President Biden has signed into law a PRI-supported bill passed by Congress to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The deadline for filing PPP applications has been extended from March 31 to May 31, and the U.S. Small Business Administration has until June 30, 2021, to process applications. Significant PPP funds remain available for loans that are potentially forgivable. 

PPP loans are government funds provided through banks and other lending institutions. Loan amounts generally equal the average of one month’s payroll multiplied by 2.5. The maximum amount for a first loan is $10 million. The maximum amount for a second loan is $2 million (and $10 million for a combined first and second loan). PPP funds can be used to cover payroll, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, and other costs. Loans are fully forgivable if at least 60% of loan proceeds are used on payroll costs (i.e., wages, payroll taxes, paid leave, healthcare payments, retirement, and insurance contributions). 

For more information about PPP loans and participating lending institutions, visit here.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Permatex, the provider of chemical technology for automotive maintenance and repair, has promoted Eva Pitts to Director of Sales. Pitts will manage Permatex’s traditional and international businesses in her new role, driving growth through sales programs, new product initiatives, and customer partnerships.

Pitts joined Permatex’s parent company, ITW, in 2015 as Brand Manager for Rain-X wiper blades and appearance products with the Car Care division in Houston, Texas. She was promoted to Group Brand Manager in 2017 and oversaw the launch of Rain-X Silicone AdvantEdge wipers blades. In 2019, Pitts transitioned into Operations with the Engine Repair division, where she served as Quality and EHS Manager at Permatex’s Solon, Ohio facility.

“We are delighted to have Eva Pitts as our New Director of Sales. Eva has been with ITW for five years and has excelled in all of her roles in brand management and operations. Eva has a wealth of experience in managing multiple business segments at ITW and a keen understanding of our long-term goals. We look forward to her leadership of our sales team, and overall contribution to our growth and success,” ITW Group President for Automotive Aftermarket (AAM) Lee Burtelson said. 

Before joining ITW, Pitts worked in brand management at The Boston Beer Company. She holds a BA from Rice University and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

For more information, visit permatex.com.

Photo courtesy of NMCA, Facebook
 

Chuck Watson Sr. of Watson Engineering, Inc. and Watson Racing has passed away. He was 74.

“Chuck wasn’t your typical businessman. He built two successful businesses out of nothing. Still, along the way, he was connecting and building relationships with those around him, whether he was at the track or in the shop with customers and his employees,” Watson Racing Parts Division Manager Frank Naglich said. “Watson made the company a family business, and it has stayed that way since he started it. I was blessed to know this man.”

Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, Watson started his racing industry career as a skilled welder for Chrysler after graduating from high school. Later, he went on to work as a welder for Ford, a position he held for nine years.

In 1981, Watson founded Watson Engineering, Inc. out of a three-car garage behind his house. Today, the company is a full-service prototype and production manufacturer specializing in metal fabrication, with facilities in Michigan’s Metropolitan Detroit Area and upstate South Carolina. 

He later went on to form Watson Racing, a race car building division of Watson Engineering based in Brownstown, Michigan. Officially launching in 2011, Watson Racing focuses on performance parts designed to fit out of the box without modification. An official distributor for Ford Performance Parts, Watson Racing also offers turnkey road racing vehicles, performance parts, and drag and road racing services.

Watson, a successful racer, could also be found behind the wheel, most recently campaigning a 2016 Mustang Cobra Jet with a Coyote engine and Whipple supercharger in the NMCA Holley EFI Factory Super Cars and NHRA SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown. He earned second-place points finishes in the NMCA division in 2016, 2017, and 2018, and earned a spot in the NMCA’s coveted Holley EFI 7-Second Club in 2019.

Watson’s sons Chuck Watson Jr. and David Watson will continue to run operations for Watson Engineering and Watson Racing.

For more information, visit watsoneng.com and watsonracing.com.

LSI Chemical has announced a new international distributor for India. 

Quality Group is now authorized to sell LSI Chemical oil and fuel additives and work with LSI Chemical to develop performance blends of petrol and diesel based on customer specifications. Additionally, Quality Group is now an official distributor of the full line of Hot Shot’s Secret products available for retail for a growing and sizable market in India.

“This year has been explosive in our ability to develop an international network of distributors. Quality Group, as the name implies, fits our model of working only with highly qualified professionals that have in-depth specialized chemical knowledge and a proven track record. We are excited to work with the entire team as they introduce our line of fuel and oil additives in India and distribute the Hot Shot’s Secret line of products to this new market,” LSI Chemical President Todd Cawley said.

Established in 1984, Quality Group produces and supplies a range of specialty products utilizing innovative technologies designed to improve products’ quality and performance. Products currently manufactured and distributed include polymer additives, aqueous wax emulsion, industrial lube oil additives and auxiliary chemicals, metal-working fluid additives, green esters, phosphate esters, emulsifiers for mining, additives for paints and inks, amides corrosion inhibitors, glycerin esters, and more.

For more information, visit lsichemical.com.

Photo courtesy of Martinsville Speedway

A pair of speedways in Virginia have announced that they will host a limited amount of fans in the grandstands when NASCAR visits in 2021. 

Martinsville Speedway will allow a reduced number of fans throughout its first-ever three-race weekend of night races on April 8-10. The half-mile short track is set to host the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race on Thursday, April 8, followed by the Cook Out 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race on Friday, April 9, and the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 NASCAR Cup Series race on Saturday, April 10. 

“With the increase in limited fan capacity for entertainment venues across the Commonwealth of Virginia, we will be ready to welcome back more race fans for a safe, exciting race experience at Martinsville Speedway,” Martinsville President Clay Campbell said. “We look forward to hearing more of our loyal race fans cheer on the action for our first-ever three-race weekend of night races on April 8-10.”

Richmond Raceway, celebrating its 75th anniversary, will also host a reduced number of fans for the Toyota Spring Race Weekend on April 17-18. The short track will host the ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Saturday, April 17, followed by the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, April 18. It will be the first time the track has hosted fans in 18 months.

“Thanks to Governor Northam and his administration for their support and collaboration to bring fans back for a safe and exciting race experience at America’s Premier Short Track to celebrate our 75th anniversary season,” Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier said. 

For more information, visit martinsvillespeedway.com and richmondraceway.com.

Formula Americas Super GP has added two key hires. Ian Brown has been appointed as the chief engineer, while C.M. Land will serve as technical director/crew chief for the championship series. The Formula Americas Super GP Championship presented by Pirelli is a professional, arrive and drive, open-wheel competition with visits to Palm Beach International Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Road America. 

Brown and Land have worked together in the past, operating on a team and winning the 1981 North American Formula Atlantic Championship for Ralt Race Cars. 

Brown is a well-known engineer in the industry, having worked in USF2000 and CART competition. He's also worked with big names in racing, including drivers such as Kyle Kirkwood, James Hinchcliff, Tanner Faust, Adrian Fernandez, Roberto Moreno, Raul Boesel, Davy Jones, Scott Pruett, Danny Sullivan, Willy T. Ribbs, and Teo Fabi.

Since 1973, Land has specialized in the design, modification, preparation, and maintenance of race car chassis, engines, gearboxes, electrical and aero devices. His tenure includes projects with Formula Ford, Indy Champ Cars, F1, F2, F3, Porsche, Ralt, Swift, March, Lola, and Ferrari vehicles. He also served as crew chief and lead mechanic for drivers, including Derek Bell, Roberto Moreno, Danny Ongais, and Randy Pobst.

For more information, visit fasupergp.com.

Hurco North America has announced the launch of a new apprenticeship program. The Field Service Apprenticeship (FSA) is a two-year program, beginning with a 12-week industry training that merges hands-on training and repair of CNC machines with classroom materials.

“We are fortunate to have a tenured service and support team at Hurco. The knowledge they have amassed is extremely valuable and the FSA program will allow them to transfer that knowledge to the next generation of service engineers with intensive training about the machine tool industry, how they are built, the technology that powers our CNC machines, how to diagnose issues, and service machines,” Hurco North America General Manager Cory Miller said.

While candidates with a degree or working toward one are encouraged to apply, candidates who are mechanically inclined with no industry or engineering experience are also encouraged to apply for the FSA. “If you have a strong work ethic, like to learn how things work, like hands-on training, and want a career instead of a job, this apprenticeship is for you,” Hurco North America Service Manager Mark Gilmore said.

Field service engineers will ultimately be ambassadors for Hurco Companies, Inc.—working to provide technical support, training, and service of state-of-the-art CNC machines at customers’ facilities across the country. Continuous training on emerging technologies in CNC controls, robot integration, 5-axis machine, and multi-spindle lathe installation, repair, and applications will also be provided after completion of the apprenticeship.

The FSA program will take place at Hurco’s headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information, visit hurco.com/apprentice.
 

DPI Off-Road Brands has announced the acquisition of J.T.’s Parts & Accessories, Inc., the manufacturer of the Nitro Gear & Axle brand. 

J.T.’s Parts & Accessories and Nitro Gear & Axle will operate as a division of DPI Off-Road Brands. 

Nitro Gear & Axle offers ring and pinion sets, semi- and full-float rear axles, C-Clip rear axles, front axles, full and mini spools, pinion yokes, and more. The brand was one of the first to offer one part number front and rear gear packages and has won three SEMA Global Media Awards in 2016 for its UAZ 5.14 ratio gears. 

DPI Off-Road Brands includes Daystar Products International, Performance Accessories, Tuff Country, Leveling Solutions, Revtek, VooDoo Offroad, MCE Fenders, and HCT.

For more information, visit dpioffroad.com and nitro-gear.com.

QA1 has announced the expansion of its classic Mopar suspension line with the acquisition of Gerst Tubular Suspension, a manufacturer of coil-over systems for classic Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler platforms.

Gerst has been producing classic Mopar coil-over systems, including Mopar A, B & E body systems, and D-100 truck systems, for nearly a decade. 

The acquisition pairs Gerst’s popular Mopar products with the manufacturing capability and distribution of QA1, the provider of suspension solutions for American muscle cars. QA1’s facility in Lakeville, Minnesota, enables expanded and efficient production. 

For more information, visit qa1.net.

Photo of Ron Capps at the 2019 NHRA Southern Nationals courtesy of Atlanta Dragway

Atlanta Dragway—the historic drag strip located in Commerce, Georgia, that Gene Bennett first opened in 1975—will host its final season in 2021. The racing facility, which has been owned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) since 1993, is currently in the process of being sold. A buyer has not been announced.  

Speaking about the sale of the track, NHRA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jeffrey Young said the sanctioning body plans to direct funds from the sale to its remaining facilities. “Our plan is to take that money and reinvest it back into our own tracks. We have Lucas Oil Raceway in Indy, Gainesville Raceway, and Auto Club Speedway in Pomona. So, we’re going to see some improvements, including to those tracks and facilities.” 

Atlanta Dragway is known for several standout events, including the NHRA Southern Nationals, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The 2021 event, scheduled April 30–May 2, will be the final professional NHRA national event hosted at the track.

“Atlanta Dragway is a special place, and the NHRA Southern Nationals has 40 years of drag racing history itself,” Young said to PRI. “Being the finale, we’ll be doing countdowns highlighting historical moments, such as Del Worsham being the youngest [nitro Funny Car driver] to win at Atlanta.”  

The drag strip will continue to host weekly NHRA-sanctioned events through the fall, including the Summit E.T. Bracket Series events and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series National Open on May 21–23, along with the NHRA Division 2 Summit E.T. Racing Series Finals on September 30–October 2.  

Additionally, Atlanta Dragway has a long history with the National Mustang Racers Association (NMRA) and the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA), hosting both series’ events for the past two decades. Most notably, the Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals presented by MAHLE Motorsport has called Atlanta home since 2011. The combined “super event” showcases both NMRA and NMCA racing on the same weekend, and Atlanta Dragway’s last NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals is set for April 8–11.  

“We’ve had great events at Atlanta Dragway over the years, as the Atlanta area is a hotbed for automotive enthusiasts,” said Mike Galimi, director of content and marketing for ProMedia, owners of NMRA and NMCA. “Its proximity to a major city while drawing from other strong markets to the north and west of the track make it one of the biggest events on the NMRA/NMCA schedule. We thank Kasey Coler, Jodee Kennedy, and the rest of the staff at the track for nearly two decades of professional and fun cooperation in throwing these competitions.” 

For more information, visit nhra.com, nmcadigital.com, or nmradigital.com.