 Top Fuel World Champion Bruce Litton, and rising star and 2012 race winner Kyle Wurtzel.
 
For more information on the 2013 Nitro Jam lineups and schedule, visit www.nitrojam.com.

Harvey Siegel, the founder of the resurrected Virginia International Raceway (VIR), has announced the passing of the baton to his partner, Connie Nyholm.

Over the last 15 years Siegel and Nyholm have transformed the former abandoned racetrack into one of North America’s premier road courses and the first true motorsport resort.

Siegel rediscovered the abandoned VIR some 15 years ago and viewed it as an opportunity to take his passion for sports car racing to a new level. Through his vision, he redefined what a motorsport facility should be. Armed with the ever-ready energy of Nyholm, a native Virginian, who returned to her roots to implement Siegel’s dream, the two worked together until the grand goal was accomplished.

Although Siegel is retiring from the operation and ownership of VIR, he will continue to be a club member, retain a residence at the track, and continue to enjoy what has become a grand motorsport tradition at VIR.

Siegel noted, “I am delighted to pass the baton to Connie, whose tireless efforts have helped make VIR the standard for all such facilities. Her energy and forward thinking complimented my own vision. Nowhere does the concept of two plus two equals five make a more perfect example. I am proud to turn this amazing facility over to a worthy custodian who I am confident will move it into the 21st century.”

Meantime, Nyholm has welcomed Kathy Stout as a new partner in VIR. Stout, along with her husband, are both accomplished VIPER racers with the NARRA Series, of which they are part owners.

The Stouts also own Pittsburgh International Race Complex, 35 miles north of Pittsburgh, which encompasses a road course and karting facility.

Hall of Fame racer Marty Jenkins is turning in his helmet for a promoter’s hat, as he will take over the lease of Newport Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Newport, Tennessee.
 
“We are going all in on this, and have already invested a lot of money in improvements to the speedway in preparation for the 2013 season,” Jenkins said. “Our goal is to make Newport Speedway one of the premier competitive tracks for drivers to compete at and for fans to enjoy.”
 
Jenkins recently signed the lease on the 4/10-mile high-banked asphalt oval and is already working on various improvements. He has also been in contact with many of the competitors. “We have had a lot of interest from competitors, those who raced here last year along with past competitors and many who are interested in coming for the first time,” Jenkins said. “The reaction has been very positive with the ideas we presented to them.”
 
He also plans to continue to have the track sanctioned under the ASA Member Track program. “They have a very good membership program for our competitors and it is very affordable for the benefits they offer,” Jenkins said. “My conversations with Dennis Huth and his staff have been very productive with a good exchange of thoughts and ideas."
 
“We look forward to working with Marty and his staff on his goals that he has in place at Newport Speedway,” Dennis Huth, ASA President said. “Every time we have a conversation, you can hear the excitement and confidence with his plans. I think many will be in for a pleasant surprise when they open their 2013 season later this year.”
 
Jenkins also said that their website is currently being updated and will be available soon. Competitors and sponsors who are interested in the 2013 season should contact Marty Jenkins at newportspeedwaygm@yahoo.com.
 
To learn more about the ASA Member Tracks and Sanctioned Series, visit www.asa-racing.com.

Design Engineering Inc. (DEI), a global provider of performance thermal tuning and acoustic control products, has announced that recent strong sales have precipitated the company’s need for additional warehouse space to accommodate current and expected growth of the company’s six primary product lines. 
 


In August 2012, DEI broke ground on a new 12,000-square-foot warehouse facility adjacent to the company’s existing building in Avon Lake, Ohio. Construction is currently underway and is expected to be completed in February 2013.
 


DEI says the new warehouse will nearly double in size the company’s existing space and will greatly improve the management of all warehouse operations for improved inventory management, and expedited shipping and receiving.

The lion’s share of the 80- by 150-foot space will be devoted to warehousing product; however, some space is designated for current and future manufacturing operations and research and development.
 


When completed, all raw materials and finished goods inventory will be consolidated on new pallet racks in one centralized large area to expedite deliveries that can be easily accessed by pallet truck. The shipping and receiving area will feature new loading docks with added space to maneuver into loading zones for speedy distribution.
 


David Markley, DEI president, commented, “DEI has been on the fast track to growth these past few years, including the addition of new brands such SPA Turbo USA and Ny-Trex. This, coupled with the high demand for the company’s thermal tuning and acoustic products and Boom Mat’s acoustical insulation and sound deadening products across a broad range of industries, necessitated the decision to invest in new space. We are fortunate that we were able to add to our existing headquarters and continue to support growth in our local community.”

Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) announced recently that Doug Donnelly has joined the organization as director of communications.

Donnelly is an Eastern Michigan University graduate with more than 20 years of experience in media, including daily and weekly newspapers, monthly news magazines and websites. He has covered auto racing events for the past decade.

As director of communications, Donnelly will be producing content for ARCAracing.com, managing media relations at the various ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards events, coordinating press releases for the company, and handling media guides for the series.

Donnelly comes to ARCA after more than 17 years at The Monroe Evening News, where he was an award-winning reporter, a sports writer and city editor during his tenure. While at The Evening News he authored a book about high school basketball and helped successfully launch a weekly newspaper, Bedford Now. He has been published in The Sporting News, Road King and Late Model Racer magazine.

Prior to The Monroe Evening News, Donnelly worked at The Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He is a member of the Monroe County Community College Alumni Board of Directors and serves as the chairman of the Whiteford High School Athletic Hall of Fame committee.

Donnelly and his wife Anne have four children and live in Ottawa Lake, Michigan.