Mast Motorsports has announced the acquisition of Magnitude Performance. Jason Youd, the founder of Magnitude Performance, will be named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mast Motorsports.

Mast Motorsports offers motorsports products and solutions for Late Model engine performance. Magnitude Performance is a specialized product company that focuses on highly technical products and services for the motorsports and aftermarket industry.

As part of the Mast Technologies group, Mast Motorsports and Magnitude Performance will continue advanced development for motorsports products and technologies.

Youd will manage all aspects of Mast Motorsports and will support Mast Powertrain as Managing Director.

“We are extremely excited to add Magnitude Performance to our portfolio; it significantly improves our product and parts offering to our customers. Having Jason on board with this acquisition brings strong leadership and market experience required to grow and service our customers,” Mast Motorsports' Horace Mast said.

For more information, visit magnitudeperformance.com and mastmotorsports.com.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about community. Not as it relates to my Southern California neighbors, but rather what it means to be part of a community, and why it’s so important, especially now.

Belonging to a group of like-minded individuals—whether personally or professionally—is beneficial on so many levels. It provides us with knowledge, and inspiration, and support, and resources. It exposes us to new ideas, new viewpoints, and allows us to evolve and adapt to new situations.

It also keeps us grounded, and safe, and often prevents us from feeling anxious, isolated, or alone. In short, it helps us stay sane, relatively speaking.

Community is vital. And in challenging times like these it is one of the most important tools we have in our shed.

Here at PRI we’re honored to serve the greatest community I’ve ever known. Motorsports professionals—you manufacturers, distributors, engine builders, fabricators, jobbers, racers and more—are passionate and creative, tireless and driven. You’re competitive as hell, but at the same time generous and bighearted.

In recent weeks we’ve all been instructed to practice “social distancing” in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. For a tight-knit industry that thrives on human connection, that’s a tough ask. Partnerships in our world are still forged with a handshake; many of today’s speed shop customers are walk-ins; Saturday night races bring competitors and fans into close confines. The list goes on.

But despite stay-at-home orders that separate us physically, we can still stay connected. And that’s one of our top priorities as we navigate these choppy waters—to keep you all informed of the latest developments as they unfold, both at PRI and industrywide.

We take our mission—to build, promote, and protect the racing community—very much to heart. And we stand here at the ready, prepared to be of service in any way we can.

First, we have launched a dedicated website at performanceracing.com/corona-updates that provides news and information related to the current pandemic, as well as messages from PRI leadership, and business resources and assistance offered by PRI, and through local, state, and federal offices.

We encourage you to visit this site regularly, as it will be updated often and in real-time.

In addition, we will continue to reach out on important dates and benchmarks ahead of the annual PRI Trade Show, which takes place December 10–12 in Indianapolis. As we’ve noted many times over, this is your Show. You are the engine that powers it and the fuel that makes it run. Come December, buyers will once again fill the Indiana Convention Center to conduct business and prep for success in 2021. And we look forward to seeing you there.

Show information will be conveyed, as always, through emails and announcements in our weekly eNewsletter, as well as in the pages of PRI Magazine, on our website (performanceracing.com), and throughout our social platforms on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

In fact, social media may very well be our common denominator at this point in time. It allows us to deliver information, to start conversations, and to share inspiring stories of how motorsports businesses are charting a path forward through determination, ingenuity, and innovation. So please check in with us, let us know how you’re doing, ask us questions—we’re here to help in any way we can. And that includes keeping you connected to this dynamic racing community.

Stay healthy and safe.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES announced several calendar updates following the cancellation of the Detroit Grand Prix due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two previously scheduled events will become doubleheaders along with the addition of a third weekend of racing at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

With these additions, there are 15 races on the 2020 INDYCAR calendar, an increase of one event from the 14 races announced March 26.

“We’re committed to bringing fans as much on-track action as possible,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “Our updated schedule features additional racing at fan-favorite venues and adds to the total number of events on our calendar. The COVID-19 situation continues to be dynamic and challenging for everyone, so we have developed contingency plans which will allow us to respond to changing conditions. Our goal is to preserve as much racing competition as possible while prioritizing the health and safety of our participants and spectators.”

INDYCAR’s established events at Iowa Speedway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will become doubleheaders. The Iowa 300 event weekend will add a race Friday, July 17, along with the previously scheduled race Saturday, July 18. The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey event weekend will now feature a race Saturday, Sept. 19, in addition to the previously scheduled race Sunday, Sept. 20.

Race fans also will be treated to a third INDYCAR event at the Racing Capital of the World, with the INDYCAR Harvest GP on the IMS road course taking place Saturday, Oct. 3. This event is in addition to the GMR Grand Prix, already scheduled for Saturday, July 4, and the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, Aug. 23.

“Like our fans, we’re disappointed we won’t be racing in Detroit this year,” Miles said. “However, we’re excited to return to Belle Isle in 2021 and know we’ll put on a great show for everyone when we do. We also appreciate the flexibility and support of our event promoters at Iowa Speedway and Laguna Seca, who have enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to host doubleheaders.”

An updated listing of green flag times and an NBC Sports broadcast schedule will be announced in the future.

For the updated 2020 NTT INDYCAR Series schedule, visit here and indycar.com.

SEMA Garage will be assisting Stratasys by providing 3D printed visors, which will attach to face shields and support those who are working in healthcare facilities.

“We may not have large-quantity output capabilities, but we’re glad to assist in any way possible and be a part of this initiative. Collectively, we can make a difference,” said SEMA Garage Engineer Luis Morales, who is leading the project.

SEMA Garage will use both 3D printers in its Diamond Bar, California facility to help as much as possible. The garage hopes to produce about 280 visors within the week following its April 2 announcement.

“Throughout the year, our association is dedicated to serving its members, many who are affected by this situation,” Morales said. “We are glad to use our tools and equipment to benefit the initiative of producing 3D printed face shields to assist medical facilities in stabilizing this pandemic. It’s a different way to continue to serve our members, as well as the overall community.”

Stratasys has designed and publicly shared the CAD model of its visor in hopes that manufacturers and service providers worldwide respond to the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the company helped deliver 5,000 face shields to critical need areas, according to a release.

Stratasys Healthcare Segment Leader Scott Drikakis, who is directing the company’s COVID-19 response in the Americas, relayed that the movement has helped over 30 health systems, covering hospitals, clinics, academic medical centers, and nursing homes.

Since the initial delivery, Stratasys has received requests for over 350,000 face shields. During that time, over 150 organizations have joined the company in producing shields.

“I have never seen collaboration across our industry the way I’ve been seeing it over the last couple weeks,” said Drikakis. The coalition is aiming to supplement another 11,000 face shields by next week and 16,000 the following week as more organizations continue to help.

Additional suppliers are encouraged to join the initiative. For more information on how to help, visit go.stratasys.com/lp-face-shield.html. If you can provide 3D printed visors and/or protective shields, or if you are in need of any of those items, visit go.stratasys.com/lp-stratasys-helps.html.

For more information, visit sema.org.

An article that appeared in the April 2020 print edition of PRI Magazine titled “Saldana Racing Products Acquires Oil Tank Business” contained inaccurate information. In fact, it is Saldana Racing, owned by Joey Saldana, that acquired the Godfrey Autosport/Spike Oil Tank division.

Saldana Racing Products is a completely separate business that has been owned by Keith Wagoner since 1994. To clarify further, in June 2019 Saldana Racing Products’ radiator, dry sump oil tank, valve cover, and wheel wrench divisions were sold to sister company Power Cool Systems, Inc., and are available at powercoolsystems.com. Saldana Racing Products is fully operational and continuing to sell open wheel fuel tanks, fuel bladders, and accessories; of particular note, the company recently started production on a new 30-gallon sprint tail tank.

PRI deeply regrets the error.

Racing Point has confirmed Aston Martin's return to the Formula 1 grid.

The Racing Point team, which is owned by Lawrence Stroll and will be rebranded in 2021, announced in a press release that the shareholders of Aston Martin Lagonda approved a fundraising of 536 million pounds ($664 million) on Monday, underpinned by an injection of 260 million pounds ($322 million) from investors led by Stroll.

The move makes Stroll the executive chairman of Aston Martin, which will field its own F1 team for the first time in 60 years. The team will continue to operate from its Silverstone base.

“A brand with the pedigree and history of Aston Martin needs to be competing at the highest level of motorsport. I think it’s the most exciting thing that’s happened in recent memory in Formula 1 and it’s incredibly exciting for all stakeholders in the sport, especially the fans. I can’t think of a better name for a Formula 1 team," Stroll said.

Speaking to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and how it will affect plans for 2021, Stroll stated "Of course, as racers, we are all very frustrated not to be competing, but we all understand the bigger picture in this global fight and so we stay at home. The team is also supporting Project Pitlane to help accelerate the production of ventilators. In the meantime, we can rely on video conferences to keep our plans for 2020 and 2021 moving forward. I am committed to Formula 1 with a long-term vision and this is just a temporary pause in the journey.”

For more information, visit racingpointf1.com.

Understanding that automotive aftermarket businesses will need to speak differently to their customers during the COVID-19 event, The AAM Group has added a special series of social media options to its ReadyPosts service that speaks directly to consumers about the pandemic in the context of the aftermarket industry.

ReadyPosts is a free library of social media content written by The AAM Group that resellers can utilize in their own digital marketing.

These new posts cover several topics that relate to the products and services, including the following:

·         Their stores are still open
·         The availability of private appointments and free in-store pickup
·         Teaching home-bound children about the joy of automobiles
·         Discovering the freedom in getting away from it all in a vehicle
·         Enjoying social distancing by driving to remote locations
·         Tackling that garage project you’ve been putting off
·         And many more

For more information, visit theaamgroup.com.

The federal government wants to help companies keep their workers on the payroll, as reported by the SEMA Washington, D.C. staff. Under a recently enacted federal law, small businesses may file a “Paycheck Protection Loan” application with local participating banks. These are forgivable loans.

The interest rate is 1.0% on a two-year loan backed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and the US Department of the Treasury.

Companies may borrow 250% of their business’ monthly payroll up to $10 million to cover payroll, rent, and other expenses. In turn, the SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities for a period of eight weeks if a small business retains its employees and payroll levels.

Since there is a program funding cap, businesses in need are encouraged to contact banks, get the necessary paperwork in order, and file an application as soon as possible.

Visit the SBA website here for more information.

For more resources to address Coronavirus, visit performanceracing.com/corona-updates.

Alex Job Racing (AJR), known best for over 70 sports car victories, has transitioned its competition business to AJR Restorations.

Theo Ruijgh and Ken Davison have taken ownership of the company and will focus on restorations.

"Since we stopped racing three years ago, we have kept the shop and a group of dedicated employees led by Ken Davison working on restoring historic Porsche race cars," Alex Job said. "We wanted to find a way to keep that aspect of the business going and thanks to Theo Ruijgh, that will happen. Theo, along with Ken, has taken ownership to keep the restoration business working as AJR Restorations. I will no longer be involved in the day-to-day operation, I will keep my office at the shop, but will also be traveling the US visiting race tracks and helping to keep the shop busy."

Ruijgh is a vintage Porsche racer and is also the president of TRI Aviation, which specializes in servicing the T56 military engine that powers the C-130 military airplane.

"I am proud to carry on the legacy of quality craftsmanship with Ken that Alex and [his wife] Holly have built up over the years," Ruijgh said. "We have a full-service shop here in Tavares that has the ability and passion to restore race cars to better than new condition. AJR Restorations is committed to keeping the past alive with the same attention to detail that amassed those 70 sports car wins."

AJR got its start in a two-car garage in 1988 when Job and his wife Holly decided to join sports car competition.

From Daytona to Le Mans and to the team's home track in Sebring, the privateer effort grew to a full factory Porsche team, from GTU to Daytona Prototype. Alex Job Racing evolved through the years to achieve over 70 professional sports car wins, including two Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona class wins (1999, 2013),  two Le Mans class wins (2003, 2005), and the 10 Sebring 12 hour class wins (95, 99, 01, 02, 03, 04, 10, 12, 13, and 15). In addition, the team swept the GTC podium, first through third, in 2010. AJR was also inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame in 2016.  

For more information, visit ajrrestorations.com.

NASCAR officials announced Thursday that the planned 2021 debut of the Next Gen car has been delayed until 2022.

“Due to challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic, the debut of the Next Gen car will be delayed until 2022,” NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Innovation John Probst said. “The decision was made in collaboration with the OEMs and team owners. We will continue to develop the Next Gen car, and a revised testing timeline will be shared when more information is available.”

NASCAR Cup Series drivers had been testing the Next Gen model at a variety of tracks since October 2019, prepping for its initial planned debut at the 2021 Daytona 500.

Earlier this year, NASCAR announced the Next Gen prototype’s new features include 18-inch, single center-locking lug wheels designed by German wheel manufacturer BBS.

Other features include a new body design, a shorter rear spoiler, a raised splitter and larger brakes, giving the Next Gen model a closer correlation between a highway-going consumer vehicle and its NASCAR counterpart, a move that also means increased brand identity.

For more information, visit nascar.com.

Photo of the Next Gen car test at Fontana courtesy of NASCAR