The FIA has announced new technical regulations for electric-powered GT cars, featuring several technological innovations, including fast charging.

The concept will help give manufacturers a platform to develop technology relevant to their high-performance road cars. The cars will operate in a similar performance window to the current generation of GT3 cars but will exceed their combustion engine-powered counterparts in areas such as acceleration and qualifying pace.

“The market for high-performance electric road supercars is on a constant rise, hence a platform to allow manufacturers to develop and showcase their technology was much needed. Creating these technical regulations has been a key project for the FIA GT Commission over the last eighteen months. We’ve held regular discussions with GT manufacturers through our Technical Working Groups, and there’s keen interest in this new category,” FIA GT Commission President Leena Gade said. ”It also widens the FIA’s GT portfolio, coexisting alongside with GT3 which will remain the focus of the customer racing market worldwide for the time being.”

The category will be opened open to both specialists in EV construction without previous combustion engine motorsports experience as well as manufacturers already committed to the GT3 class, who will be able to utilize the architecture and specific design elements of their existing cars and convert them to electric power.

In addition to fast charging, manufacturers will have the freedom of choosing their own powertrain set-ups, comprised of either two or four electric motors, with both two- and four-wheel-drive configurations allowed.

The cars will also feature dynamic vehicle control that will automatically adjust the torque of each wheel independently based on speed, acceleration, traction, and steering angle for top handling characteristics.

For more information, visit fia.com.

Formula DRIFT has announced a partnership with Acceler8—a California-based automotive education and workforce development program—as part of ongoing community outreach.

The Acceler8 program, detailed below, pairs volunteer automotive professionals and law enforcement officers with eligible youth to help provide support and stable adult role models. The program aims to help youth complete school, acquire skills, and prepare them for jobs in the wide automotive sector. 

As part of the new partnership, Formula DRIFT will help Acceler8 reach more communities around the nation, thanks in part to the popularity of the drifting series with a younger automotive enthusiast audience. 

“Everybody at FD feels very strongly that we have a great deal to offer young people—connecting with their hobby, exploring career options, and more. We also recognize that Formula DRIFT can be the first foray into motorsports for many young people [and it’s] often their first visit to a race track,” Formula DRIFT President Jim Liaw said. “Hopefully, by providing a positive experience, we’re able to lead people down this path. We saw our goals aligned perfectly with the Acceler8 program and we’re delighted to welcome them as our Education Partner.”

As the Education Partner for Formula DRIFT, Acceler8 will invite youth from local communities throughout the 2021 national tour. The students will receive an up-close look at professional drift teams and the automotive industry while speaking to crews, drivers, and FD personnel. They will also have the opportunity to watch their favorite drivers perform during the FD weekend.

Acceler8 will also be on-hand at events to demonstrate its automotive educational programs to all attendees, along with highlighting the importance of high school auto shop classes. 

Established by law enforcement personnel, Acceler8 was created for high school students considered “at risk” due to behavior issues, academic status, family situations, and related factors. It also seeks to assist "opportunity youth," which the Department of Education identifies as those aged 16-24 who are neither enrolled in school nor participating in the labor market. This segment accounts for an estimated 4.6 million young people in the US, or about one in nine young adults. Both groups are at risk of gang involvement and subsequent interaction with law enforcement and the court system. 

The 2021 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship kicks off on May 7-8 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. 

For more information, visit formulad.com and acceler8education.org.

PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The motorsports industry scored a major victory on April 21 with the announcement that Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) will host up to 135,000 fans during this year’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

The 105th running of the iconic event will take place May 30 and comes on the heels of the City of Indianapolis successfully hosting the NCAA Tournament on March 18–April 5. Indianapolis will also welcome the world’s premier event for motorsports professionals—the PRI Trade Show—on December 9-11 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

“The large attendance number approved by the Marion County Public Health Department for the Indy 500 is great news in advance of the PRI Show,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “We’re committed to bringing the racing industry together in person and celebrate the business of racing.”

Racing businesses are eager to connect in person, with more than 500 companies already committed to exhibiting after only a month since PRI began accepting booth reservations for the 2021 PRI Show. Industry excitement has also been evident by the over 180 companies that have joined PRI’s groundbreaking membership program, which launched April 12.

“We’re looking forward to working on the PRI Show plan with the Marion County Public Health Department later in the year,” said Meyer. “It’s such great news to see the Health Department and the city officials support racing in this way. Indiana is the racing capital of the world, and it's critical for motorsports to resume in the biggest way possible.”

For more information about the 2021 PRI Show, visit PerformanceRacing.com/TradeShow. To learn more about PRI’s new membership program, visit PerformanceRacing.com/Membership.

Ford Performance Parts has revealed four new aftermarket carbon fiber components for the exterior of the Mustang Shelby GT500 at a GT500 track tour event at Texas Motor Speedway outside Dallas

“Authenticity and personalization are what our Mustang Shelby GT500 customers want, and our new carbon fiber performance accessories provide an elevated track-proven look from every angle,” said Mark Wilson, Ford North America vehicle personalization, planning and operations manager. “Beyond leveraging this high-performance material to reduce weight, we track-tested and validated its durability at Ford Performance Racing School in North Carolina.”

The parts, detailed below, are the first aftermarket carbon fiber accessories offered by Ford Performance for the Mustang Shelby GT500 since the latest-generation vehicle debuted last year. 

Four new parts include: 

• Hood vent and rain tray kit, part number M-16612-C20, $1,185
• Front splitter with belly pan for placement at car’s lower, forward-leading edge and under section, part number M-16601-MCF, $1,820
• Front bumper insert that fits between car’s upper and lower grille intakes, part number M-17750-MCF, $1,150
• Rear decklid trim panel, part number M-16600-MCF, $575

Each component is designed to deliver high strength and rigidity with low-specific weight and to withstand competition at the track or drag strip.

The weight of the carbon fiber hood vent and rain tray kit is four pounds—half the weight of the corresponding stock part. The front splitter with belly pan drops from seven pounds to four, the front bumper insert weighs one pound, and the decklid trim panel weighs two pounds. Combined, the pieces weigh nine pounds less than the stock components.

For more information, visit performance.ford.com.

The Holley NMRA Ford Nationals has announced an All-Female True Street category will compete at its upcoming Ohio event. Presented by Baer Brake Systems, All-Female True Street will take place during the NMRA Ford Performance Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, on June 10-13.

The new class will follow the same format as the QA1 True Street category with its 30-mile drive and three consecutive runs down the quarter-mile. NMRA officials will rank competitors based on ET, rewarding the overall winner, overall runner-up, and the quickest average times in the nine-second, 10-second, 11-second, 12-second, 13-second, 14-second, and 15-second zones. The All-Female True Street category is open to any Mustang or Ford, car or truck, whether the competitor owns it or not.

“We ran an All-Female Shootout from 2012 through 2016, and we’re thrilled to bring it back under the QA1 True Street brand of drag racing in 2021. It gives women racers of all levels a chance to have fun in NMRA with the True Street awards format,” Holley NMRA Ford Nationals Founder and CEO Steve Wolcott. “The Bader family and its Summit Motorsport Park staff offer the highest level of customer service in drag racing, and we’re excited to add the All-Female True Street to this stop on the NMRA tour.”

All True Street rules require DOT tires, and all vehicles must be registered and insured. 

For more information, visit nmradigital.com/oh, or contact Gene Bergstrom at 714-460-3813.
 

Old World Industries—the Northbrook, Illinois-based company with brands including PEAK Performance Automotive—has announced the appointment of automotive industry veteran Greg Noethlich as its new chief executive officer. 

As CEO of the family-owned company, Noethlich will be responsible for accelerating the growth of Old World Industries with its PEAK, BlueDEF, and Final Charge brands.

“We’re thrilled to have Greg join the team as we continue to build our brands and products to effectively serve our consumers and customers,” Old World Industries Co-Founder and Chairman Tom Hurvis said. “Greg brings energy, commitment, and a strong depth of experience from the automotive aftermarket sector as well as vast knowledge in the manufacturing and operations of automotive, electronics, and consumer product companies.”

Noethlich joins Old World Industries after leading several major automotive aftermarket businesses, including FRAM Oil Filters, Prestone Products, and, most recently, Champion Laboratories. 

For more information, visit owi.com and peakauto.com.

SEMA has announced the first-ever SEMA Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) is set for this July. Participants will have the opportunity to meet global trade buyers of automotive specialty equipment products in three separate states: California (July 19-20), Michigan (July 22-23), and North Carolina (July 26-27).

Manufacturers and suppliers are invited to host one-on-one meetings with global distributors and resellers. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in several networking receptions and special events. 

The day-and-a-half program at each location will help create opportunities for the visiting international resellers and for US-based suppliers to establish or enhance relationships that may lead to increased business. 

Space is limited for this new event. There is a $300 registration fee covering the one-on-one meetings, meals, and a closing reception. US Federal Government grants may be available for qualified companies. For more information on the grants, contact Kristin Atwan at kristina@sema.org.

Registration is available here. For more information, visit sema.org/2021-reverse-trade-mission, or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Darrick Dong, the longtime director of motorsports at PFC Brakes, has died, according to a company statement. Dong was a cornerstone at PFC for some 25 years, where his knowledge and experience made him one of the industry’s most insightful, accessible, and trusted authorities on motorsports and braking technology.

“Steadfast, passionate and a true professional, Darrick’s knowledge of the total braking system has been pivotal to the success of PFC,” the company announced. “Darrick's ability to educate PFC’s customers on how they properly install, tune and personalize their brake packages was truly a gift and something to be cherished.

“His time and know-how gained at Tilton Engineering, along with the years of experience of working with professional race teams, are the catalysts of what has elevated the PFC Brakes Motorsports department to what it is today,” the statement continued. “Darrick strived to embody every principle that makes the racing industry great with his stubborn ‘no stone left unturned’ demeanor toward troubleshooting a brake system for a customer in need. Darrick was a fierce competitor and always put his customers and racers first… Darrick’s legacy will forever be remembered and ingrained into the culture of PFC.”

Dong helped oversee a number of major developments at Clover, South Carolina-based PFC throughout his decades-long career there, including IndyCar’s move to PFC hardware in 2017 (followed by the full package in 2018) as well as PFC’s release in 2010 of the ZR43 Zero Drag caliper, which won the Most Innovative New Motorsport Product of the Year Award at the following year’s RACE TECH World Motorsport Symposium.

The entire PRI team extends our deepest condolences to Darrick Dong’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Formula 1 has announced that the brand-new Miami Grand Prix will join the F1 calendar in 2022.

The race—set to be the first one hosted in Florida since 1959 —will be held on a new layout at the Hard Rock Stadium complex in Miami Gardens, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins franchise.

The 2022 event date, the first race in a 10-year deal, will be announced later.

“We are thrilled to announce that Formula 1 will be racing in Miami beginning in 2022,” F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said. “The USA is a key growth market for us, and we are greatly encouraged by our growing reach in the US, which will be further supported by this exciting second race. We will be working closely with the team from Hard Rock Stadium and the FIA to ensure the circuit delivers exciting racing but also leaves a positive and lasting contribution to the people in the local community.”

Miami will be the 11th location Formula 1 has raced at in the United States since the Championship began in 1950, following Indianapolis, Sebring, Riverside, Watkins Glen, Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix, and Circuit of The Americas in Austin.

For more information, visit formula1.com. 

The PRI Road Tour made a stop in Anaheim, California to visit EMPI, Inc., a global leader that specializes in the Volkswagen platform and rocks a team of Class 11 VW Beetles. Learn more about the EMPI story from Cory Mac, and hear from in-house racers Blake Wilkey and Cameron Ferre, who dive deep into working with sponsors as self-made racers. For more information, visit performanceracing.com/roadtour or empius.com.