Performance Racing Industry
Alpine, the French brand and Formula 1 team, will cease operations of its Formula 1 power unit development program at the end of 2025.
Located in Viry-Chatillon, France, the power unit department has been building Formula 1 engines since Alpine's parent company Renault entered the sport in the 1970s, according to Formula 1.
For more information, visit formula1.com.
Extreme E, the international, all-electric, off-road racing series, has been shortlisted for two British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS) Awards and a BBC Green Sports Awards.
The series is nominated for the Sustainable Innovation and Partnership of the Year BASIS Awards and the Elite Organization of the Year BBC Green Sport Award.
The BASIS Sustainable Innovation award highlights Extreme E’s green hydrogen partner, ENOWA, which has introduced green hydrogen power to Extreme E by using its Hydrogen Fuel Cell System. The BASIS Partnership of the Year award nomination recognizes Extreme E’s partnership with Vodafone Business, its official Technology Communications Partner.
The BBC Green Sports Awards nominated Extreme E to recognize the organization's long-term approach, including partnerships, local activations and the launch of its Extreme H hydrogen car.
For more information, visit extreme-e.com.
PRI Founding members, along with SEMA and PRI PAC members, recently had a unique opportunity to meet with congressional candidate Austin Theriault during an exclusive virtual event. Austin is running for U.S. House of Representatives in Maine's Second Congressional District, which covers everything but the southeastern corner of the Pine Tree State. He currently serves in the Maine House of Representatives, representing much of the St. John Valley. Austin is a native Mainer who grew up in a rural small business logging family. He is running in one of the top U.S. House races to watch in the 2024 election as Republicans seek to keep control of the chamber.
Prior to running for office, he competed at some of the highest levels of stock-car racing in the U.S., racing for some of the most well-respected team owners in NASCAR, including Brad Keselowski, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Kenny Schrader. Austin won the 2017 ARCA Racing Championship with a record-breaking seven wins out of 20 races. He continues to mentor and coach the next generation of drivers through a business collaboration with Ron Hornaday's Team Hornaday Development.
PRI Founding Members and PRI and SEMA PAC Members had the opportunity to meet with congressional candidate Austin Theriault during an exclusive virtual event; a screenshot of the event is seen here.
During the meet and greet, Austin shared his journey from the race track to the political arena and discussed how his deep understanding of the motorsports industry drives his commitment to advocating for it. His experience as a competitor and an industry advocate positions him as a crucial ally in protecting motorsports and the automotive aftermarket industry from burdensome regulations.
Having individuals like candidate Theriault in the U.S. House of Representatives will be instrumental in ensuring that the policies coming out of Washington, D.C., reflect the needs and realities of our industry. He understands the unique challenges our industry faces, from protecting the right to modify vehicles to ensuring that motorsports continue to thrive.
The PRI Washington, D.C. office is grateful for candidate Theriault's time and his dedication to advocating for the automotive and motorsports communities. As he continues his campaign, SEMA and PRI PAC members can look forward to having a champion for our industry on Capitol Hill.
For more information on Austin's campaign, you can visit AustinforMaine.com.
PRI Show management is aware of a CompuSystems issue preventing PRI Show registration. PRI is working with the vendor to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
Badge mailing deadlines will not be affected by this outage.
If you have any questions or would like to be notified when the portal is re-opened, please email PRI Show Manager Nicole Harless at nicoleh@performanceracing.com.
"We appreciate your patience as we resolve this matter and will provide updates as they become available," said PRI Show management.
NASCAR has named Ticketmaster as its official ticketing partner.
The move complements Ticketmaster's partnership with Speedway Motorsports and further unifies ticketing for fans, according to NASCAR.
The partnership will allow fans to discover upcoming races and events on Ticketmaster social media platforms. The NASCAR Tracks app will fully integrate with Ticketmaster Ignite, meaning fans will have a single source for ticket and event-related information when attending NASCAR races.
For more information, visit nascar.com.
South Florida Motorsports, organizers of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, have added four new configurations to the Miami International Autodrome--in addition to the current Grand Prix layout—to enable the circuit to be operational throughout the year.
The four new "inner loop" layouts are constructed exclusively on private property and do not cross public roads. In addition to attracting new competitive events, the changes allow the facility to host a variety of corporate functions and other private track activities throughout the year, according to track officials.
The new section of track was built after Turn 10, heading back towards the straight that runs parallel to Snake Creek. Two additional hairpins, just before Turn 17 and after Turn 3, offer two additional layouts for permanent use. The track will commence operations for corporate and private events in October 2024.
For more information, visit f1miamigp.com.
Performance Design in Auburn Hills, Michigan, has introduced its new Carbon TRc (Tunnel Ram compact) intake manifold—an evolution of the company’s Carbon TR naturally aspirated and Carbon TRic (intercooled) boosted intake manifolds. The new TRc is an under-hood, short runner intake manifold optimized for boost, but does not rule itself out of a naturally aspirated application where fitment and aesthetics are preferred over peak power.
The key goals of this new design were to maintain the carbon fiber and billet aluminum construction, manufacturability within a desired price target, fitment under the stock hood, and versatility of subcomponents to be used across a wide range of applications.
To achieve this, they utilized a modular design starting with a one-piece molded carbon fiber plenum—a strong pressure vessel without seams or bonding that’s capable of handling over 50 psi of boost. It also features CNC-machined, anodized 6061-T6 aluminum runners and a 103-mm billet aluminum throttle body flange. Billet aluminum fuel rails are also available for port fuel applications or to add port fuel to direct-injected applications. This TRc intake manifold will accept factory injectors, and features Factory MAP, PCV, and Canister Purge Solenoid connections. The intake can be reversed on the engine and includes stainless steel hardware for installation, as well as molded port and throttle seals.
Due to its modular design, the Carbon TRc is available for a wide range of applications including LT1/LT4, LS3/L92, LS7, LS1/LS2/LS6, Godzilla, Coyote, and Hemi—all using the same carbon fiber plenum.
QualCast in Nashville, Tennessee, introduces its aluminum QualFast CNC Series ported cylinder head product line, which are CNC-machined in the USA.
These CNC Series heads are available in small block Chevy, LS1, LS3, and LS7 castings with bronze guides and valve seats installed, as well as in the company’s popular and affordable cylinder head kits. The CNC Series SBC kits include two CNC heads, various combinations of street or Black Lightning performance valves, performance valve springs, spring inserts, retainers, keepers, stem seals, rocker studs, and guide plates for one engine. LS series kits come without rocker studs or guide plates.
QualFast CNC Series heads feature ported combustion chambers, intake and exhaust runners. Flow numbers provided by the Saenz digital AD-680 flow bench result in 15–25% greater flow compared to the company’s un-ported heads. QualCast also offers BBC, SBF, and BBF un-ported aluminum heads and cylinder head kits.
In Sight Tearoffs from Ultra Shield Race Products in Flint, Texas, are 10-layered laminated tearoffs to allow racers to see the track throughout the harshest of dusty and dirty conditions. The White Box contains 100 tearoffs while those needing a 250 count can order the Red Box. Tearoffs fit helmets from Simpson, Bell, Impact, Stilo, Arai, and Zamp.
“In Sight Tearoffs allow drivers to see through 10 tearoffs that have the clarity of looking through one,” explained Mandy Pittman. “Drivers can have multiple stacks of 10 on their shield and have clear visibility even in dusty or muddy conditions. Our bulk box packaging makes storage of the tearoffs easier and more convenient for the driver and the benefit of buying in bulk allows you a more affordable path to victory lane.”
Aluminum or plastic tearoff posts can be ordered separately.
Simpson, a Holley Performance Brand, based in New Braunfels, Texas, has released the Devil Ray 3.0 and Desert Devil 3.0 racing and off-road helmets. The helmets are lightweight designs and include improved safety features.
The Devil Ray 3.0 helmet is for enthusiasts seeking a custom fit and enhanced comfort during long races, with increased ventilation for airflow, and is Snell certified. The Desert Devil 3.0 caters to enthusiasts venturing into off-road terrain with a top air system and neck skirt for dust protection, and enhanced interior design for desert and dirt environments.
“Helmets make up the largest segment of the global automotive safety market today. Customers are looking for best-in-class solutions for their performance and racing needs and the Simpson Devil Ray 3.0 and Desert Devil 3.0 deliver that along with great styling,” said Jordon Musser, senior vice president of safety and racing, Holley Performance Brands. “Our designers and engineers are listening to customers to create products like the improved Devil Ray line that continue to advance Simpson and push the brand to the forefront of auto performance safety for all enthusiasts.”
Both helmets are available in either carbon or composite variations and drivers can pick from four color options, including matte black, black, white, or carbon fiber. The helmets boast improved aerodynamics, redesigned ventilation, and better accessory integration.
ARP in Ventura, California, has developed a series of fastener kits to bolster the performance potential and reliability of Ford’s 7.3L “Godzilla” engine. Among them are a head stud kit (part number 258-4301), main stud and bolt kit (part number 258-6501), rod bolts (part number 258-6301), and a harmonic damper bolt (part number 258-2501). The damper bolt comes with a large diameter 1/8-inch thick washer for superior load distribution.
Manufactured in-house at ARP’s Southern California facilities, the head and main studs are made of the proprietary ARP2000 alloy that is nominally rated at 220,000 psi tensile strength. They are centerless ground to assure concentricity with threads rolled (not cut) after heat-treat, delivering up to 20-times better fatigue strength than ordinary fasteners. The rod bolts are also manufactured from the same material.
Additional reliability can be obtained by using ARP’s new flexplate bolt kit (part number 158-2901). Various OEM underhood fasteners can also be replaced with ARP’s polished stainless steel or black oxide finished 8740 chromoly accessory bolts—20% stronger than Grade 8 hardware—which come in five-packs.
Centerforce, a division of Midway Industries that manufactures performance clutches and flywheels in Prescott, Arizona, has released a new billet steel flywheel for LS-swap applications. Designed to make pairing a Gen III or IV LS engine to a pre-LS manual transmission simple and reliable, this high-quality flywheel is made from billet steel and designed for improved performance via bolt-on installation.
This 168-tooth flywheel provides improved build quality over what the factory offers and solves a spacing issue when mating LS engines to older transmissions. It will mate to 1997 and later GM LS engines while offering the proper flywheel thickness (0.400 inches) to use in conjunction with the mechanical clutch linkage on many common early model transmissions, including Muncie SM465, GM SM420, New Venture NV3550, GM Muncie, Borg Warner T-10, and Richmond 4- and 5-speeds.
The kit (part number 704142) includes the pilot bearing and comes pre-drilled with pressure plate bolt patterns for early GM 11-inch and 12-inch patterns (3/8-inch bolts) as well as late-model metric GM 11-inch and 12-inch patterns with dowel pins.
Make getting around the race track easier—and more stylish—with this new golf cart from Vivid EV in Fort Myers, Florida. The Anthem Pro is a top-tier American-made golf cart designed for both luxury and performance. Powered by Eco Battery, it delivers plenty of power and smooth acceleration, enhanced by four-wheel disc brakes for improved stopping capabilities. The Anthem Pro features a robust, thermoformed body made from automotive-grade ABS plastic, ensuring a scratch-free and vibrant appearance over time. Inside it has a 10-inch touchscreen, seating with diamond stitching, and advanced LED headlights.
“At Vivid EV, we’re proud to help race teams reduce their carbon footprint by cutting down on emissions at the track,” said Joseph Wells. “Our Anthem Pro’s long-range charge ensures teams can rely on the performance they need all weekend, without compromising on sustainability. We’re excited to see how this partnership opens doors to further collaborations across the racing community.”
Vivid EV is an American manufacturer of lithium-powered golf carts, known for their durable, high-performance vehicles that combine advanced technology with customizable design.
Vivid EV’s commitment to motorsports is exemplified with racing teams like Forte Racing, where the Anthem Pro supports off-track mobility needs. This partnership underscores the cart’s reliability, making it an essential asset for both everyday use and specialized applications.
The California 300 Desert Cleanup presented by Tread Lightly! was a success in its third consecutive year, as off-road enthusiasts help to remove trash from Barstow, California, ahead of the October 2-6 California 300 race. UNLTD Off-Road Racing officials have shared that 12.3 tons of trash (24,600 lbs.) were removed during the recent event, bringing more than 50,000 lbs. of trash pickup in its three-year history.
Events like these are part of the pre-race festivities for all UNLTD events, including the California 300, Parker 400 and BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400. Cleanup events unite the off-road community to take care of any waste illegally dumped in the region, promoting sustainable habits and responsible public land use to improve desert landscapes across the southwestern United States.
For more information, visit thecalifornia300.com.
Photo courtesy of UNLTD Off-Road Racing.
The AAM Group has announced the hiring of Erin Boyle as supplier relations leader, a new role on the Supplier Relations team primarily intended to achieve better support and compliance for supplier partners among AAM's distribution membership, according to the company.
Leveraging a mix of quantitative data and qualitative observations, Boyle will lead multiple processes that affect the entire member, supplier, and AAM HQ chain.
Prior to AAM, Boyle served as a senior sales analyst for King Engine Bearings, a website analyst for Xtreme Diesel Performance, and a product data manager for UltraRev, Inc. She also operates her own analytics and sales consultation business focusing on automotive-driven analytics, ACES/PIES linking and industry standards.
"I'm incredibly excited to step into this new role with AAM, which leverages my background in supplier relations, analytics, and business development to ensure more successful outcomes for our supplier partners and members," said Boyle. "For an automotive enthusiast with a passion for off-roading and expertise in hard parts, this opportunity made great natural sense for me."
For more information, visit theaamgroup.com.
The Bosch Motorsport team has announced a new hand-control braking system as a modern solution to braking using hand controls instead of foot pedals.
The system debuted during the recent IMSA Battle on the Bricks event in Indianapolis. During the debut, the system was piloted by Robert Wickens, 2023 Michelin Challenge TCR (Touring Car class) Champion and former IndyCar driver. Wickens co-drives the Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) and Hyundai Motor America #33 Elantra N TCR race car. In 2018, an IndyCar accident left Wickens paralyzed. He returned to racing full-time in 2022 with IMSA and BHA using a hand-control system. While he has excelled in every car since his return, his controls were not advancing at the same rate that his driving required, leading Wickens to turn to Bosch Motorsport for potential solutions.
"The collaboration with Bosch marks a new stage in my career and I can't wait to see what lies on the horizon for myself and other drivers looking to compete at the highest levels of motorsport," Wickens said.
For the redesign of Wickens' hand-controlled braking system, Bosch utilized its existing electronic brake system (EBS) module from the Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh) class with its trusted controls platform and display. The added technology allows Wickens, and now others, to have more consistency across the application of brakes, faster response rate and advanced diagnostics for safety.
"This innovation project came to us as a need in the sport that our technology could solve, and we didn't look back," said Jacob Bergenske, director of Bosch Motorsport in North America. "Robert Wickens is a standout driver with a bright future and we look forward to seeing how our collaboration will support him for years to come."
For more information, visit bosch.com.
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