The week-long Race Industry Week kicked off its busiest program ever with the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) and Claude Roelle’s Optimum G Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Seminar hosting events at the Orange County Convention Center Monday and Tuesday in advance of the opening day of the PRI Trade Show on Thursday in Orlando, Florida.

This year’s Race Industry Week will feature eight major events among 35 seminars and conferences that will take place in conjunction with the PRI Trade Show, which runs Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

The AETC drew engine builders from a wide variety of motorsports disciplines including stock cars, drag racing, road racing, short track, off-road, hot rods, motorcycles and marine.

“Attendance is strong and everyone’s ready for another PRI Trade Show,” said conference 
organizer Brian Reese, of the Comp Performance Group. “We continue to have the latest trends in advanced engine performance and the top engine builders and engine minds giving us the current trends. It’s all about our attendees being able to take away something. From the small engine builder to the biggest teams, there’s something in there to help make more power. Things have gone so well, there’s already a buzz about next year in Indianapolis.”

Conference attendees were just as pleased as Reese with this year’s AETC.
    
“Within the first couple of hours in the first day you get your money’s worth,” said noted engine builder Jon Kaase. “It’s a lot of information packed into two days that you’re just not going to get anywhere else. In the first hour or two somebody’s going to say something that sparks the thought, ‘I can use that in my everyday business’. You have 10 or 11 speakers and you’re going to learn something from every one of those speakers—and from some of them, you’re going to learn a lot. You also have five or six meals where you’re eating at a 10-person table where you can learn almost as during the presentations. Where else are you going to go eat lunch with Tony Stewart’s crew chief or Lake Speed, Jr.?”

The overall theme of the day was the desire to learn and go faster.

“It’s been very good,” said Roelle, whose career includes experience in Rally, Touring Cars, Formula 3, F3000, Formula One and the CART series. “It’s interesting because our composite audience includes a wide variety of the spectrum—amateurs and professionals, students, professionals in aerodynamics, data acquisition and tires—but all desiring more knowledge. Our attendees learn not only from me, but from each other. It’s all about connecting the dots, they may be specialists in one area, but this is about learning to connect the dots from one area of the car to another. Personally, I really enjoy coming to PRI. It gives us the ability to meet different people and there’s a market for us here, and PRI allows us to better understand the market.”

The 25th Annual PRI Trade Show features the latest product lines of over 1000 manufacturers of racing and high-performance automotive components, as well as precision machining equipment. It will be attended by approximately 38,000 racing business people from all over the United States, and more than 70 countries. For more information, go to www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow.

The Automobile Racing Club of America has released its 2013 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule of events, including 21 races spanning from mid-February to early October.

The season will open with the series' 50th consecutive annual appearance at Daytona International Speedway, scheduled for Saturday, February 16, just hours before that evening's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona Shootout.

The 2013 season will also be highlighted by ARCA's first visit to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.—one of two road course races—on Saturday, June 22, and a return to Kentucky Speedway for the first time since 2009 on Friday, September 20.

The schedule will conclude at Kansas Speedway for the second consecutive year. The championship race will take place Friday, October 4—two weeks earlier than in 2012. In between, ARCA will appear in 17 other races at a wide variety of venues.

Versatility will be required of ARCA competitors, who will be tasked with preparing for speedways, short tracks, dirt tracks, and road courses in ARCA's 61st season.

Outside of Daytona, Kentucky, and Kansas, five events are scheduled at four paved speedways over one mile in length. Pocono Raceway will host ARCA twice for the 27th consecutive year, and events at Talladega Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway, and Chicagoland Speedway return on the same weekends as in 2012.

Notably, the Chicagoland event will take place on a Sunday for the first time. While the first Pocono race will remain on its traditional Saturday date, the August race will take place on Friday for the first time.

Alabama's Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota's Elko Speedway—two short tracks new to the ARCA schedule in 2012—will again welcome the series on the same weekends. ARCA's home track, Toledo Speedway, will host a race on Sunday, May 19.

Additional short tracks returning to the ARCA Racing Series schedule include Salem (Ind.) Speedway on two weekends, Winchester (Ind.) Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Berlin (Mich.) Raceway, and Madison (Wis.) International Speedway. The Winchester race will move back one weekend in late June, and Iowa will take a new date in early September.

Contributing to the long-recognized diversity of the ARCA schedule will be the traditional mile dirt races in August at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and in September at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds.

Road course racing is in the plan for the sixth consecutive year, and two road course races are on the schedule for the second time ever and the first time since 2010. The 4.048-mile Road America course will welcome ARCA approximately one month before the sixth ARCA event at 2.25-mile Thunderbolt Raceway at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Companion events in 2013 include race weekends with the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Camping World Truck Series, as well as the new ARCA Midwest Tour, the ARCA CRA Super Series, and the ARCA Truck Series.

For more information, visit www.arcaracing.com.

Colin Dyne and Europlay Capital Advisors, LLC, a structured investment group, have become majority shareholders of the Global RallyCross (GRC) Series.

Colin Dyne, who will take over as GRC’s Chief Executive Officer effective immediately, brings significant experience and business acumen from the licensing, branding and racing arenas.

Responsible for driving the development of the William Rast brand, Dyne also spearheaded the William Rast Racing program, which has included such highlights as the 2011 Indianapolis 500 victory with Dan Wheldon, an eyewear partnership with Danica Patrick, and an apparel and accessories collection reflecting the active lifestyle.

“We are extremely excited with our investment and look forward to building a great property with all of our partners,” said Dyne. “Our initial goals are to build a strong platform by strengthening our infrastructure and personnel, and then working together to create a fabulous 2013 season for our standalone and X-Games events.”

GRC’s Co-Founders Brian Gale and Chip Pankow agree that the investment will provide the financial and human resources to move GRC to the next level.

“Bringing Colin and the investment group on-board has delivered an essential component that allows us to capitalize on the buzz we created in 2012,” said Gale.

Pankow agreed, adding, “The investment is confirmation that Global RallyCross is now positioned as a leader in world class motorsports.”

Crate Racin’ USA, the sanctioning body for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, has announced the formation of the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division that incorporate a rules package that gives competitors a choice of either built engines and the economical Chevrolet Performance 602 Crate Engine.
    
Three tracks currently involved with the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Late Model Division will also run the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division in 2013, along with a newly formed independent Street Stock Touring Division that will run the rules package that is available for viewing at www.nesmithracing.com on the Weekly Racing Series website.
 
Jackson Motor Speedway in Jackson, MS, Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS, and Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS have all signed on with the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division for the 2013 season. Jackson Motor Speedway will combine their Pure Stock and Super Street Divisions into the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division. The number of tracks is expected to increase in the coming weeks.
 
The promoters of these three tracks are all in agreement that a common set of rules for Street Stocks is needed for several reason, and were happy to work with Crate Racin’ USA to make it happen.
    
The newly formed Mississippi Super Street Showdown Series will also align with the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division and adopt the rules package for the 2013 season. The Mississippi Super Street Showdown Series will be a Touring Division for 2013 directed by Michael Williams.

For more information about the Mississippi Super Street Showdown Series visit their website at www.mssuperstreetshowdown.com.

NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division competitors at sanctioned tracks will be eligible to compete for a National points fund, just as the weekly late model competitors do in the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series. The point fund dollar amount will be announced by the first of the year, once the total number of tracks in the Division has been determined.

The NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division will give any track an opportunity to participate with a unified Street Stock rules package that will not eliminate a competitors’ current built engine, but will give the economical Chevrolet Performance Parts 602 Crate Engine a platform to compete on a level playing field.

The competitors in the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division will also receive the same national publicity that is given to those competitors in the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Late Model Division. The series will distribute a weekly press release featuring race winners, complete results, photos and point standings throughout the season through print media, the Internet, and social media.
    
The steel-head 350 horsepower Chevrolet Performance Parts 602 Crate Engine is built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications and is readily available at NeSmith Chevrolet in Claxton, GA, for $3,195.00 with free next-day delivery anywhere in the Southeastern United States. To place an order call Tim Bland at 877/497-3624.
 
The NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division will give the Chevrolet Performance Parts 602 Crate Engine a 200-pound weight break, a bigger spoiler, and a four-barrel carburetor. Several drivers have already competed with the 602 engine with successful results.
 
Sims also said the same Certified NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Rebuilders will also be authorized to perform any needed repairs inside the sealing system and rebuilds for the Chevrolet Performance 602 Crate Engines used in the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division. A list of Certified Rebuilders is also available at www.nesmithracing.com.

For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com.

This will be the seventh year that Mazda has participated in the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show.

And it will be a very hectic three days for the Zoom-Zoom crew, with three main activities keeping them busy.
 
“We love the PRI Show,” noted John Doonan, Director of Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations. “It has become the ideal off-season venue to make announcements, and to connect with key industry people. When we are at the track we are lucky to find a spare 15 minutes without a noisy backdrop.

“PRI allows us to meet with our partners to review the past season and plan our future,” he added. “We’re happy to talk business with all racers at our Friday morning seminar, and we hope everyone will check out the Mazda2 B-Spec build. While many show cars have been built at the SEMA Show, we think this is a first for PRI. We’ll also give our annual update to the media. It will be a very full three days.”

The details of Mazda’s three key events are as follows:
 
What:    Racercar build—Transform a stock Mazda2 into a B-Spec racercar in about 25 hours (three days at the PRI trade show) with a Mazda B-Spec kit plus safety equipment.
When:   Thursday, November 29, 2012-Saturday, December 1, 2012
Where:  Space 2191 - Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, Orlando, Fla.
Who:     The work will be managed by Long Road Racing with the assistance of partners BFGoodrich, SBox Engineering, SafeCraft Safety Equipment, HRP Racing, AiM Sports, MOMO, Miller Welding Products and Optrix.
Why:     To demonstrate how EASY it is to do.
How:     Mazda2 + B-Spec Kit + Safety Equipment + Teamwork = Racecar
 

What:     Business/Marketing/PR 101 For Racers
When:    8:00 am Friday, November 30, 2012
Where:   Room 230F Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, Orlando, Fla.
Who:      John Doonan, Dean Case, and Mo Murray
Why:      To pick up a few off-track skills
How:      Take notes & Ask Questions.
 


What:     Mazda Motorsports Press Conference
When:    11:30 am Friday, November 30, 2012
Where:   Media Center, Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, Orlando, Fla.
Who:      All members of the media are invited to attend
Why:      To hear what Mazda is planning for 2013
How:      Take Notes & Ask Questions.

The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series has entered into an alliance with the newly formed Pulaski, PA-based Northern States RUSH Late Model Series that will sanction crate late model racing in several states.  

The Northern States RUSH Late Model Series will use the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS as a model for operations and rules.

The Northern States RUSH Late Model Series will implement the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS engine and tire rules, with only a few differences for the Chevrolet Performance 604 and 602 Crate Engines used by both series. 

The RUSH series will also adapt the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS engine sealing program to create accountability for engine repairs and rebuilds.

The Northern States RUSH Late Model Series will be operated by veteran race organizers Vicki Emig and Mike Leone, who bring a lot of experience and knowledge to the series after working with another series in the area for the past six years.

Like the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, the Northern States RUSH Late Model Series will feature a Touring Division and a Weekly Racing Series for non-touring drivers. The two series will have separate point funds. Both series will operate independently with the NeSmith DLMS covering the Southeastern United States, and the RUSH LMS operating in the Northeastern United States.

The RUSH Northeast Touring Series will consist of 20 to 25 events. The RUSH Regional Weekly Series Championship will feature a $25,000 point fund paying back 30 spots and paying the top 30 drivers in the point standings with $5,000 going to the Champion.

The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series has been in operation since 2005 competing exclusively with economical Chevrolet Performance 604 and 602 Crate Engines that are built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications.  

Through the years, the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS has developed a Certified Engine Rebuilders program and a special seal for repaired and rebuilt engines that has ensured a level playing field and gives accountability to the rebuilt engine. The NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Engine Seals will be available to engine builders in the RUSH LMS area of operation that choose to be approved by the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS.

The RUSH LMS will still accept seals from other dirt crate late model series, as does the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS. Racers with technical questions and interested engine builders looking to be approved as Certified Engine Rebuilders can contact the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Technical Director Tim Sims at 256/794-4047 or at tim@nesmithracing.com until the RUSH LMS Technical Director is put in place.

The NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS and the Northern Sates RUSH Late Model Series will share the same tire rule with two different Hoosier Race Tire compounds to choose from—the Crate Racin’ USA D55 and Crate Racin’ USA D21 tire.

Also, by aligning the Northern States RUSH Late Model Series with NeSmith, competitors will have the opportunity to participate in the following upcoming National Events: the 8th Annual $10,000 to-win, 100-lap Chevrolet Performance World Championship Race at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, FL on November 30-December 1, 2012, and Florida Speedweek at BRP on January 28-February 2, 2013.

Tracks wishing to sanction weekly Crate Late Model racing under the RUSH Racing Series and/or interested in booking a Northeast Touring Series event, should contact the office at 724/964-9300.
 
Email can be sent to info@rushracingseries.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. A RUSH Racing Series website will soon be released at www.rushracingseries.com.
 
For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series visit the series website at www.nesmithracing.com.

Veteran business leader and international sports executive Mark D. Miles will become chief executive officer of Hulman & Company on December 17.



The appointment of Miles adds extensive experience to the company's management. It also positions Jeff Belskus, who currently serves as CEO of several Hulman & Company lines of business, to focus his attention primarily on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation and INDYCAR.



Miles will lead the overall business direction and management of Hulman & Company, including a key role in the refinement and implementation of the company's long-term strategic plan. Hulman & Company is comprised of Clabber Girl, Georgetown Realty, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, INDYCAR, IMS Productions and various other business entities.



Miles brings an impressive blend of experience from all phases of his career to this new role. In the sports world, he transformed the ATP, governing body of men's international professional tennis, from a start-up league to an international leader. During his 15-year tenure, the ATP posted impressive revenue gains, launched innovative marketing initiatives and expanded its global presence through successful events in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.



Bookending Miles' career are two major sports entertainment events which he successfully and profitably led: the Pan American Games in 1987 and the Super Bowl in 2012, a 10-day event that attracted more than a million fans and set a new standard for the NFL.



His most recent business career includes six years leading the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, a consortium of the leading companies in Central Indiana working with the premiere university research institutions to strategically develop economic growth in the region. During this same period, Miles has served on the board of The Pantry, one of the largest independently operated convenience store chains in the country, with more than 1,500 stores in 13 states and annual revenues exceeding $6 billion. He is also a director for City Securities, a diversified financial services corporation based in Indianapolis. Earlier in his career, Miles was executive director of corporate relations for Eli Lilly and Company.



Belskus will continue as president of Hulman & Company, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation and interim CEO of INDYCAR. He has served as president and CEO of Hulman & Company since October 2011, one of his many senior management roles in Hulman & Company operations over the past 25 years.


WC Vision has approved the Audi R8 LMS, Mercedes SLS, and BMW Z4 for competition in the Pirelli World Challenge GT class for 2013.

“With the addition of Audi, BMW and Mercedes,” said Scott Bove, WC Vision, President and CEO, “we offer Pirelli World Challenge fans the most manufacturer brand diverse racing on the planet. Our GT class will have representation from 10 different brands.”

The 2013 season will showcase an increase in event weekends, car counts, and live stream coverage in addition to coverage on NBC Sports Network.

For more information on the 2013 schedule, visit www.world-challenge.com/event/season.php?y=2013.
 
The Pirelli World Challenge is one of North America's top production car-based racing championships.

Divided into four separate categories (Pirelli World Challenge GT, Pirelli World Challenge GTS, Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car and Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car B-Spec), each race features thrilling standing starts, adrenaline filled door-to-door action and world-class drivers.

Recently, the New York/New Jersey (and beyond) areas were hard hit by Hurricane Sandy.

Parise Racing was fortunate not to have incurred any damage personally, but many friends, family and other residents were not as lucky.

Lives were lost and property was severely damaged. In some cases, entire communities have been deemed condemned. It will be a long road to recovery.      

To assist in the recovery, Parise Racing has begun its ‘Rev Up’ Sandy Relief campaign, where it will personally be accepting as well as distributing various items to ensure they reach those in need.

**School Supplies**

*SUPPLIES NEEDED: Marble/Spiral Notebooks • Pens/Pencils/Crayons • Loose Leaf Paper • Binders • Construction Paper • Cheap Calculators • BACKPACKS

**Personal Items**

*ITEMS ALSO NEEDED: Non-perishable food items, baby items (Diapers and wipes especially!), Toiletries, Warm Clothing  and Pet food (Dog and cat)***

**Toy Drive**

Because this will be a tough holiday season for many, Parise is also collecting NEW, unwrapped toys for the kids (don’t forget the 10-13 year olds).

*Send or drop off these much needed items to:

Parise Racing
1 Dale Drive
Oakdale, NY 11769

For additional information or questions, email info@pariseracing.com, or visit:
www.pariseracing.com/
www.facebook.com/PariseRacing
twitter.com/pariseracing

JEGS, a leader in aftermarket distribution of high performance parts and accessories, is seeking to fill two positions: Product Development/Purchaser for High Performance Auto Parts and High Performance Automotive Parts Buyer. 

For its Product Development/Purchaser for High Performance Auto Parts, JEGS is in need of a highly motivated individual that has a passion for and solid understanding of vendor sourcing in a tight niche market. Individuals with experience in product management of high performance auto parts are being sought.

Responsibilities:
Business analysis and recommendations: Build recommendations for brand growth with guidance/ input from Private Brand Team. Present findings and recommendations to Senior Management (daily, weekly, and monthly)
· Product sourcing and development of private brand goods
· Vendor relations to include selection, negotiation, communication and partnership development
· Assist in product development and packaging assembly
· Assist with brand forecasting
· Developing merchandise assortments by category and continually evaluate,
analyze and adjust these assortments
· Analyze, forecast and interpret marketing and consumer trends
· Responsible for defining JEGS Private Brand roadmap from concept through
commercialization

Qualifications:
· Marketing and/or Product Development Bachelors’ degree preferred
· Practical knowledge of product applications and use
· Strong communication (written and verbal)
· Demonstrate ability to manage/ lead teams
· 5-8 years previous sourcing/manufacturing experience
· Have an understanding of various manufacturing processes and basic engineering practices
· Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel



MUST HAVE BACKGROUND IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY CONSISTING OF AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET AND HIGH PERFORMANCE AUTO PARTS. APPLICANTS WITHOUT THIS BACKGROUND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.



JEGS offers a competitive salary, medical/dental/vision/RX insurance, company paid life insurance, voluntary life insurance, 401K and profit sharing retirement plans, paid holidays, personal days, associate product discount, and a casual dress environment.



To learn more about JEGS, review the website at www.jegs.com.

Qualified candidates can email resumes and salary requirements to hr5@jegs.com or mail to:
 

 

For its High Performance Automotive Parts Buyer, JEGS is in need of a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual with strong negotiating and analytical skills, who has solid experience in the automotive performance market.
 
Duties Include:
· Evaluate new product from existing vendors
· Negotiate with new vendors on pricing, payment terms, co-op advertising allowance, rebates, etc.
· Develop plans to increase sales of existing products
· Maintain current supplier relationships and account lines
· Monitor vendor performance to ensure quality, proper inventory levels, correct product descriptions, optimal cost/productivity levels and cross reference maintenance
· Stock adjustment/returns to suppliers and warranty returns.
· Minimal travel required

Requirements:
· Minimum of 4 years of purchasing experience in the automotive market with high performance parts
· Demonstrated understanding of purchasing techniques, procedures and policies
· Strong catalog and web merchandising skills
· Strong computer literacy
· BS in Business Administration or equivalent experience

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE HIGH PERFORMANCE PARTS EXPERIENCE. 

Only candidates with this experience will be considered.
 
To apply, send a resume with cover letter and salary expectations to hr5@jegs.com.



To learn more about JEGS, review the website at www.jegs.com.