Champion Racing Association has announced that the 2012 Champion Racing Association Awards Banquet will be held at the Caribbean Cove Hotel and Conference Center located at 3850 Depauw Boulevard in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Saturday, January 5, 2013.

Champion Racing Association will honor the top 10 teams from the ARCA/CRA Super Series, JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance, Top Speed Fabrication CRA Late Model Sportsman and the CRA Street Stocks.
 
On Saturday, January 5, there will be a reception to start the evening’s events at 5 pm, followed by a buffet dinner at 6 pm, with the awards ceremony immediately following at approximately 7 pm. Champion Racing Association has signed The Bishops, Indy's No. 1 rated Pop & Rock Party Band, to perform after the awards ceremony at approximately 9 pm.
 
In addition to the point finishing awards, there will be several special award winners honored that night including each CRA division's Rookie of the Year, each division's Sportsman of the Year, and each division's Dedication Awards. There will also be product giveaways for all four CRA divisions and some special gifts from JEGS for all the attendees.
 
Some of the products that will be given away by random draw for the teams attending include a complete body from Five Star Racecar Bodies for the ARCA/CRA Super Series, JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour and Top Speed Fabrication CRA Late Model Sportsman teams, and a $250 Product Certificate from Five Star Racecar Bodies for the CRA Street Stocks.



A set of wheels from Bassett Racing Wheels for the Super Series and JEGS Tour teams and a set of wheels from Aero Racing Wheels for the Super Series, JEGS Tour, Late Model Sportsman and Street Stocks, a $1000 and a $500 Product Certificate from McGunegill Engine Performance for the Late Model Sportsman and Street Stocks, a racing seat from Butler Built Safety Systems for the Super Series and a bare chassis from Victory Circle Chassis for the JEGS Tour will be given away as well.

There are also Product Certificates from Butler Built Safety Systems, Schoenfeld Headers and TJ Lubricants to be given away. And there will be drawings for prizes for the women present at the banquet.
 
For rate information, teams can contact the Caribbean Cove hotel at 317/872-9790 and ask for the CRA Awards Banquet room rate. Rooms must be reserved by December 22 to receive the discounted rate.
 
RSVP’s for the banquet will need to be sent in to the CRA office by December 20, 2012. Teams and guest can download a banquet invitation off the CRA website. For more information on the 2012 Champion Racing Association Awards Banquet, contact the CRA office at 812/883-0455, or visit the series website at www.craracing.net.

Centralizing your industry focus in one location reduces travel expenses and places your products in an environment of excitement. Industry buzz adds to promotions, making Trade Shows the perfect vehicle to promote your company.

Since Trade Shows come with the associated expenses, it is wise to think about your goals when attending or exhibiting any shows. Looking beyond the obvious will enhance many facets of your organization. Trade Shows place shoppers and vendors in a room that sets the mood for a proactive business shopping experience.

Advance planning will help you to gain the most benefit. Everyone at a show is busy. Setting up meetings in advance, with a time range, will prepare customers or vendors so they are aware of your presence. Being flexible will help you to see more products and people.

Setting a hard time at a Trade Show is difficult, and a time window creates the best opportunity for your contacts to be on the lookout for you.

When exhibiting—most companies are good at bringing their exciting products and company catalog. A well-designed booth welcomes your customers into your mobile store in an inviting fashion. Booths with open spaces guide even timid customers to learn about your company and products. Preparing your mind in advance of the show allows you to look between the colorful booths to find the true hidden gems of information that can be found in every corner of the hall.

When displaying—be prepared to answer “the” question in an effective, informative and concise fashion. “The” question is asked at every show—every time. One hundred percent of the people that enter your booth will ask your people “What is new?” Usually, customers ask about new products before they even say hello.

A new product at a Trade Show generates conversation that is fueled by the customer. Trade Shows turn the sales equation around, and answering questions replaces selling. Rehearsing sound bites for each new product will help your team to gain the most attention for your company and products.

New products generate excitement, and proper display promotes items in an atmosphere where customers are looking to learn or buy. This special moment in time is when astute show planners display their people.

People in your organization are paramount in creating year-round business. Taking the time to meet your customers lays the groundwork for repeat sales. Face to face conversations allow your organization to overcome future problems and issues. Customers that know the people in your company feel safe in communications based on the familiarity that is gained at the show.

While we all enjoy the revenue stream that comes with selling products, networking might be more important than selling at a show. Keeping a pulse on the industry identifies new trends that are entering your marketplace. Getting outside the walls of your building opens doors to new opportunities. Accidental meetings in the hallway, or after show hours, often produce new ideas that can be implemented as soon as you get home.

Open minds look for opportunity. Seek out networking opportunities and make them happen by actively going beyond the comfort zone of those contacts you already know. Make it a priority to make several new contacts at every event.

At a Trade Show, people are prepared to meet new people, and those that put themselves out there first get more done. Meeting new people leads to new ideas. Might new ideas result in improved infrastructure at your company? Maybe you learn about a promotion that you can emulate and tailor for your group? Maybe you will find a cost-saving idea, or perhaps find a new service that improves efficiency back home?

Educational opportunities are abundant at Trade Shows. As hard as they try, Trade Show employees are often amazed at how often the education opportunities at shows are missed by attendees and exhibitors alike. Seminars are a great source of information, and many of them are offered at zero cost. Attending as many educational opportunities that are pertinent to your company is sound business.

Too often, people seek out others that provide information that mirrors their own opinions. Effort should be placed on looking for feedback that cultivates positive change. Feedback given directly from users provides the fodder to improve products and customer service.

Customers at Trade Shows are happy to share experiences. Often, a customer brings a problem to light in a helpful way. Loyal customers enjoy providing feedback in a manner that is positive, helping to cure issues relating to product performance. Longtime customers are happy to help improve your company, leading to real change. Knowledge is gained and corrective action can be taken before problems become a haunting online complaint.

Keeping a pulse on the industry inspires new thoughts that might push your company in new directions. Looking for ideas that help your company evolve should be a point of focus. A stale idea seen in a competitor’s booth can help you to visualize areas of improvement for your company. Getting out there and witnessing what the industry group is doing provides the motivation for your team to generate new ideas and opens the doors of change.

The all too familiar landscape of our office walls can lock us in ideas of the past. Trade Shows add vivid scenery to the imagination, inspiring new visions that can be implemented, allowing you to move future potential into today’s reality.

Go Forward – Move Ahead

Jeff Butcher
 

Evan Perkins, a recent graduate of Cal State Polytechnic University Pomona with a Bachelor's degree in journalism, has been hired as Associate Editor of Fastest Street Car Magazine, the official publication of the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals and NMCA WEST Street Car Nationals, announced ProMedia LLC.  

A combination of his love for writing and all things automotive led Perkins to pursue a career in automotive journalism.

He built his first small-block Chevy engine when he was 18 and continues to build racing engines.

Perkins, who will be working in ProMedia’s Santa Ana, California, office, routinely races in the 24 Hours of LeMons series and aspires to build a land-speed-car in the near future.

Donny Schatz was crowned the 2012 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion at the season-ending banquet Sunday evening at the Great Wolf Lodge Convention Center in Concord, North Carolina.

Schatz received a check for the $150,000-to-win championship—his fifth since 2006—at the event, which honored the 11 full-time Outlaws as well as the marketing partners for the World of Outlaws.

“The fact that we ran second a lot and third a lot, and that’s what wins championships—is what you do on the nights when you can’t win,” Schatz said. “This ranks up there as one of the hardest fought ones. We had some of the lowest lows and the highest highs.”

Craig Dollansky finished second in the standings, which was his best result since 2006. Sammy Swindell, who led the series with 13 feature victories, placed third and Joey Saldana ended fourth—his eighth top-five finish since 2002.

Steve Kinser, who is a 20-time champion and the winningest driver in the series, garnered his unprecedented 31st top-five result.

Kraig Kinser placed sixth, Cody Darrah seventh, Kerry Madsen eighth, Lucas Wolfe ninth, Chad Kemenah 10th and Bill Rose was 11th in the final standings.

The 2013 season kicks off with the 42nd annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment on February 15 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida.

This year’s awards ceremonies for the NMCA and NMRA will take place November 30, 2012, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, site of the 25th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show.

Hosted by TV personality Bret Kepner, the NMCA Championship Awards Ceremony will feature presentations to the Top 10 NMCA World Championship racers in each class, as well as specialty awards, videos, slide shows and more.

The NMCA Awards take place in Ballroom S310 A-H on the third level of the Convention Center, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with cocktails at 5 p.m. Admission is open to the public, but RSVP is requested for reserved seating.  

Also hosted by Kepner, the NMRA Awards Ceremony will feature awards and video presentations as well.

The NMRA Awards also take place in Ballroom S310 A-H, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., with cocktails at 7:30 p.m. Again, admission is open to the public, but RSVP is requested.

RSVP to Gina Garcia, by November 9, at ar1@promediapub.com or call 714/444-2426, ext. 118.

For more information, visit www.nmcadigital.com or www.nmradigital.com.
 

A record number of early entries are now in hand from 219 IMCA Modified drivers and 41 IMCA SportMod drivers for the 15th annual Duel In The Desert.

The November 7-10 event, which takes place on the half-mile dirt oval at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, features top prizes of $7,777 for the Modifieds and $777 for the SportMods.

Pit parking opens and Modified tech inspection begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7. An open practice begins at 4 p.m.

Tech inspection and the pill draw for Modifieds starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, November 8. Twenty heat races, 10 “B” features and the preliminary feature for Modifieds get underway at 5 p.m.

SportMod tech inspection and the draw for both divisions begin at noon on Friday, November 9. That evening’s 5 p.m. program includes heat races, “B” features and preliminary features for both Modifieds and SportMods.

The Saturday draw starts at noon and racing begins at 5 p.m. with the SportMod last-chance and dash and Modified last-chance races. The Young Guns and Legends features for Modifieds and then SportMod and Modified main events finish the program.

Drivers 18 years of age and younger are eligible to compete in the Young Guns event; drivers 55 years and older qualify for the Legends race.

Twenty-eight cars will start the Modified main event, which is a 2013 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifier and pays a minimum of $777.

The Modified pre-entries were postmarked from 20 states (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming) and three Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan).

Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod and Smiley’s Racing Chassis Southern SportMod entrants hail from six states (California, Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas and Utah).

Spartan Speedway in Mason, Michigan, has purchased the Michigan Legends Series from series founder John Turnbull, Sr.

 The transaction took effect on November 1.

On April 22, 1995, Michigan Legends held its inaugural race at Auto City Speedway in Clio, Michigan. The series has made regular stops at Spartan’s quarter-mile paved oval since 1995.

Over the years, Legends Cars have become one of the fastest growing segments of motorsports. Drivers are classified into four different divisions: Pro Division, Masters Division, Semi-Pro Division and Young Lions Division

A majority of Michigan Legends Series’ 2013 races will take place at Spartan, though other Michigan speedways will be visited.

For more information, visit www.michiganlegends.com.

Dillon Welch of Carmel, Indiana, won Rookie of the Year in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series in 2012 with a superb season saw him finish ninth in the championship.

The 18-year-old Welch had two top-fives and 10 top-10s in his first full season on dirt. He had raced on dirt only four times entering the season. Welch entered 19 POWRi Midget events and, impressively, qualified for 17 features. His best finish was fourth at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Illinois, on June 1.

Welch was fifth at Lincoln (Illinois) Speedway on June 22, and he had four sixth places.

“We missed quite a few events (10) and still finished in the top 10. I would have liked to have gotten a win and was in position to win several times. Every time we ran we were competitive, and that’s all you can ask for. Eventually, if you run in the top-five every night, you’re going to win.”

On pavement, Welch was the 2009 USAC Kenyon Midget champion, has three wins in the USAC D1 Midwest Series and finished eighth in the famed USAC Turkey Night Grand Prix Midget event at Irwindale, California, in 2011.

Welch drove an Esslinger-powered Spike for Bryan Clauson Racing this season.

For more information, go to www.POWRi.com.

Marking its 25th year, the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show features more race-winning parts, more racing professionals, more solutions and more special events in 2012 than ever before!

Tens of thousands of racing industry buyers from across the globe will converge on Orlando, Florida, for Race Industry Week 2012 and the PRI Trade Show. In fact, 38,000 racing professionals from throughout the US and 72 countries attended last year's Show.

The 2012 PRI Show takes place November 29-December 1 at the Orange County Convention Center. Race Industry Week 2012 events begin on Monday, November 26.

Preregistration for the Show ends November 2. Don't wait—register online now!

Motovicity Distribution recently hired Scott Adams to the position of Purchasing Manager.

Adams has over 20 years of experience fulfilling a number of roles within the distribution industry. He will provide his knowledge and support on vendor relations, product and inventory management.

Located at Motovicity’s Madison Heights, Michigan office, Adams reports to VP of Purchasing & Category Management Susan Ozimek, who noted, “Scott’s extensive knowledge and experience in supply chain and category management will leverage opportunities for the company to maximize profitable growth while maintaining world class service and customer satisfaction.”

Adams spent the last 13 years of his career at Lighting Supply Co., working in a variety of roles. Most recently he served as their Director of Purchasing & Product Development, where he oversaw the processes of category management and inventory procurement.

In his new role at Motovicity, Adams will build a purchasing culture focused on profitable growth, quality, service and development of true partnerships with vendors to ensure that key business objectives are achieved.