Motovicity Distribution, the performance-focused wholesale distributor, has added Racer’s Choice Inc. (RCI) to its product lineup.

RCI offers high-quality products for all types of racing, maintaining a high safety standard for over 30 years. RCI’s product range includes fuel cells, driver restraints, blankets and engine diapers, seats and seat covers, along with an assortment of accessories ranging from fittings, fast fill and cap assemblies to belt snap-in kits.

RCI’s offers affordable options for fuel cells and racing harnesses without compromising quality or safety factor for customers with tighter budget constraints, according to a Motovicity release.

For more information, visit motovicity.com.

World Racing Group (WRG), owners of the World of Outlaws and Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida, will take over promotional duties for the dirt track after local promoter Tom Whipple announced he will not renew his lease for the 2020 season. Whipple has run the track since June 2018.

“This is a good thing for the Speedway to be run by the company that owns the property, it has been an incredible challenge to keep the track operating during the 10 months that it was operated by a leaseholder, duplicate efforts with equipment and staff and the transition every year have been unproductive and stressful for both parties,” Whipple explained in a Facebook post, according to published reports.

“I will continue to be a part of Volusia Speedway as a racer, a sponsor and as a resource for James and his staff.”

WRG has appointed James Sawyer, a Bunnell resident, as the track manager.

The track previously closed in October 2016 after the current promoter, Wendi Underwood, left the facility, passing the reigns to John Allen in 2017. Whipple joined Allen on the lease in 2018.

Volusia Speedway Park, which has been in operation for over 50 years, was sold by Dick Murphy in 2005 to DIRT Motorsports. DIRT Motorsports was later purchased by WRG.

The 1/2-mile dirt oval hosts the DIRTcar Nationals in February.

“We’re looking ahead not only to the DIRTcar Nationals in February but an exciting year of racing at Volusia with great leadership from within our company managed by a resident of Bunnell who has called Volusia Speedway Park his home track for a long time,” WRG CEO Brian Carter said to The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

For more information, visit volusiaracing.com.

Hendrick Motorsports has announced a line of new track-ready road course cars that are available to the public for purchase.

The Hendrick Motorsports “Track Attack” program, which features inspiration and components from NASCAR, features hand-built cars intended for track day use.

Each car features an all-tube chassis, six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers, an 18-gauge racing fuel cell, a carbon fiber seat, a six-point safety harness, leg boards and knee protection, as well as a state-of-the-art fire suppression system, and more.

The Track Attack builds feature the Chevrolet Performance LSX 454 engine package, an Andrews A431 Transmission, and the Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Spec Rearend Assembly.

Customers may choose from two different body styles, Chevrolet SS or Camaro ZL1.

The Hendrick Motorsports Track Attack website states:
Whether you are a road course veteran or preparing to participate in your first track day event, Hendrick Motorsports Track Attack is here to deliver the kind of bold design, precision thrills and exhilarating performance that can only be experienced behind the wheel of a modern American stock car. With six powertrain combination offerings, there’s a Track Attack car purpose-built for your performance needs.

For more information and to view all the upgrades and options, visit hendrickmotorsportstrackattack.com.

Photo courtesy of Hendrick Motorsports

Together with Energy Manufacturing Ltd. (Energy), Callies Performance Products has announced a new licensing deal with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to manufacture and distribute the 426 Hemi and the 440 Wedge cast iron engine blocks, plus cast iron and cast aluminum cylinder heads.

Energy Manufacturing will produce the cast iron blocks and cylinder heads while Callies, its sister company, will manufacture supporting components and rotating assemblies. Sales and distribution will be based at Callies in Fostoria, Ohio.

“The marketplace hasn’t had real access to this product in over a decade. Now customers will be able to get these blocks consistently through the Callies dealer network with Mopar 426 Hemi and 440 Wedge part numbers for their engine builds,” Callies and Energy Vice President Heath Norton said.

All manufactured parts will carry authentic Mopar part numbers and will be produced from original Mopar molds, cores, and engineering data. Orders will begin to ship in the third quarter of 2020.

For inquiries, builders and racers may contact Callies at 419-435-2711.

For more information, visit callies.com or energymfg.com.

The NMCA Muscle Car Nationals presented by E3 Spark Plugs and Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels have announced a new radial-based program.

The program includes the Street Outlaw category at three national events—Atlanta Dragway, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, and Route 66 Raceway—and a special Radial Rampage shootout at World Wide Technology at Gateway, which will feature the Radial vs. The World and Limited Drag Radial.

“We are thrilled to create the Radial Rampage at World Wide Technology Raceway that will feature Friday evening qualifying and Saturday night eliminations. In addition, Edelbrock Xtreme Street will join the three radial-based eliminators for a complete four-class Radial program,” NMCA Muscle Car Nationals General Manager and National Event Director Rollie Miller said.

Total Venue Concepts will handle the track preparations using VP Racing Fuels Lane Choice materials. All Radial categories are eligible to participate in the NMCA Contingency program, which boasts over $2 million in cash rewards from some of the biggest names in the automotive aftermarket. Additionally, every event winner will walk away with a prestigious Victor trophy and a celebration in the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle.

“Tyler and I are proud to have Limited Drag Radial included in the Mickey Thompson Radial Rampage at NMCA. It will be fun to have these cars in front of their fans and we are looking forward to seeing this happen many more times in the future,” Limited Drag Radial’s Jason Rueckert said.

For more information, visit nmcadigital.com.

Photo courtesy of NMCA

Formula 1 has announced that Sean Bratches will step down from his role as Managing Director of Commercial Operations following three years at the organization. He will leave Formula 1 at the end of January 2020 but will continue to support the business in an advisory role from the US.

Bratches joined Formula 1 as part of Liberty Media’s acquisition of the organization in January 2017.

Over the past three years, Bratches has established a world-class management team and structure that will continue to serve the sport and its fans into the future.

During his tenure, Formula 1 has broadened its sponsor portfolio, improved the reach and scope of the sport’s global media rights, renewed key race promotion agreements, and announced two new races to the Formula 1 calendar. Formula 1’s digital business was also revamped under his leadership. All key metrics including race attendance, television viewership, and digital and social media engagement and usage have increased during his tenure as well.

In addition, he has created and overseen many brand and fan facing initiatives including the renowned Netflix series "Drive to Survive," the hosting of live car runs in major city centers around the world, the establishment Formula 1’s Esports series as well as introduced innovative events such as the “Extreme Innovation Series” in collaboration with M.I.T.

After three years in the role, Bratches has decided to return to the US to be closer to his family and begin his next chapter. Following Bratches’ departure, the majority of his direct reports will report into Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO, Formula 1.

“The past three years at Formula 1 have been an incredible journey, one which I have enjoyed thoroughly. I want to personally thank the team at F1 for their extraordinary efforts and dedication, they are the best of the best and I am confident they will continue to serve fans and deliver on the strategy we have set in the years ahead. I am proud that I leave Formula 1 in a better position than when I joined in 2017 and I know that the foundation we have put in place as a team will continue to serve our fans around the world and reach new audiences,” Bratches said.

For more information, visit formula1.com.

Photo courtesy of Formula 1

DIRTcar Racing and Track Enterprises have announced Illinois’ Lincoln Speedway will host the 2020 DIRTcar Fall Nationals, October 1-3.

The three-day dirt track racing event decides the year’s champions for each of the major divisions under the DIRTcar banner, headlined by the Super Late Models and joined by UMP Modifieds, Pro Late Models, Pro Modifieds, stock cars, and Sport Compacts.

“Fall Nationals is one of the most highly anticipated postseason events that features the great racing, parties, fellowships, and memory-making that DIRTcar fans and competitors have come to know and love,” DIRTcar Director Sam Driggers said. “The Logan County Fairgrounds now loans itself to an exciting weekend of the best dirt track racing found in the Midwest, and we couldn’t be happier to now crown our champions at Lincoln.”

“We’re really excited for the Fall Nationals at Lincoln Speedway,” said Track Enterprises Operations Manager Adam Mackey. “I think it will be a great event, being centrally located in DIRTcar country. We plan to make it a great signature event for Lincoln Speedway.”

Purse information, tire rules, and competitor notes will be released at a later date.

For more information, visit dirtcar.com.

F1 has confirmed W Series, the single-seater championship for female drivers, will join the schedule for the 2020 United States Grand Prix race weekend at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) October 23-25.

The race will represent the final round of the eight-round series, which had its inaugural season in 2019. This will be the first time the W Series has been added as support at an F1 race, sparking interest in a potential future return of female competitors in Formula 1 for the first time since Lella Lombardi participated in the Austrian Grand Prix in 1976.

“The ability for the great crowds who traditionally attend the United States Grand Prix to see these talented female drivers up close will definitely further raise the awareness of the importance of inclusion and diversity in motorsport," F1 Managing Director, Motorsport Ross Brawn said.

In related news, W Series officials have signed Alex Jacques as the lead commentator for 2020.

For more information, visit wseries.com.

The POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget League will venture to 10 venues throughout 27 racing dates ranging from late-March to mid-October in 2020.

Remaining true to the traditions of previous seasons, the POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget League will join forces with the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets for 17 events.

Opening the season with four straight days of midget action is the seventh annual Turnpike Challenge, which begins at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Oklahoma on March 26. A two-day stop will take place at Oklahoma City’s I-44 Speedway on March 27-28, followed by a visit to Port City Raceway in Tulsa on March 29.

Concluding the season will be the Season Championship/Fall Fling will be at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa on October 16-17. Featuring multiple POWRi League racing including POWRi WAR and POWRi Micros, the POWRi Lucas Oil National and West Midgets will headline the stacked season-ending show.

For the complete 2020 schedule and for more information, visit powri.com.

BAPS Motor Speedway Owner Scott Gobrecht and General Manager Kolten Gouse have announced the new Super Sportsman rental program, titled “Laps at BAPS,” which allows drivers to rent a Super Sportsman build for an entire practice night.

The announcement comes as many dirt tracks across the country try to increase participation in weekly divisions.

“We often hear about drivers wanting to get behind the wheel of a car in another division before they purchase one,” Gouse said. “Unfortunately, there really isn’t something like that out there for drivers looking to move up.

“Not only do we offer practice nights throughout the season at BAPS Motor Speedway, we can now offer drivers a chance to get in an open-wheel car and see if they like it.

The program is only for Wednesday practice sessions at the track, and there are 17 available dates on the 2020 schedule.

A seat in a Super Sportsman car is $750, plus a refundable $750 deposit. The cars will feature parts from Winters Performance Products, ACP Headers, TQ Fiberglass, and Wilwood Brakes, among others.

The first practice session is on March 7. There will be three more sessions to kick off the season on March 11, March 14, and March 18. Other dates include April 8 and April 22, May 6 and May 27, June 24, July 8 and July 22, Aug. 26, and Sept. 2 and Sept. 30. There will be three dates to close out the season on Oct. 7, Oct. 15, and Oct. 21.

For more information, visit bapsmotorspeedway.com.