Race Winning Brands (RWB), the manufacturer of high-performance engine components for the automotive and powersports aftermarkets, has announced industry veteran Steve Reed as the powersports brand manager for Wiseco Performance Products.

“With Wiseco’s deep roots in powersports and Steve’s experience and passion for the powersports industry, this is a perfect fit for RWB,” commented Scott Highland, Race Winning Brands’ Director of Powersports. 

In his new position, Reed will play a vital role in developing existing initiatives and supporting Wiseco powersports growth through product management and development, business platform and partnership support, marketing initiatives, and direct customer visits.

Reed comes to RWB with over 22 years of experience in the powersports aftermarket. Reed has been driven by a passion for riding and racing dirt bikes since he was young and began his powersports career in distribution before moving on to inside and international sales.

Reed most recently gained experience in portfolio management for Tucker Rocky Distributing, where he managed 150+ brands within powersports distribution, being directly involved in consecutive off-road product portfolio launches while simultaneously maintaining long-established relationships.

In related news, 2021 marks the 80th anniversary of Wiseco Performance Products.

For more information, visit wiseco.com. 

23XI Racing has announced SPEED (Scholarship, Professional Education, Executive Development) Institute, an initiative designed to enhance opportunities for students and job-seekers in the motorsports field. The program will focus on scholarships, internships, professional education, and executive development with 23XI Racing and its partners. 

The establishment of the SPEED Institute—designed to support 23XI Racing’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts—is the latest step for the team’s overall commitment to creating a race team where a diverse workforce is a priority. 

“We want to create an avenue for students to feel welcome in motorsports and help open doors for them, either through working with us directly or by working with our partners to find opportunities to learn and grow,” said Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing.

23XI will offer the following programs through the SPEED Institute:

Scholarships: 23XI Racing and its partners will offer scholarship programs to students interested in marketing, communications, human resources, finance, engineering, and trade disciplines in the automotive industry. 

Internships: 23XI Racing will offer paid internships to students to increase participation from underrepresented groups in the disciplines of technology and engineering and in the business of motorsports, including trade disciplines. The program is designed to give undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to learn the motorsports industry in various fields both virtually and in person at the 23XI Racing shop. 

Fellowships: The 23XI Fellowship Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a scholarship and be employed upon degree completion at 23XI Racing. 

Diversity Recruitment and Executive Development: 23XI Racing is committed to creating a diverse workforce. These recruitment and development programs will provide opportunities for underrepresented individuals who are out of school and who have an interest in working in motorsports.

More information, including additional partner programs, will be announced at a later date. 

For more information, visit 23xiracing.com/speed-institute.

Intellitronix Corporation—the manufacturer of digital and analog LED gauges and related automotive and high-performance motorsports electronics—has been purchased by Evergreen Cooperatives. The terms of the deal were not released.

Intellitronix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the US Lighting Group, manufactures microprocessor-controlled LED products and energy-saving devices designed for the automotive electronic, marine, and recreational vehicle markets. In addition, the company produces a wide range of automotive electronics, accessories, and digital gauges sold and distributed internationally. All products are manufactured out of its facility near Cleveland, Ohio.  

“This transaction strengthens the development and growth of our other companies for US Lighting,” said Paul Spivak, CEO of US Lighting Group.

The deal represents the fourth transaction by the Fund for Employee Ownership, an Evergreen Cooperatives social impact initiative designed to fund company transitions to employee ownership. The Fund closely aligns with the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s mission “to make a positive impact on America’s economy, our capital markets, and people’s lives,” Evergreen stated.

Intellitronix currently has around 35 employees, but that number is expected to increase after the conversion is completed, according to Evergreen.

For more information, visit intellitronix.com.

Photo of the Seipel family courtesy of Sonoma Raceway

The Seipel family—known to many as “the first family of drag racing in Northern California”—has been named Grand Marshal of the NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway this weekend.

Kyle Seipel, the former drag strip manager for Sonoma Raceway, passed away in June of this year following a three-year battle with cancer. He took over the management position from his mother, Georgia, in 2018. 

Seipel, also the son of the Super Gas pioneer Ted Seipel, co-promoted the Spring and Fall Fling bracket races with Peter Biondo. Those remain as some of the most popular E.T. races in the nation, often selling out within minutes. 

Also a drag racer, Seipel first rose to bracket racing prominence in Northern California in the 1980s. He won 10 NHRA championships in the Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street categories between 1990 and 2000, plus 12 NHRA national events in five different classes. His nickname was, affectionately, “Big Nasty.” 

The Seipel family, which includes Kyle’s wife Dana and children Sydney and Hudson, will be represented by Georgia and Ted and will be honored during pre-race festivities on Sunday morning before the NHRA Sonoma Nationals final eliminations. 

In related news, Pro Stock driver Troy Coughlin, pilot of the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, is dedicating his efforts at this weekend’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals in memory of Seipel.

For more information about the event, visit nhra.com.

Coastal Plains Raceway Park, the tri-oval track based in Jacksonville, North Carolina, is now Goodyear All American Speedway.

Veteran racer Anthony Goodyear and his wife Tonya have taken ownership of the 4/10-mile track and have renamed it Goodyear All American Speedway. The pair also runs the infield restaurant and bar at Bobby Watson’s Carteret County Speedway in Swansboro, North Carolina. 

The track will host its inaugural race on Saturday, July 31, for the All American Showdown featuring Late Models, Super Trucks, street stocks, Legends, U-CARS, Mini Cups, and Jr. Mini Cups. 

Goodyear has announced plans to secure events with regional touring series including the Carolina Pro Late Model Series and the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour. He also plans to implement affordable racing classes, including stock V8s. Cars shows, concerts, and related events are also slated to take place.

Officials have also announced upgrades to the facility, including new paint, updated bathrooms, remodeled suites, and a “good, family-oriented” menu for its concession stands. 

Related, the nearby Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway is separate from the announcement and will remain in operation as-is, according to officials with Goodyear All American Speedway.

For more information, visit goodyearallamericanspeedway.com.

Officials from the International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) have announced its new ICMS Mentor Program, which was founded to assist young motorsports enthusiasts with the chance to enter a racing career with proper supervision from an ICMS member as they complete their schooling and training. 

Designed and executed by the ICMS, this new program will connect an ICMS member as a mentor to students with aspirations to serve in the motorsports industry's medical and/or safety rescue sectors. ICMS members will share real-life experiences, provide input on career opportunities, and assist with networking with others in the industry.

Led by ICMS Education Committee Chair Dr. David Ferguson from Michigan State University and ICMS Executive Director Tom Weisenbach, ICMS will work with universities and colleges globally to connect interested students with ICMS members who live in 27 US states and 20 countries.

In addition, the ICMS will launch virtual networking events for its student members so they can have open discussions about their studies and career pathway while meeting key players in the industry.

ICMS has also announced its new worldwide ICMS Ambassador Program led by Weisenbach, Mark Tyler, MD from Cambridgeshire, England, and Rickard Johansson, a fire lieutenant for High Coast Ådalens Rescue Service in Sundsvall, Sweden. The program is designed to expand awareness of the Council through live and virtual events. 

The ICMS, formed in 1988, was designed to promote research and discussion related to motorsports safety and performance and share information with motorsports participants, race team management, and organizing bodies and federations to improve the sport. 

For more information, visit icmsmotorsportsafety.org.

WyoTech, the Laramie, Wyoming-based diesel- and automotive-related training school, has announced an increase in student enrollment following the purchase by WyoTech diesel alumnus Jim Mathis in 2018. When Mathis led the purchase of WyoTech in July 2018, the school had 12 students. Now, WyoTech boasts nearly 500 students from all 50 states and expects to have more than 1,000 by 2023, according to school officials.

After the state of Wyoming approached him for the purchase in early 2018, Mathis announced plans to reinvigorate the school that gave him an excellent education and training. 

“Moving forward, our vision is simple. We strive to be the best in training and to provide the best student experience with the best outcomes. We understand the history of the school. We also know the positive power behind the WyoTech brand,” Mathis said.

In addition to the programs in diesel, automotive, and collision refinishing, WyoTech emphasizes soft skills such as interview skills and personal appearance along with a heavy emphasis on attendance. As a result, nearly 70 nationally recognized companies visit the campus several times a year to recruit the school’s most recent graduates.  

For more information, visit wyotech.edu.

McLeod Racing, the provider of aftermarket driveline components, has announced the addition of Will Baty as its new off-road and R&D specialist. With the announcement, McLeod will continue the engineering and R&D of off-road products for its customers. 

Known as “Mr. Clutch,” Baty brings over 30 years of experience in research and development and engineering for the clutch market and the off-road market. 

“I have always believed that people are a business's most important asset. We’ve built a great team of ‘all-stars’ here at McLeod, and Will’s addition just makes our team that much stronger. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Will, and his knowledge of our driveline market and particularly, the off-road segment, will help continue to grow McLeod,” McLeod Racing President Paul Lee said.

McLeod Racing is the global supplier of clutch kits, clutch components, hydraulics, flywheels, bellhousings, and other performance driveline products for racing and more industries. 

For more information, visit mcleodracing.com.

Skip Barber Racing School, the racing and driving school based in North America, will open its first indoor go-karting academy out of a 40,000-square-foot karting facility at American Dream, the 3-million-square-foot entertainment, retail, and dining destination near New York City.

Guests will test their racing abilities at the Skip Barber Racing Go-Kart Academy while overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

“We could not be more excited to open our first SBRS karting academy within this unrivaled entertainment/retail center—what a great fit,” Skip Barber Racing School CMI Dan DeMonte said.  “We’ve trained some of the best in motorsports and will bring this same dedication to excellence by providing karting fans with the ultimate racing experience.”    

Skip Barber Racing Go-Kart Academy will be the latest addition to American Dream’s lineup of attractions, including DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, LEGOLAND  Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and Big SNOW Ski Hill.  

Skip Barber Racing School has trained over 350,000 drivers through its driving schools, racing schools, and private events. As a result, its alumni have taken podiums in all facets of motorsports, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, SCCA, SRX, World Challenge, and IMSA. 

For more information, visit skipbarber.com.

Photo courtesy of Bridgestone Americas

Bridgestone Americas has announced that Sara Correa has been appointed chief marketing officer (CMO), effective July 26. Correa succeeds Philip Dobbs, who has announced he will retire from Bridgestone in October after a transition period to onboard Correa into her new role.

“Sara is a highly experienced marketing leader with a proven track record of delivering strategic marketing and communications programs in highly complex industries,” said Paolo Ferrari, Global Solutions Business Officer, Bridgestone Corporation and CEO & President, Bridgestone Americas. 

As CMO, Correa will be responsible for the company’s Marketing “Center of Excellence” and focus on driving enhanced coordination and marketing activation for the company’s tire and solutions businesses in the US and Canada. This will include overseeing all brand and digital marketing efforts for the Bridgestone and Firestone brands, the company’s sports and engagement platforms, corporate communications, research and insights, and the company’s training initiatives.

Correa holds nearly two decades of experience identifying, developing, and commercializing B2B technology-based solutions in complex global markets. She joins Bridgestone from TE Connectivity, a publicly-traded company providing connectors and sensors for the transportation, medical technology, energy, and data communications sectors.

For more information, visit bridgestoneamericas.com.