Mazak Corporation has announced its National Service Department and Training Department will move into the company’s expanded National Technology Center & Center for Multi-Tasking and Manufacturing Excellence in Florence, Kentucky, effective December 18, 2012.

All customer training courses will be conducted in the new larger facility beginning the week of January 7, 2013.

The National Technology Center marks the second of three major expansions that will add significantly to Mazak’s Kentucky manufacturing campus, ultimately increasing its total floor space to 800,000 square feet and positioning it as one of the largest machine tool factories in the country.

The first of the three expansions was that of the company’s North American Parts Center and Spindle Repair Department, which allows Mazak to now stock over 52,000 unique part numbers valued at more than $65 million to provide customers with one of the industry’s most expansive spare parts inventories.

The third and most significant expansion is that of Mazak’s manufacturing plant that will boost the company’s production capacity to as many as 200 machines per month to meet the needs of various types of machines and support.

The National Technology Center, which opened in 1996 and was doubled in size as the result of a 2006 expansion, has now grown from 69,000 to 100,183 square feet of space. Included is the addition of seven new high bay areas in the technology hall that was enlarged by 12,000 square feet, making the entire building a total of 625 feet in length.

With an additional 18,750 square feet of office space, which includes a new second story, the Technology Center office area now houses six new dedicated customer-training classrooms and space for the company’s National Service Department and MAZATROL Control Support Group.

The facility provides ample room for customer hands-on training courses as well as machine maintenance training classes. For a complete list of available training classes, please visit https://support.mazakcorp.com.

Mazak’s National Technology Center is the hub for its eight Regional Technology Centers and, as such, enhances the company’s customer support capabilities throughout North America. Together, Mazak’s Technology Centers play a key role in the company’s comprehensive Optimum Plus service and support program.

Each Technology Center offers full access to advanced Multi-Tasking and five-axis machines, training courses, applications assistance and seminars, parts support and leading-edge networking and manufacturing technologies, which collectively provide Mazak customers with the resources required to achieve lean, efficient manufacturing operations.

Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America have announced several important procedural changes for the 2013 ARCA Racing Series season.

Beginning in 2013, drivers aged 17 years old may be considered for eligibility to drive in race events at Pocono Raceway and Kentucky Speedway. Drivers seeking approval will be subject to meeting specific and strict guidelines, including but not limited to a thorough driving experience review, successful participation in a minimum of five approved ARCA Racing Series events, and an ARCA-sanctioned open test at the intended track.

The change will give 17-year-old drivers three more races to enter in 2013, bringing the potential season total for a 17-year-old to 16 races.

ARCA also announced that in 2013, the starting field for the February 16 race at Daytona International Speedway will be 40 positions. The first 30 positions will be set by time trials, and the remaining 10 will be set by the provisional procedure listed on the entry blank.

Starting fields for other tracks 0.75 mile or larger will hold a maximum of 36 positions. The first 30 positions will be set by time trials, and the remaining six will be set by the provisional procedure listed on the entry blank.

ARCA notified teams of the changes in a bulletin earlier this week.  

The NMRA Ford Nationals Series has announced its 2013 event schedule.  

The 15th anniversary tour will include a tighter schedule, more heads-up racing, and exciting special events planned at each and every race.

Over 4000 racers and car show participants will be competing for fame and fortune as national bragging rights are on the line, as well as the richest purse and contingency program of any Ford-only series.

The races are as follows:

March 7-10, 2013        
19th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Break Shootout Presented by Steeda
Featuring the Muscle Mustangs Spring Break Shootout
Bradenton Motorsports Park – Bradenton, Florida

April 11-14, 2013        
5th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals
See NMRA & NMCA Stars Racing the Same Weekend at the Same Event!
Atlanta Dragway – Commerce, Georgia
    
May 3-5, 2013        
13th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals
Featuring Special SVT 20th Anniversary Race Classes
Maryland Int’l Raceway – Mechanicsville, Maryland

June 14-16, 2013        
10th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals
Featuring Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords 25th Anniversary Celebration and a special 5.0 Shootout
Summit Motorsports Park – Norwalk, OH

July 11-14, 2013        
8th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing Presented by Miller Welders
Watch as Team NMRA Takes on Team NMCA for Nitto Tire Diamond Tree Super Bowl Rings!
Route 66 Raceway - Joliet, Illinois

October 3-6, 2013        
15th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals
Featuring 5.0 Mustang’s King of the Street and the
3rd Annual VMP Tuning Terminator / GT500 Shootout
Beech Bend Raceway – Bowling Green, Kentucky

For more information on the NMRA Ford Nationals, log on to www.nmradigital.com or call 714/444-2426.  

Loveday Motorsports has teamed up with TC Noel and Noel Racing’s dirt modified driver, Dustin Boney, to become an official GRT Dealer. 

Loveday, from Minnesota, trusts Noel and Boney to operate the dealership, setting up the GRT’s and offering at-the-track services to racers throughout the Midwest. 

Car owner TC Noel and driver Dustin Boney found victory at the 2012 Jayhawk Modified Classic on September 22 at Lakeside Speedway in their newly updated GRT by TC/PRP, and demand for the knowledge behind the GRT by TC/PRP grew.

The team is now offering complete GRT Modifieds, built with the knowledge the pair has gained during USMTS Racing throughout the Midwest. 

The new GRT by TC/PRP can come with a wide range of options. For complete cars or otherwise, TC/PRP through Loveday Motorsports will work with buyers to customize each GRT to their liking. 

To find out more, contact a local GRT Dealer. GRT by TC/PRP can be reached by visiting www.primeracingproducts.com, or contact TC Noel directly at 816/390-3153 or Dustin Boney at 913/290-1146.

The Quarter Mile Foundation has begun production of a special, introductory volume DVD for the PROJECT 1320 documentary, titled “Voices from the Tower.”
   
The DVD uses portions of interviews of three legendary drag racing announcers: Bob Frey, Jon Lundberg and Dave McClelland.
 
With well over 20 hours of interviews of the three, and 150 years of announcing experience between them, “Voices from the Tower” should give the audience a very broad overview of how the sport grew and evolved, said Foundation Chairman Traci Hrudka.

Atlanta, Georgia-based Dan Koterba, who has conducted and filmed the majority of the interviews, is overseeing the production: “In the ‘Voices from the Tower,’ you’ll find them making their observations about the events and situations they viewed as announcers,” he said, “plus offering commentary about topics we might not expect to hear from them.”

“Voices from the Tower” will be priced at $20 plus shipping and handling from the Quarter Mile Foundation website (www.quartermilefoundation.com). 

The Production work is currently underway, with an anticipated release in early 2013.

The 2012 WKA Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 27, in conjunction with Daytona KartWeek. It will be located at or near the Daytona International Speedway.

The exact time and place will be announced shortly. The objective of holding the meeting during Daytona KartWeek is to give as many members as possible the opportunity to attend.

The meeting agenda will include:

•    A presentation by WKA President Rick Dresang on the state of the Association

•    A discussion of proposals for reorganizing WKA to make it more efficient and effective and to better respond to membership requirements

•    A Question and Answer session with the WKA Officers and Trustees present

The meeting will also provide an opportunity for members to cast their vote for two proposed Code of Regulations changes. In summary these two Code of Regulations proposals will:

•    Allow WKA Master Members to nominate and vote for Trustees and to vote on Code of Regulations amendments by electronic ballot as well as mail. The objective of this change is to provide more voting options for our Master    Members and increase participation.

•    Allow WKA Trustees to approve meeting minutes and vote on motions by electronic ballot. The objective is to take advantage of the latest information technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.

All Master Members in good standing as of December 1, 2012, will also receive ballots in the mail later this week. They can return the ballot to Russell & Byrd LLC, 4884 Highbee Ave. N.W., Canton, OH 44718 to arrive by December 24, 2012, or they can cast their ballot at the meeting in Dayton Beach.

Results of the vote will be announced by Pit Board and website post the first week of January.

The all-new NMCA WEST Street Car Nationals, presented by Flowmaster, recently completed a successful inaugural season of incredible street-legal drag racing. 

NMCA WEST will finish the season in style with an exclusive awards ceremony to be held at the Edelbrock Museum on Saturday, January 19, 2013. 

This special event, hosted by the voice of drag racing, Dave McClelland, will feature awards presentations, jackets to all top-10 class competitors, highlight videos & slide shows, special guests and much more.

In addition, each 2012 class champion will receive a double-tier Wally, courtesy of NHRA and Aerospace Components, and a Nitto Tire Diamond Tree Championship Ring.
 
Event: Flowmaster NMCA WEST Street Car Nationals Awards Ceremony
Date: Saturday, January 19, 2013
Admission: Complimentary
Location: Vic's Garage at the Edelbrock Museum, 510 Madrid St., Torrance, CA, 90501
Hours: Museum Open & Cocktail Party: 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm; Awards Ceremony: 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
 
Plan on soaking up hot rod history as Vic Edelbrock opens up his private museum to NMCA WEST racers, crew, sponsors, and friends for an incredible evening of friendship and celebration.
 
RSVP Instructions: RSVP to Gina Garcia by Wednesday, January 2. She can be reached at (714) 444-2426 X118 or via e-mail at AR1@promediapub.com. Be ready to provide her with individual names for all people in your party. NMCA WEST Awards Ceremony admission tickets will be mailed to all people who RSVP.

For more information on the NMCA WEST Street Car Nationals log on to www.nmcadigital.com or call 714/444-2426.

AFCO Racing, an Indiana-based specialty manufacturer of shocks, springs, brakes and cooling products announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Pro-Formance Shocks, Inc., the Georgia-based manufacturer and retailer of the Pro Shocks brand of shock absorbers.

The transaction is expected to be completed prior to the end of 2012.

Jeff Scales, AFCO Racing’s President, added, “It is exciting for us to acquire the Pro Shocks brand. Pro Shocks has been instrumental in outfitting winning race cars for over 30 years. They have a long tradition of delivering innovative products to the racing market. We look forward to enhancing and expanding the Pro Shocks brand.”

In addition to the Pro Shocks acquisition, AFCO is in the midst of a $3.7 million dollar expansion to its current manufacturing and warehouse facilities in Boonville, Indiana. The expansion is expected to create over 60 new positions that will be filled in 2013.

AFCO Racing is a manufacturer of suspension, engine cooling, and exhaust products for the automotive racing and high performance markets. Founded in 1983 as a small, family owned business, it now distributes products throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

For more information, visit www.AFCORacing.com.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series made several big announcements this past weekend during the Championship Awards Banquet in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Jimmy Owens was honored as the 2012 LOLMDS National Champion in front of a huge crowd at the Lucas Estate in Carmel, Indiana, last week at the series' year-end awards banquet.

During the banquet, series officials announced that ASI Racewear will be the title sponsor of the expanded crown jewel cup presented by DirtonDirt.com. The "ASI Crown Jewel Cup presented by DirtonDirt.com" will pay $10,000 to the driver that earns the most points during the nine race mini-series within the LOLMDS schedule in 2013. To be eligible for the cash bonus, drivers will have to maintain perfect attendance throughout the 2013 season.

Any companies interested in being involved in this program can contact series Marketing Director Wayne Castleberry at 951/532-5806.

The nine events included in the ASI Crown Jewel Cup presented by DirtonDirt.com will be the $30,000 to win Show-Me 100 in Wheatland, MO; $20,000 to win Clash at the Mag in Columbus, MS; $27,000 to win Silver Dollar Nationals in Greenwood, NE; $50,000 to win Sunoco North/South 100 in Florence, KY; $40,000 to win COMP Cams Topless 100 in Batesville, AR; $25,000 to win Hillbilly 100 in Ripley, WV; $20,000 to win Jackson 100 in Brownstown, IN; $40,000 to win Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals in Knoxville, IA; and the season finale $50,000 Dirt Track World Championship in Portsmouth, OH.

Officials of the LOLMDS announced two additional events added to the series schedule for 2013. The series will return to West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, WV with a one day $10,000 to win show on Sunday April 21. The event will be part of a tripleheader weekend.

The weekend will kick off on Friday April 19 with a 50-lap $10,000 to win event at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, PA. On Saturday April 20, the series will compete at Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, MD for another 50-lap $10,000 to win event, before heading to West Virginia Motor Speedway on Sunday April 21.

The LOLMDS has also added a new track to the series schedule in 2013. The series will visit Attica Raceway Park in Attica, OH on Friday, August 30, for a 50-lap $10,000 to win show that kicks off another tripleheader weekend.

The series will then heads to Portsmouth Raceway Park, in Portsmouth, OH for a $15,000 to win feature event on Saturday August 31. Then on Sunday, September 1, the series will travel to I-77 Speedway for the $25,000 to win "Hillbilly Hundred" to cap off a $50,000 to win Labor Day weekend of racing.

LOLMDS officials also announced changes in staff roles beginning with the 2013 season.

Longtime Lucas Oil employee Rick Schwallie has been promoted to the Assistant Series Director of the LOLMDS. The LOLMDS Series Director, Ritchie Lewis, has taken on the additional role as the Series Director for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series beginning immediately, and will direct both the LOLMDS and the LOORRS.

The LOLMDS also announced that Kenny Kenneda has become the newest full-time LOLMDS employee, as the Competition/Race Director and will be responsible for tech enforcement/inspections and race direction. A.J. Bingham will remain with the series as well.

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

Arshot Investment Corporation announced recently that Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) has committed to partner with the company on its redevelopment of the Cooper Stadium site in Columbus, Ohio.



Members of the NASCAR team, led by two-time Daytona 500 champion and broadcast analyst Michael Waltrip, will serve as public ambassadors of the Sports Pavilion & Automotive Research Complex, or SPARC.



SPARC will feature a paved half-mile track, with preserved grandstand seating, and will be anchored by an automotive research and technical training center. MWR will consult with Arshot on design and operation of the track and will make use of SPARC facilities for testing team cars and conducting various team events.



Waltrip also indicated SPARC’s location in Columbus was important to MWR.

“Being located in the heart of Ohio, a market largely untapped by NASCAR, will provide MWR and its sponsors with high-impact exposure to millions of current and new racing fans,” Waltrip said. “We can’t think of a better way to cap the most successful season in our team’s history.”



MWR recently completed its sixth full year of NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. The team is comprised of Clint Bowyer’s No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota, Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, and the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota (driven by Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Waltrip).

Arshot entered into a Good Neighbor Agreement during the project planning process which provides for establishment of a charitable foundation to be funded from ticket sales at the new venue.

The primary purpose of the foundation will be to provide academic scholarships, vocational training and other educational opportunities to residents of the Southwest and Franklinton Areas of Columbus. Under the agreement, qualified residents and businesses will also be given first consideration for purposes of hiring employees and purchasing materials and services. 



For more information, visit http://www.michaelwaltripracing.com/.