Speedway Motorsports' CEO Marcus Smith has announced the promotion of two veterans within the company.
David MacDonald has been named vice president of marketing for Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he will also oversee responsibilities for the marketing efforts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
In addition, longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway Vice President of Communications Scott Cooper has been promoted to senior vice president of Public Relations for Speedway Motorsports. Cooper will retain his role as the head of the track's communications team, while also overseeing responsibilities for New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports.
"Speedway Motorsports prides itself on developing strong leaders and promoting from within," Smith said. "With dogged determination and a customer-first approach, David and Scott both exemplify the qualities and characteristics that have position Charlotte Motor Speedway among the top entertainment sports venues in the world. I look forward to all that they bring to Speedway Motorsports in their respective new roles."
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has issued an amendment pertaining to advertising and display policies in its 2020 rulebook.
The amendment, detailed in full below, regulates the size and location of decals, effectively limiting them only to sponsorship partnerships.
The NHRA logo or name may not be used in conjunction with political candidates.
If a race team legitimately is sponsored by a political candidate, then the candidate’s name and the year of the election may appear on the race vehicle (but the decal vehicle will not be prominently featured/emphasized on television or in other content, per broadcast standards and practices).
Decal size will be limited to 144 square inches on a race vehicle and 48 square inches on a motorcycle. Location will be limited to the rear quarter panel of a race car, outside for the driver’s compartment of a dragster and wheelie bar side shields on a motorcycle.
Next up for the NHRA is the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals, set for September 3-6, at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tickets and additional information are available here.
After nearly three decades at the helm of one of Northern California’s premier motorsports facilities, Sonoma Raceway President and General Manager Steve Page announced that he will retire at the end of 2020.
Page’s 29-year tenure at the road course and drag strip, which began in 1991 at then-Sears Point Raceway, spanned two owners and the evolution from an underdeveloped facility to a modern professional sports venue and performance automotive center. Page promoted and supervised events with a variety of the top racing series, including NASCAR, NHRA, and INDYCAR, and more.
“I have been so fortunate to work all these years with an amazing team and to have the support of a company in Speedway Motorsports that is committed to operating the top facilities in our industry,” said Page, who resides in Sonoma with his wife, Judy. “This decision did not come easily, but I ultimately decided it was time to begin a new chapter and find other ways to be active in this wonderful community where we are so fortunate to live.”
In addition to ushering the 1,600-acre property through a $100 million modernization from 1999-2002, Page is a member of the Sonoma County business and non-profit community. Under his leadership, the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities has distributed more than $6.8 million to Sonoma County nonprofit youth organizations since 2001.
Page is also a board member of Speedway Children’s Charities and the Road Racing Industry Council, and serves on advisory boards for 10,000 Degrees Sonoma County and Social Advocates for Youth and is a former chair of the Sonoma County Tourism Council.
Speedway Motorsports, the raceway’s parent company, will launch a national search to recruit candidates for the position.
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, announced today that it is offering an online marketplace to allow manufacturers and resellers in the specialty automotive segment to connect and conduct business. Taking place Nov. 2-6, SEMA360 was created after industry members expressed a need for a viable marketplace solution in the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show.
“Creating a platform where the industry can gather and discover new products and trends has always been a SEMA priority,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA360 is the ideal solution to bring the industry together, at a time when we’ve all been kept apart. The platform allows qualified buyers to interact with manufacturers, see innovative new products, check out top SEMA Show builds, and take in industry-leading educational offerings."
Show organizers gathered input from industry members who registered concerns with typical “virtual trade show” solutions. The result is SEMA360, a simplified platform where SEMA will help manufacturers create a straightforward brand presence that will reach quality domestic and international buyers. With a focus on helping the industry grow their businesses, participating resellers will have access to product offerings and demonstrations, and manufacturer personnel.
“The industry made it clear there is a void to fill,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “SEMA360 addresses that need by leveraging SEMA’s exclusive buyer database to connect manufacturers with resellers.”
Key features of SEMA360 include:
A simplified platform for manufacturers to showcase their new products and innovations
Efficient interaction between manufacturers and resellers for quality business exchange
SEMA vehicle reveals from world-class builders
Industry-leading education focused on professional development and new strategies
SEMA’s unrivaled media contacts amplifying news, products, and innovations to a world-wide audience
Manufacturer applications for SEMA360 will open Sept. 3, 2020, at a SEMA-member rate of $495, and a nonmember rate of $1,495. Attendee registration, which opens mid-September, will be free to qualifying buyers who are SEMA members, and $25 to nonmembers. Qualifying media will be able to register at no cost.
To learn more about the SEMA360 or to register, visit sema360.com.
BorgWarner has announced Dr. Shaun E. McAlmont has been named to its Board of Directors.
“We are pleased to welcome Shaun to BorgWarner’s Board of Directors,” said Alexis P. Michas, non-executive Chairman of the Board of BorgWarner.
“Shaun is a recognized business leader with significant expertise in the education and workforce development space. His experience, skills, and passion are a great complement to our Board.”
Dr. McAlmont is the president of Career Learning Solutions at K12, Inc., a provider of online education programs, skills training, and talent development. Before joining K12, Dr. McAlmont served as the president and CEO of Neumont College of Computer Science, and the CEO of Lincoln Educational Services, which includes the Lincoln Tech automotive training schools.
Dr. McAlmont holds a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from the University of San Francisco. He earned his Doctorate in Education, with distinction, from the University of Pennsylvania.
Road America is set to showcase some of the world’s top GT race teams as the World Challenge America series returns to the challenging 4.048-mile, 14-turn road course on August 28-30. In addition, the weekend will feature Pirelli GT4 America, GT Sports Club America, and TC America series.
The weekend encompasses rounds seven and eight of the World Challenge America racing calendar.
Fans are welcome to the event, although the World Challenge garage area will be limited to essential team and series personnel. Attendees will be encouraged to follow safe practices such as social distancing, frequent hand washing, and the use one of the many new sanitizer stations located throughout the facility. Cloth face coverings are also recommended in areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
All guests will be screened in their vehicles with contactless temperature checks before entering the facility, and a PPE kit that includes a face mask, as well as hand sanitizer, will be provided to each guest upon request.
ProMedia Events and Publishing has announced World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, as the new home of the Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing, set for May 13-16, 2021.
Designed to be largest street-legal drag race of the year, the event will be the third stop for both the NMRA and NMCA series in 2021.
“This is the big one for us, and the World Wide Technology Raceway facility and its staff are highly capable of handling this unique and popular event. Thank you, Chris Blair and Curtis Francois, for helping us bring this event to its new home,” ProMedia Events and Publishing General Manager and National Event Director Rollie Miller said.
In addition, several race series and sanctioning bodies have announced updated 2020 schedules. View a lineup of race series schedule updates here.
Arizona Tucson Speedway
Tucson Speedway has resumed its 2020 schedule, which next features the Killer Bees event on August 15. For an up-to-date schedule, visit tucsonspeedway.com/schedule/.
California All American Speedway
All American Speedway has resumed racing its 2020 schedule, which will feature Saturday night NASCAR weekly racing. For more information, visit AllAmericanSpeedway.com/schedule/.
Madera Speedway
Madera Speedway has updated its 2020 schedule, which features Saturday night weekly racing through October. For an up-to-date schedule, visit racemadera.com/schedule.html.
Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma Speedway has resumed racing. Next on the schedule is the 9th annual Soares Classic featuring the Hunt Wingless Sprint Tour, Top Dog Modified, and 600s, followed by its weekly racing series on Sunday, August 30. For an up-to-date schedule, visit petaluma-speedway.com/schedule/.
Perris Auto Speedway
Perris Auto Speedway has announced the remainder of its 2020 schedule, which features the LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VI on September 5, followed by the Glenn Howard Classic on September 26. For more information, visit perrisautospeedway.com/schedule.html.
Placerville Speedway
Russell Motorsports Inc. has announced relaunched its 2020 season, which features a points race on August 29, followed by another points race on September 19. Its August 15 and August 24 features have been cancelled. For an up-to-date schedule, visit placervillespeedway.com/schedule.
Thunderhill Raceway Park
NASA Nor Cal has chosen to reschedule the 2020 25 Hours of Thunderhill Raceway presented by Hawk Performance Products. For more information, visit thunderhill.com.
Delaware Georgetown Speedway
Georgetown Speedway has updated its 2020 schedule, which features the ‘Blast at the Beach’ Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Modifieds on Tuesday, August 25, followed by the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club (URC) 360 Sprint Cars on Friday, September 11. For an up-to-date schedule, visit thegeorgetownspeedway.com/.
Georgia Gresham Motorsports Park
Local drivers can schedule a private practice session at Gresham Motorsports Park in accordance with up-to-date social distancing regulations. To schedule a session, contact info@racegmp.com. Additionally, Gresham Motorsports Park has delayed the Peach State Classic until October 23-25. For more information, visit racegmp.com.
Indiana Anderson Speedway
Anderson Speedway has resumed its 2020 schedule, which features limited practice session and the 72nd annual Pay Less Little 500 presented by UAW on September 5. The Little 500 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will also take place. Following the event will be the Michael Waltrip Takes On VORES Compact Touring Series presented by Byrider event, set for Saturday, September 12. General admission is $12 for adults, $5 for children up to 12 years old, and free for five and under. For more information, visit andersonspeedway.com/events/.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Track officials have announced the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on Aug. 23 without fans. The decision was made following careful consideration and extensive consultation with state and city leadership. All on-track activity during the month of August, including practice and qualifications, will be closed to the general public. All of the action from IMS can be viewed via NBC Sports Gold, NBCSN or NBC. Visit IMS.com or INDYCAR.com for a comprehensive streaming and broadcast schedule.
Indianapolis Speedrome
Racing has resumed at the Indianapolis Speedrome, which is scheduled to host Late Model 50-Lap Figure 8, Street Stock Toby Eads Memorial 75, Adult Faskarts, Ford Oval & Figure 8s and July 25, followed by Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1 events. For more information, visit Speedrome.com/schedule.html.
Lucas Oil Raceway
Racing has resumed at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, which features a robust schedule through the end of October. The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Summer Spectacle and the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is set for August 6-9. For more information, visit LucasOilRaceway.com/events/full-schedule/.
Muncie Dragway
Racing has resumed at the 1/4- & 1/8-mile drag strips, which is scheduled to host the Muncie Night of Fire on August 1, followed by the Hole Shot Media Grudge Shootout on August 2.
Iowa Knoxville Raceway
The Marion County Fair Association, in cooperation with Knoxville Raceway, has voted to cancel the remainder of the 2020 racing season. The 2021 Knoxville Raceway season is scheduled to begin with the Pella Motors/Kraig Ford Season Opener on Saturday, April 17, 2021. For more information, visit KnoxvilleRaceway.com/Schedule.aspx
Pepsi Lee County Speedway
Track promoters Brian and Marcie Gaylord have announced several schedule changes to the Drive For 5 program for IMCA Sunoco Late Models. For more information, visit the IMCA website here.
Southern Iowa Speedway
The Okaloosa, Iowa facility has resumed weekly racing. For the latest schedule, visit facebook.com/southerniowaspeedway/.
Kansas Dodge City Raceway Park (DCRP)
Dodge City Raceway Park will open its 2020 season on its 3/8-mile clay oval on June 20. The Armed Forces Night even will feature IMCA Hobby Stocks, Precise Racing Products DCRP sprint cars, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, and IMA Stock Cars. The following night will feature a full slate of micro sprints and karts on the 1/7-mile Little DCRP clay oval. For more information, visit dodgecityraceway.com.
Massachusetts Seekonk Speedway
Seekonk Speedway and Tri Track Open Modified Series officials announced that Open Wheel Wednesday has been rescheduled for Wednesday, August 29. For more information, visit seekonkspeedway.com.
Michigan Galesburg Speedway
Galesvurg Speedway has temporarily suspended its 2020 racing season. For more information, visit GalesburgSpeedway.com.
Kalamazoo Speedway
Kalamazoo Speedway has suspended its 2020 season until August 8, which effectively postpones its Intimidator 100 Late Model event. For more information, visit elkospeedway.com.
Minnesota Elko Speedway
Elko Speedway has kicked off its 2020 season with a special event. For more information, visit elkospeedway.com.
Missouri I-70 Motorsports Park
The grand reopening of I-70 Motorsports Park in Odessa with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, originally planned for Sept. 11-12, is postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. For more information, visit i70motorsportspark.com.
Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway has updated its 2020 schedule, which includes the Saturday, July 25, event featuring Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, and B-Mods. For an up-to-date schedule, visit lucasoilspeedway.com/events/schedule.
Nebraska Lincoln County Raceway
Lincoln County Raceway has reopened for test and tune sessions. For more information, visit facebook.com/LincolnCountyRaceway/.
I-80 Speedway
I-80 Speedway has announced three days of side-by-side racing action along with $65,000 in top prizes and over $250,000 in purse money, beginning Thursday, July 23 and culminating with the 101 laps, $53,000-to-win Imperial Tile Silver Dollar Nationals on Saturday, July 25. Fans will be allowed at the event. More information and tickets may be found at I-80Speedway.com.
New Hampshire New England Dragway
NHRA officials have announced a second JEGS SPORTSnationals event on the weekend of Aug. 21-22, at New England Dragway. The new race will bring national-event level drag racing to the historic Northeast locale, which lost this year's regularly scheduled NHRA main event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit nhra.com or nedragway.com.
White Mountain Motorsports Park
White Mountain Motorsports Park has updated its 2020 schedule, which features the North East Mini Stock Tour 50 on Saturday, July 25, and the Whelen Modified Tour
White Mountain Showdown 200 on Saturday, August 1. For more information, visit WhiteMountainMotorsports.com/schedule.html.
New York Bethel Motor Speedway
Bethel Motor Speedway in Bethel, New York, is open and allowing spectators. Its Saturday weekly racing schedule is headlined by the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. For more information, visit bethelmotorspeedway.com.
Fonda Speedway
Fonda Speedway promoter Brett Deyo has announced its 2020 schedule has been postponed. As a result, there will be no racing on Saturday, July 25. Officials expect to resume racing in August, and will announce an updated schedule at a later date. For more information, visit TheFondaSpeedway.com/.
Land Of Legends
Land of Legends in Canandaigua has updated its 2020 schedule, which can be found at landoflegendsraceway.com/events/.
Ransomville Speedway
Ransomville Speedway management has announced the cancellation of its 2020 racing season. For more information, visit ransomvillespeedway.com.
Riverhead Raceway
Riverhead Raceway owners Eddie Partridge, Connie Partridge, and Tom Gatz announced the track is forced to cancel all racing events for the month of June. For more information, visit riverheadraceway.com.
Watkins Glen International
The Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen IMSA event, which had been rescheduled for September 3-6 at Watkins Glen International, has been realigned to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta that same weekend.
The SCCA Majors Super Tour, scheduled for June 19-21, and the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, scheduled for July 10-12, 2020, have been postponed until 2021. The rescheduled date for the Festival will be July 9-11, 2021. Ticketholders with questions may visit theglen.com/assistance-IMSA. For more information, visit theglen.com.
Weedsport Speedway
Weedsport Speedway announced plans to open its season with the Hall of Fame 100 for the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds on Sunday, July 26. For more information, visit weedsportspeedway.com.
North Carolina Ace Speedway
Ace Speedway has returned to racing. For more information, visit acespeedway.net.
Bowman Gray Stadium
Bowman Gray Stadium Racing’s 2020 season has unfortunately been canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. For more information, visit BowmanGrayRacing.com/coronavirus-updates/.
Orange County Speedway
The CARS Tour will sanction the Old North State Nationals, set for October 17-18, at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, North Carolina. The event will offer a $75,000 purse, paying $30,000 to the winner and $1,250 to start the feature on Sunday. If North Carolina remains in Phase 2, however, alternative plans will be announced. For more information, visit facebook.com/ocstrack/.
Ohio Eldora Speedway
Eldora Speedway officials have announced the 50th World 100 has been rescheduled to early September 2021. The legendary event was scheduled for September 10-12.
While the grandstands and campgrounds remain closed, competitor-based auto racing is an approved activity, so racing will still take place Thursday through Sunday, September 12.
In addition, the 39th 4-Crown Nationals has been rescheduled to September 2021.
Shadybowl Speedway
Shadybowl Speedway has updated its 2020 schedule. For more information, visit shadybowlspeedway.rocks/.
Sharon Speedway
Sharon Speedway will not host racing until fan restrictions are lifted. This means the July 18 event, set to feature the RUSH Late Model Series for the inaugural Bill Forney Memorial, has been postponed. Track rentals are still available. For more information, visit SharonSpeedway.com.
Summit Motorsports Park
Bill Bader Jr. has announced that Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, will not reopen in 2020. To read the official statement, visit here. For more information, visit summitmotorsportspark.com.
Oklahoma
Hallett Motor Racing Circuit (HMRC)
The paved road course facility in Hallett, Oklahoma, is hosting the CVAR Mike Stephens Classic on August 21-23, an event that was previously scheduled to take place on March 20-22. A Miatas event is also slated for September 4-5, followed by a High Speed Touring event on September 11-13. For more information, visit hallettracing.net/events/.
Lawton Speedway
The oval track in Lawton, Oklahoma, has resumed its Saturday night weekly racing, which runs through Saturday, September 26, and features IMCA 305 RaceSaver Sprints, USRA Mods, Limited Mods, Mini Stocks, and more. The 29th annual Winter Nationals and Lanny Edwards Memorial Vintage Race Event is set for September 25-26. For more information, visit lawtonspeedway.com/schedule.html.
Osage Casino Hotel Tulsa Raceway Park
The drag strip in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will host the Midnight Drags on August 15, August 22, September 5, October 3, and October 31. An ET bracket points race, plus NHRA Good Guys, will take place Saturday, August 29. Test-N-Tune events take place every Friday. For more information, visit tulsaracewaypark.com/schedule/.
Port City Raceway
Port City Raceway in Tulsa has revised its 2020 schedule, which features Saturday night weekly racing through September 26. The 21st annual Pete Frazier Memorial featuring the NOW600 National Series is set for September 4-5, while the RUJO Rumble will take place on October 2-3. For more information, visit portcityraceway.net/schedule/.
Pennsylvania Jennerstown Speedway Complex
Jennerstown Speedway Complexhas resumed its Saturday weekly racing events, which will be hosted now through the Championship Night on Saturday, September 19. For an up-to-date schedule, visit jennerstown.org/myracepass/schedule.
Mahoning Valley Speedway
Mahoning Valley Speedway has resumed weekly racing. For more information, visit mahoningvalley-speedway.com.
Selinsgrove Speedway
Selinsgrove Speedway has resumed weekly racing. For more information, visit selinsgrovespeedway.com/.
Williams Grove Speedway
Williams Grove Speedway has resumed racing. For the latest information, visit williamsgrove.com.
South Dakota Darlington Dragway
Darlington Dragway has updated its 2020 schedule. For more information, visit racedarlingtondragway.com.
I-90 Speedway
I-90 Speedway has announced a return to racing. For more information, visit i90speedway.com.
Park Jefferson International Speedway
Park Jefferson Speedway has resumed its 2020 schedule, which features IMCA weekly racing on August 1, and the seventh annual J&J Fitting Iron Cup on August 7. For more information, visit parkjeff.com.
River Cities Speedway
River Cities Speedway has resumed racing with fans. Spectators are asked to social distance and wear masks. Five events are set for July, including July 24 Hall of Fame Night and the July 31 event featuring the NLRA Late Model Tour, A-Mods, MWM, STS & Lightning Sprints. For an up-to-date schedule, visit rivercitiesspeedway.com/schedule.html.
Tennessee Memphis International Raceway
Due to Shelby County, Tennessee restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19, the 34th Annual Super Chevy Show at Memphis International Raceway has been postponed and rescheduled for April 10-12, 2021. For more information, visit racemir.com.
Smoky Mountain Speedway
Smoky Mountain Speedway will reopen its 4/10-mile oval. For more information, visit smokymountainspeedway.com.
Texas South Texas Speedway
South Texas Speedway will host practice sessions at its track. For more information, visit facebook.com/STXSpeedwayRacing/.
Texas Motorplex
Texas Motorplex has reopened its facility. For more information, visit texasmotorplex.com.
Utah Utah Motorsports Campus
Utah Motorsports Campus, which features a karting center, has announced a reopening phase. For more information, visit utahmotorsportscampus.com.
Vermont Thunder Road Int'l Speedbowl
Thunder Road Int'l Speedbowl has resumed racing. For more information, visit thunderroadvt.com.
Virginia Virginia Motor Speedway
The Virginia Is For Racing Lovers King of the Commonwealth, sanctioned by the Ultimate Super Late Model Series and FASTRAK Racing, has been rescheduled for the spring of 2021. For more information, visit vamotorspeedway.com.
Washington Skagit Speedway
Skagit Speedway has resumed weekly racing and will host Thursday Night Thunder through August 27. Fans can live-stream the Thursday events via skagitspeedway.TV. For more information, visit skagitspeedway.com.
West Virginia Elkins Raceway
Elkins Raceway has resumed its 2020 schedule. For more information, visit elkinsraceway.com.
Wisconsin Slinger Super Speedway
Slinger Super Speedway has resumed Sunday weekly racing events now through September 27. For more information, visit slingersuperspeedway.com.
Canada Ontario Merrittville Speedway
Track officials in the area petitioned the government, and are now permitted to open for track day events, with social distancing guidelines and related restrictions in effect. No spectators will be admitted. For more information, visit merrittvillespeedway.com.
Ohsweken Speedway
Officials have announced that the 2020 season has been postponed for the year and the track’s 25th anniversary season will instead be celebrated in 2021. This includes the Kool Kidz Micro Sprints class. For more information, visit ohswekenspeedway.ca.
Photo courtesy of CARS Tour, Orange County Speedway
From basic vinyl numbers and lettering to full vehicle wraps, shops are creating under-the-radar profit centers by leveraging new technologies, resources, and training programs.
Whether it’s something simple like car numbers or sponsor logos, or a more complex job like a complete hauler wrap, the need for graphics is constant. So constant, in fact, that many professional race teams have the designers and equipment to handle their graphics needs in-house. Conversely, there are graphic and signage companies whose staff are racers themselves. Their involvement with their racing communities—and ready access to parts from their own race vehicles—helps them tailor graphics to suit their specific needs.
And then there’s the hybrid of the two: race shops that have added graphics and wrap applications to the list of services they offer. For some it’s an extra level of race customer support, while others have earned additional revenue by offering these services to non-racing businesses.
Race shops that are considering adding graphic design and vehicle wraps should do so carefully, say the sources we spoke to.
“There will be growing pains,” said Josh Culverhouse of ORAFOL, an international manufacturer of vehicle wrapping products and other specialty films with an American division based in Black Creek, Georgia. “You’re not going to buy all your equipment and be up and running the next day. You’re going to learn things, and there will be a lot of trial-and-error.”
“You have to crawl before you can walk,” agreed Rick Hall of Rick’s Performance Center, Las Cruces, New Mexico. “Give it plenty of time to grow.” Hall started making vinyl numbers and lettering for race cars in 2007, leaning on previous experience his manager, Lloyd Turner, had working with graphics. In 2016, Hall decided to up his game and invest in more equipment. Since then, Rick’s Print Shop has “afforded us quite a little niche here.” Hall’s son, Chad, who has a degree in graphic design, recently joined the team and will help it branch out further.
“There’s only so many race cars out here in Las Cruces,” Hall explained. “So, we’ve been doing box trucks, plumbing vans, electrical vans, plus all the signs for our new race track, Vado Speedway Park. With Chad coming on board, we can actually go out and ask for business.”
Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies in New Berlin, Wisconsin, is another shop providing graphics to its customers. “We do vinyl numbers and lettering on a limited basis,” John Haydon said. “Sometimes we get customers looking for something fancier than what we can do, but the basic stuff is still working for a lot of our customers.”
Race shops that are considering adding graphic design and vehicle wrap services should do so carefully, as “you’re not going to buy all your equipment and be up and running the next day,” one source noted. “You’re going to learn things, and there will be a lot of trial-and-error.” Pictured here is Rick’s Performance Center/Rick’s Print Shop.
DESIGNER NEEDED?
“One advantage to our basic offering is that almost anybody in our company can go back and work the machine,” Haydon said. “We don’t have to have somebody who’s gone through specialized education to run it. I know there are much fancier machines that print on the vinyl, but a shop would have to be pretty serious about getting into the graphics business to not only have the financial outlay, but also have staff who can run it. You would also want to have someone who can do graphic design.”
Culverhouse agreed that having a graphic designer in the shop is a definite advantage when creating graphics beyond simple car numbers and driver names. If a shop doesn’t have an employee with graphic arts experience, “you should be able to find a freelance graphic designer or somebody who has been in that space before that you can partner with. Or bring in an intern and give them an opportunity to be in that environment. They’ll have just enough know-how to help you get on your feet. That’s a good starting point.”
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
There are many resources race shops can take advantage of to learn about the mechanics of graphics and wraps, Culverhouse said. “There’s a lot of content available, including YouTube channels from sign and graphics companies, race companies, the printer companies, laminating companies, and media manufacturers. Folks can research and really digest this information to make informed decisions.”
Do as much homework as you can, he added. “Identify who the players are, the different manufacturers for the materials that you would need, from the inks and the print media to the equipment. A lot of that starts with the distribution channels. Most of the upper-echelon graphics distributors have outside or inside sales reps they can call and get basic information about what it would cost to get basic equipment for starting a shop.”
Those distributors will often host open houses and offer classes to help those new to the industry get hands-on experience with the products, Culverhouse said. ORAFOL, too, teaches application training classes, “where they come in and learn how to do the installation of the graphics on a vehicle.”
Plus, “a lot of our authorized ORAFOL distributors have access to new printer kits or new plotter kits. These include a color chart, an ink jet media selection guide, and sample material. That customer can experiment with those materials to reduce the cost of their training process, get some of that trial-and-error out of the way,” he concluded.
SHOP SETUP
What does it take to set up a graphics shop? The basic components should include a computer design station; a printer and a plotter or a single machine that does both (the former prints intricate designs in multiple colors, while the latter does simpler, one- and two-color vinyl and film designs); a laminator (to apply UV protection film over the graphics); a work table large enough to accommodate the printed panels; a self-healing cutting mat for the table; cutting tools; installation supplies; and the various media to be printed on.
Size matters when planning the print shop, advised Culverhouse. “In the race industry, where there are a lot of trailers, you have to think larger format than just race car decals,” he said. “For any trailer application, if you’re doing a full wrap, you’re going to produce wallpaper-like panels that will be up to 60 inches wide.” Keep that dimension in mind when choosing the size of the printer, plotter, and laminator, and make sure their sizes match.
The print shop’s location matters, too. “It’s incredibly important to not operate your equipment and your processing area in same area where you might have machinists grinding away or drilling carbon fiber and putting dust in air,” he continued. “You want a clean, secure, enclosed environment separate from the day-to-day race shop.”
At Rick’s Print Shop, the Halls have a 64-inch Roland Printslinger printer, a separate Roland CAMM-1 Pro plotter, and a Drytac JetMounter laminator. Installations are handled outside the shop in Hall’s barn. “Ideally,” he said, “we would have an area where we can install in-house. If people saw graphics going on a race car or van when they walked in, they’d immediately say, ‘Hey, look what they do.’ It would be very ‘graphically’ appealing, pun intended.”
The financial outlay to set up a shop like Hall’s will be in the tens of thousands of dollars. (A large-format Roland printer had an MSRP of around $20,000 at the time of this writing.) But there are ways to save money. “I did our worktable on the cheap,” Hall said. “I found an old pallet rack, cut it apart, made it wider, made it shorter, put a piece of plywood underneath it, and a five-by-10-foot piece of 3/8-inch steel beneath that. It’s a nice, strong, flat platform for our layout.”
Having a graphic designer in the shop is a definite advantage when creating graphics beyond simple car numbers and driver names. “You should be able to find a freelance graphic designer or somebody who has been in that space before. Or bring in an intern,” said our source from ORAFOL. “That’s a good starting point.”
SOUND ADVICE
When asked for advice to pass on to race shop owners that may be thinking about adding a graphics and wrap business, Haydon said, “It would be smart at the beginning to decide how major a part of your business you want the graphic side to be. That level of commitment would determine how much of a financial outlay you’re looking at. Using us as an example, it was never meant to be a big part of our business, so we have a fairly basic machine and a basic offering. But if someone really wanted graphics to be a core part of their business, it would make sense to get more intricate equipment that can do more.”
Because his shop doesn’t install the graphics, Haydon found it important to provide installation instructions to his customers. “We had replaced a fair amount of numbers that customers had gotten all wrinkled or crooked. But then we put together some easy-to-follow instructions that make the process a bit more fool-proof. Since we started sending those with every graphics order, we’ve had fewer complaints. The whole process has gone a lot smoother for them.”
“We always say this: Ask first before you do, instead of asking what happened after it happened,” said Culverhouse. “So many folks out there, they’ll do something they have no experience with, take the risk, and it burns them the next day, or a week later, or a month later. Go through a thorough discovery process with your client. Identify what the requirements are, and then pull in the proper resources and professionals. Ask your distributor about the support they offer, or support from the manufacturer. Call in professional guides that can help steer you in the right direction and help you to a positive outcome.”
Hall’s first piece of advice was, “Avoid the sharp end of the stick when you’re cutting. Sharp end down.” And he, too, said to review the specifics of a job with the client. “Get actual dimensions rather than having a guy hold his hands up and say, ‘I want it this big.’ Have him sign off on the size and the design.
“And have the customer proofread the design,” Hall added. “Spell-check is a good thing. ‘Chiropractic’ does have three Cs in it. We made that mistake. We spelled a really good customer’s entire wrap incorrectly.
“We haven’t made all the mistakes,” Hall continued. “We’re going to make more. Sometimes you have to laugh at them and go on, and realize you’re not going to make money on that job. They can be expensive lessons, but those are the best lessons.”
The field at Lucas Oil Stadium in December is set to host some of the latest and most innovative transport vehicles and accessories from a number of the industry’s leading product manufacturers.
Under normal circumstances, the first quarter of any given year is the time when race trailer companies are in full production on haulers of all sizes for the coming race season. That makes the timing of the annual PRI Trade Show in December just about perfect, as racers and teams can browse the trailer exhibits at Lucas Oil Stadium in preparation for ordering a new rig.
These days, of course, are anything but “normal.”
The COVID-19 pandemic that shut down racing also forced many trailer companies to close up shop and wait until their local government officials deemed it safe to return to work. That meant many custom trailer orders sat weeks before racing was set to resume.
“Indiana, where most of the trailers are built, was hard on these guys,” said Alan Cape of trailer dealer Flying A Motorsports, Cuba, Missouri. “They couldn’t go into work and got behind.”
One exception was T&E Enterprises in Herscher, Illinois, which did not close except for a two-day period to “figure out how we were going to do social distancing and protect our staff,” explained Todd Datweiler. “We fell under the transportation loophole in the state of Illinois. We’re not just motorsports related, we also do medical work, so that kept us very viable during that timeframe.”
T&E Enterprises builds 35 to 45 “high-end” trailers each year, a source told us, noting, “Our clientele is constantly trying to do something to make them nicer and more efficient,” which sometimes means upstaging their fellow racers. “There’s a little bit of competition going on there,” he added.
“The COVID thing slowed us down,” noted Wayne Quackenbush of Capitol Renegade, Greenbelt, Maryland. “Fortunately for us we had enough stuff in the pipeline to carry us through. Now [in summer], it’s ramping up rather quickly, as people are looking for new builds or what’s in inventory. Across the board, whether it’s trailers, toter homes, or motorcoaches, the racing transport business is pretty good right now.”
That’s due, in large part, to racers and sanctioning bodies trying to cram as much competition into the remainder of the year as possible.
“I own a 410 winged sprint car team, and we’re chomping at the bit to go racing,” Quackenbush said. “Tracks are doubling up schedules, adding more races to make up the time. A lot of people historically wait until March or April to buy a trailer to go race in a given year. That slowed down, but now people are scrambling looking for something to buy. I just spoke with a NASCAR Late Model team in the Carolinas looking for a trailer right now.”
TRAILER TRENDS
As trailer demand picks up again, more requests are being received by manufacturers for customized units.
“If they have the time, we’d rather build one to their needs, because trailers have become so specialized,” Cape said. “In the past, we would order 24- or 28-foot trailers, put a work bench and some lights in them, and they’d work for anybody. A circle track guy would come in and he could use it, a drag race guy, a dune buggy guy, whatever. They could all use the same trailer. But now we have drag race trailers, sprint car trailers, circle track trailers, and every one of them is different, because they’re built for that particular guy’s use.”
“Our clientele is constantly trying to do something to make them nicer and more efficient,” said Datweiler. “They want a trailer that’s better than the last one they had, or better than their buddy’s. There’s a little bit of competition going on there, which comes natural with the racers. It’s not only on the track, it even rolls into their vehicles getting to and from the track.”
T&E, Datweiler explained, “is in a different category than some of the other trailer companies. Semis and multi-car trailers are our specialty, and we build 35 to 45 units a year. High-end, nice stuff.”
Yet demographic changes are causing a shift in some of T&E’s business, he noted. “In the last two years, we’ve probably done six or seven gooseneck trailers with a lounge in them. We’re seeing this with drag racers who are downsizing from the big motorhome and stacker. These are the retired couples who are still racing, but they’ve cut back to one car instead of running multiple cars. They just want to travel a little easier, not have the big rig to have to take care of every week. But they’re still spending a lot of money on a brand-new crew-cab dually and a brand-new T&E lounge trailer, because everybody’s still making them very, very nice,” Datweiler explained.
Cape, on the other hand, has seen his gooseneck trailer business fall off. “In the past, everybody thought gooseneck was the better way to go versus the bumper pull,” he said. “That probably was true at one time, because people towed mostly with a dually pickup truck. Nowadays we can’t hardly give a gooseneck trailer away. We stock a lot more bumper pulls, because people are towing more with motorhomes than they are with pickup trucks. Motorhomes have taken over the towing end of it, and have definitely changed the way people tow and travel over the last few years.”
WHAT’S NEW?
What do trailer manufacturers plan to display at this year’s PRI Show?
“On the toter home side of Capitol Renegade, the biggest news is that Peterbilt’s parent company, PACCAR, has finally approved the use of Peterbilt cabs for RV conversions,” Quackenbush said. “We have taken our signature 15-foot toter home floor plan and built it on a Peterbilt long-nose cab. It really came out nice. And now you will get the full PACCAR warranty on the cab and chassis. Previously, if Renegade built on a Peterbilt or Kenworth, for that matter, as both are PACCAR companies, the warranty was voided.”
Quackenbush said the company has had “quite a few people over the years who maybe had an affiliation with the trucking industry and wanted a Peterbilt cab. We couldn’t satisfy that need in the past, but we can now.”
Why the demand for Peterbilt? “It’s the Ford-versus-Chevy mentality,” he said. “There are people who wouldn’t buy a Ford if their life depended on it, and vice versa. Likewise, you have people who are diehard Peterbilt people. If you mention Freightliner, Volvo, or something like that to them, the answer is, ‘Hell, no.’ Having the Peterbilt gives us one more option for people to choose from.
“On top of that, Peterbilt is known for its quality reputation and service, things that have made the Peterbilt name kind of an icon. That’s the main reason for us. Diehard Peterbilt people wouldn’t buy anything else, so we’re pleased to be able to satisfy that need.”
Featherlite, based in Cresco, Iowa, is introducing a new bumper-pull trailer, the Model 4410, that “takes a lot of the popular options we’ve been doing with trailers and makes them standard,” said Mike Galvin. “It’s a little different for us. With most of the trailers we’ve had in the past, a dealer starts basically with a shell and then customizes it. The 4410 is a little bit more finished. Lining and insulation are standard in it, a simple light package is standard, your breaker boxes, power converters, all that is standard.”
Optional equipment is available, too, “so guys can customize it to fit their exact needs,” he added. Options include a large, lift-up side door with removable fenders; ramp extensions; a cabinet package; generator; additional lighting; and Goodyear tires for the standard aluminum wheels.
Available in 20-, 24-, and 28-foot lengths, the 4410 has a seven-foot interior height, which “makes it a lot nicer and roomier for people who are working in the trailer,” Galvin said.
The target market for the 4410 consists of those “weekend guys who aren’t traveling a huge distance, the grassroots guys who are staying a little closer to home and not doing national events.” Galvin said it will also appeal to “the show car guys who want something a little more finished than what some of our models have been in the past.”
On the semi side of the business, Featherlite is “constantly doing improvements, mostly having to do with weight,” Galvin said. “Everybody wants to put more and more into their units all the time. We’re trying to keep the integrity of what a Featherlite has been for over 30 years, keeping our carrying capacity for the customer at a high level while still offering the longevity they expect of the trailer.”
Capitol Renegade recently received approval for the use of Peterbilt cabs for RV conversions, which is set for display at PRI 2020. “Quite a few people over the years wanted a Peterbilt cab. We couldn’t satisfy that need in the past, but we can now,” noted a company contact.
When we spoke with Jim McConnell of InTech Trailers in Nappanee, Indiana, the company was in the thick of its fifth Max the Tach trailer giveaway promotion. “We’re giving away a 24-foot tag-along trailer with a wrap on it and a package of sponsored products in addition to the trailer,” he explained. This year’s sponsors included RacingJunk.com, Motul, CarChix.com, and the United States Motorsports Association, which supports grassroots racing across the US. “We’re trying to put together a package that’s not typically available for the grassroots racer,” McConnell said. The sweepstakes ended in August, but the trailer will be on display at the PRI Show.
T&E has “no big, earth-shattering products” to debut at the PRI Trade Show, Datweiler said, but he did make mention of a new build-out trend. “We’ve had some NHRA Pro Stock and Pro Mod teams that are setting up to run two teams out of one trailer. It’s done for efficiency, as there’s less cost going up and down the road. They’re running one car out of each side of the trailer. The trailer has dual awnings, with different sponsor graphics from side to side. Inside, the trailer is kind of a mirrored image of itself in the work area. Up in the lounge, in the spot for a crew chief’s desk, there are two crew chiefs up there.
“We’ve done three or four of these,” he added. “I guess that’s a trend when you only do 35 to 45 units a year.”
At last year’s PRI Show, United Trailers of Bristol, Indiana, unveiled a “bigger 52-inch light bar on the rear of the trailer that can also be tied into the reverse gear,” said Tim Dibley. “It could be used as a docking light and a loading light.” For 2020, the company plans to demonstrate the level of customization that goes into each of its trailers.
“We build everything from a little 4-by-6-foot cargo trailer all the way up to 48-foot race car trailers,” Dibley noted. “We build all different kinds of trailers for different kinds of racing. We do ramp-over models for Late Model cars, where we’ll recess the winch into the ramp-over. Build it right into the ramp-over and kind of hide it in there. We do sprint car trailers with a much taller opening so they can drive in with the wing on. We do generators, compressors, air lines, LED lights, power awnings for the Late Model guys working outside their trailer. We even do stereos—those comforts away from home. We make sure we get everybody out to the race.”
Cresco, Iowa-based Featherlite is introducing a new bumper-pull trailer, the Model 4410, whose target market consists of “the grassroots guys who are staying a little closer to home and not doing national events” and “the show car guys who want something a little more finished than what some of our models have been in the past,” a source told us.
For Vintage Trailers in Elkhart, Indiana, “one thing that’s really taken off in the past couple of years, and that we’ll keep improving on, is our Pro Stock series of bathrooms,” said Todd Kujawa. “Families and spouses traveling with the racers like having their own facilities in the trailer with them, where they can shower and use the bathroom without having to use the public restrooms.”
Vintage Trailers offers two trailer lines, the Outlaw Series and Pro Stock series, Kujawa explained. “Structurally they’re identical. The Outlaw is a little more of an economy model. It’s for the racer who really doesn’t care about a screwless exterior or aluminum wheels. They’re going to build their own cabinets or put cabinets in. The Outlaw can be customized to any price point they want.” The Pro Stock “is a packaged series, with most of the equipment racers want as standard: aluminum wheels, screwless exterior, flooring, electrical, cabinet packages.”
The Pro Stock bathrooms can be installed in either line, Kujawa said. “We can do it in as small as a 20-foot trailer, up to a 53-foot trailer with a gooseneck. That kind of trailer gets a full bathroom with quite a bit of fresh water and holding tanks in it.”
All this activity in the racing transportation market speaks to the resiliency of racers in general, Quackenbush said. “Overall, people still have a pretty positive opinion of what’s going to happen here,” he added. “We’re going to come back as strong as we were.”
A well-equipped race trailer does more than just haul a car to the track. It should also make the whole race-day experience smoother and more efficient. Trailer manufacturers are doing more each year with cabinets, lighting, power, and crew amenities to make their trailers as turnkey as possible, yet it’s the trailer accessory manufacturers who are on the leading edge of innovation when it comes to must-have equipment. Here’s a quick roundup of some of the industry’s most innovative and sought-after trailer accessories hitting the market—and set for display at the 2020 PRI Trade Show in December.
MOTIONLATCH DRAWERS CTECH MANUFACTURING
CTech Manufacturing of Weston, Wisconsin, will showcase its carts, cabinets, drawers, and storage accessories in two separate PRI booths. Asked to spotlight one particular item at the Show, Nate Birkenmeier pointed to the company’s MotionLatch Drawers. Made from lightweight 5052 aluminum, these drawers get their name from their full-length MotionLatch handles. The drawers open by pulling anywhere on that extruded handle, and they will stay securely closed even when the going gets rough. Two versions are available: one with a 250-pound capacity, the other able to hold up to 500 pounds. The MotionLatch Drawers can be configured to replace an existing bank of drawers, or mount flush inside an open compartment. The drawers are built to order at CTech’s facility, “meaning you have complete control over drawer unit dimensions, drawer heights, powder-coat finish, extruded handle color, and mounting strategy,” said Birkenmeier.
“Our drawers have been put to the test in some of the harshest environments: UTV, service truck, heavy-equipment repair, and more,” he added. “As opposed to relying on bulk storage alone, utilizing a set of lightweight MotionLatch drawers helps improve the organization and accessibility of loose items such as spare parts, tools and equipment, consumables, and other items that you might want to keep readily available.” Plus, in the event of a trailer reconfiguration (or accident repair), CTech products are installed using fastener construction, which allows for replacement of individual panels and components.
For PRI 2020, CTech plans to showcase its MotionLatch drawers, which may be built to order at its Wisconsin facility, “meaning you have complete control over drawer unit dimensions, drawer heights, powder-coat finish, extruded handle color, and mounting strategy,” a company source said.
LED LIGHTS FLYING A MOTORSPORTS
“One of the biggest things to happen in the past couple of years with race car trailers is the LED lights,” said Alan Cape of Flying A Motorsports in Cuba, Missouri. “They’ve taken over all new trailers, and it is so much better to have those lights in a trailer. They take up less space, don’t require as much energy so the generator is not wound up all night, and the lights are so bright and so clean. LED lights have made a whopping difference in the experience of working after dark in the trailer.”
DIRECT REPLACEMENT GENERATOR SETS MARTIN ENGINEERED POWER PRODUCTS
Brian Martin of Martin Engineered Power Products in Defiance, Ohio, said his company’s focus lately has been on direct replacement generator sets. “We’ve seen a number of situations where a trailer might have been aging, and still has a lot of life left in it, but the generator set has used up its hours—in excess of 20,000 hours,” Martin said. “On many of these units, we can put a new generator set right back into the exact same space.” Martin Engineered Power Products uses Yanmar diesel engines exclusively for its generators.
The company works with the trailer owner “to determine the space that they have in the trailer and the power requirement they need,” he said. “We make sure that the new generator provides the same power output from the set and fits in the same space.”
Fit can be an issue, Martin pointed out, because “many of the new-generation sets are larger than what they were, so it can be complicated to fit a set with the same power output in the same space.”
In a world where the latest widget is often more compact than its predecessor, diesel generators tend to go the other way. “As things get newer in the generator world, their environmental footprint gets smaller, and it takes more technology and equipment to have that smaller emissions output,” he said.
Martin’s latest generators also have new features, including “new interfaces that provide a lot more information to the customer. They can see more of what’s happening with their generator set, possibly even extend maintenance intervals because they have a better feel for what’s happening with the set.”
New generators are also resulting in some new efficiencies, Martin noted. “Some of our new units that are going into brand-new trailers are adding some flexibility in how they consume that power,” he explained. “For example, one of the top NASCAR teams we’re working with can run multiple trailers off the generator set in one of them. Built into the new set is an output plug, what’s colloquially called a buddy plug, to power your buddy’s trailer. By working with the customer on a one-on-one basis, we can help make those requests into reality.”
A source from Martin Engineered Power Products told us the company will display its direct replacement generator sets for aging yet otherwise functional trailers at PRI in December. “On many of these units, we can put a new generator set right back into the exact same space,” the contact said.
INTEGRATED ALARM SYSTEM TRAILER ALARMS.COM
When we spoke with Lyle Clark at Trailer Alarms.com in New Braunfels, Texas, he was working on expanding the features on the trailer alarm with GPS that he introduced at the PRI Trade Show a couple of years ago.
“At the last PRI Show we had some interest in smoke detection and fire detection within the trailer, so we’ve been working to find a smoke detector that will integrate with our system,” he explained. “There are several inputs on the GPS part of the alarm system, so if someone moves within the trailer or opens a door, that sets off the alarm and you’ll get an alert. We’re trying to do the same thing with a smoke detector, so if smoke or fire is detected within the trailer, you’ll get an alert.”
The challenge, said Clark, “is the fact that 99.5% of the time the alarm system has to be armed for those devices to work. You don’t necessarily want to be traveling down the highway with an alarm system armed, but you do want the smoke detector to work, so if something happens you can pull over and take care of the incident.”
While the new system was a “work in progress” in late spring when we interviewed Clark, he was confident he’d have it finished in time for the Show.
Clark’s “biggest words of wisdom” for race trailer owners were these: “If you have a $50,000 rig or a $250,000 rig with your tools and trailer and stuff, don’t put a $3 lock on it and expect to keep your equipment safe.” And depending on your insurance company, “you could get a discount on your insurance for having our equipment on your trailer.” —Drew Hardin
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