With less than 100 days until the 2021 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show—scheduled for December 9-11 at the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) in downtown Indianapolis—exhibitors are preparing to connect with attendees in person, and Show organizers are announcing exclusive programs that will make this year’s PRI Show the best to date. 

“After nearly two years apart, our industry is eager to come together under one roof at the 2021 PRI Show,” said Karin Davidson, PRI Trade Show Director. “The special programs and features that we’ve added to this year’s Show will create an environment conducive to business and will complement the innovation and technology that will be on display.” 

Nearly 1,000 exhibitors will conduct business and network in person with dedicated buyers and attendees at this year’s Show. These companies will be showcasing two years’ worth of innovation and technology for all forms of motorsports.

“Our business is built on personal relationships with engine builders and racers. There is no better place than the PRI Show to create and foster those relationships,” said Chris Douglas, Edelbrock Group Chief Commercial Officer. “Everything about business has been disrupted over the last 18 months, but the one constant is that this industry is a ‘people business.’ So after two years, we couldn’t be more excited to get back in front of our customers in Indianapolis.”

There will also be several brand new features and attractions on display at the 2021 PRI Show, including the Electric Vehicle Performance area, which will display production, concept, and racing electric vehicles from a broad array of manufacturers and racing series. In addition, the new Content Creation Center will feature cutting-edge audio/video gear and software, plus information from skilled content creators and influencers on effective strategies for creating great content online.

The 2021 PRI Show will also be the first opportunity for the industry to learn about the PRI Membership program in person and for current members to come together to discuss challenges currently facing the motorsports community. In addition, Show goers will be able to share ideas with the PRI Membership team on how to help the racing industry grow and take part in member benefits. Those interested in joining can learn more by visiting PerformanceRacing.com/Membership.

“I’m looking forward to connecting in person with all of the businesses and individuals who have already joined this one-of-a-kind program,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “PRI Membership creates a unified voice for the racing industry, and now more than ever, given the challenges the motorsports community currently faces, it is important that we unite to advocate on behalf of the industry.” 

Exclusive PRI Show attractions will enable attendees to see the latest in new product development and gain an edge on the competition. This includes the Featured Products Showcase, the high-traffic display in Lucas Oil Stadium that gives exhibitors and attendees unparalleled product access and exposure for the hottest products in racing and performance. Also in Lucas Oil Stadium, the Trailer Exhibit area enables attendees to make a side-by-side comparison of the latest race trailers, motorcoaches, haulers, and toterhomes. In addition, exhibitors will stage precision machining equipment wired for live demonstrations in the famous Machinery Row in the ICC. 

This year’s PRI Education program includes its largest-ever slate of seminars covering a wide range of hot-button topics. On the business track, presentation subjects include sales and marketing, branding, hiring, search engine optimization (SEO), content generation, cash flow management, and more. Meantime, an expansive technical track features several of the industry’s leading authorities on induction systems, engine bearing design, valve spring development, EFI tuning, racing fluids, bump stops, and more. 

In addition, Show organizers are currently finalizing details for this year’s Grand Opening Breakfast, which promises to engage the industry with impressive guest speakers. “The Grand Opening Breakfast is the PRI Show’s traditional kickoff, and this year’s event will feature a racing icon that all Show goers will be thrilled to see. We will announce details soon,” said Davidson. 

Rounding out the many new features planned for PRI 2021, the second annual PRI Road Tour (PerformanceRacing.com/RoadTour) will conclude the PRI Show, where never-before-seen Road Tour content will be showcased to attendees. 

“The 2021 PRI Show will have something for everyone in the motorsports industry,” said Davidson. “Given the industry’s pent-up demand for the in-person Show, PRI 2021 will be a can’t-miss event.” 

To register for the 2021 PRI Show and secure hotel reservations, visit PRIShow.com/Attend. 

Josh and Kirstie Vanover, the owners of JKV Core Buying and Auto Recycling based in Owensboro, Kentucky, have signed a lease to promote Windy Hollow Speedway, also in Owensboro.

The couple takes over operations from Evelyn “Rooster” Miller, who announced that she would not return to operate the speedway in 2022. The five-year deal begins on November 1. 

“We are excited to lease the track to Josh and Kirstie. Josh has a passion for racing and a love for Windy Hollow Speedway. He knows how special the track is to so many. He has worked hard and learned a lot this season. I know they are ready to do good things for the racers and fans,” Miller said.

The D-shaped dirt track first opened in 1970. The 2021 schedule runs through the championship race on October 3, the All-Star Monster Truck event on October 8–9, and the Enduro and Fun Day event on October 17.

For more information, visit whspeedway.com.

Continuing a relationship of more than 20 years, officials from the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) have confirmed that the two premier governing bodies for endurance sports car racing globally have renewed their strategic alliance and license agreement for another 10 years.

Beginning in 2022, the agreement allows IMSA to provide three invitations to each year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, up from two invitations from 2014 through 2021. The three entries will comprise one GT entry, one LMP2 entry, and, starting in 2023, one LMDh/LMH entry. For next year only, IMSA may select an LMP3 team to receive the third entry for the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

“This is shaping up to become a new ‘golden era’ for our sport that will excite existing sports car fans and enable both of our organizations to engage with new audiences all over the world. Speaking for all of IMSA, we are thrilled to formalize this long-term extension of our strategic alliance with our friends at the ACO,” IMSA President John Doonan said.

For more information, visit imsa.com.

Allen Performance Resources (APR) has announced the hiring of Robert Sager as a senior account manager for Performance Steering Components (PSC), the manufacturer and distributor of power steering for motorsports applications. Sager’s role will be integral in helping facilitate, develop, and grow sales opportunities for the PSC product lines, according to the company.

“PSC is growing and transitioning to an enterprise business. Having a highly experienced and passionate professional join us will strengthen our team and help us better serve our customers,” APR COO Randall Speir said. 

With 45-years of automotive aftermarket experience, Sager was influenced by his grandfather who worked at Dodge and helped transform its parts numbering system and also helped create the Mitchell Manuals. 

For more information, visit pscmotorsports.com.

The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) has announced a 17-race schedule for 2022, which also marks the tenth anniversary of SVRA’s acquisition by Parella Motorsports Holdings. 

The SpeedTour weekends include vintage racing, contemporary sports cars, and other features.

“It’s hard to believe we are approaching the tenth anniversary of the Parella Motorsports Holdings acquisition of SVRA,” said SVRA CEO Tony Parella. “That first season, we were simply a regional club with a five-race schedule at three venues. Since then, with the help of our team, we have built a national, coast-to-coast platform that has delivered tremendous growth in sponsors, members, and fans. Along the way, we have developed outstanding date equity with many of our venues.”

2022 SVRA/SpeedTour Schedule

• Auto Club Speedway—February 4–6
• Sebring Int’l Raceway—February 24–27
• Charlotte Motor Speedway—March 17–20
• Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta—March 24–27
• NOLA Motorsports Park—April 8–10
• WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca—April 21–24
• Sonoma Raceway—April 28–May 1
• Road America—May 19–22
• Lime Rock Park—May 27–30
• The Ridge Motorsports Park—June 10–12
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway—June 16–19
• Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course—June 23–26
• Portland Int’l Raceway—July 21–24
• Watkins Glen Int’l—September 7–11
• Virginia Int’l Raceway—October 6–9
• Utah Motorsport Campus—October 14–16
• Circuit of The Americas—November 3–6

For more information, visit svra.com.

McCallister Precision Marketing (MPM), the motorsports marketing company in Columbia, South Carolina, has joined forces with Speed51 to become the “Official Marketing Partner” of the short track racing website.  

The partnership is designed to increase exposure for MPM clients and MPM’s Autism Awareness campaigns.  

“We have had a relationship with Speed51 for years. They do an amazing job of promoting grassroots racing and have always been great about showcasing MPM clients. We love seeing our clients on the Speed51 platform almost as much as we love seeing them in victory lane,” said MPM founder Tonya McCallister. 

As part of the official partnership, MPM will be involved with select live programming on Speed51.TV, including “The Bullring” show.  

MPM Marketing clients include an array of up-and-coming racers both on dirt and asphalt in various divisions, including karts, Legends, Late Models, trucks, and more.  

MPM also represents development teams like Lee Faulk Racing.   

For more information, visit marketwithmpm.com or speed51.com. 

Robin Miller, left, with Bobby Unser, right, at PRI 2016. Photo by Chris Jones courtesy of IndyCar.

Award-winning motorsports journalist and broadcaster Robin Miller has passed away at the age of 71. With a deep-rooted passion for open wheel racing, the Indiana native was a prominent voice for IndyCar and motorsports for five decades.  

Miller started his writing career with The Indianapolis Star in 1968, staying with the publication until 2001. In 1999, he expanded his range to include broadcasting, first working with ESPN and later SPEED Channel, where he co-hosted the popular Wind Tunnel program with Dave Despain. He also was a regular columnist for RACER and was a contributor to NBCSN’s IndyCar coverage. 

The renowned motorsports personality took his passion for racing to another level from 1974 to 1981, when he was a regular driver on the USAC National Midget tour.  

In 2019, following years of motorsports coverage and in conjunction with Miller’s 50th Indy 500 broadcast, Indianapolis Motor Speedway launched the Robin Miller Award to recognize individuals who have brought “unbridled passion and an unrelenting work ethic to enrich the sport.” He was also inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) ’s most recent class, honored during a special ceremony at IMS earlier this month. 

PRI Magazine profiled Miller in a special two-part feature in September and October 2017.

Miller is survived by his sister, Diane, and nieces Emily and Ashley. The PRI team sends its condolences to the Miller family. 

Renderings courtesy of Pacific Raceways

Pacific Raceways, the multi-purpose motorsports facility in Kent, Washington, has broken ground on the new Pacific Innovation Center and Pacific Motorsports Park, part of a $200 million expansion. 

“We are going to continue to be a race track, and now this transition redefines the infrastructure to include a testbed for transportation industry innovation, and that solidifies the sustainability of racing in our region,” Pacific Raceways President Jason Fiorito said. 

The expansion will total 200,000 square feet and be used as a garage/shop, business, innovation center, and retail space. Racers, retailers, enthusiasts, and technology development companies will be able to utilize prototype manufacturing, storage, and workspace steps away from the track. 

The groundbreaking ceremony at Pacific Raceways was attended by over 100 notable guests, including elected officials, representatives, sponsors, and fans.  

For more information, visit pacificracewaysevent.com/pacific-motorsports-park-and-innovation-center.

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) and Madison International Speedway (MIS) in Oregon, Wisconsin, joined forces on Friday, August 20, to host the SaveOurRaceCars.com Championship Night, a special event that saw three track champions crowned while uniting the racing industry in support of PRI’s Save Our Race Cars initiative.

Zack Riddle (NASCAR Late Models), Ray Hellendrand (Dave's White Rock MISfitz), and Nick Schmidt (Pellitteri Waste Systems Bandits) recorded strong efforts during competition to secure track championships in their respective classes in front of a capacity crowd.  

The intense competition for season championships complemented PRI and Madison International Speedway’s continued dedicated efforts to protect the future of racing at the track and around the country. 

“The SaveOurRaceCars.com Championship Night was an accomplishment on every front, from providing fans with a great night of racing to successfully educating those in attendance about the threats facing the racing industry,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “We had the opportunity to meet with drivers and discuss with fans some of the challenges race tracks are facing, current legislative issues in the racing industry, and programs and efforts available for them to join the fight and advocate on behalf of motorsports.”   

PRI’s outreach efforts at the event included meetings with racers and fans to discuss PRI’s initiatives in support of the motorsports community, Save Our Race Cars program announcements on the track’s PA system throughout the event, and promotion of the PRI Membership and RPM Act, which resulted in nearly 400 letters sent to members of congress. 

“The reaction to PRI initiatives at the SaveOurRaceCars.com Championship Night was overwhelmingly positive,” said Meyer. “We heard from many fans who are excited to help protect motorsports. The only way we can protect the sport we love is by uniting to advocate on behalf of the industry.” 

To learn more about PRI and its initiatives, including PRI Membership, PRI Road Tour, and the PRI Trade Show, visit performanceracing.com. 

Sunnen Products Company has announced the promotion of Christopher Miltenberger to the role of CEO. 

Miltenberger joined Sunnen as president and chief operations officer (COO) in 2015 with extensive operations, engineering, and business development experience. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in Sunnen’s transformation of global operations, as well as improving customer contact management and relationship development, according to Sunnen.  

Prior, Miltenberger held positions with PlayPower, NN, Aftermarket Technology Corporation, and Delphi. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees from Ball State University in Operations Management and Purdue University in Mechanical Engineering Technology, as well as an MBA from Michigan State University.

“Chris has demonstrated over his six years with Sunnen that he is very capable of leading this organization. During the last 18 months of COVID challenges, Chris has become the face of Sunnen to our customers, business partners, and employees, leading us through these turbulent times,” said Matthew Sunnen Kreider, who has been Sunnen’s Chairman since 2004.

For more information, visit sunnen.com.