Protecht and NASCAR have announced a 10-year agreement for Protecht to serve as the official provider of financial protection for NASCAR racing event ticket holders. 

The initiative builds on an initial three-year agreement with International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and a successful three-year entitlement sponsorship at Phoenix Raceway, including the FanShield 500. 

NASCAR acquired ISC and merged racing operations in 2019. ISC operated a portfolio of 13 race tracks, including Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Watkins Glen International, and Phoenix Raceway.

“This agreement allows NASCAR track properties and the Protecht family of companies to expand on an already successful relationship to help create the best event experience possible for our fans,” said Kari Gritton, NASCAR’s managing director of consumer strategy. “Working closely with Protecht, NASCAR tracks will be able to provide best-in-class options for a secure ticket-buying process.”

Under the extended agreement, NASCAR track properties will deploy Protecht’s FanShield technology platform to deliver a compliant, safe, secure, and user-friendly option for financial protection if ticket holders can’t make the event for any covered reason. Protecht’s end-to-end solution takes the entire risk management process off the hands of the event organizer, with a platform designed to create a streamlined, best-in-class environment for consumers to manage their claim process.  

For more information, visit nascar.com.

Formula 1 has confirmed a change to round seven of the 2021 calendar, with the Turkish Grand Prix replacing the Canadian Grand Prix for the weekend of June 11–13.

Due to the ongoing international travel restrictions in Canada, it became impossible for Formula 1 to enter the country without a mandatory 14-day quarantine, leading to the change.

“We are grateful for the efforts of the promoter and the authorities in Canada, Quebec, and Montreal in the past few weeks to try and make the race happen, and we are pleased to announce a two-year extension to our partnership with the Canadian Grand Prix,” read a statement by Formula 1.

“We will work with the promoter to ensure those with tickets from 2020 and 2021 races get the options of a refund or to transfer their tickets to next year’s race and look forward to racing in Canada in 2022.”

Turkey returns to the calendar after the first event in Istanbul in nine years last November, in which Lewis Hamilton was crowned world champion for a record-equalling seventh time.

“While it is disappointing we cannot be in Canada this season, we are excited to confirm that Turkey will host a Grand Prix in 2021 after an amazing race last season,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1. “I know all our fans are excited by the dramatic start to the season, and Turkey is a great circuit that delivers great battles on the track.”

The Formula 1 community continues to travel this season with the safety measures that allowed travel to 12 countries in 2020. Over 78,000 COVID-19 tests conducted last season had 78 positive results, a rate of 0.1%. So far this season, over 12,000 tests have been conducted with 14 positive cases, again a rate of 0.1%, according to officials.

For more information, visit formula1.com.
 

Businesses may now show their support and commitment to the motorsports industry by joining together under Performance Racing Industry’s landmark program.

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) has introduced a groundbreaking membership program for motorsports professionals designed to unite the industry behind a number of important efforts—legislative advocacy, business resources, career development, educational opportunities, cost savings, and more. Now available to all businesses throughout the racing and performance industry—and with a separate membership for individuals set to launch in July—PRI’s landmark initiative will create a uniform voice that speaks directly and solely to the interests of the racing community.

In joining the movement to build, promote, and protect motorsports, PRI Members will receive a full suite of benefits and services ranging from legal support and counsel to exclusive access to original content and discounts on PRI Trade Show booth space. There’s also an opportunity for businesses to become top-tier Founding Members, which represents the highest level of commitment and comes with enhanced amenities and privileges.

There’s much more to say about PRI’s innovative new Membership program, so we put together the following Q&A to help provide further clarity and detail. It should give you a good idea of why we felt this was the right time to launch such an ambitious effort—one we hope you’ll be inspired to join so that ultimately we can all win…together! 

Q: After 35 years as a media and events company, why launch a Membership program now? 

A: PRI has established itself over many years as an integral part of the automotive racing marketplace and the go-to Trade Show for motorsports businesses and professionals—as well as the voice of the racing marketplace through its monthly magazine. These two core pillars of PRI give us a unique ability to address a critical need in the market right now. Membership serves as a natural extension and third pillar—to provide the motorsports industry with a centralized community designed to promote, protect, and grow the racing world. This allows us to bring the industry together not only once a year at the Show, and every month through the magazine, but 365 days a year to fight for the interests of racing businesses, racers, and hardcore enthusiasts. We see the need in the market, and also see that we have the ability to unite the industry to ensure the business of racing continues to thrive and grow well into the future. 

Q: Who is PRI Membership for?

A: Membership is open to members of the racing community. This includes the businesses that make the industry what it is, like race teams, builders, tracks, sanctioning bodies, race parts resellers, manufacturers of racing equipment and parts, and members of the motorsports media. It also includes the individuals that make up the community—racers, service providers, and enthusiasts who help fuel the passion for motorsports. 

Q: What are the overall goals of PRI Membership?

A: By bringing the racing community together, we can combine resources to protect and grow the industry. Through membership, businesses and individuals contribute to ensuring that racing continues and thrives in the United States and internationally. Members support the PRI Washington, DC, office to advocate on behalf of the industry, and come together to give our industry a seat at the table at the local, state, and federal levels. The goal is also to provide benefits to members in the form of discounts, legal best practices, market research, education, a job board and discussion forum, and more services that are being added each month. 

Q: How does Membership tie in with the PRI Trade Show?

A: For the businesses that exhibit at the Show, becoming a member provides all the advocacy, community, and benefits that we’ve been discussing, and also includes a 10% discount on the total cost of booth space for the Show. Non-member businesses can still exhibit at the Show, but miss the 10% discount and all the other benefits associated with helping to protect the racing community. For the special group of Founding Members (more on that below) there will be several different Show-related events that kick off at this year’s PRI Show in Indianapolis. For qualified Show attendees, they will also now need to become PRI Individual Members so that we can effectively work to protect racing. Individual Membership is complimentary in 2021, but starting in 2022 a small annual membership fee of $40 will contribute to this important mission and provide members with a suite of benefits. 

Q: What different types of membership are there?

A: So far we’ve discussed the PRI Business Membership, which is for corporate entities; Founding Membership, which is a special category of highly committed racing businesses; and the Individual Membership for racing professionals and enthusiasts. 

PRI Business Membership

Q: Who is eligible for PRI Business Membership?

A: Like the name suggests, the Business Membership is specifically designed for companies engaged in the business of racing. While many Business Members will be the core of the racing industry, there is also an opportunity for adjacent businesses to join PRI to contribute to the fight to protect racing and enjoy the benefits of membership. The very first companies that were able to join were exhibitors at the PRI Show, as the program was launched in concert with the launch of PRI’s Trade Show booth application process. By the time you read this, however, PRI Business Membership will be available to non-exhibiting companies as well.

Q: What are the benefits for my business, and why should I join?

A: Businesses should join PRI so we can unite as an industry and expand our collective power and voice. This includes unifying sanctioning bodies, manufacturers, distributers, retailers, race tracks, race teams, and businesses that are interested in growing and safeguarding our industry. We’ve also designed the Membership to provide exclusive benefits to businesses. In addition to advocacy, benefits include legal counsel reports and best practices, a legal support hotline, new programs from PRI Education, market research reports, a PRI jobs board coming soon, and a significant discount of 10% on booth space for exhibiting companies. This is really a win-win-win for the industry, member companies, and PRI as the facilitator. 

Q: How does my business become a Member?

A: All you have to do is go to www.performanceracing.com/membership to get more information and sign up. Exhibitors also can become members directly within the Exhibitor Space Rental Application when reserving booth space. You can also email us directly at Membership@performanceracing.com. 

PRI Founding Membership 

Q: What is PRI’s Founding Membership and what does it entail?

A: The Founding Membership was established for a very special category of motorsports businesses interested in boosting their level of commitment to the racing industry at large. Open to businesses across motorsports, this highest tier of membership will secure these companies a place in PRI history for decades to come. This is just the beginning for PRI Membership, and we’re working to create a program that lasts far into the future. In addition to this distinction, Founding Members will enjoy all the benefits of Business Membership, as well as exclusive Founders benefits that will be rolled out in the coming months. 

Q: What are the benefits of becoming a Founder?

A: Benefits include, but are not limited to: Recognition from PRI within the industry; access to a Founding Members network; inclusion in our annual PRI President’s Briefing on the state of motorsports; your corporate name displayed on the Wall of Champions at PRI corporate headquarters; and your company logo displayed on PRI’s website. Founders will be recognized for their support and commitment to the racing industry, and for furthering PRI’s mission to build, promote, and protect motorsports.

Q: How do I become a Founding Member?

A: You can email us directly at Membership@performanceracing.com and we’ll get you signed up. 

PRI Individual Membership

Q: When can I become an Individual Member, and how do I sign up?

A: Beginning in July, PRI’s Individual Membership will go live along with PRI Show attendee registration. Qualified Show attendees will be able to join directly through the Show registration form, whereas individuals who do not attend the Show can go to www.performanceracing.com/membership to get more information and join later this year. We’ll be providing more details for Individual Membership in the coming months. 

FOUNDING PRINCIPALS

A key component of PRI’s first-ever Membership program is a special Founders level, created exclusively for motorsports businesses that wish to show additional support and commitment to the industry. This highest tier of membership includes all the benefits afforded to standard Business Members, as well as a suite of services, privileges, and recognition designed to elevate Founding Members into a separate—and honored—category. The early response to our Founding Membership has been overwhelming, and we’re truly humbled by the dedication these companies have shown to the future success of our community. 

“Since the beginning, CP-Carrillo has been a part of PRI. Our valued successes are attributed to decades of hard work in racing, good employees, quality products, and great service—and the PRI platform shares that vision! Additionally, the PRI Show is an excellent place to showcase our products and facilitate the relationships we have built with our customers over the many years we have been in business.” 
—Peter “Snake” Calvert, CP-Carrillo, PRI Founding Member

“If you want to be an industry leader in motorsports then you have to be fully involved with PRI. Becoming a PRI Founding Member was a no brainer for us. As a proud, independently owned, American manufacturer, we support racing, the racing community, and the continual efforts to grow the motorsports industry. We want to see our industry thrive for decades to come.” 
—Bre Fredritz, Callies Performance Products, PRI Founding Member

For more on PRI’s Membership program, visit www.performanceracing.com/membership

The PRI Road Tour dropped in with Dan Millen, president of Livernois Motorsports & Engineering, to discover how the manufacturer takes high-performance vehicles to the next level. See twin turbo Mustang burnout, big engine builds, 1,000+ horsepower Hellcats, Trackhawks, and so much more.

Hear Millen discuss the company's beginnings as a heat transfer and exchange products provider, and about their latest racing records. 

For more information, visit performanceracing.com/roadtour and livernoismotorsports.com.

PRI-supported legislation was reintroduced in the 2021-2022 session of Congress that would provide tax credits to cover 50% of the expenses associated with exhibiting or attending a trade show. The bipartisan Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2021 (H.R.1346/S.477) would help businesses that participate in trade shows and the millions of men and women employed in the tourism industry.

PRI’s Government Affairs Office is working in coordination with other key industry and trade groups to educate members of Congress and staff on the need to pass the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2021. It is important that members of Congress continue to hear from industry members about the need to provide tax credits to businesses that participate in trade shows, including the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis. To send a letter to your lawmakers in Washington, D.C., please click here.

Key provisions of the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2021:

· Establish a tax credit for 50% of the cost of attending or exhibiting at a convention, business meeting, or trade show in the United States between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024.

· Create a tax credit equal to 100% of the qualified restart costs paid or incurred to reopen facilities designed for conventions, business meetings, or trade shows if the facility was forced to temporarily close or reduce operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Costs may include any renovation, remediation, personal protective equipment, cleaning, testing, or labor to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

· Restores the Entertainment Business Expense Deduction for 2021 and 2022.

· Establishes a tax credit for restaurants or food service businesses that would cover any cost associated with reopening or increasing service at an establishment forced to temporarily close or reduce operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The credit would be effective between the date of enactment and December 31, 2022.

· Creates a tax credit for 50% of qualified travel expenses for individuals up to a maximum of $1,500 per household plus $500 for each qualifying child (maximum benefit of $3,000 for a family of five). The credit begins phasing out for individuals making more than $75,000 per year ($150,000 for married couples).

· Provides a temporary credit for unmerchantable inventory costs for small businesses that were lost due to necessary precautions to halt public gatherings. 

For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

PFC Brakes, the women-owned manufacturer of brakes and components for motorsports and more industries, has appointed Chris Dilbeck to the director of motorsports. 

“We are excited to have [Chris] at the helm of our motorsports department, where we plan to continuously improve and expand our product offerings across all facets of the racing world,” a company release stated. 

In his new position, Dilbeck will manage the company’s race department and help strategically grow the PFC brand and market share across new sportscar, open wheel, and other professional motorsports series. In addition, he will continue to be responsible for the management of its current NASCAR and increasing circle track client base. 

Dilbeck first joined PFC in 2012 as the short track technical sales representative before being promoted to the NASCAR and short track sales manager position three years later. This position also allowed Dilbeck to gain experience with IndyCar, Road To Indy, and more sportscars series and racing disciplines. 

He also is known as a championship- and race-winning driver that utilizes PFC Brakes products on his vehicles. 

He succeeds longtime director of motorsports Darrick Dong, who has passed away at the age of 69.

For more information, visit pfcbrakes.com.

Renderings of disc brake caliper patent number 4535873, courtesy of United States Patent

Franklin B. Airheart, a prolific innovator in automotive and motorsports technology, has died, according to his family. He was 90.  

Airheart was a key member of the Airheart Brake team, formerly known as Hurst/Airheart, and is perhaps best known for his innovations related to the disc brake. He is credited with the design of the first hydraulic disc brake caliper, patent number 4535873, dated August 20, 1985. According to patent documents, the invention came out of the need for improvement and more compact assemblies without sacrificing performance.  

Additional patents by Airheart cover different stages of disc brakes and include brake assembly with dual compensation adjustment (patented in 1979, number 4180146); parking brake assembly (patented in 1979, number 4159754); a multi-piece braking disc assembly (patented in 1978, number 4120386); and a split brake disc (patented in 1977, number 4004661).  

“His first design was the ‘actuator’ for Halibrand calipers for Indy car roadsters,” said Bob Airheart, Frank’s brother. “And I believe Don Prudhomme was the first driver to use Frank’s design of brakes for top fuel dragsters.” 

Airheart was also known for his work on brakes for the BART transportation system in San Francisco, California, and brakes for the Army’s M113 armored personnel carrier. And, he partnered with Goodyear on brakes for aircraft carrier planes. 

The PRI team extends our deepest condolences to Frank Airheart’s family, friends, and colleagues. 

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. based in Cypress, California, has announced John Thomas has been selected as its next president and chief executive officer (CEO). Thomas brings more than 30 years of automotive experience to the role, including extensive knowledge of the North American OEM and aftermarket landscape. In his most recent role, Thomas served as president and CEO of Webasto Charging Systems, Inc. based in Monrovia, California.

Thomas will report to Tatsuo Mitsuhata, chairman of the board of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. Located at the global headquarters in Japan, Mitsuhata is also a director and corporate officer of Toyo Tire Corporation and vice president of the sales headquarters.  

“I am pleased to welcome John Thomas as the president and CEO of Toyo Tires in America,” Mitsuhata said. “With his experience in leading dynamic, growing companies as well as his experience in EV, I am confident John is the right person for this critical role in our most significant market. He will continue our aggressive USA growth plans while maintaining the culture within the company and the commitment to our tire dealers that make Toyo Tires so special.”

All departments at Toyo Tires—including sales, finance, pricing and planning, marketing, and product planning and technical services— will report directly to Thomas.

“I am thrilled to join the elite team at Toyo Tires and drive further advancements of our core business, culture, customer service and industry reputation,” said Thomas. “Toyo Tires has created a strong brand that enables us and our partners to uniquely position ourselves in the market.  My commitment is to build on this tradition of excellence, bringing innovative solutions that ultimately set our channel partners and the Toyo Tires team on a course of continued growth and success.”

Thomas has earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, and resides in Orange County, California, with his family.

He succeeds Roy Bromfield, who will retire in July after nearly nine years with Toyo Tires and 37 years in the tire industry. Bromfield will serve as an advisor to Toyo Tires through the end of 2021 or longer.

For more information, visit toyotires.com.

The 2021 SEMA Launch Pad is evolving, with eligibility now open to all qualified participants over the age of 18 years, a grand-prize package valued up to $92,000, and promotion for participants’ new products in SEMA websites and social media.

The SEMA Launch Pad, which was introduced in 2013 by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN), is a program designed to help emerging entrepreneurs and inventors launch new automotive products into the marketplace. Originally created to support young entrepreneurs under 40, this year’s program is open to qualified individuals 18 and over. This year’s SEMA Launch Pad also includes an expanded prize package and cash awarded to the top three finalists and dozens of other participants featured in video interviews that will air on SEMA’s social media networks.

“I am really excited about the future of SEMA Launch Pad and the entrepreneurship it champions,” said James Lawrence, SEMA chairman-elect. “The automotive aftermarket has always been home to fresh thinking and product innovation, but it’s never had a spotlight like this before. The expansion of the Launch Pad competition will only encourage even more entrepreneurs, inventors, and developers to bring new products to the automotive market. I personally can’t wait to see what’s coming for this next SEMA Launch Pad.”

To qualify, applicants must be a business owner, leading executive (president, CEO, CFO, COO), or vice president of a company and must offer a product or service that is a functioning prototype, functioning concept, or currently for sale.

Fifteen semi-finalists will be selected in June to attend the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas in November. The top five finalists will pitch their products to a panel of industry judges at the SEMA Show, be recognized at the industry’s premier celebration—the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet—and be featured on SEMA publications, websites, and social media.

Applications to participate in SEMA Launch Pad must be submitted online at sema.org/launchpad by May 30, 2021.

Photo of Dan Walmsley

 

Retrac Group, a United Kingdom advanced manufacturing specialist for Formula 1, has announced a structural change designed to increase growth and enhance the security and prospects of its employees.

The Swindon-based company’s ownership has been transferred from the Carter family to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure, making the 115-strong workforce the company’s beneficiaries.

Experienced automotive and motorsports executive Dan Walmsley has been appointed as CEO. He will lead the Group’s two divisions, Retrac Productions Ltd and Retrac Composites Ltd. Long-standing co-owner and Retrac Productions managing director, Andy Carter, has been appointed as chairman of Retrac Group.

Dan Walmsley arrives at the company from VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium. Prior, he was the motorsports director at McLaren Automotive from 2016-20, having been team principal at FIA World Sportscar Championship entrant Strakka Racing.

“We firmly believe that the EOT mechanism is the correct succession plan for the business,” Carter said. “Since my father founded Retrac in 1972, the most important aspect of the business is the employees. The average service record of more than a decade stands as a testament to the loyalty and commitment of the Retrac workforce. The benefits that EOT employee ownership can bring to businesses are widely acknowledged—including improved employee engagement and wellbeing and better business performance. We want our employees to have the chance to share in future success.”

Retrac Group has been a supplier to more than half of the Formula 1 World Champions in the past 25 years. It also provides engineering solutions in advanced materials, tooling, and component manufacture.

For more information, visit retrac-productions.co.uk.