NHRA has announced that the Bahrain International Circuit, which currently boasts a vibrant drag racing community and numerous events, has extended its NHRA Worldwide Network agreement.  

NHRA Worldwide Network is designed to enable drag racing facilities around the world to conduct events under the NHRA banner. As part of the Network, the Sakhir, Bahrain-based track will be able to use the specially designed “Worldwide Drag Racing” NHRA oval for broad promotional purposes and will be able to draw on NHRA’s decades of experience and history.

“We are excited to announce Bahrain International Circuit has extended their agreement with the NHRA,” NHRA Vice President-Racing Administration Josh Peterson said. “Drag racing is extremely popular in Bahrain, and we are excited to continue working with the track to help continue to grow their programs.”

The track will have access to various departments within NHRA and may also request training at the track site. The track can also participate in any of NHRA’s Division Tech Seminars, SFI certification and training seminars, and emergency response training seminars.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with NHRA. We have been part of the International Network since 2011 and during that time it has been an instrumental support in the growth of the sport in Bahrain, whilst helping us to professionalize further our operations. As a circuit, we are able to attract world-class teams which are competitive at the highest level, globally. With the imminent start of the 15th season of our local BDRC season, we are looking to continue the growth of Drag Racing in the region,” Bahrain International Circuit Chief Executive Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa said.

As an NHRA Worldwide Network track, the facility will be able to award Wally trophies for track champions.

The worldwide rules adopted by FIA for drag racing originate from NHRA’s Rulebook. Members of the commission meet annually to develop the rulebook and discuss drag racing on a global basis. Currently, organized series are conducted in Europe and Australia.

For more information, visit nhra.com or bahraingp.com.

Image courtesy of NHRA

Peugeot Sport has announced that it will be joining the FIA World Endurance Championship with a yet-to-be-revealed hybrid-powered hypercar.

“What great news this is for everyone involved in endurance racing. Peugeot's arrival in the new Hypercar category, alongside Aston Martin and Toyota, can only encourage more manufacturers to commit to the top level of endurance racing. We are so happy and honored to welcome back a competitor and marque with such a great history of success as Peugeot has,” WEC CEO Gérard Neveu said.

The French automotive giant has a long and proven pedigree in endurance racing and most recently won the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans with its 908 HDi FAP diesel LMP1 machine. Peugeot will enter the new top category of the WEC for hypercars from the 2022-2023 season. Additional details will be released in 2020.

“Today’s announcement is exciting for two reasons. It symbolizes both the arrival of a new competitor in the Hypercar category which will come into being from the start of next season, as well as the return of a leading brand in Endurance racing. Peugeot has made history in terms of endurance racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning the event certainly, but also always producing spectacular machines, particularly appreciated by spectators. I can’t wait to see the French racing car that will take over from the winning 905 and 908,” Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) President Pierre Fillon said.

For more information, visit fiawec.com.

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has announced its Proxes RR DOT competition tire has been selected as the specified tire for the newly announced Mazda Spec MX-5 Challenge Racing Series.

This new series creates a single spec applying to multiple sanctioning bodies including NASA (National Auto Sport Association) and the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). The symmetric two-groove Proxes RR comes off-the-shelf in race-ready condition with a 4/32nds tread depth. It is considered ideal due to its fast lap times, consistency and excellent wear characteristics, according to a press release.

The series targets the 2006—2015 Mazda MX-5 (the NC-generation Miata), a chassis constructed in high numbers known for its affordability and great handling characteristics.

“We are very honored to be a part of the Spec MX-5 Challenge,” said Marc Sanzenbacher, senior manager, motorsports, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “We have enjoyed working with the Mazda Motorsports team throughout the development of this exciting new platform and are confident that our Proxes RR two-groove DOT race tire is the ideal choice, delivering fast lap times while providing great value.  We look forward to the growth of this new spec series in the coming years.”

The Spec MX-5 Challenge presented by Toyo Tires will have a series of marquee events run in coordination with both NASA and SCCA. The preliminary 2020 racing schedule and event structure will lead to both regional and overall championships.

For more information, visit toyotires.com/tires/competition-tires or specmx-5.com.

SRO Motorsports has announced the complete Pirelli GT4 America Sprint and SprintX series schedules, along with the TCR, TC and TCA schedules, for 2020.

The 10-weekend season for the Pirelli GT4 America Sprint and SprintX series will feature a mix of historic road courses and renowned street circuits.

The GT4 racing season will open at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, March 7-8, with Sprint and SprintX also in action. After stints in California, Wisconsin, New York, and more, the 2020 schedule will end at the Motorsports Capital of the World at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS)’s 2.439-mile, 13-turn road course, October 3-4.

With the emerging growth of the TC America series in 2019 that saw fields over 45 cars, the eight-week campaign for the TCR, TC and TCA classes in 2020 features eight weekends of top road courses, a renowned street circuit, and iconic tracks.

Like the Pirelli GT4 America Sprint and SprintX series, the 2020 campaign opens at COTA on March 7-8. TCR and TCA teams then travel to St. Petersburg, Florida, to compete as part of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, March 14-15.

Finally, the series also ends at IMS on October 1-3, where the 2020 champions will be crowned at the iconic Brickyard.

For the complete 2020 schedules, visit gt4-america.com or tcamerica.us.

SEMA, the trade association representing the $44.6 billion automotive specialty equipment industry, presented its top honors during the annual SEMA Industry Awards Banquet at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.



Winners of the prestigious awards include:

•    SEMA Person of the Year: Dan Kahn, Kahn Media, Inc.

•    SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Chris Candido, Turn 14 Distribution

•    SEMA Rep Agency of the Year: Kunzman & Associates

•    SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year: AllPro Distributing

•    SEMA Manufacturer of the Year: Hunter Engineering Co.

“We are honored to recognize each year the individuals and companies who embody the spirit of our industry,” SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting said. “The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a highlight of the SEMA Show and a great way to culminate an outstanding week of business. It’s always great to spend time with friends and family, celebrating the industry that we all love.”

Las Vegas’s iconic Blue Man Group joined this year’s SEMA banquet, mixing in short entertainment to add to the evening’s festivities. In attendance were the new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Bob Chandler and Marla Moore, as well as SEMA board members, exhibitors, and more than 3,000 industry professionals.

Dan Kahn, president and CEO of Kahn Media, Inc., received the association’s most prestigious award for SEMA Person of the Year. Kahn, who founded Kahn Media in 2010 and represents an impressive list of industry clients, is a SEMA Board Member, member of the SEMA Communications Task Force and the SEMA Show Task Force, and an overall active volunteer and leader in the industry.

The SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award was presented to Chris Candido, CTO of Turn 14 Distribution, Inc. A co-founder of Turn 14 Distribution, Candido was recently named to the SEMA 35 under 35 list which recognizes young up-and-coming leaders.

Other awards were presented to Kunzman & Associates for the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award, AllPro Distribution for the SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year Award and Hunter Engineering, Co. for the SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award. The awards recognize outstanding commitment to the industry and a high level of involvement with SEMA committees, task forces, councils or board of directors’ participation.

For more information, visit sema.org.

Photo of SEMA Person of the Year Dan Kahn of Kahn Media, Inc.


The Must See Racing Sprint Car Series presented by Engine Pro announced a new feeder series designed as an affordable, entry-level winged sprint car series for 2020.

The Must See Racing Midwest Lights Series will operate independently of the MSR national tour and replaces the Lorain County Speedway Crate Sprint Car division, which was discontinued and utilized 602 Chevrolet crate engines.

The new series’ finalized schedule, rulebook, officials and purse structure will be announced at a later date.

The NASCAR Foundation announced the four finalists for the Ninth Annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, initiating a month-long online fan vote to determine the award winner.

The finalists were introduced during a news conference at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, prior to the Bluegreen Vacations 500, the finale of the “Round of 8” in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

The award, named in honor of the foundation’s late founder and chairwoman, is presented to a NASCAR fan who has done exceptional volunteer work on behalf of children in their community. Results of the fan vote—which runs through Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. (ET)—will be announced on Dec. 5 during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Music City Center in Nashville. The NASCAR Foundation will donate $100,000 to the charity represented by the award winner and $25,000 to each of the other three finalists’ charities.

Finalists include:
    •    Bob Behounek of Berwyn, Illinois, a NASCAR fan for 56 years representing Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Behounek, an artist, has volunteered for 13 years, raising funds to help families of hospitalized children with housing needs during extended hospital stays.
    •    Angela Hamby of Locust, North Carolina, a 40-year NASCAR fan representing the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte. She has volunteered for 12 years as head nurse for Camp Horizon, which serves children with Down syndrome.
    •    Todd Smith of Perris, California, a NASCAR fan since 2007 (when he attended his first race at Auto Club Speedway) who represents Fuel for Success, a national organization founded by Smith. He has volunteered for 12 years, introducing at-risk students to NASCAR while fostering better relationships between students and police officers.
    •    Joe Vaughn of Woodruff, South Carolina, a NASCAR fan of 45 years representing Project HOPE Foundation of Greenville, South Carolina. Vaughn is the chairman of Project HOPE, which serves children with autism.

Since the award’s inception, The NASCAR Foundation has provided nearly $1.5 million in contributions to charities represented by finalists for the award.

For more information, visit nascarfoundation.org/award.

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has named Nelson Cosgrove as the organization’s new director of motorsports, replacing John Doonan.

Cosgrove previously spent five years in senior technical positions for Toyota Racing Development (TRD). He also worked as the engineering director and the chief technical officer for the Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR program.

Cosgrove will be responsible for Mazda’s racing operation in North America, including its efforts in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup, and the Mazda3 TCR project in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

“We are committed to continuing to build upon Mazda’s position in North American motorsports,” said MNAO CEO Masahiro Moro, who will oversee Cosgrove’s activities, according to published reports. “Nelson is the right person to steer Mazda Motorsports, as he brings a tremendous amount of engineering and motorsports experience that will enhance the work being done by the Mazda Motorsports team, as well as all of the technical partners across all our programs.”

For more information, visit mazdamotorsports.com.

Mo-Kan Dragway, the oldest continuously-operated drag strip in Missouri, has agreed to a multi-year sanctioning agreement with the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).

The track in Asbury, Missouri, has been in operation at the same location since 1962 but has seen plenty of upgrades over the years with a new timing system, track surface, tower, and upgraded bleachers and more.

Carl Blanton purchased the track from original owners, Jim and Ron Wilbert, in 1999. Blanton operates the 1/4-mile track with his son Craig as they have events from February through November, including events like Sunday Fun Drags scheduled through the end of November and includes a test and tune, grudge racing, and fun runs.

Other schedule highlights include the Spring Hot Rod Reunion, brand-specific races for Mopar and Ford, the Midwest Motorcycle Drags, and Funny Car Chaos.

“Carl Blanton and his crew do a wonderful job providing a great facility for the racers in that area,” IHRA Division Director Frank Kohutek said. “They’ve been huge supporters of the IHRA Summit SuperSeries and IHRA Summit Team Finals programs. We are grateful for their passion for the racers, the programs and their support of the IHRA.”

For more information, visit ihra.com or mokandragway.com.

Twenty individuals, including six first-time nominees, have been nominated for 2020 induction into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. Five inductees will ultimately be chosen for the 17th class, which will be announced during a NASCAR Cup Series weekend in March 2020.

The organization’s ballot includes a pair of ARCA Menards Series West champions, a NASCAR Gander Outdoors Series champion, a pair of Indianapolis 500 winners and four competitors holding multiple titles at California weekly tracks. The list spans historic (pre-1970) and modern eras of the sport.

First-time nominees are Ken Boyd, Tony Hunt, Craig Keough, Jerry Pitts, Nick Rescino and Linda Vaughan.

Nominated again after appearing on previous ballots are Mike Bliss, Dave Byrd, Ernie Cope, Mike David, Dave Fuge, Tom Gloy, Lance Hooper, Tommy Kendall, Rick Mears, Danny Ongais, Jim Pettit II, Greg Pickett, Tom Sneva, and George Snider. The organization will also induct its third Heritage class of five individuals whose careers largely ended prior to 1970. The Heritage inductees will be named in spring 2020.

“The list of nominees is beyond impressive and, as in previous years, it becomes more and more difficult to choose the five inductees,” said West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame chairman CEO Ken Clapp. “In total, the nominees have won more 1,000 feature races over the past 50 years. All are deserving of induction.”

For more information, including short biographies on each of the inductees, visit the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame website here.