Five-time world record setter Norman Craig Breedlove Sr. has passed away at the age of 86. He was the first to surpass 400, 500, and 600 mph in the famed “Spirit of America” jet-powered cars. 

Breedlove Sr. began his racing career in his teens, spending four years rebuilding a three-window 1934 Ford Coupe. In 1955, at age 18, he collected his first timeslip on the Bonneville Salt Flats at 152.80 mph in Class C Coupe and Sedan. Just years later, Breedlove Sr. dethroned Britain’s John Cobb in 1963 at 407 mph. It was the first time an American’s name was on top since 1928, when Ray Keech posted 207.552 mph.

“He was an American treasure,” said wife Yadira “Yadi” Breedlove. “Our hearts are heavy today letting him go, but we also acknowledge Craig’s courage and bravery in seeking motorsports honors for the United States of America. For decades, his deeds touched many, many people around the world.”

Breedlove Sr. was voted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1993), the Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame (1995), the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2000), and the Automotive Hall of Fame (2009). He also earned a life membership in the Bonneville 200 MPH Club (1963).

California Assembly Member Tim Grayson (D-Concord) has reintroduced SEMA- and PRI-supported legislation (AB 52) that would provide businesses with a state tax credit equal to what they pay in local sales tax for qualified manufacturing equipment. If enacted, AB 52 would effectively eliminate the sales tax on most manufacturing equipment purchases.

AB 52 is scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Committee on Revenue & Taxation on April 17. Industry members are encouraged to register their support for the bill by clicking here. 

Manufacturing is a vital industry in California, accounting for over 10% of the state’s GDP and employing nearly eight percent of the state’s workforce. A total of 38 states already offer sales tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment and R&D. By failing to do the same, California risks losing businesses to these states, which can provide a more attractive business environment. In addition, providing incentives for manufacturing and R&D can help the state attract new businesses and create jobs. 

Assembly Member Grayson is a member of the SEMA State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus and was the 2019 winner of SEMA’s Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award. In addition, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his wife Tammy, is also an auto enthusiast. Included in the Grayson’s collection are two classic Ford Mustangs. 

Voice your support of AB 52 here. For more information, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.  

Photo courtesy of Crexi Properties

Capital City Motorsports Park—the NHRA-sanctioned drag strip in Montgomery, Alabama—is listed for sale with an asking price of $4,250,000. 

Situated on 138 acres, the track can accommodate Top Fuel dragsters reaching up to 350 mph. The property includes a three-story tower with offices and media center; VIP and owners' suites; a 4,000-square-foot workshop; concessions and merchandise shops; and more. 

The track will continue to host its 2023 schedule, which will feature the Capital City Classic on April 12–13 and the American Outlaw Series Winter Nationals on May 5–6. 

For more information, visit the listing here. Visit here for the Capital City Motorsports Park schedule. 

Rottler Manufacturing—the Kent, Washington-based engine building shop machinery provider—has announced plans to celebrate its 100-year anniversary with a special event on October 5–7.

An AERA Tech & Skills Conference and a Go Kart Grand Prix highlight the three-day agenda, with more details expected at a later date.

For more information, visit rottlermfg.com.

Renowned chassis builder Melvin “Jerry” Bickel has passed away. He was 75. 

Bickel founded Jerry Bickel Race Cars, the chassis builder and parts provider, over 40 years ago in Moscow Mills, Missouri. The company is now known as a one-stop-chassis shop for drag racers. 

Bickel notably served as crew chief and chassis fabricator for Jim Yates, who piloted the McDonald’s-sponsored Pro Stock vehicle to several wins, championships, and new records in the 1990s. He continued to build race-winning cars, including those for four-time PDRA Pro Nitrous champion Jim Halsey and 2021 NHRA Pro Mod world champion Jose Gonzalez.

For more information, including funeral services and memorials, visit his obituary here. 

Hunt The Front—multi-car dirt late model team and one of the most successful content creation organizations—has announced a new regional tour called the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series presented by Sweet Victory Apparel. 

DIRTcar Racing will sanction the inaugural season, which will adhere to the 2023 DIRTcar Late Model rulebook. Drivers can earn points in the DIRTcar national and regional points standings.

The inaugural slate of races was built to attract full-time drivers, reduce travel costs, and avoid overlap with other national/regional events. Additionally, strategic breaks in the calendar will allow full-time teams to compete in national Late Model events dotted throughout the year while still being able to attend all 19 series events without conflict. 

Hunt the Front features a trio of brothers—Joshua, Joseph, and Jonathan Joiner—and friend/driver Jesse Enterkin, who brought the brand to life in 2019 by producing vlogs from their experiences at its race compound and the track. The PRI Road Tour visited Hunt the Front in Milton, Florida, as part of its most recent tour. View a 10-minute interview and video, plus a photo gallery, here.

For the complete 2023 schedule, visit the series webpage here. For more information on the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series presented by Sweet Victory Apparel, visit htfseries.com. 

Officials with the Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series have announced a new partnership with DIRTcar Racing for the organization to sanction all Late Model events under the DIRTcar banner in 2023.

The announcement allows drivers on the Kentucky-based Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series to compete for national and regional points—plus an additional points funds already announced by the tour. Drivers will also have easier access to participating in events without needing wholesale changes to their cars to conform to different rule packages. DIRTcar, World of Outlaws, and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt run very similar setups in terms of tires and rules packages. 

Officials also announced plans to allow “older” tires, or a combination of new and older tires, “until such time where drivers have used their current inventory and have switched over to the new (Hoosier Racing Tire NLMT) tires.”

The Southern Series opener is set for April 8 at Tazewell (Tennessee) Speedway, and the Northern Series opener is slated to take place April 21 at Ponderosa (Kentucky) Speedway. 

For more information, visit dirtcar.com or imdirt.net. 

Officials with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) based in San Dimas, California, have announced new rules set to be implemented for the 2024 season and beyond. 

Beginning on January 1, 2024, head and neck restraint devices will be required for use in all vehicles that run 150 mph (or faster) or 7.49 seconds (or quicker). In addition, a neck collar, head sock, or skirted helmet must be used with the device. 

Officials also announced the Top Fuel/Funny Car lifter bore would be limited to 1.125 inches, effective immediately. 

Competitors looking for more information can visit nhraracer.com. 

Officials with automotive enthusiast brand Hoonigan have announced plans to relaunch Ken Block’s Gymkhana Grid competition, which has not hosted an event since the 2019 installment in Poland. 

Gymkhana Grid features rallycross and drifting champions competing alongside amateur racers across different classes. Races—held in different venues worldwide—take place on a symmetrical course with drivers making timed runs on each track. Courses with tight corners encourage drivers to apply drifting techniques and feature obstacles like barrels, tires, and ship containers. 

The event has visited Irwindale Speedway (Irwindale, California); Santa Pod Raceway (Podington, Bedfordshire, England); Ciudad del Rock (Arganda del Rey, Spain); Marathon, Greece; Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa; and the Ptak Warsaw Expo (Warsaw, Poland). 

The announcement was part of Hoonigan’s 24-Hour Content Marathon in honor of Ken Block, who passed away earlier this year. 

Kansas has introduced a PRI- and SEMA-supported resolution (H.R. 6018) reaffirming the state’s commitment to consumer choice and vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.

As other states have begun to ban the sales of new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles starting in 2035, Kansas is declaring freedom from narrow and burdensome energy policies that limit existing and proven technologies. PRI and SEMA believe that Kansas residents and racers, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them. The resolution awaits consideration by the House.

PRI encourages industry members to contact their lawmakers in support of H.R. 6018. Send a pre-written email to your officials with a few clicks at https://p2a.co/fyf3uxl.

For more information, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.