Hurco Companies, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, has anounced it is partnering with BMO Automation in order to better help manufacturers increase productivity and profitability.

“Our customers tell us that ‘finding qualified machinists’ is the primary impediment to their company’s growth,” said Paul Gray, Hurco vice president of R&D and Product Development. “The formation of this preferred partnership with BMO is another way we can help our customers identify meaningful technologies and automation packages to solve the problems they face on a daily basis.”

According to Hurco, the partnership with BMO Automation provides customers with a tested automation solution that requires minimal integration, and provides them peace of mind that the BMO Automation packages will immediately increase productivity without disruption.

BMO Automation, based in the Netherlands, has been engaged in automation and digitization of the machining industry since 2008. Its focus is on high-mix/high volume production to help manufacturers deal with the current skills gap and labor shortage, and increase productivity of their CNC machines, according to the company.

“We are excited to partner with Hurco to bring automation to their customers. The BMO Automation engineers collaborated extensively with the Hurco engineering team to ensure customers experience a seamless integration with the interactive operation of the robot and CNC machine. Our goal is to ensure customers are up and running as soon as it hits their floor,” said Frank Biemans, managing director of BMO Automation.

Hurco is exhibiting at PRI 2019 in booth #5449.

Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett of Don Schumacher Racing has joined the panel for PRI Education's 4th annual Opportunities for Women in Motorsports seminar at the 2019 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Also appearing on stage will be drag racer Alex Taylor of Alex Taylor Racing, drag racer Lea Ochs of The Lead Sled, and off-road racers Sarah Burgess and daughter Bridget Burgess of BMI Racing. Jeanette DesJardins of Car Chix and Crank It Media will moderate this exclusive session, which takes place from 8-9 a.m. on Friday, December 13, in Room 231 of the Indiana Convention Center, site of the 32nd annual PRI Show.

Led by DesJardins, panelists will discuss challenges, triumphs, lessons learned on and off the track, and opportunities for women interested in pursuing a career in racing. Attendees will also better understand how to market to, engage with, and raise awareness among young women in the world of motorsports. In addition to the panel discussion, time will be set aside for audience Q&A.

This year’s PRI-sponsored seminars are presented free of charge for all registered Show attendees and exhibitors.

For more information, visit prishow.com/education.

Babcox Media Inc., whose brands include PRI Show exhibitor Engine Builder Magazine, has appointed Greg Cira (pictured above, left) as its new president.

Cira, a 27-year veteran of the company, joined Babcox Media in 1992 and has held a variety of roles including group publisher, chief financial officer and vice president, with responsibility for general operations, finance, acquisitions, revenue and product strategy. In his new role, he’ll oversee all business operations.

Additionally, Mike Maleski (pictured above, right) has been promoted to executive vice president.  

Joining the company in 2016, Maleski worked within the automotive service business division before assuming the role of group publisher – customer solutions. With his new appointment, he’ll remain focused on the development of multi-media solutions to serve the needs of Babcox clients.

Bill Babcox will remain CEO and chairman of the board of Babcox Media.

Engine Builder is exhibiting at PRI 2019 in booth #5110.

81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas, recently announced that FOE Enterprises LLC has purchased the 65-year-old track.

The new owners told local KSN-TV they plan to make 81 Speedway a family destination that includes improvements like new stadium seating, among other enhancements.

KSN-TV reported that FOE Enterprises LLC plans to reveal building plans and a new logo on December 18.

“Just continuing the tradition of auto racing here in Wichita,” John Allen of 81 Speedway told KSN-TV. “It’s been really strong here for a long time and I just want to keep that and continue it, grow it and try to bring in outside spectators and competitors and bring them here to Park City.”

For more information, visit race81speedway.com.

The design of a new international road race circuit - Arizona International Raceway @ Attesa - has been finalized and site plans submitted to Pinal County, Arizona, officials to begin the permitting process. Construction of the new track will begin immediately upon county approvals.

Attesa is a proposed master-planned motorsports, entertainment and advanced technology research community located 43 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

"The Phase 1 pro track will be 16 turns and 2.65 miles long,” said Dan Erickson, Managing Partner of construction firm Danrick Builders, “built to Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) standards with multiple configurations and significant elevation changes. Phase 2 will expand the pro circuit to 4.25 miles and add a high-performance driving school and skid pad, closed-course off-road track, plus testing facilities for manufacturers, racing teams and aftermarket suppliers.”

“Arizona International Raceway @ Attesa will also have a membership club including clubhouse, private garages, residential opportunities, an RV park and more.” he added. “When finished, AIR will have three different circuits, all able to be used at the same time, each able to be raced in both directions. This is important as there are half dozen amateur Arizona sports car and motorcycle racing organizations that need a permanent home track.”

“The racers demand options and different track layouts.  We’re going to deliver.” Said Erickson. “And we’ll be the only other track besides ISM Raceway, a NASCAR oval, that is permanently zoned for racing. Our club members and guests will have no worries about sound restrictions, hours of operation or losing an investment due to a cancelled use permit. ”

England’s Apex Circuit Design Ltd is responsible for the new complex at Attesa.

“AIR @ Attesa will be our first internationally-sanctioned road racing circuit in America,” said Dafydd Broom, design director of Apex Circuit Design. “This facility in Arizona is one of our most exciting projects as we’ve refined the track significantly since we began work with Attesa four years ago. Our final design, we believe, will truly be world class and fan entertaining, and attractive to the fastest series in open wheel, prototype, motorcycle and saloon racing.”

For more information, visit attesa.com.

Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) has announced the team will once against host the popular “This Is How We Roll” bowling event to benefit Riley Children’s Foundation on Wednesday, December 11.

DSR has enjoyed a long history with Riley Hospital for Children, and the annual bowling event is one of DSR’s two primary fundraisers for the local children’s hospital. Drag racing’s largest team has raised more than $690,000 for Riley since 2005 and is eager to break the $700,000 mark at this year’s event.

The public is invited to bowl and mingle with NHRA and IndyCar stars, including DSR’s complete lineup of drivers and more.

The event will take place at the Royal Pin Western Bowl (6441 W. Washington St., Indianapolis). It is open to the public, and 100% of the proceeds will benefit Riley Children’s Foundation. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the opening ceremonies starting at 7:00 p.m. Lanes can be reserved by contacting Kassandra Pawuk (pawukk@shoeracing.com) or via the online link here. Admission for non-bowlers is $20 at the door.

DSR’s star-studded roster of drivers has also been selected to be the featured guests at the PRI Trade Show Grand Opening Breakfast on Thursday, December 12.

Don Schumacher, Jack Beckman, Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Tommy Johnson Jr., Leah Pritchett, and Tony Schumacher will join noted motorsports broadcaster Ralph Sheheen on-stage for a live talk-show style panel in front of more than 3,000 industry professionals. The event is available to all PRI attendees, free of charge, and will be held at the Sagamore Ballroom in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Doors open at 7:00 a.m.

For more information, visit pri2019.com or shoeracing.com.

Dayco has announced that Michael Weiss has joined the company as President, Powertrain Operations, reporting directly to Dayco’s Chief Executive Officer Joel Wiegert.

“We are very pleased to have such a highly regarded industry executive join Dayco to deliver profitable growth of our powertrain segment,” Wiegert said. “Michael’s track record of driving operational efficiency and successfully bringing new products into production fit perfectly with the significant opportunities Dayco is capitalizing on in the rapid growth hybrid electric vehicle segment.”

Weiss previously served as the Vice President & General Manager of Schaeffler Group’s Thermal Management & Water Pump Bearings Division, responsible for 13 manufacturing and R&D centers throughout China, Korea, Mexico, Brazil, India, and Europe. Prior, he was Managing Director of Atesto, based in Japan, working extensively with Toyota and Honda.

“I’m delighted to join Dayco and be able to lead the powertrain team. The business has a great reputation within the industry, so it’s fantastic to be part of delivering its future growth,” Weiss said.

Weiss earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering from Munich University of Applied Sciences and a master of business administration degree from Georg-Simon-OHM Management Institute and is fluent in German, English, and French.

For more information, visit dayco.com. Visit Dayco at PRI 2019 at Booth #1015 in the Green Hall.

BILSTEIN Motorsports has announced an addition of BILSTEIN University with Kevin Rumley to its Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Booth #2001 in the Green Hall.

During the PRI Show—which will be held Dec. 12-14 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis—racers, crew members, and competitors can visit open Q&A sessions and technical seminars hosted by BILSTEIN and Engineer Kevin Rumley, a shock tuning, chassis development and data acquisition expert who will discuss topics such as shock loading, data logging, and chassis set up.

BILSTEIN University is designed to demonstrate the user-friendly benefits of BILSTEIN’s products to race teams and customers, and educate how technical shock and setup knowledge may help give them a competitive edge.

BILSTEIN University with race engineer Kevin Rumley allows attendees to, according to a company release:
    •    Get hands-on with BILSTEIN shock-building tools, pistons and accessories.
    •    Hear brief technical lectures on pertinent topics for your racing program.
    •    Attend Question and Answer sessions with industry experts.
    •    Learn how easy BILSTEIN shocks are to work on and how quickly they can be built.

Those interested in attending tech talk sessions with Rumley should visit the BILSTEIN booth #2001 each day at 11 a.m. Q&A sessions will be held throughout the show.

In addition to BILSTEIN University, BILSTEIN Motorsports will also welcome its newest team member, Tim “T-Mac” McCreadie. McCreadie will be displaying his new dirt track Lucas Oil Late Model in the booth. Information will also be available on the company’s product offerings, including motorsport-derived muscle car dampers, a selection of AS2-R modular systems, and new SMX Series applications.

For more information, visit here. To register for PRI 2019, visit pri2019.com.

Set to kick off its annual industry-only Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, Performance Racing Industry (PRI) has announced that it will live broadcast the Grand Opening Breakfast via the company’s Facebook feed. Starting at 7:45 a.m. EST on Thursday, December 12, the broadcast can be viewed at facebook.com/performanceracing.

This is a unique opportunity for motorsports professionals and enthusiasts alike to view the opening breakfast, which will feature a Q&A panel with Don Schumacher and the DSR team. Hosted by SPEED SPORT’s Ralph Sheheen, the event expects an audience of 3,000 attendees in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center. PRI General Manager Bill Miller will open the breakfast with remarks on the newly released PRI Mission Statement.

Racing industry media and businesses can live stream the opening breakfast directly from your Facebook pages as well, through crossposting.

Contact PRI Marketing Manager Jon Shakill at jons@performanceracing.com for simple instructions on how you can stream the breakfast live directly from your business Facebook page.

For more information on the PRI Grand Opening Breakfast with the DSR team, visit here. To register for the 2019 PRI Trade Show, visit pri2019.com.

View the breakfast live on Thursday morning by logging on to PRI’s Facebook feed, facebook.com/performanceracing.

Holley has announced Roger Conley has joined Holley as its new Motorsports Sales Manager. Conley brings over three decades of motorsports experience with work that includes product development, sales, technical support, and engineering.

Conley, who currently serves as the Technical Director for the NMRA/NMCA sanctioning bodies, previously held general manager positions with Racepak and Precision Turbo and Engine.

“We are very happy to have Roger as part of our ever-growing Motorsports Sales Team. Roger’s dedication to racing and race teams is second to none. He brings experiences both technical and managerial that will help us develop stronger relationships with racers and help them achieve their goals,” Holley Vice President of Business Development Jason Bruce said. “Roger’s deep understanding of Racepak products in particular and his broader knowledge of racing technology, in general, will be invaluable to Racepak and other Holley customers.”

For more information, visit holley.com.