Turn 14 Distribution has announced its company-sponsored vehicle had successfully completed the 99th running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) presented by Gran Turismo. This year marked the first time Turn 14, in partnership with Evasive Motorsports, “went electric” with a Tesla Model 3 Performance driven by Dai Yoshihara for “The Race To The Clouds.”

“In line with Turn 14 Distribution’s focused forward approach, the partnership demonstrated the company’s support for electric-powered vehicles as a substantial element to the performance industry's future,” a company release stated.

Turn 14 Distribution was on-hand for the event with its 53-foot motorsports trailer that served as the pit area for the team and also as a VIP hospitality area.

Yoshihara had secured the fastest practice time in the mountain’s middle section course and qualified second in the Exhibition class.  

For more information, visit turn14.com.

This veteran off-road duo has stepped onto the international stage with legendary team owner Chip Ganassi as the only American presence in the climate-conscious Extreme E series.

I currently race in a series called Championship Off-Road Racing, a short course off-road series. I race in the premier class, which are four-wheel-drive, about 1,000 horsepower machines. They are beasts to say the least.

I got involved with Extreme E when I got a call from Chip Ganassi Racing after they had done a ton of research on their side of it. I think they reached out to a couple of American drivers and were trying to narrow it down, and we were able to put it all together. I’m very proud of that. 

My Extreme E experience has been literally second to none so far. It’s mind blowing to me that we’re about to go to Greenland in remote locations. Saudi was awesome, and Senegal was pretty insane. It’s just a cool position to be in, to put these places on the map that I’ve been there and am racing there. Someday I will look back on this and not believe it was real.

The Extreme Series as a whole is something that’s incredibly unique and new to me, and new to the Ganassi program. We’re going at it with our minds set on racing and winning, but also working with the series to educate people about climate change. The male/female team aspect of it is something unique, too, and I think they nailed it on the head.

Driving with a teammate is something slightly new for me, but Sara is second to none, and I try to push myself to be at the top. I’ve made some mistakes with the car and broken some parts, but we’ve been fast. We have a lot of things to learn and a lot of things still in the books for us.

Looking forward, we definitely plan to run Extreme E for another season. I’m excited that the series has legs to grow; it’s got backing from big people and big teams. Hopefully the series grows within itself and also with all the teams.

Hats off to everyone involved in putting the Chip Ganassi Extreme E team on the map. We’re struggling a little bit here and there, but overall, we’re super fast. The car is great, the team is amazing, the sponsors are epic, so we’re on the right track. 

—Kyle LeDuc

I come from an off-road racing background, like the Baja 1000, 500, 250, as well as King of the Hammers, short course, you name it. So, Chip Ganassi Racing gave me a call and wanted to talk to me about being a driver for the Extreme E series. As you can imagine, in my shoes and in the off-road world, we don’t really get attention from people who are as legendary as Chip, so it was a pretty big deal to get that phone call. That’s how I found out about the series and found my home in Extreme E with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Extreme E is the first of its kind in the world of off-road motorsports, actually the whole world of motorsports I would say. There are nine teams—a male and female on each team—and we’re also racing for a cause. We’re racing to grow awareness of our climate and for causes that help the planet around the world.

The Extreme E SUVs are spec vehicles, so in this series, we all have the same vehicle. It’s really a driver’s series. The cars have a little more limited suspension than we’re used to, and the adjustments we’re allowed to do within regulations are very slim. With our suspension, they are sealed, so we’re not able to tap into the insides, but we have three spring settings that the series allows us to have. Everyone has the same springs, same manufacturer, and we’re allowed to choose between those three settings, as well as a few clickers and ride heights. That’s all we’re allowed to do when it comes to suspension.

When it comes to programs or data, there are only a few things our engineers are allowed to tap into or codes they’re allowed to play with. The rest, the series controls. Other than that, it’s just toe-in, toe-out, camber, and that’s really all we’ve got to play with. We try to set the car up the best we can with the knowledge that we have with our mechanic and our team. We just try to make it the best and fastest that we possibly can with the little bit of room that we’re allowed to play with.

Our first race was in Saudi Arabia and the second race was in Senegal. Greenland is up next (at press time). The Africa and Saudi terrain have been very similar to what I’ve grown up racing on, so that wasn’t too much of a change. I think Greenland might be a little different, but we have no idea what we’re going into; they don’t tell us. We just have to be as prepared as possible for anything.

Kyle and I are the only American drivers in the series, and we’re the only American team. Representing America is truly amazing, and Chip Ganassi Racing is the true definition of American racing. —Sara Price

When the racing industry’s ultimate business gathering returns to Indianapolis in December, three days may barely be enough time to see not only the popular traditional components but also exciting new developments.

The PRI Trade Show is coming up as fast as the traps after a staged 300-shot of nitrous. Set in stone for in-person, face-to-face action, the Show takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana, December 9–11.

MIXING NEW WITH THE FAMILIAR

After taking a year off in 2020 due to COVID-19, the PRI Show will again take over the entire Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and Lucas Oil Stadium. That’s about 950,000 square feet devoted to everything related to the business of speed. 

The stadium’s indoor space is set aside for the latest in racing trailers, making it a must-see for professional and amateur race teams from all series, and buyers looking for new gear. Everything transportation and trailer related is in this one area, just a short walk from the main convention floor. 

The ICC hosts most of the PRI Trade Show’s 1,000-plus expected exhibitors. For 2021, Show goers can expect “elements that both our exhibitors and attendees are accustomed to seeing, along with new and exciting elements we believe will elevate the attendees’ overall experience,” said PRI Trade Show Director Karin Davidson. “We listened to attendees and exhibitors in an effort to learn what would make the PRI Show better for them. And I think we’re doing it.” 

Following are some of the popular components of previous PRI Shows, as well as some new aspects to generate interest and excitement and celebrate racing’s return.

FEATURED PRODUCTS SHOWCASE

As in years past, the Featured Products Showcase is a figurative shortcut for buyers looking for the latest and highest-profile gear. This exclusive section displays the hottest products and is always a key destination for attendees and media. (Some spaces are still available, so visit performanceracing.com/trade-show/exhibit/feature-product-showcase or email featuredproducts@performanceracing.com for more information.)

MACHINERY ROW

Race and machine shop owners know the Yellow Hall’s Machinery Row is their must-walk zone. It’s the place to shop for the latest in race machining equipment. With more than 100 precision machines side-by-side and fully operational, it’s a race engine builder’s paradise.

SEMINARS 

All PRI Education seminars are conveniently located in the ICC, not far from the Show floor. World-class business and technical education is a PRI hallmark, covering a range of relevant topics from social media strategies, pricing policies, and building brand awareness to valve spring design, EFI tuning, and much more.

A can’t-miss seminar on the health of the racing industry will be given by PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer as well. After a turbulent 2020, if you’re a business owner, buyer, track operator, or racer, you’ll want to be in on this critical session. 

WHAT’S BETTER IN 2021

“Everything that you want from the PRI Show will be back for 2021, but our team has made significant new additions to make the Show work harder for you,” noted PRI’s Davidson. 

PRI HQ

“PRI is so much more than a trade show,” Davidson continued, “PRI represents our community, your business, your racing series, and your friends. To celebrate our community, we’re creating a headquarters in a special area in the Convention Center.”

This all-new space will present highlights from the 2021 PRI Road Tour, including the legendary Road Tour Van, and enable attendees to participate in discussions with PRI influencers, pick up a free copy of PRI Magazine, and get questions answered about PRI Membership and its importance in the fight to pass legislation known as the RPM Act of 2021. Think of this new space as a hub for everything PRI. 

CONTENT CREATION CENTER

Businesses rarely grow in the modern era without a marketing presence in the media and on social media. Many PRI businesses have content creators on staff, whether they have that formal title or not. Content can come from a dedicated marketing and PR team, or it could be done by the front-desk person using an iPhone. The PRI Content Creation Center is a new resource for plentiful ideas. 

As demonstrated by the hugely successful 2020 and 2021 PRI Road Tours, PRI knows about getting the word out regarding our industry. Show goers can learn about the latest in content creation in this new area as they watch demonstrations of cutting-edge audio/video gear and software, and hear from skilled content creators on best practices and effective strategies. 

EV PERFORMANCE

Nearly a century ago, the electric car lost its first battle against the internal combustion engine after a valiant fight. But thanks to major advances in motor, battery, and charging technologies, electric vehicles (EVs) are making a comeback. 

While EVs still represent just a sliver of the performance and racing market, interest in them is growing. PRI’s new display area will present where the market is now and where it’s headed. Already, Chevrolet and Ford have built “concept” electric Sportsman-style prototypes (the eCOPO and the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400, respectively), and YouTube is overrun with videos of Tesla Model S sedans ripping off scorching 1320 runs. Yet much more is happening.  

Several companies introduced electric crate motor packages earlier this year. These products followed the debut of the Chevrolet Performance concept production eCrate motor in a custom build of a 1977 K5 Blazer. This 2020 project truck was itself a follow-up to Chevy’s e10 electric resto-mod pickup that debuted at SEMA 2019. These major industry moves prove that whether people like it or not—or believe in it or not—performance EVs are the future.

While EVs can’t currently match the overall performance and utility of gas or diesel engines for many drivers, the technology is rapidly evolving and improving. Nobody knows how the entire “EV thing” will play out, but industry experts predict that EV performance will grow and that insightful businesses will capitalize on the opportunities. This reality is why the Show’s EV Performance area will display production, concept, and racing EVs from a broad array of manufacturers, universities, racing series, and custom builders all in one place. 

THE PRI SHOW CROWD

The racing industry delivers some of the world’s most motivated consumers. Racers buy to win. They always have and always will. Builders, racers, and their teams are looking for the best technology to give them a competitive advantage. The PRI Show delivers. Every type of racing is represented, including stock car, drag, sports car, sprint car, midget, modified, formula, dirt late model, sport compact, karting, vintage, EV, and more.

Plus, because the PRI Show is a trade-only event, attendance is limited to those who have demonstrated that they’re members of the racing community, a targeted audience that hails from all 50 states. Many are volume buyers of racing products, technology, shop equipment, and services. More than half are retailers of racing products or race engine businesses, while others include professional race teams, motorsports warehouse distributors, high-performance install shops, and race car builders.

PRI exhibitors get face-to-face with buyers for hands-on sales presentations. Since December is racing’s offseason, the entire industry is free to attend, providing direct access to the trade’s distribution pipeline. 

A new feature for this year’s Show (explained in depth here): PRI membership is now required to attend the Show, membership that opens opportunities to support the performance and racing industry on an entirely new and critical level. Simply put, just going to the PRI Show in December helps the racing industry. 

Here’s one example of how: Since 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency has been enforcing the 1970 Clean Air Act in a new way. Its claim is that converting a production vehicle into a race vehicle is illegal. That was never the intent of the Clean Air Act, and PRI is on the front lines in Washington, DC, fighting for passage of the RPM Act of 2021 to protect our right to race, and to build race cars. 

The industry needs your support now, and your individual member status will help more than you know!

BOOK TODAY

Even though there are approximately 900 hotel rooms available in downtown Indianapolis, the PRI team is expecting tens of thousands of attendees for the 2021 Show. So don’t wait to make a reservation to see the PRI Show’s most popular exhibits and displays, plus everything that’s new this year. 

Importantly, the ICC spent nearly $7 million in health and safety upgrades, including improvements to the HVAC and air filtration systems. Plus, it installed new touchless features and implemented a state-of-the-art deep cleaning system that regularly sanitizes high-touch areas, all to help Show attendees feel more comfortable getting back to the business of racing—in person.

To book a hotel, visit here. To register to attend, visit here. To secure a booth, visit here. 

Leading motorsports companies are sending a clear message that they support our community’s yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

For the third installment of our PRI Founding Members series, you’ll read the stories of four companies you likely know. They’re high profile, respected, and betting on the growth of the industry they’ve supported and helped build for decades. 

Recently, all PRI Founding Members received a special status update on the RPM Act, a PRI/SEMA-backed bill that clarifies the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that allow racers to compete, and protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars. The bipartisan bill, which included more than 75 cosponsors at press time, was Introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year by Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA).

PRI’s State Government Affairs Director Christian Robinson explained, “Our conference call provided a behind-the-scenes look at the steps PRI is taking to ensure the RPM Act becomes law in 2021. We also reviewed potential legislative pathways to victory, how the campaign will be promoted, and the role each business can take.” Founding Members are not just leaders in the industry, they are the tip of the spear when it comes to protecting its future.

PRI exists because we—together—are strongest when we are united. By stepping up to Founding Member status, companies send a clear message that they support our industry’s yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And they’re showing they stand with you. Our industry’s collective political voice and economic power carries more punch than any single company’s attempt to navigate today’s complex legislative and economic challenges.

PRI Founding Member status remains available for a limited time for $25,000 (with a payment option of $2,500 per year over 10 years). In other words, for the cost of printing show flyers or a few display banners, your company could position itself at the forefront of the racing industry. And Founding Member status also comes with exclusive benefits, including invitations to private networking events with other industry leaders. The first official Founding Members’ event will be held at this year’s PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis in December. 

Your involvement in PRI allows our team to continue to build, promote, and protect your livelihood, as well as the prosperity of the entire racing and aftermarket community. 

The performance industry is driven by competitive people who want to succeed both on and off the track. JEGS is there to help with a staff of more than 400 who can source and ship thousands of parts to worldwide customers overnight. 

Celebrating 60-plus years in the performance and racing industry, JEGS began as a storefront business. In the late 1950s, Jeg Coughlin Sr. was a typical Ohio hot rodder. He wanted lower ETs and higher trap speeds, so he built his first drag cars with parts sourced from West Coast vendors. Coughlin’s on-track dominance won him attention and seeded the idea that he could get in the high-performance parts business. 

Jeg Sr. opened his first speed shop in Columbus, Ohio, in 1960, and the third generation of the Coughlin family is now involved, with Jeg’s sons—John, Troy, Mike, and Jeg Jr.—overseeing operations today. JEGS operates a state-of-the-art 225,000-square-foot facility in Delaware, Ohio. Parts are stacked and sorted to the warehouse’s 50-foot ceiling, and automated systems assist with the parts picking and shipping.

Team JEGS wants our industry to continue to grow for generations to come, and its Founding Member status recognizes the need for the industry to monitor and influence the ever-changing regulatory environment and the impact it has.

“It’s been a phenomenal ride,” said Jeg Coughlin Sr., who turned 83 this year. “When you think about starting out as a little project all those years back and then look at our facilities now, it humbles you. I credit the boys with much of our success. I ran the thing for 27 years and then sold it to them, and they’ve since increased annual sales from about $20-million-a-year to a several-hundred-million-a-year. That speaks volumes to the work they’ve done.” The choice to become a Founding Member was a family decision that the Coughlins know will help their extended family. 

Formed in 2006, Mast Motorsports focuses on engine controls and fuel injection systems for late model engines. Mast recognized that the popular GM LS small block V8 (Generations III and IV) benefited greatly from improved breathing, and the need quickly surfaced for better heads and performance combinations. In response, Mast launched its first “Black Label” LS cylinder heads circa 2008, and also began offering custom engine building.

With true made-in-the-USA pride, Mast is one of those rare industry players that is fully vertically integrated. From design through production, Mast completes the engineering, computational-fluid-dynamic analysis, casting, and finished machining on its heads in-house. 

Specializing in GM late model engines, Mast has built and supplied over 1,000 engines since its inception, with builds for select customers dynoing at 1,500 hp.

Mast operates in two facilities in Nacogdoches, Texas, staffed by a team of dedicated employees. Its engineering facility benefits from having the latest development and testing equipment, including five dyno cells (four engine, one chassis) and a Spintron valvetrain system, plus all of the tools needed for engine assembly and cylinder head manufacturing.

Mast recently expanded with the opening of its new comprehensive cylinder head R&D and finishing facility, and also added a large warehouse to serve its customers better. With growing market demand, Mast offers comprehensive private label cylinder head design and manufacturing through which it offers turnkey cylinder heads custom-tailored to their specific needs.

Mast’s expanding product offerings now include the more affordable “Factory Mast” line that focuses on GM LS (Generation III and IV GM small block), GM LT (Generation V GM small block), and the recently released Ford Godzilla platform.

The company’s complete product line services customers across multiple communities, including street performance enthusiasts, airboats, and industrial engines, as well as competitors in circle track and off-road. Mast Motorsports’ commitment to PRI and Founding Member status demonstrates the company’s support of the racing family and its belief in the future of the industry.

For the family behind Forgeline Motorsports, making wheels for the racing community is more than just a job; it’s the culmination of a lifetime effort. After literally growing up working in their father’s Dayton Wire Wheel factory and spending weekends at the race track with the family’s amateur road racing team, twin brothers Steve and Dave Schardt developed a passion for motorsports and an obsession with making high-quality wheels.

These interests collided in 1994, when the brothers recognized the need for a US-based (Ohio) manufacturer of custom-made-to-order forged racing wheels, and Forgeline came to be. The company has since grown to become a key member of the racing and performance industry. And its customer base has grown well beyond its initial group of elite road racers. 

Throughout the decades, Forgeline’s in-house design and manufacturing have expanded to include products for all types of racing, street cars, trucks, and custom-built vehicles. The company’s current product line meets the modern demands of powertrain, chassis, and tire technology with more than 140 different wheel models of various construction types, including modular aluminum three-piece wheels, one-piece forged monoblock wheels, flow-formed wheels, and a line of modular hybrid two-piece wheels comprised of forged aluminum centers combined with high-tech carbon fiber composite barrels. 

As it was back in the 1990s, Forgeline wheels are still used at the highest levels of road racing, and are even the spec wheels on Ford’s Mustang GT4, Chevrolet’s Camaro GT4.R, and the Glickenhaus SCG004. 

PRI has always been an important part of Forgeline’s effort to serve the global racing community. One way Forgeline accomplished this was via participation in the annual PRI Trade Show. Through PRI, Forgeline is able to keep tabs on the evolving needs of the racing market, as well as the technologies and people who drive racing innovation. 

Forgeline publicly recognized the value of its partnership with PRI when the company signed on as a PRI Founding Member.

In 1977, sitting at his apartment kitchen table, Bill Wood drew up his first brake caliper designs. With borrowed time at a local machine shop, he made his first few sets. Just months later, Wilwood Brakes were helping Richard Petty burn off speed at the end of Riverside’s intimidating downhill back straight.

Wilwood Engineering got its start in stock car racing, but quickly expanded into drag racing, road racing, sprint cars, midgets, off-road, motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, and more. The kitchen table-designed Dynalite and Superlite calipers evolved and improved with each generation, and they remain among the company’s most popular products to this day.

From pedal to pad, Wilwood has continually improved the design and manufacture of everything brake related. As tires, wheels, suspension, and chassis components have evolved and significantly expanded the performance envelope, braking requirements have dramatically increased. Wilwood Engineering’s particular skills make them an in-demand supplier for racers, enthusiasts, and beyond. In addition to being on the world’s fastest piston-driven vehicle, the 480-mph Speed Demon, the US military uses the Wilwood Grand National caliper on the HMMWV (popularly known as the Humvee).

From humble beginnings with the weekly racers of Saugus Speedway in Santa Clarita, California, to its facility in Camarillo, Wilwood continues to offer products that touch nearly every type of racing, including the most prestigious pro levels. Brake designs have transitioned from kitchen-table drawings to the latest computer-aided design systems that feed sophisticated manufacturing processes.

Recognizing the benefits of supporting the community that supports them, Wilwood Engineering has been involved with PRI since the beginning. “No other organization allows us to connect with so many of the people who build and race cars,” said Wilwood’s John Grieco. 

He continued, “PRI helps bring drivers, builders, dealers, and suppliers together, and keeps us informed.” This simple truth explains why Wilwood Engineering became a PRI Founding Member.

 

There are three annual PRI Membership tiers, with two designed for individuals or small businesses, and the third for businesses pledging the topmost level of leadership and commitment to the racing community.

Members-only access, valuable discounts, Trade Show exclusives, business resources, networking opportunities, political advocacy…

This is why you need to become a PRI Member. Your signing on with PRI comes with many tangible benefits, but your membership is first about supporting the racing community and protecting our collective rights by building, promoting, and protecting the motorsports industry.

There are three annual membership levels, with two designed for individuals or small businesses, and the third intended for the businesses most committed to our industry. Here are the details.

Pro Member Benefits: $40

• Membership Card & Welcome Packet
• PRI Stickers 
• Support for PRI’s “Save Our Racecars Advocacy”
• Inclusion in the Performance Racing Political Action Committee 
• 10% discount on PRI Merchandise 
• 12 issues of the digital PRI Magazine 
• Subscription to the PRI eNewsletter 
• Posting access on the PRI Jobs Board 
• PRI Show Exclusive Benefits
  • Pro Member Show Badge/Identification
  • Early Access to the PRI Trade Show Floor

A tank of gas costs more than the PRI Pro Membership, but the membership goes a lot farther to support the lifestyle and industry that you’re an important part of. 

The next step up is the PRI Champion Member. Designed for individuals, this level includes significantly more benefits, especially for those attending the 2021 PRI Trade Show. 

Champion Member Benefits: $250 

• All Pro Member Benefits
• PRI Swag Pack
• 25% discount on PRI Merchandise
• 12 Issues of the print edition of PRI Magazine 
• PRI Show Exclusive Benefits
  • Exclusive Champion Member Show Badge/Identification
  • VIP Access to the Champions Lounge at the PRI Trade Show 

The ultimate commitment to the PRI community goes to those who become Founding Members. Unlike the other memberships that are yearly, Founding Members make a 10-year commitment. The total outlay is $25,000, a sum that’s rather reasonable when paid yearly. Here are the benefits that nearly two-dozen leading Founding Members have already signed up to receive:

Founding Member Benefits - $25,000 at $2,500/year

• All Pro & Champion Member Benefits
• Official PRI recognition of your company’s leadership and commitment to the racing community 
• Exclusive access to the PRI Founding Members Network 
• Company name displayed on the Wall of Champions at PRI Corporate Headquarters 
• Company logo displayed prominently on a dedicated area of the PRI website
• An invitation to the Annual PRI President’s Briefing
• PRI Show Exclusive Benefits
  • Exclusive Founding Member Show Badge/Identification
  • Invitation to the PRI President’s Event 
  • Exclusive Founding Member Signage 

These three levels of PRI membership satisfy the needs of many in the PRI community, but there remains one more option. For 2021, the PRI Trade Show remains a no-cost event to attend. However, PRI will require all attendees who qualify to become members. The Show Membership is a no-cost membership that expires after the 2021 Show ends and provides the benefit of Show floor access to all PRI display areas. 

Additional and updated membership information is available on the PRI website at performanceracing.com/membership, and the PRI team is available to answer any membership questions you may have. 

What’s next? Sign up now for whichever level of PRI Membership suits you best, then get back out to the shop or track and finish this racing season strong!

Two things I think while getting set to attend the NTPA National Tractor Pulling Championships in Bowling Green, Ohio, later this month:   

1) I think we’re all going to start becoming more familiar with terms like “carbon neutral” and “carbon net-zero” in the months and years ahead. As noted in contributor Bradley Iger’s piece “Future-Proofing” that begins on page 126, carbon neutral means that any carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from a company’s activities is balanced by an equal amount being removed; carbon net-zero means that a company or activity has effectively eliminated its carbon footprint altogether, so no carbon needs to be captured or offset in turn. Iger’s story goes on to highlight how three top operators—McLaren Racing, SRO Motorsports Group America, and Mahindra Racing—are leading the push toward a greener tomorrow. “Everything makes a difference,” Mahindra’s Dilbagh Gill told us. Indeed, when Roush Fenway Racing announced back in February that it had become the first carbon-neutral NASCAR team, the achievement was lauded as a watershed for racing’s premier stock car series. The expectation, too, was that other teams might eventually follow suit. “Every business can make choices to help promote a more sustainable future,” said Roush Fenway driver Ryan Newman at the time, “and this program makes me proud to be part of a team that takes the initiative to drive change.” Roush Fenway’s efforts are certainly admirable, but they shouldn’t be the outlier. Here’s hoping that more race teams—from the top series to grassroots competitors—can take (or continue taking) steps to reduce their own carbon footprints, however large or small.

2) I think it’s pretty interesting how shops are utilizing cutting-edge technology to reproduce parts for cars that last raced during the Hoover administration…or thereafter. We’ve been reporting on the popularity of historic vehicles for, well, ages. But in Bradley Iger’s story “Seeking Unobtainium,” which starts on page 68, we examine what happens when components for these cars must be serviced, either through restoration or, as alluded to above, more advanced means. In one example, Mike Miller of Cunningham Precision Group in Columbus, Indiana, about an hour south of Indianapolis, explained the process that went into restoring a Cummins diesel-powered car that competed in the Indy 500 circa the 1930s. The engine “had major cylinder head issues,” he told us, and so rather than trying to bring it back to a workable condition, the team at Cummins used 3D scanning to re-draw the head altogether. “That allowed them to supply us with a CAD model of the head,” Miller explained. “From there, we did the design work for our foundry. We used a 3D printer to create all of the cores and the mold, and we poured new castings and machined those castings.” Not all vintage components must be re-created, however. And since adherence to provenance is a big deal for most gentleman drivers, restoration, whenever possible, often is the preferred option. Still, it’s reassuring to know that specialists like Cunningham Precision, Millennium Technologies of Plymouth, Wisconsin, Hoosier Pattern of Decatur, Indiana, and others are on hand, and highly skilled at helping vintage racers put these remarkable machines through their paces, regardless of when they first left the assembly line.

Tracking legal, legislative, and regulatory developments impacting the racing and performance industry.

PRI’s dedicated advocacy team based in Washington, DC, works nonstop to protect motorsports. We are currently tracking several initiatives on the federal and state levels, including an update on the critical RPM Act designed to protect racing and a look at one of its leading co-sponsors, plus information on the Economic Bridge Coalition intended to provide relief to race tracks and other industries. 

RPM Act Continues To Gain Support In Congress

Backing for the bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act), H.R. 3281, is expanding each day, as members of Congress continue to hear overwhelming support for the bill from racers and the motorsports parts industry. As of early August, 96 members of the House have supported the bill designed to protect racers’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars, including the most recent co-sponsors: Jim Banks [R-IN], Larry Bucshon [R-IN], Dusty Johnson [R-SD], Carlos Gimenez [R-FL], and Victoria Spartz [R-IN]. While Congress will be out of session through September 20, lawmakers will be getting out in the communities they represent and holding town hall meetings. This is an excellent opportunity to make your voice heard and encourage lawmakers to support the RPM Act. To identify your regional lawmaker, visit here. 

“Support for the RPM Act is increasing in the form of co-sponsors because racers and the men and women who work in the motorsports parts industry are writing their members of Congress. The PRI/SEMA SAN’s letter-writing campaign has resulted in over 1.35 million letters sent to Congress this year in support of the RPM Act,” Director of Congressional Affairs Eric Snyder said. “Additionally, key members of the industry have participated in virtual meetings with their lawmakers and Congressional staff through the SEMA Washington Rally. PRI is also working with race tracks to get them to post on social media about the importance of the RPM Act.”

The RPM Act must be enacted into law to guarantee your right to modify street cars, trucks, and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles, and ensure that the industry can offer parts that enable racers to compete. Lawmakers must continue to be reminded of the importance of passing the RPM Act. To send a letter, visit SaveOurRaceCars.com. 

For those who have already sent a letter to lawmakers in Washington, there’s plenty more you can do to help save our race cars. This includes using materials found at performanceracing.com/rpm-assets to get the word out about the RPM Act on social media, and emailing friends and racing associates a link to the letter-writing campaign.

“It is important that we speak to Congress with one voice, so we encourage you to use the SEMA/PRI materials on the RPM Act,” Snyder said. For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org. 

Meet RPM Act Champion, US Rep. Richard Hudson [R-NC]

As the lead Republican co-sponsor of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act), H.R. 3281, US Representative Richard Hudson [R-NC] is one of the leading voices for this important measure and has proven himself to be a defender of motorsports.

“Congressman Hudson has been an amazing champion for the RPM Act and has been the lead Republican advocate for the bill on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He has been the most vocal supporter of the bill in committee meetings and in talking to committee leadership about the need to pass the bill behind the scenes,” Snyder said. 

The Energy and Commerce Committee has broad jurisdiction over federal public policy issues, including oversight of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Rep. Hudson has also brought the RPM Act to the attention of former EPA administrators Gina McCarthy and Scott Pruitt, who headed the agency under President Obama and President Trump, respectively.

 

“Congressman Hudson questioned Administrator McCarthy about the EPA’s 2015 draft rule-making that prohibited the modification of motor vehicles into dedicated race cars. He asked her if she was aware that it would destroy a $2 billion a year industry that employed tens of thousands of Americans,” Snyder said. “He later asked Administrator Pruitt for his views on the legality of converting street-legal vehicles into dedicated race cars, and asked that he support legislation to clarify it in a federal law, i.e., the RPM Act.”

A passionate racing fan and the hometown Congressman for Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rep. Hudson consistently voices his support for the race parts industry. PRI thanks Rep. Hudson for his tireless support of racing teams and businesses as the lead Republican co-sponsor of the RPM Act.

List of RPM Act Co-Sponsors (as of early August)

Rep. Patrick McHenry [R-NC]**

Rep. Raul Ruiz [D-CA]** 

Rep. Richard Hudson [R-NC]* 

Rep. Greg Pence [R-IN]* 

Rep. Daniel Webster [R-FL]* 

Rep. Ted Budd [R-NC]* 

Rep. Jim Jordan [R-OH]* 

Rep. Tom McClintock [R-CA]* 

Rep. Jeff Duncan [R-SC]* 

Rep. Darin LaHood [R-IL]* 

Rep. Blake D. Moore [R-UT]* 

Rep. Scott Perry [R-PA]* 

Rep. David Rouzer [R-NC]* 

Rep. Mike D. Rogers [R-AL]* 

Rep. Mike Kelly [R-PA]* 

Rep. Gary J. Palmer [R-AL]* 

Rep. Norma J. Torres [D-CA]* 

Rep. Thomas Massie [R-KY]* 

Rep. David G. Valadao [R-CA]* 

Rep. Bill Posey [R-FL]* 

Rep. Markwayne Mullin [R-OK]* 

Rep. Michael C. Burgess [R-TX]* 

Rep. Haley M. Stevens [D-MI]* 

Rep. Salud O. Carbajal [D-CA]* 

Rep. Doug LaMalfa [R-CA]* 

Rep. Don Young [R-AK]* 

Rep. Jim Cooper [D-TN]* 

Rep. Ken Calvert [R-CA]* 

Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. [D-GA]* 

Rep. Madison Cawthorn [R-NC]* 

Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux [D-GA]* 

Rep. Kurt Schrader [D-OR]* 

Rep. Julia Brownley [D-CA]* 

Rep. Debbie Lesko [R-AZ]* 

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene [R-GA]* 

Rep. Tom O’Halleran [D-AZ]* 

Rep. Glenn Grothman [R-WI]* 

Rep. Scott H. Peters [D-CA]* 

Rep. Jackie Walorski [R-IN]* 

Rep. Robert B. Aderholt [R-AL]* 

Rep. Jimmy Panetta [D-CA]* 

Rep. Lauren Boebert [R-CO]* 

Rep. Rodney Davis [R-IL]* 

Rep. Mike Thompson [D-CA]* 

Rep. Brendan F. Boyle [D-PA]* 

Rep. Fred Keller [R-PA]* 

Rep. Pete Stauber [R-MN]* 

Rep. Henry Cuellar [D-TX]* 

Rep. Young Kim [R-CA] 

Rep. Troy Balderson [R-OH] 

Rep. John Joyce [R-PA] 

Rep. Ralph Norman [R-SC] 

Rep. Alexander X. Mooney [R-WV] 

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler [R-PA] 

Rep. Tim Ryan [D-OH] 

Rep. Pete Sessions [R-TX] 

Rep. Chris Jacobs [R-NY] 

Rep. Antonio Delgado [D-NY] 

Rep. Diana Harshbarger [R-TN] 

Rep. Ron Kind [D-WI] 

Rep. Tracey Mann [R-KS] 

Rep. Jason Smith [R-MO] 

Rep. Van Taylor [R-TX] 

Rep. Adam Kinzinger [R-IL] 

Rep. Pete Aguilar [D-CA] 

Rep. Adrian Smith [R-NE] 

Rep. Ann M. Kuster [D-NH] 

Rep. H. Morgan Griffith [R-VA] 

Rep. Jim Hagedorn [R-MN] 

Rep. Scott DesJarlais [R-TN] 

Rep. Robert E. Latta [R-OH] 

Rep. David Kustoff [R-TN] 

Rep. Glenn Thompson [R-PA] 

Rep. Carol Miller [R-WV] 

Rep. David McKinley [R-WV] 

Rep. Matthew M. Rosendale Sr. [R-MT]  

Rep. Trent Kelly [R-MS]  

Rep. Jared F. Golden [D-ME]  

Rep. Elise M. Stefanik [R-NY]  

Rep. Andy Barr [R-KY]  

Rep. Jay Obernolte [R-CA]  

Rep. Michael Cloud [R-TX]  

Rep. Austin Scott [R-GA]  

Rep. James Comer [R-KY]  

Rep. Brett Guthrie [R-KY]  

Rep. Bill Huizenga [R-MI]  

Rep. Don Bacon [R-NE]  

Rep. Warren Davidson [R-OH]  

Rep. Mary E. Miller [R-IL]  

Rep. Mark E. Green [R-TN]  

Rep. John R. Curtis [R-UT]  

Rep. Liz Cheney [R-WY]  

Rep. Jim Banks [R-IN]  

Rep. Dusty Johnson [R-SD]  

Rep. Larry Bucshon [R-IN]  

Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez [R-FL]  

Rep. Victoria Spartz [R-IN] 

*original co-sponsors 

**original lead sponsors

Coalition Seeks Support For Race Tracks

As previously reported (see PRI Magazine, June 2021), PRI’s Government Affairs team is focused on helping race tracks receive additional government relief. The initiative began as the “Shuttered Venues Operators Grant” (SVOG), part of a $15 billion act passed in late 2020 as part of the COVID-19 Relief Bill. Unfortunately, the grant program did not apply to race tracks and related outdoor venues. PRI has since formed a coalition of over 15 groups and advocated to expand the SVOG program to include everyone from race tracks to fairs to horse shows in the SVOG program.

“The SVOG program is focused on providing grants to live music and performing arts venues. While they deserve assistance to help offset revenue declines that are a direct result of public health orders that restricted their attendance during the pandemic, race tracks and many other providers of live entertainment are equally as deserving of federal assistance. SEMA, PRI, and our coalition partners are working with Congress to expand the groups eligible for SVOG assistance,” Snyder said.

In mid-June, the PRI Government Affairs team announced the Economic Bridge Coalition, which seeks broad-based relief for all industries left out of the SVOG program. The coalition has been focused on highlighting the key industries and businesses that have been left out of COVID-19 relief efforts. Founding members include: the American Rental Association, representing the equipment and event rental industry; the Live Event Coalition, representing businesses that produce and service live events; the American Society of Travel Advisors, representing travel agencies and advisors; IAAPA, representing theme parks, family entertainment centers, museums, water parks, aquariums, and other attractions; the International Council of Airshows; the Outdoor Amusement Business Association; the International Association of Fairs and Expositions; the Professional Photographers Association; the American Horse Council, representing the $122 billion US horse industry; the Specialty Equipment Market Association; Performance Racing Industry; and the National Ski Areas Association. 

The Economic Bridge Coalition is currently working with members of Congress on legislative proposals that would provide assistance based on revenue losses as a result of shutdown orders during the pandemic. Additional associations of affected industries are welcome to join this initiative. For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org. 

 

Motorsports events are roaring back to life this year after numerous cancelations in 2020. Here’s how pent-up demand is contributing to whopping registration numbers for three upcoming marquee events.

After a year marked by uncertainty, shutdowns, and suspended race schedules, the motorsports industry is back on track—with a vengeance—in 2021.

“Everybody was devastated by the COVID restrictions, but I think outdoor events got unfairly lumped in with the indoor events without any real data,” said Matt Martelli, CEO of The Mint 400, the desert off-road race that takes place near Las Vegas, Nevada. “Now information is coming out from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] saying that they have not been able to track cases of COVID outbreaks at outdoor events, so we are essentially the safest type of events out there.”

As officials around the nation are loosening regulations and cities are returning to a semblance of normalcy, it’s clear that racers are ready to compete, and fans are itching to get back in the grandstands. Race tracks and sanctioning bodies are answering their calls with some big events. 

Registration Is Booming

An indicator of an upcoming event’s success is registration numbers, and several race organizers reported strong car counts even months in advance of their event. “We’ve already had north of 300 entries [in early June], and we expect hundreds more by the time registration closes,” said Martelli of the Mint 400, which takes place December 1–5. 

The 2020 event was held on March 3–8, just before most major cities went on lockdown. “We were still absolutely affected by the pandemic last year. Even though we had over 65,000 spectators, we didn’t get the level of international participation we normally get; the pandemic was more apparent overseas than here at that time. Our overall numbers were down by 30% due to travel restrictions, but regardless, I feel super fortunate we were able to have the event back then.”

Similarly, dozens of prominent racers have locked into the No Mercy 12 drag racing event at South Georgia Motorsports Park set for October 14–17. “We’ve been announcing the racers that register as they come in, and we’ve already got a lot of big names [as of early June],” said Donald Long of Duck X Productions. Some of those include X275 racers Ryan Milliken and DJ McCain, DXP street racers Bill Kubiac and Clif Williams, and others. “This is shaping up to be one of our best No Mercy races ever. We have a mixture of the baddest radial racers in the world along with small-tire racing,” Long said.  

Another event worth monitoring for participation is the Holley LS Fest in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A gauge for its 2021 success was the West Coast version, which took place April 23–25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. “We had over 1,250 vehicles participate, our largest car count to date,” said Bill Tichenor of Holley. “We sold out our autocross and grand champion spots at 250 cars, and our Test and Tune drag class saw the largest car count at 150.”

Sponsors Are Spending Money

Race events are nothing without sponsors, and sources indicate that although some businesses were unsure about spending money last year, that is certainly not the case in 2021. “When COVID hit, and we were having conversations with sponsors over a year out of our event, it was a really hard sell,” Martelli said of the Mint 400. “We had a combination of businesses being told not to spend money along with a lot of other brands that had an upswing in sales, which brought supply chain issues.

“They said, ‘We can’t even supply the orders we do have, so why continue to market?’” Martelli continued. “Our answer was that this current operational state will not always be the norm, and as it changes, you need to be on top, or you lose market share. In the last 30 to 60 days, a lot of these companies have come back online and said, ‘We are in.’”

Long relayed a similar experience with No Mercy, but with a different type of setback: Sponsors were willing to spend money but did not have the availability to attend events. “Everybody had record sales in 2020, which carried over to this year. Some of these companies were up to 40 weeks out on rods, pistons, cranks, whatever. I have not had anybody that didn’t want to put money in the event. The only thing I heard is they are too busy, and they can’t leave the office to come to the race. It’s crazy how busy things got.”

Long expects this won’t be a factor by the time No Mercy 12 takes place in October, as several businesses have signed on for the event midway, including Brodix, FuelTech USA, ProTorque, and Nitrous Outlet, with more continuing to flow in.

Events Are Growing

Another benchmark of success is growth within the event itself, such as No Mercy’s brand-new N/T Pro Truck category for 2021. “It’s our first full-sized truck race for the event, which basically has no rules. It’s unlimited with any size engine. We already have 21 racers locked in and even more expressing interest. When you have a new class with over 20 cars, it’s a nice push. I’m pumped up about it already,” Long said. 

The Mint 400 also expects a boost in car counts this year, thanks to a surge in interest in the category during the lockdown. “We’ve seen a radical increase in off-roading during COVID. We saw big growth with UTV sales, about 50% with Can-Am and Polaris alone. They literally can’t keep cars in stock. We were on a comfortable growth trajectory, but with COVID, it’s exploded,” Martelli said.

Fans Are (Safely) Showing Up

When speaking with promoters of these events, there was universal agreement that fans are more than ready to get back in the grandstands again. “Consumer demand is high right now,” Martelli said. “I was on the phone a week ago with the Vegas tourism group, and their numbers are at an all-time high. People are ready to go out and be humans again. There’s pent-up demand to get back to events, and as far as the proposition value, there is no other sport where you can take the entire family with such a low cost as off-road racing.” 

“LS Fest West was a smashing success,” Tichenor said. “We hit the capacity for spectators, which was still a very nicely sized event even at 50% capacity. That being said, expect LS Fest East to be great, especially if we are past all COVID restrictions [in Kentucky by September]. We were able to hold [the East event] in 2020 with limited capacity, so we know there is pent-up demand there. We are already hearing a lot of activity.” 

All sources noted events would follow current local health and safety guidelines, including increased sanitation, hand-washing stations, and social distancing where applicable.

“Now, hopefully, many people are vaccinated by [mid-October]. Before, we had to be extremely careful because we didn’t have the vaccine, but now, it’s up to the individual if something happens,” Long said. “I look at it like this: You have a choice. It’s like if a car is coming, I can’t hold your hand if you’re gonna walk out in front of it every time. It’s your choice to stay safe.”

SOURCES

–

Duck X Productions (No Mercy 12)
racedxp.com

Holley LS Fest
lsfest.com

Mint 400
themint400.com

 

Attendee Registration for the 2021 PRI Trade Show, scheduled for December 9-11 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, is now open at PRIShow.com/attend. 

Attendees will find nearly 1,000 exhibiting companies at the world’s premier business event for the auto racing industry. Featuring the newest products and technology for all forms of motorsports, PRI 2021 is shaping up to be the best PRI Show yet. New displays and opportunities to network face-to-face with the entire racing industry are just part of what make the PRI Show so special every year. 

“The 2021 PRI Show will be instrumental in satisfying the racing industry’s pent-up demand to conduct business and network face-to-face,” said Karin Davidson, PRI Trade Show Director. “This year’s event will be the first opportunity for the entire motorsports community to come together under one roof in more than a year, making PRI 2021 a can’t-miss event.” 

The 2021 PRI Show caters to professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, e-commerce sites, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers, motorsports students, and media who are seeking to learn about the hottest parts, equipment, and services for motorsports, and conduct business. Nearly two year’s worth of innovation and technology for all types of auto racing will be on display at this year’s Show. 

Attendees will have unprecedented access to live demonstrations of equipment, including CNC machining centers, fabrication and welding equipment, parts cleaning systems, dynamometers, and more, as well as many opportunities to network with industry leaders. Numerous conferences and seminars that are unique to the PRI Show will offer unlimited business opportunities and provide invaluable insight on the latest technologies and how to apply them throughout the racing world. 

Special features like Machinery Row and the Featured Products Showcase—with more event features to be announced in the near future—make PRI an essential event for anyone who wants to prepare for a successful 2022. 

New for this year, PRI Show registrants will have the opportunity to join the exclusive PRI Member community during the online application process. All registrants will be able to select their level of commitment and join the groundbreaking movement to protect and grow the racing industry. 

“The PRI Membership Program unites the entire motorsports community to create a loud and collective voice for the racing industry,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “By coming together, we ensure the industry continues to thrive and that we have the resources available to advocate on its behalf.” 

PRI Membership is available to all racers, enthusiasts, builders, track operators, sanctioning bodies, businesses, and enthusiasts who want to be part of the racing industry’s first-of-its-kind membership program. To learn more, visit PerformanceRacing.com/membership. 

By securing PRI Show credentials early, attendees will ensure they receive their credentials before the Show—beginning in October—allowing them to bypass lines at the registration desk and save time on site. To register for the 2021 PRI Show, secure hotel reservations, and sign up for free business seminars, visit PRIShow.com/attend.

Photo courtesy of Mahindra Racing

As automakers continue to shift their development focus toward EVs, hybrid technology, and sustainability, forward-thinking teams and sanctioning bodies across the globe are now applying similar efforts to their racing programs.

Efficiency has been a cornerstone of racing since the advent of organized competition. While we tend to think of this engineering work in elements like aerodynamics and powertrain output, a growing contingent of motorsports entities is now looking at their overall operations in much the same manner, identifying areas where waste exists and eliminating any excess. 

These efforts come as part of a widespread push within motorsports to not only better understand where organizational improvements can be made, but also to prepare for the road ahead. “I think you can look at it from a longevity perspective,” observed Robbie Montinola of SRO Motorsports Group America, Austin, Texas. 

“We’re in a business that’s continuously changing,” he continued. “We work hand-in-hand with automotive manufacturers to develop cars for the different classes that compete across the world, and a lot of their focus is on carbon reduction and electric vehicles. By looking down the line and working closely with these automakers who also have a similar mindset, we’re able to position our business in a manner that will be sustainable as the marketplace continues to change.”

Reducing the carbon footprint of a company is often a highly specialized endeavor, but as we discovered, there are also strategies in use today that can be applied more broadly as well. Here we’ll take a closer look at the efforts of several motorsports organizations that are leading the charge toward greener racing in order to gain some insight into what actions are being taken now, and what the path forward looks like. 

McLaren Racing

Environmental responsibility is nothing new for McLaren Racing of Surrey, United Kingdom. The team has been carbon neutral since 2011, and it set a goal to be carbon net-zero by 2030. For those who might be unfamiliar with the terminology, “carbon neutral” means that any CO2 released into the atmosphere from a company’s activities is balanced by an equivalent amount being removed, while “carbon net-zero” means that a company or activity has effectively eliminated its carbon footprint altogether, so no carbon needs to be captured or offset in turn. 

“We were the first team to be certified as carbon neutral and the first team to be awarded the FIA Gold Standard, and we’ve maintained both statuses continuously ever since,” said McLaren Racing’s Tim Bampton. “I think it is part and parcel to our commitment to operate in a way that is responsible, and lead in an area of great importance.” 

It speaks to a larger philosophy within the McLaren Group, where the environment and sustainability have been on the company’s radar for some time. “When the McLaren Technology Center was built back in the late 1990s, minimizing its environmental impact was very much part of the consideration for its design,” Bampton said. “For example, the lake in front of the center actually serves as a cooling pond for the wind tunnel. For us, it’s about considering where we can be innovative, and where we can reduce consumption while doing so.” 

Bampton also cited the team hub, which was recently revamped to improve its efficiency. “This is essentially our operations center when we’re at races,” he said. “By reconfiguring and refurbishing it based on what the team’s needs are now, we estimate that we’ve been able to reduce its carbon footprint by at least half.”

As McLaren Racing eyes that target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, the team is currently plotting out the specific steps that will get it there in less than 10 years’ time. “We’re forming a dedicated sustainability team within the organization, and we are working closely with Deloitte, one of our key partners, to thoroughly audit our operations and create benchmarks that will help us work toward specific goals along the way,” Bampton said. “It’s a process that we’re actively involved in right now. And alongside that, we will take every opportunity available to us that reduces our carbon footprint through more efficient operations.” 

SRO MotorsportsGroup America

SRO has pledged to make carbon reduction a priority for 2021. With a range of green strategies and initiatives launched this spring, the group has set a target for carbon neutrality by 2023. What’s more, SRO is not only taking stock of its own operational procedures, the organization is also actively encouraging teams that race with SRO to prioritize carbon reduction and removal by way of its new Road to Carbon Neutrality competitor program. While the ultimate goal is to achieve carbon-zero activities, emissions that cannot currently be avoided will be offset by investing in carbon credits, in turn supporting programs in the fight against climate change.

“We’ve been working really diligently to come up with a comprehensive plan,” said Montinola. “Using the 2019 season across Europe, America, and Asia as a baseline, we spent a year working with several different organizations to get a better understanding of what our footprint actually is.” That assessment looked at the allotment that SRO itself was putting out as well as the teams, SRO’s partner companies, fuel providers, and other major players in the group’s racing operations. 

Although he noted that SRO is not positioning itself to become an EV-only organization, Montinola said that as major automakers vow to eventually eliminate internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicles from their product portfolios, SRO needs to be able to accommodate those changes. “Those announcements obviously have big implications in terms of what those manufacturers can do from a motorsports perspective,” he said. “We want to make sure that Ferrari, Porsche, and other automakers can still see a place for themselves in motorsports as that transition takes place.”

Internally, SRO has begun to implement policies with an immediate impact. “For instance, we’re now using solar energy to power our SRO London office, and we’ve moved to a more energy-efficient HVAC system,” Montinola explained. “We’re also looking at ways that some folks can work remotely on race weekends to reduce unnecessary travel. Timing and scoring can be done off-site, for example, as well as parts of our television and streaming productions. That reduces the number of people we need to put on airplanes, get rental cars for, and put in hotels. Every bit helps reduce that footprint.”

SRO’s carbon footprint assessment has also given the organization better understanding of how it can streamline its race calendar. “From a logistics perspective, we have to move trucks all over the place,” Montinola said. “We want to be more efficient about how we schedule events, so these trucks don’t have to crisscross the United States multiple times to go from event to event.” 

Additionally, SRO is currently working with its global fuel provider, Total, to develop reduced-emissions race fuel. “Since the same fuel is run in every single race car that we have, they can produce a large bulk of a specific formula for SRO,” he said. “That allows them to get creative about the methods they use to yield those improvements, whether that’s leveraging synthetics or other technologies.” 

The changes SRO has implemented are already having a measurable impact on the environment. “In our British GT Championship, all 20 of the teams in that series adopted this competitor program several months before the wider rollout began,” Montinola said. “Those efforts have been calculated to offset 201.6 tons of carbon dioxide this season, just by that one series alone.”

Mahindra Racing

A competitor in the Formula E series since its inaugural 2014 season, Mahindra Racing in Banbury, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, was recently recognized as the first team in any FIA world championship to be certified net carbon neutral since its inception. And as CEO and team principal Dilbagh Gill explained, the Indian manufacturer’s work in this realm is far from complete.

“First, I think you have to consider our parent company, Mahindra Automotive—it is the greenest automotive company in the world,” Gill said. “So for us, sustainability was something we started looking at pretty early in this journey. We wanted to try to make a positive impact in the way that we operate. There’s some change in perspective happening in motorsport in terms of how we can be greener, so from day one, we started taking a lot of small steps to work toward that end.”

Gill said that targeting clearly defined milestones has helped guide Mahindra Racing’s sustainability strategy. “Having a standard to work toward makes it easier,” he explained. “The FIA has One-, Two- and Three-Star sustainability standards, so we decided to go through these processes to earn each accreditation. By 2017 we had achieved the Two-Star, and after that, we immediately moved on toward the Three-Star rating. But we also realized that these accreditations are very motorsport-specific, so we started looking at industrial standards like ISO 14001 2015 as well.”

He noted that reaching these goals has been less about dramatic shifts in operational procedures, and more about identifying inefficiencies both large and small. “Everything makes a difference. For instance, a few years ago we noticed that at the end of a race event, we would be packing up our garage, and we’d have roughly 600 used plastic bottles of water sitting around. And that was just in our garage. So when you’re looking at 10 races over the course of a season across all teams, we’re talking about thousands and thousands of plastic bottles. Much of it is wasted because, in a high-pressure situation like motorsport, you might pick up a bottle, drink out of it, and leave half of it somewhere and grab another one later. So we decided to remove single-use plastic bottles from our garage and partnered with a company in Switzerland that manufacturers high-quality insulated reusable bottles instead.”

Mahindra Racing also found ways to make logistical improvements as well, booking hotels that are closer to the race tracks they’re competing at and using EV transportation when it’s feasible. It has also taken a closer look at the other items used both on-track and off, selecting recycled fabrics for elements of the fire suits and moving to recyclable office materials. Beyond that, it has also leveraged unique features in Formula E’s format to bring more awareness to the effort while working toward those sustainability goals. 

“For example, Formula E has an interactive element called Fan Boost, where fans can vote for their favorite drivers, and the top-five drivers get a little more energy to use during the race,” said Gill. “Last year we committed that for every vote we get, we would plant a tree. Ultimately, we decided to make the final figure for the 2020 season a nice round number, so by the end of last year, we had planted one million trees.”

Gill told us that while Mahindra Racing’s mission is to be the greenest team in motorsports, part of the goal is to spread this kind of thinking beyond the operations of its own organization. “This is an approach to life,” he stated. “Folks are starting to take some of the learnings back home with them, and they’re becoming more aware of how their habits can have an impact. That’s where the ‘network effect’ starts to make a much bigger difference.”

SOURCES

–

Mahindra Racing
mahindraracing.com

McLaren Racing
mclaren.com

SRO Motorsports Group America
sro-motorsports.com