Image courtesy of eNASCAR

iRacing has acquired NASCAR Team Properties' (NTP) simulation-style console racing games license from Motorsport Games, intending to develop a NASCAR console game expected in 2025.

The sale, announced by NASCAR and approved by NTP, will see the license transfer from 704Games, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Motorsport Games, to iRacing.

"When we were approached with the option to acquire the license for the simulation-style NASCAR console game, which was the console game and franchise that we were dreaming about doing, it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up," said iRacing President Tony Gardner. "Having the ability to build a NASCAR console game is a privilege we promise to execute with the utmost care. We look forward to working diligently with NASCAR industry stakeholders to deliver a product that provides an amazing experience for the gaming community and NASCAR fans worldwide."

Motorsport Games obtained the NASCAR simulation-style console gaming license in 2018 when it acquired majority equity in 704Games. Motorsports Games’ current NASCAR titles, including NASCAR Heat 5 and NASCAR Rivals (available here), will still be available and supported by Motorsport Games through 2024.

In addition to simulation-style console gaming, NASCAR has worked diligently to produce quality experiences for fans who engage in virtual and gaming spaces. This year, the sanctioning body launched NASCAR Speed Hub on Roblox, released the arcade-style console game NASCAR Arcade Rush, made available special team decals in Rocket League, announced the development of a mobile game with Hutch and completed another successful season of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series.

For more information, visit eNASCAR.com.

Officials with the AERA Engine Builders Association have announced its Engine Professional Industry Conference (EPIC) presented by Motor State Distributing will take place 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 6, prior to the PRI Show, December 7-9 in Indianapolis. Register online here.

The full-day event is headlined by four technical presentations:

Randy Neal, CWT Industries
Understanding Harmful Harmonics Triggered by First and Second Order/Torsional/Bending Vibrations

• This presentation will dismiss the mystique of how "harmonics" are generated within internal combustion engines (ICE). Neal will show the direct linkage of first and second-order/torsional/bending vibrations that create hostile variable frequencies resulting in vibrations that attack all engine and drivetrain components. He will lay out procedures and products to minimize damaging events before their imminent failure.
   

Dan Begle, MAHLE
Engine Failures

• As engines evolve, new failure modes continue to arise. This educational seminar will look into the technical operation of engine bearings, including wear indicators and how common failures happen. The primary focus will be on engine bearings, but additional topics on other engine components will be discussed. 
   

Lake Speed Jr, Total Seal
Fuel is the Enemy of Your Engine

• How can fuel be the enemy of your engine? We all know that engines need fuel, air and spark to run. Okay, diesels don't need spark, but you get the idea. Liquid fuel is the real problem. Neither gasoline nor diesel engines burn the liquid fuel we pour into them. What burns is the vaporized fuel, but not all of the fuel vaporizes. This seminar will cover the effects of unburnt liquid fuel and what you can do about it. 
   

Ben Strader, EFI University
Optimizing Engine Performance with Combustion Analysis

• Engine tuning and power development have long been relegated to "trial and error" approaches. Using a dyno for initial testing and the race track for fine-tuning has become the accepted method to define the best package, but this still leaves many unanswered questions. Using in-cylinder pressure transducers and high-speed data-logging, builders can access the engine's internal workings during all phases of the 4-stroke cycle and answer many of those questions through a process called "combustion analysis." Strader's presentation will cover the concepts required to view and understand the collected data and how it applies to component selection and final engine calibration to shorten the learning curve and get results quickly for racing engine developers.
   

The event will take place in the Indiana Convention Center, 500 Ballroom (Lower Level). Registration is available online for $50 per person (including breakfast and lunch).

The 2023 Hood Master Challenge event exceeded expectations with a full house of top-notch industry professionals raising a record-breaking $30,000 for the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) through fundraising efforts. The event started in 2020 as an automotive painting challenge for industry professionals within the automotive painting, refinishing and collision repair industry.

Guests attended a special event in late September at the Biltwell Event Center in Indianapolis, where they were able to connect with industry members, sponsors, judges and challengers. Additionally, guests met with Dave Kindig of Kindig-It Designs and watched live pinstriping demos from Cory Mroz of Mr. Oz Designs, both featured judges for this year's challenge.

There were 105 hoods and bowling pins on display for the 2023 Hood Master and PiN Master Challenges, including the gallery of select prior winners. Over $22,000 in prizes, including cash, tools and equipment were, awarded to this year's winners.

Airbrush Winners

• 1st Place: Tom Hudach, Urethane Circus
• 2nd Place:⁠ Tom Strait, Perseverance Through Pain
• 3rd Place: Craig "WIZ" McNeil, Melting Pot

Pinstripe⁠ Winners

• 1st Place: Tommy Strader, Endless Summer
• 2nd Place: Kevin Campbell, Purgatory
• 3rd Place: Austin Polen, Turmoil

Overall Winners

• Wild Card: Tom Strait, Perseverance Through Pain
• Crowd Favorite: Tom Hudach, Urethane Circus

FinishMaster expressed its gratitude for the continued support from key industry partners:

• Diamond: 3M, AkzoNobel, Axalta
• Platinum: Smart
• Gold: Norton/St. Gobain, Sagola, SATA
• Silver: Accudraft, DeVilbiss, Dynabrade, Evercoat, GFS--Global Finishing Solutions, Innovative Tools, ProStat, RJE--Business Interiors, SEM, Transtar

"Hood Master--it's awesome! The whole thought behind this thing to get the kids involved and just what we're doing in general is incredible. And with the artwork alone, I'm super impressed--it's phenomenal,” said Keith Bell, Axalta Business Director, North America and CREF Board Member.

The Stand 21 Safety Foundation and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) have announced a one-day electric vehicle safety conference, EVRSafe, is set for Wednesday, October 18, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

The session comes during a time when more electric vehicles (EVs) are competing at drag strips and road courses, and race track owners, emergency crews and racers need to be aware of possible lithium-ion battery fires and related concerns.

"We discovered the booming interest in EV racing safety when Eric Huhn spoke at our Racing Goes Safer safety seminar at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in April. We are proud to help Eric and UNC Charlotte organize the EVRSafe event," said Stand 21 Foundation President Yves Morizot.

The speakers, who are engaged on the front lines of electric racing series and lithium-ion battery technology, include:

• Jimmy Lyons, principal program engineer for Williams Advanced Engineering UK (Formula E)
• Robert Bosworth, high voltage safety officer (IMSA)
• Dr. Anthony Bombik, assistant professor, mechanical engineering (University of North Carolina at Charlotte)
• Eric Huhn, facility and laboratory safety engineer (University of North Carolina at Charlotte)

Registration is available for an $85 fee on Stand 21's Racing Goes Safer website as well as the UNC Charlotte website. For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Huhn at ejhuh@charlotte.edu.

Fluidyne High Performance, the Mooresville, North Carolina-based manufacturer of cooling products, has been acquired by DPI Ventures, a private equity firm.

"I am delighted to see Fluidyne moving to the next level, and I am highly confident Frank will provide our customers with the same amazing products and service our family has for the past 30 years," said former owner Gary Johnson, who led the company with his wife Nancy.

As part of the announcement, Fluidyne will now be run by Frank Kuperman, Jr., who has more than 25 years in the performance automotive aftermarket and most recently oversaw the Race Winning Brands transmission division.

"It is my fullest intent to grow Fluidyne to new levels, and I am excited to be a part of such a proud brand," Kuperman said. Fluidyne has been a provider of some of the industry's finest all-aluminum heat exchangers for over 30 years, including for several elite race teams, including some competing in the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series.

For more information, visit fluidyne.com.

PRI Membership allows the racing community to showcase its passion and pride for the industry. By uniting motorsports professionals, PRI is actively addressing challenges and needs, such as providing support for race tracks to prevent them from closing, advocacy for the racing community against current legal threats and educational programs that help businesses and racers succeed. 

View the long list of companies and brands committed to boosting the performance and motorsports industry with special deals and discounts--only available to PRI Members through the PRI Member portal.

As a reminder, an active PRI Membership is required to attend the PRI Show, Dec 7-9, in downtown Indianapolis. For more information, visit performanceracing.com/membership or check the PRI Member newsletter delivered to inboxes every Monday.

HOW TO ACCESS THE PRI MEMBERSHIP PORTAL

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.

MAXX-D Trailers and Burnyzz are giving away the ultimate trip to a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) race of your choice! Imagine this--you can win two (2) tickets to any NHRA race in 2024, airfare and hotel included, courtesy of MAXX-D Trailers and Burnyzz. Select races will include complimentary drinks and food.

To enter to win, get your PRI badge scanned at the MAXX-D Trailers Booth #8050 in Lucas Oil Stadium during the PRI Show (Thursday, December 7 through Saturday, December 9 before 12 p.m. EST).

Josh Hart, NHRA Top Fuel Driver, will announce the winner live at the 2023 PRI Show on Saturday, December 9 at 12 p.m. at the MAXX-D Trailers Booth #8050. Winner must be present at the MAXX-D booth at the time of the announcement.

The fun doesn't stop there! Burnyzz will also give away two (2) NHRA tickets with every trailer purchased or ordered at the 2023 PRI Show.

View the MAXX-D Trailers Booth #8050 on the floorplan and add to your Show planner here.

Rules/regulations: Must be present to win. Must be 18+, a resident of the US, and the flight must originate/end in a major US airport. This giveaway/contest is not sponsored or administered by PRI.

MGP Connecting Rods--the provider of aluminum connecting rods and a member of the Race Winning Brands family--has announced the appointment of Wayne Roberts as its new sales manager.

Roberts will take over duties from Ross Clark, who has embarked on a new venture in the OEM field. "MGP extends its best wishes to Ross," a company official stated.

Effective immediately, Roberts will spearhead MGP's sales division, focusing on maintaining and enhancing MGP's commitment to serving its valued customers. MGP anticipates that this transition will bring about an even higher level of customer service, recognizing its paramount importance in the industry, according to the company.

Roberts previously worked as a plant superintendent at Ford Motor Company for 15 years. He is also a passionate racer, piloting an NA 10.5 car in NMCA and personally building his motors.

For more information, visit MGPConnectingRods.com.

The Featured Products Showcase returns to the 2023 PRI Show, helping manufacturers promote their products to buyers and media throughout the event December 7-9 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. 

The PRI Show is the epicenter of the motorsports industry and gives race teams, racers, resellers, buyers, and media access to the industry's top products and trends. Relocated this year to the ICC Capitol Connector, the Featured Products Showcase highlights the newest and most popular motorsports products. 

In addition to attracting buyers and media at the Show, participation in the Featured Products Showcase includes:

• Access to professional photographs of all Showcase products taken on-site for promotional use.
• Product promotion via PRI social networks and PRI Magazine, the racing industry publication distributed to thousands of industry professionals, many with purchasing influence.
• Access to the Featured Products Awards program.
• Feature listing in the online exhibitor search and exhibitor floor plan listing.

"The Featured Products Showcase provides the highest visibility to the racing industry's newest products," said PRI Trade Show Director Karin Davidson. "It's an exclusive, cost-effective opportunity for our exhibitors to increase product awareness." 

All 2023 PRI Show exhibitors are eligible to participate in the Featured Products Showcase and may enter up to five products. 

Submissions made before the Friday, December 1, early bird pricing deadline are $50 for the first product and $75 for additional products (five products maximum per exhibitor). After the deadline the cost is $100 for the first item and $125 for each additional product. For more information and to enter, visit here.

The 2023 PRI Show will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, machinery, simulation, and testing technologies, and trailers for the racing industry in a single location. PRI encompasses all forms of motorsports and attracts attendees from all 50 states and all over the world, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers, and media. To register, visit PRI2023.com/Attend.

Keystone Automotive Operations, the Exeter, Pennsylvania-based distribution company for the automotive aftermarket, has announced that Specialty Segment Vice President of Sales Fred Petrivelli will retire after 13 years with the company and effective at year's end. 

Mike Katz, a long-time aftermarket industry professional, will join Keystone as vice president of sales, assuming the same responsibilities and reporting relationships of the existing position held by Petrivelli.

Petrivelli served in multiple sales roles throughout his tenure with the company prior to being promoted to vice president in 2015. Over the course of a career spanning more than 40 years, he has held positions with the MSD Performance Group as well as Champion Spark Plug/Cooper Industries before joining Keystone in 2010.

Katz brings an extensive aftermarket industry background that includes a lengthy tenure with Weather Guard/Werner and, most recently, spending six years with HD Supply/Whitecap.

"Fred has worked tirelessly with customers alongside our team in driving sales growth over the years and ensuring the meaningful relationships we have with our customers continue to improve and grow," said Keystone Automotive Operations President Bill Rogers. "We wish Fred and his family all the best in their retirement and many years of enjoyment as they begin this new chapter of their lives."

For more information, visit keystoneautomotive.com.