Brake Parts Inc (BPI) has promoted Paul Oleandi to the position of sales director of national and key accounts, as announced by BPI Vice President Jake Wegner.

“Paul is dedicated to the mutual success of BPI and its customers, an important asset for any sales team. His ability to manage and nurture client relationships will now be employed on a national scale for the Raybestos and Maval product channels,” Wegner said.

In his new role at BPI, Oleandi will be responsible for business development for the Raybestos and Maval brands for assigned key accounts across the US.

Oleandi joined BPI in 2015, serving in a variety of roles, including director of sales and business development manager. A member of the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), Oleandi has 17 years of experience in the auto care industry.

For more information, visit brakepartsinc.com.

Speedway Children's Charities (SCC), the nonprofit organization, has announced two new promotions. Lisa Starnes, previously the director of Speedway Children's Charities' Charlotte chapter, will assume the role of the nonprofit's national executive director. Kelly Watts, previously the manager of business development for Speedway Motorsports, will succeed Starnes as director of the Charlotte chapter.

"Speedway Children's Charities is devoted to helping children in need," Speedway Motorsports Chief Experience Officer Jessica Fickenscher said. "Giving Lisa and Kelly these new opportunities perfectly positions Speedway Children's Charities to provide a more wide-ranging, positive effect on children both in the Charlotte community and the country at large."

In her new role, Starnes will manage and oversee the efforts of the Speedway Children's Charities chapters at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.

Starnes joined Speedway Children's Charities as the Charlotte chapter's director in October of 2012 after a successful 20-year career in the telecommunications field.

In her new role, Watts will be responsible for developing fundraising strategies, identifying and cultivating potential donors, and providing resources and services for individuals in need in the Charlotte community.

Since its founding in 1982 by the O. Bruton Smith family, SCC has awarded in excess of $58.3 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the nation.

For more information, visit speedwaycharities.org.

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced that Xtreme Raceway Park, in Ferris, Texas has entered into a multi-year sanctioning agreement. The track, which opened in 2018, is owned by Clyde and Amanda Scott and operated by Gaylen and Celeste Smith.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex-based facility was named the IHRA Division 4 (Renegades) Track of the Year in 2019.

Recent innovations include the construction of “Bull Pens” built on raised platforms behind the starting line. The viewing areas are under a 40’ x 40’ covered pavilion with picnic tables and commercial fans to provide a unique perspective and to add protection from Texas heat.

“Track owners Clyde and Amanda Scott and track operators Gaylen and Celeste Smith continue to provide racers with a first-class experience at Xtreme Raceway Park,” IHRA Division Director Frank Kohutek said. “Their emphasis on going above and beyond for the racers makes the International Hot Rod Association proud to have Xtreme as a member track.”

For more information about Xtreme Raceway park visit xtremeracewaypark.com.

Photo courtesy of IHRA

Race Winning Brands (RWB), Inc., a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, LLC has announced the acquisition of Manley Performance Products, the manufacturer of high-performance pistons, connecting rods, crankshafts, and valvetrain components.

“We are excited to join the Race Winning Brands team and partner with a group that leads the racing industry in technology, manufacturing, and innovation,” Manley Performance President Trip Manley said in a release. “Our mission remains the same: to manufacture the finest quality internal engine components at competitive prices and offer unparalleled customer service.”

Manley Performance, originally founded by Hank Manley in 1966 as Manley Speed Equipment, has had relationships with industry drag racing legends such as Don Garlits, Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, and “Jungle Jim” Liberman, according to a press release. In addition, the company earned accolades and involvement with OEM manufacturers such as Ford, where Manley exclusively supplied connecting rods for the 2003/2004 Ford SVT (Special Vehicles Team) Mustang Cobra.

“Our goal at RWB is to lead racers to victory, and we do that by aligning with companies that are the best at what they do,” RWB President Bob Bruegging said. “Manley is a natural fit within our organization and this partnership is a tremendous opportunity to further grow our performance product lines.”

Race Winning Brands (RWB) offers high-end pistons, engine blocks, cylinder heads, intake manifolds, connecting rods, crankshafts, clutches and other engine and driveline-related performance components through its banner of brands including JE Pistons, Wiseco Performance Products, K1 Technologies, Diamond Pistons, Trend Performance, Rekluse Motor Sports, MGP Connecting Rods, ProX Racing Parts, and Dart Machinery.

For more information, visit racewinningbrands.com, manleyperformance.com, and kinderhook.com.

Sebring International Raceway in Highlands County, Florida, has announced the addition of four industry legends to its Hall of Fame roster.

The legendary Lyn St. James and Janet Guthrie lead a class of four inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame this year. Dick Barbour Racing—the winner of three-consecutive 12 Hours of Sebring races—and the late Bruce McLaren round out the inductees who will be honored the night before the 68th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts on Friday, March 20.

The 2020 Sebring Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which is set for 7:30 - 10 p.m. at the Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel, is open to the public with tickets priced at $150.

For more information, visit the Sebring Int’l Raceway website here.



 

VP Racing Fuels, Inc.—the provider of performance fuels, lubricants, and additives—has appointed Race-Art SA as a distributor in South Africa for its race and consumer products.

Race-Art SA offers automotive products such as turbos, nitrous oxide systems, fuel management systems, plug and play components, race gear, accessories, and styling components. The Race-Art manufacturing division also offers a state of the art facility, equipped with the latest in 3D printing, laser cutting, and 3D CNC machinery.

“Demand in South Africa is growing steadily and we are receiving weekly requests for more local options for purchasing our products,” VP Racing Fuels International Sales Manager Eric Bishop said. “The appointment of Race-Art greatly expands our ability to serve and grow our customer base in South Africa while also providing access to marketing opportunities outside the region.”

In related news, VP Racing Fuels has announced a strategic business relationship with Meyer Distributing to provide distribution of VP’s packaged consumer products to its full network of branded gas stations, fast lubes, car washes and marinas.

“We understand the dynamics of retail station supply logistics and are committed to low minimum order quantities, low delivery fees, and 1-2 day deliveries for most locations,” Meyer Distributing VP of Sales and Marketing Nicholas Gramelspacher said. “Meyer has the full staff available to service VP’s branded retail accounts with a variety of tools to meet each station’s needs, including a free B2B online portal and mobile app.”

For more information, visit vpracingfuels.com.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum’s Spring 2020 Distinguished Speaker Series will showcase some of the most popular and compelling personalities in INDYCAR racing.

Attendees will be able to hear from compelling legends and enjoy a Q&A session and autograph opportunity.

Tickets are $60 per event for IMS Museum members and $75 for non-members. A special offer of $150 for all three events for IMS Museum members is also available through March 3.
 
Hometown heroes Ed Carpenter and Conor Daly, Canadian driving star and global inspiration Robert Wickens (along with IMS President J. Douglas Boles as guest emcee), and the legendary Johnny Rutherford will headline three Distinguished Speaker Series evening events at the IMS Museum on the following dates:

For more information, visit indyracingmuseum.org.

Officials from Sports Park Raceway have announced a new promoter for the 2020 season and beyond.

The 1/2-mile semi-banked dirt oval in Fort Dodge, Iowa, will be promoted by Andy Jones. Jones previously raced in Econo Stocks, Hobby Stocks and B-Mods from 1999 to 2008, and returned the USRA stock car racing scene last year.

“We are committed to making this a long-term relationship and building a family-oriented entertainment facility with a fun atmosphere,” said Jones, who is also the owner of Jones Rock & Dirt in Webster City. “Our number one goal is for our racers, fans, sponsors, and employees to have fun. We plan to meet that goal and then some.”

Jones signed an agreement for him and his team to manage the weekly operations of the facility through the end of 2024.

“Just a few of the items we have already begun planning for include bringing in new dirt, which is desperately needed now,” Jones said. “That will happen before the next race car hits the surface, as well as the installation of a MyLaps transponder system.

“We have put together a to-do list in order of importance and will address the issues as they need to happen and as soon as we can get them done. I’ve been pretty humbled by the tons of community and racer support for our decision to take on the operations of the facility. I am honestly amazed [by] the number of people who have offered to help.”

Improved water supply is also on the short-term list of upgrades, along with reconfiguring the track, VIP booths for sponsors and local businesses, expanding the pit area, updating the grandstands, adding camper hook-ups and more.

The track will feature Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series classes, including Modifieds (alternative rules), stock cars, B-Mods, Hobby Stocks, and Tuners. Special events featuring other classes, an enduro, a demo derby, trailer races, ATV/UTV races and more may also be scheduled.

For more information, visit sportsparkraceway.com.

Photo courtesy of Sports Park Raceway

Jasper Engines & Transmissions, the remanufacturer of drivetrain components based in Jasper, Indiana, has announced a partnership with Find A Wrench (FAW) to offer tools and services for independent shop owners and dealerships struggling to find technicians, service advisors, and service managers.

FAW works with independent shops and businesses across the country to help them find top talent and develop strategies to retain technicians.

“Our goal at JASPER is to find added value that we can bring to the aftermarket,” JASPER Vice President of Sales Joe McDonald said. “Recruiting the right technician continues to be a big issue in our industry. Find A Wrench has brought a professional approach to recruiting talent, and something the JASPER Brand can stand behind.

“We’re excited to offer our loyal customer base another tool to help them thrive in today’s competitive environment.”

The joint program, called FAW 4-Speed Recruiting, will help with technician recruiting through job boards, social recruiting, personalized outreach, and applicant management.

“Finding technicians to hire in this market is no easy task,” Find A Wrench President Jay Goninen said. “JASPER understands this challenge and wants to find a way to help keep their customers’ shops fully staffed. At Find A Wrench, we can help their shops do just that.

“Jasper Engines & Transmissions is a top name in the aftermarket, and we’re proud to be associated with them,” Goninen added. “We couldn’t be more excited and honored to work with JASPER as a preferred partner for their customers’ shops.”

For more information, visit jasperengines.com.

The full line of spark plugs, coils, wire sets, and technical sensors from NGK Spark Plugs USA and NTK are now available through Turn 14 Distribution.

“We are excited to offer NGK’s full assortment of spark plugs, wire sets, and coils, along with NTK’s sensor line in our distribution centers. The company is the largest supplier of spark plugs and oxygen sensors for domestic and imported vehicles,” Turn 14 Distribution Divisional Purchasing Manager Mike Malloy said in a written release.

“Previously, we offered the NGK spark plug line, and have now added support for the rest of the company’s products. The company’s history at the forefront of developing the latest automotive technologies and supporting them with high-quality replacement parts has placed it in high demand with our customers.”

For more information, visit ngkntk.com and turn14.com.