Mustang Dynamometer, the American manufacturer of high-performance dynamometers and related products, has announced a new demonstration facility has opened at its Mexico City office, which was initially established in 2017.

Mustang Operations Vice President Eser Manav recently visited the new addition as part of ongoing support from Mustang's head office in Twinsburg, Ohio. 

The new facility will promote performance dynamometers and provide training to the region. It also features an MD-100 and an MD-AWD-150 (8) roll chassis dynamometer.

"Through its international visits, Mustang Dynamometer highlights its commitment to always provide a timely supply of technical support to regional offices and clients throughout the world," a company release stated.

For more information, contact Mustang Dynamometer Mexico Representative Jose Luis Diaz Farias at (52) 55-1125-5742 or joseluisdiazf@mustangdyne.com. Or visit mustangdyne.com.

The United States Auto Club (USAC) has announced that Doug Lockwood will manage and oversee race-related operations, planning, and scheduling events for both the USAC Western States Midget and West Coast Sprint Car divisions.

Lockwood begins his new position ahead of the October 10 doubleheader featuring both series at California’s Placerville Speedway.

“I am looking forward to working with the USAC West Coast family again,” Lockwood said. “I have to thank Levi Jones and Chris Kearns for the opportunity. We are going to continue to build it up and make this a place where racers want to race with us and have fun doing it.”

Lockwood, who previously served as a Director of Competition with USAC’s Western series, is the Merced (California) Speedway general manager. He succeeds Chris Kearns, who will take on a larger role with USAC sanctioning in its Rally, Off-Road, and Karting series.

For more information, visit usacracing.com.

Following a year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires is set to relaunch in 2021. Series officials have announced additional initiatives being formulated in conjunction with IndyCar to ensure continued growth as the top level of the Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires driver development system.

Enhancements include an increased value of the champion’s scholarship award, now $1,250,000. A guaranteed entry for the champion into at least three 2022 NTT IndyCar Series events, including the Indianapolis 500, will remain. Also new in 2021, the top-three finishers in the Indy Lights championship will each receive a NTT IndyCar Series test at the conclusion of the season.

“After careful planning with the INDYCAR team, we are pleased to confirm the exciting addition of a season-ending INDYCAR test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway soon after the 2021 season,” said Dan Andersen, owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “We continue to explore additional ways to strengthen the Indy Lights championship. In the interim, we want to spread the word that Indy Lights will be back and it will be stronger than ever.”

The 2021 Indy Lights 10-event, 18-race schedule will be unveiled prior to the NTT IndyCar Series finale on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 25. 

For more information, visit indylights.com.

^{Photo courtesy of Indy Lights} 

NHRA officials have announced a 22-race 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule. 

NHRA enters its 70th anniversary season with a new sponsor on its premier professional series—Camping World, the retailer of recreational vehicles (RVs), RV accessories, and RV-related services—and an extended partnership with FOX Sports. All events will be aired on FOX Sports with select events on the FOX broadcast network. 

Fans can also expect special treats and features along the tour to commemorate NHRA’s 70-year history. 

“We are grateful to the loyal NHRA fans and other members of the racing community who have stuck with us during the trying times of the 2020 season,” said NHRA President Glen Cromwell. “We’re looking forward to an exciting season of championship drag racing with fans in 2021. Thank you to our fans, racers, track operators, and partners for your continued support and cooperation.”

For the first time, the NHRA season will kick off on the east coast with the 52nd annual AMALIE Motor Oil Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway on March 12-14.  

The traditional series opener, the 61st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, will move to April 9-11 in 2021, starting a unique three-week spring stretch on the West Coast. The Winternationals will be followed by the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, the first of two four-wide events during the 2021 campaign, and the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix, April 23-25.

NHRA’s Western Swing, a summer tradition, includes events at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, and Pacific Raceways in Seattle over consecutive weeks.

The historic NHRA U.S. Nationals will stay in its traditional place over Labor Day Weekend, September 1-5, at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoff system, with the top 10 racers in each professional category competing for a championship over the final six races, will lead into the 2021 season finale, the 56th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals slated for November 12-14 at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. 

Details on Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying days, as well as special exhibitions and specialty series that compete at national events, will be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit nhra.com.

Evidence suggests that automotive merchants could help increase sales because by optimizing their consumer financing program. For example, merchants who promote financing options may see average ticket sales improve due to the flexibility promotional financing can provide.

Synchrony’s most recent consumer study revealed that 85% of Synchrony cardholders feel promotional financing makes their large purchases more affordable¹. Those customers also are likely to be more satisfied with their purchase because they got the automotive products or services they really wanted.

MAKE IT KNOWN

Making customers aware of your financing program starts with advertising and marketing. Make sure financing information is featured on your website, in your advertising, and at the point of sale. Then, train your team to mention financing early and often in the conversation. Customers often rely on the salesperson for this valuable information.

According to Synchrony’s consumer study, roughly 46% of Synchrony cardholders found out about in-store financing from the automotive sales associate. Many customers will walk away without making a purchase if they don’t know about your credit options or they are somehow confused by the offer.

TRAIN YOUR TEAM

It’s essential that your sales team be knowledgeable and informed about all current financing offers. Credit providers such as Synchrony offer online instructional programs to help merchants train their staff to use financing more effectively. Ongoing training will help your team become more comfortable with financing vocabulary so they can explain credit offers clearly and accurately to customers.

If you have never provided credit training, perhaps it is best to start with some words and phrases that often come up when discussing credit. While some people may be very knowledgeable of financing terminology, others may be confused by these phrases and are embarrassed to ask. It's best to make sure everyone has a comfort level with the topic. Here are some of the most common financing phrases you are likely to hear:

• Annual Percentage Rate (APR) – the interest rate charged annually for borrowing money. It is expressed as a percentage that represents the actual yearly cost of funds over the term of the loan.
• Credit Rating or Credit Score – a number, assigned by a credit bureau, that indicates your ability to repay a loan. The scoring model weighs several factors, including payment history and current debt.
• Deferred Interest – interest that accrues on a purchase during the promotional period.  The interest is assessed if the purchase is not paid in full within the agreed-to promotional period. Minimum monthly payments are required.
• Equal Payment, No Interest – no interest is assessed on a purchase and equal monthly payments are required until paid in full. The payments are a fixed percentage of the initial purchase amount.
• ‘No Credit’ Loans – a loan in which the lender does not conduct a credit history check, usually because the borrower may not quality for an unsecured loan. These loans typically have higher interest rates than revolving loans.
• Revolving Credit – a line or amount of credit that is automatically renewed as debts are paid off. A credit card is a revolving line of credit.
• Terms and Conditions – the agreement (contract) between the borrower and lender includes a description of the payment obligations and duration of the loan period.
• Unsecured Credit – not secured by collateral. Car loans and home loans are secured credit. Most credit cards are unsecured credit.

CHANGE THE CONVERSATION

It can be difficult for consumers to focus on their complete automotive needs when they hear the price tag for some automotive services and products. It helps significantly if your sales team can change the conversation to help them prioritize the critical automotive services they need at this time, while also understanding the “big picture” of service needs that may be required in the future.

Overall, financing helps give the customer more options. It helps them make their decision on several factors, including short- and long-term needs. But unless you inform them about financing, they won’t have those options and you may lose the sale.

Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a premier consumer financial services company delivering customized financing programs across key industries including retail, health, auto, travel and home, along with award-winning consumer banking products. With more than $149 billion in sales financed and 75.5 million active accounts, Synchrony brings deep industry expertise, actionable data insights, innovative solutions and differentiated digital experiences to improve the success of every business we serve and the quality of each life we touch.

¹Synchrony’s Seventh Major Purchase Consumer Study, 2019

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) has announced plans to expand its Indiana operations, establishing its global headquarters in Zionsville and creating up to 73 new jobs by the end of 2024.

“Indiana’s reputation as a leader in motorsports continues to pick up speed with companies like Rahal Letterman Lanigan choosing to invest in our state,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “We look forward to supporting RLL’s continued growth in Indiana as the company leverages our state’s business-friendly environment and skilled workforce while racing to the checkered flag.”

The company, which has four entries in the NTT IndyCar Series and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, will invest more than $20 million to build and equip a state-of-the-art racing headquarters at the northeast corner of Creek Way and 106th Street in Zionsville. 

The 100,000-square-foot facility, which will occupy 13 acres southeast of the downtown area, will allow RLL to consolidate its existing IndyCar operations in Brownsburg, as well as its IMSA operations in Ohio. 

The new building will feature office and event space as well as automotive R&D and light manufacturing operations to support the functions of RLL’s racing teams. The company expects to break ground on its headquarters late 2020 and be fully operational by spring 2022.

Founded in 1992, RLL is co-owned by three-time INDYCAR champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host and Indiana native David Letterman, and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. 

For more information, visit rahal.com.

Speedway Motors has announced that they were selected by Arrow Electronics to prepare Sam Schmidt’s vehicles for Optima’s Ultimate Street Car Challenge, where he will race for the first time since becoming a quadriplegic in 2000. Team Speedway will also serve as Schmidt’s pit crew on-site at the event, set to take place on October 9-11 at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Arrow Electronics has modified a Chevrolet Corvette to create a smart, connected vehicle that Schmidt can operate safely and independently. Known as the Arrow SAM Car- SAM stands for semi-autonomous mobility- Schmidt controls the Corvette using head controls and voice commands. Sensors on an Arrow-designed headset connect to infrared cameras mounted on the dashboard and detect head motions to steer. A sip-and-puff device enables Schmidt to accelerate and brake using his breath.

In preparation for the upcoming race, Team Speedway took the Arrow SAM Car to the chassis dynamometer for tuning and replaced the plugs and wires.

“Using a chassis dynamometer, we were able to determine why it wasn’t running correctly in a controlled environment where we could see the tune and data under load rather than having to go 160 mph to log any data,” Team Speedway Manager Bill Schneider said. “After multiple dyno pulls, changing the tune we were able to reach just over 700 HP.”

The Z06 sports an overdriven supercharger, methanol injection, and Dewitts upgraded heat exchanger and radiator.

For more information, visit here.

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) presented by GEICO has released a tentative schedule for 2021, consisting of nine events at three tracks over four weekends.

LOORRS will visit Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California, on March 20-21, followed by a visit to Wild Horse Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, on April 10-11, and a tripleheader at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri on June 11-13. The schedule will end with Rounds 8-9 on October 16-17, at Glen Helen Raceway. 

Officials also announced the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup Races would not take place next season. 

For more information, visit lucasoiloffroad.com.

Nearly 300 race teams and thousands of fans are headed to Lake Havasu, Arizona, for the 2020 UTV World Championship presented by Polaris RZR. Racers from around the world will go door to door on a new, 30-mile, ultra-technical off-road race course from October 7-11. 

The outdoor event will follow the required COVID safety protocols, including touchless features and sanitization stations. Masks are also recommended.

Special features include the Rigid Industries Poker Run navigated by onX Offroad, AZ West UTV Festival and qualifying, as well as two full days of short course, youth, and desert racing.

“This is the best of the best racers from desert, short course, and youth UTV racing all at one event. We are thrilled at the racer turnout,” UTV World Championship CEO Matt Martelli said. “The UTV World Championship continues to lead off-road racing into the future despite the challenges of COVID... It’s going to be another step forward for UTV racing! Come check out all the latest UTV’s and UTV aftermarket products.” 

UTV World Championship CEO Matt Martelli, racer and media personality Jim Beaver, media personality Tiffany Stone, and racer and musician B.C. Vaught will host a two-day live stream, which begins Friday at 11 a.m. PST and ends Saturday at 9 p.m. PST.

For more information, visit utvworldchampionship.com. 

It’s time to beat your chest! PRI is introducing a new feature that highlights clever, creative, or otherwise smart solutions to common (or not-so-common) challenges on or in your race car.

Maybe you figured out a new place to mount the radiator when space was tight up front; or you came up with a way to extend the life of your shocks and springs; or you developed a really efficient wiring solution for your hot rod. Or something else you think is noteworthy.

Our industry is full of innovators, and we want to hear how YOU rose to the challenge in our all-new Problem Solvers series. Just email your name, business, and a brief (1 sentence) description of your solution to editorial@performanceracing.com (subject line: “Problem Solvers”) and our staff will get right back to you for more info.      

The best Problem Solvers will be featured in PRI Magazine, as well as on our website and social media pages.

So, whether it’s an installation, maintenance, repair job, troubleshooting strategy, or even something you figured out how to do better around the shop, we want to share your story!

Share your solutions with us today at: editorial@performanceracing.com.