Ford has announced that an all-new Bronco brand, including a fresh line of SUVs, as well as off-road driving schools and an owner/enthusiast community, will be officially unveiled on July 13.

In November, Ford introduced the Bronco R race prototype just ahead of the Baja 1000—in a livery inspired by Rod Hall’s race-winning vehicle 50 years earlier—as a precursor to Bronco’s upcoming world premiere.

In terms of specs, the race prototype featured a modified Ford T6 architecture that has served as the base for the production model. Bronco R also included an independent front suspension with 14 inches of travel and a production-based five-link rear chassis design with up to 18 inches of travel, plus custom FOX shocks, 17-inch beadlock-capable aluminum wheels and 37-inch BFGoodrich tires.

Its design further included “a roll cage on a production-style frame, and a five-piece lightweight body on top,” noted Brian Novak, Ford Performance off-road racing supervisor, last fall. “For the endurance needs of Baja’s 1,000 grueling miles, we built in a limited number of race-focused parts. But even the twin turbos of the EcoBoost engine are representative of what the production Bronco will offer.”

View Ford’s accompanying 58-second Bronco R clip here.

As part of this month’s rollout, the OE’s Bronco team will establish what it calls “Off-Roadeo outdoor adventure playgrounds” in four locations across the US beginning in 2021. Owners and enthusiasts, Ford says, will be able to test the new vehicles in “challenging terrain.”

In addition, a new online community dubbed “Bronco Nation” (thebronconation.com) will allow drivers to interact and share off-road experiences, trail maps, vehicle information, event calendars, and more.

Additional information can be found at ford.com.

Photo courtesy of Ford

Steve Sisko has been crowned the JEGS-SFG $1.1 million champion at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, over the weekend. He defeated competitor Bill Swain during the final round to collect the biggest payday in drag racing history.

"I know that I could do it… I’ve done it on other stages,” Sisko said in the winners' circle, according to Drag Illustrated. “The car was [subpar] all weekend, so I just held… and took .00 every time. I think the rear broke [as I was coming back from the finish line].

"This is the biggest... race you can have, and I just won the biggest... race there is."

Sisko also went on to win Sunday's $100,000 event the following night. Swain finished in the runner-up position with two entries in the race.

The SFG Million presented by SFG Promotions, which ran from June 29 through July 5, featured big payouts for bracket racers, including $100,000-to-win races and an all-female shootout run.

For more information, visit US131MSP.com.

Photo courtesy of Raceworks.com

Sparta Evolution has announced Yoni Kellman as its new sales and marketing manager. Kellman will be responsible for driving revenue, marketing, and business strategies.

As a member of the aftermarket industry for over 15 years, Kellman has sales and marketing experience working with various manufacturers, distributors, and retailers including Exedy, Motovicity, and DBA USA.

“We are excited to add Yoni and his experience to our team. His connection to the aftermarket is invaluable to Sparta and its growth,” Sparta Evolution COO Mark Joseph said.

For more information, visit SpartaBrakes.com.

Dodge has introduced the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, the 2020 Challenger SRT Super Stock, and the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye, all powered by the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V8 engine and fitted with TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmissions.

The 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, which features three rows of seating and was "made for muscle car people with families," joins the Challenger and Charger in Hellcat form, delivering 710 hp and 645 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Durango runs 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and holds an NHRA certified quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.5 seconds at a top speed of 180 mph. It also runs 1.5 seconds faster than the SRT 392 on a 2.1-mile road course, according to Dodge.

The new 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye boasts 797 hp and 707 lb.-ft. of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye is clocked at 10.6 seconds at a top speed of 203 mph on the quarter-mile strip.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, meanwhile, which was designed in the spirit of the limited-production 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, offers 0-60 mph in 3.25 seconds, a quarter-mile elapsed time of 10.5 seconds at 131 mph, and a 168 mph top speed (tire limited).

“I swore that we’d never build another Demon and we won’t,” said Tim Kuniskis, Global Head of Alfa Romeo and Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “But I also said that every Challenger Hellcat and Redeye comes with an unspoken commitment to uphold the brand and the new Challenger SRT Super Stock is engineered to do just that.”  

The Challenger SRT Super Stock is not limited in production.

For more information and build specs, visit dodgegarage.com/news.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California has named Martin Betz as its new executive director, as announced by the museum's board of directors.

Betz is a longtime automotive and motorsports enthusiast and has over 35 years of experience working in the museum and exhibition industry. He most recently served as the principal consultant and curator for Single Tree Arts in Redondo Beach, California.

As the museum's new executive director, Betz will be responsible for administrative operations and fundraising efforts for the organization, which is located at the LA County Fairplex complex, also home to Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California.

He will also be responsible for the management of the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky., and the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., two of the museum's largest fundraising events.

“The Board of Directors is pleased that the museum will gain the benefit of Martin’s wealth of experience in all facets of managing a successful museum,” Board Chairman Tom McKernan said to NHRA.com. “Great changes are impacting museums and many challenges must be successfully managed. Martin’s leadership, along with a dedicated staff, will help move the museum forward toward a successful future.”

For more information, visit NHRAMuseum.org.

Image courtesy of NHRA

The Marion County Fair Board and Knoxville Raceway have postponed the 60th running of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s until August 11-14, 2021.

In lieu of the event this year, Knoxville Raceway will partner with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series for three nights of racing, August 13-15, 2020, culminating with the Brownells Capitani Classic presented by Great Southern Bank (previously scheduled on Sunday, August 9). The event will pay $50,000 to win and $3,000 to start. Due to COVID restrictions, only 7,000 spectators will be permitted to attend each night.

“This is devastating for all of us on the fair board and at the track, as we know it is for all our fans, competitors, sponsors, employees and everyone in the racing community,” said Brian Bailey, president of the Marion County Fair Board. “A year without the Knoxville Nationals just feels surreal. This is not the outcome any of us wanted. We can promise everyone, that when the 60th running of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s happens, it will be our biggest event yet. We’ll be eager and ready to welcome all 23,000-plus fans back to Knoxville.”

Those with inquiries concerning the postponement of the 60th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s are encouraged to call the Knoxville ticket office at 641-842-5431.

For more information, visit knoxvilleraceway.com.

Energy Suspension, the provider of high-performance polyurethane components, has announced Dennis Grau as the company's new sales and marketing manager.

Grau has over twenty years of sales and marketing leadership experience within the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket. Most recently, he served as the senior director of sales for K&N Engineering. In this position, he was responsible for the strategic direction and leading the North America team to drive sales, with a primary focus on the warehouse distributor side of the business.

Grau has also worked with MAT Holdings, Exide, and Honeywell.

"We are excited to have Dennis join our team to further grow our Energy Suspension industry-leading line of the performance polyurethane components," a company statement said.

For more information, visit energysuspension.com.

Power Test Incorporated and Taylor Dynamometer have
completed the merger of their two heavy-duty dynamometer and test stand businesses.

Taylor Dynamometer, founded in 1929, develops dynamometers in the heavy-duty diesel engine rebuilding market. Taylor is in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area with its corporate headquarters near Miller Park.

Power Test was founded in 1976 by former Taylor employee John Petelinsek. For nearly five decades, Power Test competed against Taylor in the same markets with engine and chassis dynamometers and hydraulic test stands.

Power Test, located in Sussex, Wisconsin, has also expanded its product offerings into the automotive, performance racing, aerospace, and custom test stand industries.

The combined businesses will employ approximately 160 people, with a majority working in Sussex and 30 in Milwaukee.

“The combined experience of these two companies will allow rapid response to changing industry needs, leverage the manufacturing capabilities, and ensure these niche products are available to the global market for decades to come,” Power Test President Rick Ruzga said.

Taylor Dynamometer VP of Sales and Service Jeff Brown and VP of Engineering Larry Golding will continue to lead the Milwaukee-based facility while reporting to Ruzga. Art Downey, the former owner of Taylor, will continue to collaborate with Power Test CEO Alan Petelinsek.

“It is a dream come true to combine these two businesses and build upon the knowledge gained from interacting and solving power train testing needs of a diverse customer base in more than 150 countries of the world," Petelinsek said, who has been with Power Test since 1981.

Power Test most recently acquired DYNOmite Dynamometer in March 2020 and SuperFlow Technologies in September 2017. Taylor acquired Dyne Systems in February 2016.

For more information visit TaylorDyno.com and PowerTestDyno.com

Dr. Rose Mattioli, the matriarch of the Mattioli family and Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania, passed away at her home surrounded by family on Monday, June 29. She was 92 years old.

Dr. Mattioli and her late husband Dr. Joseph ‘Doc’ Mattioli co-founded Pocono Raceway in 1968, which remains a family-owned-and-operated business headed by Nick Igdalsky, track CEO and grandson of the founders.

“Dr. Rose was the heart and soul of Pocono Raceway for over 50 years. She would often tell us, ‘I love Pocono and auto racing more than Doc,’ and we believed her. While Doc moved the mountains, Rose moved your spirit... She played a vital role in allowing women into auto racing garage areas during an era where they were otherwise unwelcome. Additionally, Dr. Rose and Doc gave back to the community, often anonymously and without hesitation,” a statement from the Mattioli and Igdalsky Families said. “Her passing has motivated us to remain steadfast, now more than ever, to never waiver from Rose and Doc’s commitment of always doing right by our Pocono Raceway family, our fans, our local community, and the auto racing industry. While we will miss her, we take comfort in knowing Rose and Doc are reunited and that their legacy will live on forever.”

In honor of Dr. Mattioli's dedication, commitment, and passion, Pocono Raceway launched its first all-women initiative in 2017. Continuing the Mattioli spirit of community, philanthropy, and service, the Rose Pedals initiative has provided volunteer assistance in areas of need, including Meals on Wheels, the Women’s Resource Center, Family Promise of Monroe County and Operation Touch of Home, and more agencies and organizations.

Services for Dr. Mattioli will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, her family asks for donations to be sent to any charity of the donors’ choosing.

For more information about the Mattioli family, visit the Pocono Raceway website here.

Photo courtesy of Pocono Raceway

Honda Performance Development (HPD) has extended an agreement to continue to be the sole engine supplier for the FIA Formula Regional Americas (FRA) and U.S. F4 Championship series through 2023.

The FRA Championship and F4 US Championship, which offers developing drivers the opportunity to race on an international platform, are powered by HPD-modified versions of the current Honda Civic Type R engine. FRA cars run a turbocharged 303 hp edition, while the F4 series uses a normally aspirated 160 bhp engine.

Both series have recently kicked off their 2020 seasons, with each scheduled to host at least five more events this year. Both will conclude at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, as support events to the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix race weekend on October 23-25.

In related news, Parella Motorsports Holdings (PMH) announced it will take ownership of the commercial promotion for both open wheel series. SCCA Pro Racing will oversee the duties through the end of the season.

For more information, visit the Honda Performance Development website.

Photo courtesy of Honda Performance Development (HPD)