Dayco, an engine products and drive systems supplier, is relocating its corporate and North American headquarters to Birmingham, Michigan, and has made several appointments to strategic leadership positions.

Joining Dayco are Michael Widgren as chief financial and administrative officer, R.J. Corning as chief human resources officer, Clifton Levack as chief supply officer, Audrey Harling as vice president and managing director of N.A. aftermarket and global strategy and planning, and Thomas Jauch, vice president and managing director of global belts OE.

The new executive leadership team will work collaboratively with Craig Frohock, CEO, to spearhead Dayco's vision and ongoing transformation, the company said. 

For more information, visit dayco.com. 

INDYCAR and Indiana University (IU) Health have appointed Angela Fiege, MD to director of medical services for INDY NXT by Firestone and added sports neurologist Bert Vargas, MD to the INDYCAR Medical Team.

IU Health is the official healthcare provider for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the INDYCAR Medical Team is comprised of IU Health physicians and nurses who are experts in motorsports medicine.

Fiege is a veteran critical care and emergency medicine physician at IU Health and is also a longtime motorsports physician. She has served in various roles in motorsports including the INDYCAR Medical team since 2010 and the AMR motorsports physicians' team for NASCAR. She has also worked at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a track physician since 2007. She will continue her role as deputy director of medical services for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, alongside Medical Director Julia Vaizer, MD. 

Vargas is the first neurologist dedicated to the INDYCAR Medical team, and his position is funded by Rev proceeds. Rev is the IU Health Foundation's annual fundraising event which takes place each May at IMS. Working in medical affairs for Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Vargas is a sports neurologist and who has led the AMR neurotrauma team for NASCAR since 2017, serves as a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and is also a sideline unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant for the NFL.

For more information, visit indycar.com.

You know you are addicted to racing when you plan your vacations around various race events. In fact, when my husband and I were trying to determine a wedding date 23 years ago, we had to check all the schedules of our favorite race series to verify we wouldn’t miss an important event. How times have changed. If we got married now, we could just stream a race on our phones in between “I do” and the obligatory smashing of the cake.
When I’m not in the PRI office or covering a race, how else do I spend my time? It usually centers around something automotive. My 19-year-old son recently was on his spring break from college, and I asked him what he wanted to do. “We haven’t been to the Petersen Automotive Museum in a while,” he replied.
Off we went to the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles to see the latest automotive exhibits. While the cars are what draw us to the museum, anything motorsports related is what really piques my interest. How fun to see a 1966 Meyers Manx on display. I could just picture myself driving it through the sand, flying over the dunes with all of its (estimated) 60 hp. (OK, it’s a reach, but it was how I would dream it.) Also on display was a 2022 Red Bull Racing RB18 chassis, along with a 1958 Porsche 356A Carrera GT Speedster (my dream car), and lo and behold, Lightning McQueen, my son’s favorite race car circa 15 years ago.
But the real treat for me were the various gems inside the gift shop. As we walked in, we were met with a large table filled with a variety of books. The first one I saw was “Hot Rod Magazine: 75 Years” by PRI contributor Drew Hardin, who researches historic stories in the Petersen photo archives adjacent to the famed and exclusive Vault. Right next to Drew’s book were titles by other authors whose bylines have appeared in these pages, including “Land Speed” Louise Noeth, who has always championed saving the Bonneville Salt Flats and promoted women in motorsports; and Ian Wagstaff, who covers European motorsports history. As I turned the corner in the gift shop, I was met with several beautiful paintings that I quickly recognized as being done by Lyn Hiner. When I began working at PRI, Lyn was the PRI Trade Show manager, and her husband Rob eventually became PRI’s director of creative. Lyn has successfully launched a painting career with exquisite automotive artwork featuring various makes and models, and she is highly sought after to display these paintings at the SEMA Show, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Monterey Motorsports Reunion, and many others.
While I initially called motorsports an addiction, let me refer to it as something else: It’s become our lifeblood. Once we get motorsports into our system, it’s a part of us. And I am proud to say that I have done my part to ingrain that same passion for everything automotive and motorsports to the next generation with my son.
After we completed our Petersen tour on Monday, we concluded the week with the ear-jarring, eye-popping show called the NHRA Winternationals. Race season is already in full swing here on the West Coast, and there is no other place I’d rather be.

The ABB FIA Formula E has appointed Beth Paretta, a distinguished leader in motorsports, as the new vice president of sporting, effective May 1, 2024.

Paretta will oversee all sporting and championship activities at Formula E, driving key stakeholder relationships and cultivating new business opportunities--working closely with the FIA, existing teams and manufacturers while attracting new participants to the series' ecosystem.

"Beth's extensive background in motorsport management and her commitment to innovation and inclusivity are invaluable assets for Formula E. As we advance into a new era with our GEN3 Evo cars and look towards the GEN4, Beth's leadership will be pivotal in steering our sporting operations to new heights and enhancing our global fan engagement," said Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E.

As owner of Paretta Autosport and a trailblazer for gender equality in racing, Paretta brings more than two decades of experience in the automotive and motorsport industries to the role.

Paretta has left a significant mark on the industry, leading the women-forward Paretta Autosport team to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and serving in executive roles at major automotive firms, including Volkswagen Group, Aston Martin Lagonda and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis). Her pioneering work also includes being the first woman to lead a performance brand and motorsport for a global automaker as director of marketing and operations for street and racing technology (SRT). In addition, Paretta co-founded the Women in Motorsports North America, the community of professionals devoted to supporting opportunities for women across all motorsports disciplines.

"I am thrilled to join Formula E, a pioneer at the forefront of motorsport innovation and sustainability. This role presents an exciting opportunity to influence the future of electric racing and extend the series' impact on global [electric vehicle] development and sustainable practices. I am particularly excited to continue my advocacy for gender diversity within the industry under Formula E's progressive platform."

Read the full announcement on the FIA Formula E website.

Lubrication Specialties (LSI), manufacturer of Hot Shot's Secret, has expanded support for Hot Shot's Secret field events with the addition of Matthew Steinmetz as field marketing representative and the promotion of Kaysie Keen to a newly created position, field marketing manager. 

Keen previously served in a support role in the marketing department as a marketing project specialist. In her new role, Keen will report to Kyle Fischer, Hot Shot's Secret's director of field marketing and partnerships, and will manage all event assets and inventory, track and report on field sales, assist with contract negotiations, monitor and screen sponsorship applications, and coordinate all event details.

Steinmetz, a diesel race enthusiast and former multimedia and graphics manager for World Pulling International and National Tractor Pullers Association, joined LSI in March to add field support for the Hot Shot's Secret brand at consumer and trade events. In this role, Steinmetz will develop social media campaigns to drive sales, support and develop new dealers, collaborate on marketing and product collateral, and provide customer tech support as needed. He will also report to Fischer.

For more information, visit hotshotsecret.com. 

Wally Dallenbach, an INDYCAR SERIES race winner and longtime series official, passed away on April 29. He was 87.

Dallenbach, a native of East Brunswick, New Jersey, made 13 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1967-79. His best finish was fourth, in 1976 and 1977, in the No. 40 Wildcat/DGS owned by Patrick Racing. Dallenbach recorded five victories, 27 podium finishes and one pole in 180 INDYCAR SERIES starts.

After his initial retirement, Dallenbach became the first competition director and chief steward of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) in 1980. He served as chief steward until 2004. 

Additionally, Dallenbach worked with doctors Steve Olvey and Terry Trammell and safety directors Steve Edwards and Lon Bromley to develop a safety team that traveled to all CART races and worked with teams and car builders to create improvements in chassis construction.

For the full announcement, visit indycar.com. 

Good news: Alaska lawmakers advanced SEMA- and PRI-supported legislation (H.B. 375) in an effort to ensure consumers' choice of vehicle powerplants and fuel technology by preventing a state agency, county or city from limiting access to internal combustion engines (ICE).   

SEMA/PRI, recognized for its expertise and commitment to the automotive industry, was invited to testify in support of H.B. 375 before the Alaska House Committee on Labor and Commerce. Following the testimony (watch it here), the bill successfully passed the committee and is now awaiting consideration by the full House.

"H.B. 375 is a pro-consumer, pro-innovation and pro-business piece of legislation," said Colby Martin, PRI's director of state government affairs, during the hearing. "SEMA [and PRI urge] the committee to support this bill and allow the automotive industry to continue delivering the freedom and choice that Alaskans deserve." 

Alaska joins a growing list of several states seeking similar proposals. SEMA and PRI believe that Alaskans, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families and race teams. This effort promotes consumer choice, fosters innovation and protects jobs. 

Use this link to send a letter to lawmakers supporting this pro-industry legislation. 

For more information, contact Colby Martin at SAN@sema.org. 

The PRI Member Portal, located on performanceracing.com, makes it easier than ever for PRI Individual and PRI Business members to take advantage of exclusive opportunities. The custom dashboard shows PRI members the latest benefits, discounts, and deals courtesy of PRI partners--all in just a few clicks.

Here's how to access the PRI Member Portal in three easy steps:

• Visit performanceracing.com and click "Login" at the top right corner. 
• Log in to your account with your email and password. FIRST TIME LOGGING IN? Click "Forgot Your Password" to create your account. 
• Select "My Profile" in the upper right corner, and choose "My Benefits" under Account Links. 
• Claim your discounts, deals, and benefits!
   

Questions? Contact membership@performanceracing.com.

Mark your calendars because the SEMA California Rally is back! On June 5, 2024, SEMA- and PRI-member companies across the Golden State are invited to join us in Sacramento for a day of advocacy and innovation.

This isn't just another event--it's your chance to make a real difference for the automotive aftermarket and motorsports and racing industries. From supporting cutting-edge vehicle technologies to advocating for crucial manufacturing incentives, the SEMA California Rally is where our voices turn into action.

This year's rally is open to all SEMA- and PRI-member companies based in California, and registration is officially live. Secure your spot and find all the details you need, including lodging information, here.

By attending the SEMA California Rally, you're not just joining an event--you're becoming a part of a movement dedicated to the growth and innovation of our industry.

So don't let this opportunity pass you by. Join us in Sacramento on June 5, and let's drive change together.

For more information, or to register for the California Rally, click here. For questions, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) and Parity, the sports marketing and sponsorship platform dedicated to closing the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports, are teaming up to host the Women with Drive Miami event ahead of the F1 Miami Grand Prix. 

The event will feature a reception and panel discussion to celebrate industry trailblazers on Friday, May 3, at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

The panel will focus on women as leaders and competitors in society and motorsports and feature 2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge Champion Ashley Freiberg, 2023 F1 Academy Champion Marta García, Chief Diversity Officer for Seminole Hard Rock Stephanie Piimuana, and motorsports legend Lyn St. James, with Parity CEO Leela Srinivasan moderating. The discussion will cover current issues and opportunities for a more diverse and inclusive motorsports industry.

For more information, visit womeninmotorsportsna.com.