Trick Race Parts (TRP) is now available through Motor State Distributing.

TRP offers a selection of tire siping equipment, including complete systems to stands, heads, blade and similar accessories. Specializing in parts and tools for dirt track racers, TRP also supplies cooler and blower systems to keep drivers comfortable on the track.

For more information, visit motorstate.com or trickraceparts.com.

The all-new EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta R5 will make its asphalt debut within the FIA World Rally Championship at next weekend’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland. Driver Éric Camilli and co-driver Benjamin Veillas will take the wheel in the WRC 2 Pro class, while driver Massimo “Pedro” Pedretti and co-driver Emanuele Baldaccini compete in WRC 2.

“Rallye Deutschland is a very special event for me. It’s where I made my debut in the FIA World Rally Championship, and we’ve had some really good performances since then – including a win with the original Ford Fiesta R5 in 2017. And now, I’m looking forward to giving the all-new Fiesta its first official outing on Tarmac,” Camilli said.

Ford Performance made the announcement on its website earlier this week.

“We’re honored to be one of only two crews to drive the all-new Ford Fiesta R5 on its WRC asphalt debut,” Pedretti said.

For more information, visit wrc.com or performance.ford.com.

Photo courtesy of Ford Performance

Officials for the W Series, the racing series for women that launched in October 2018, have announced it will host a three-day test from Monday, September 16 to Wednesday, September 18, to decide new-for-2020 drivers.

The driver selection program will take place at the Circuito de Almeria in Andalusia, Southeast Spain.

“The 2019 W Series season has been a roaring success, but we fully intend that the 2020 W Series season will be bigger and better,” W Series Chief Executive Officer Catherine Bond Muir said. “I’m excited to discover the quality of our new applicants, and there’s no better way of appraising them than putting them in W Series race cars for three days, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

The top 12 finishers in the 2019 W Series championship are already guaranteed places in the 2020 W Series championship, which will give the opportunity for competitors to earn Super License points.

The 12 competitors include Jamie Chadwick (UK), Beitske Visser (NLD), Alice Powell (UK), Marta Garcia (ESP), Emma Kimilainen (FIN), Fabienne Wohlwend (LIE), Miki Koyama (JPN), Sarah Moore (UK), Vicky Piria (ITA), Tasmin Pepper (RSA), Jessica Hawkins (UK) and Sabre Cook (USA). 

A remaining eight positions are up for grabs. Around 40 drivers have already applied, according to the series. Applicants must be female and must hold an FIA International C racing license.

For more information, visit wseries.com. To apply, email media@wseries.com.

Photo courtesy of W Series

Following the thorough evaluation of athletes from universities across the country, NASCAR and Rev Racing have chosen seven participants to join the 2019-20 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program.
 
The former collegiate athletes were selected based on a fitness assessment held in May at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. The evaluation tested their agility, strength and flexibility, followed by the participants learning the different crew member positions during a pit stop simulation.
 
Those selected will relocate to Charlotte, N.C. for a six-month pit crew training program led by Phil Horton, Rev Racing’s director of athletic performance. They will train to become tire changers, carriers and jackmen, with hopes of one day earning a spot on a national series race team.
 
NASCAR Drive for Diversity provides opportunities for women and minorities to pursue career opportunities in NASCAR on pit crews, in the driver’s seat through the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program and off the track through the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program.
 
“We are inspired by the level of athletes we’re seeing enter the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program,” said Jusan Hamilton, Director, Racing Operations and Event Management, NASCAR. “With a wider range of colleges and universities partnering with NASCAR and Rev Racing on this program, the talent pool continues to expand and so does the pathway for each of the new members to achieve success with top race teams.”
 
Dalanda Ouendeno is among this year’s NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program participants. Ouendeno was a standout defender on the University of Miami women’s soccer team before trying out for a pit crew development role with Rev Racing. Virginia natives Hadji Gaylord and Raynard Revels will also join the 2019-20 class after competing together as teammates on Norfolk State University’s football team.
 
“We look forward to welcoming this year’s class to NASCAR’s most comprehensive pit crew training and development program,” said Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing. “We couldn’t be prouder of the journey both our pit crew development program and graduates have taken from its inception. With the expansion of our recruiting efforts across the country, the talent level rises, and our program continues to evolve and create more opportunities for advancement at a higher level.”
 
In July 2019, NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program graduates Rojelio Ramirez, Omar Grimaldo and current program member Michael Hayden celebrated their first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win when driver Justin Haley took the checkered flag at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
 
Through the years, the program has developed pit crew athletes who work on teams every race weekend. Since its inception, more than 100 athletes have participated in the program and more than 65 graduates have worked in the sport on the national level. More than 50 graduates are currently pitting on a national level and more than 30 are competing in the sport’s top series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
 
To view the list of 2019-20 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program participants, visit here.

Photo courtesy of NASCAR

Industry veteran Russell Stephens has joined PerTronix Performance Brands as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Stephens was previously President of a prominent Texas-based performance manufacturer where he held various roles in the organization for over thirty years. Stephens has also served the industry as a volunteer with over 25 years of service with SEMA, including three terms on the SEMA Board of Directors.
    
“Working with the team at PerTronix Performance Brands is a great opportunity. There are so many talented employees here and I am looking forward to being part of this great team,” Stephens said.

The role of Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Pertronix was previously held by industry icon Jim Hairston, who will be moving to a new role with the organization working with Business Development and Acquisitions.

“Russell and I have known each other for 20 years and have worked the same events, trade shows and races together. Russell brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the team and is going to be a great fit,” Hairston said.
    
PerTronix Performance Brands is located in San Dimas, California, and includes the Pertronix Ignition, Doug’s Headers, JBA Performance Exhaust, Patriot Exhaust, Spyke, Compu-fire and Smithy’s brands.

For more information, visit pertronix.com.

Engine & Performance Warehouse Inc. (EPWI) has named its 2018 “Vendor Of The Year” and “Representative Of The Year” during EPWI’s annual summer conference in Beaver Creek, Colorado, earlier this month.

SA-Gear was awarded as the EPWI 2018 Vendor of the Year, while Chris Schell of Maxima Racing Oil was named the EPWI 2018 Representative of the Year.
        
SA-Gear President and CEO Sal Abdallah, Vice President of Operations (CFO) Magdee Abdallah and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Steve Tucker were present to accept the award for the company. The annual Vendor of the Year award is presented to a supplier or manufacturer based on performance scores during the prior year in seven categories, including distribution/sales policies, pricing policies, inventory, returns, labor claims, office support and shipping/packaging.
        
Chris Schell, Performance Auto Brand Manager for Maxima, was also present to accept his award. The Rep of the Year is selected annually on a rotating basis by region using combined votes based on performance scores during the prior year in three categories including sales support, distribution philosophies, and timely and accurate follow-through.
        
EPWI is a full-service warehouse distributor specializing in engine kits & parts, high-performance parts, related components and shop supplies with warehouses in Denver, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Memphis, Anaheim, Oakland, Portland (OR), Tacoma and Anchorage.
        
Photo of Paul Van Woensel (EPWI), Sal Abdallah, Magdee Abdallah, Steve Tucker, Luke Van Woensel (EPWI) courtesy of EPWI

Stafford Speedway, the semi-banked, 1/2-mile paved oval in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, has released the 2020 rules for its SK Modified and SK Light Modified weekly divisions.

For 2020, the SK Modified rules will mirror the 2019 edition with one minor clarification to the spec engine oil pan rule.

“We always look to get the following year’s rulebooks out to teams and drivers early during the prior season,” Stafford General Manager Mark Arute said. “We believe that consistency is key for our competitors and have made little to no changes across the SK Modified rulebook. Our goal is to provide an equal playing field for all our teams, as well as keep costs in check and providing consistency year over year does just that.”

Dry sumps, external oil pumps or tanks or accu-sump systems are not permitted. The Canton #11-196 steel pan or any pre-approved existing aluminum oil pan may be used. Oil coolers are permitted. Only OEM in the pan magnetic steel type oil pumps are permitted. No pumps of any type may be used in the evacuation systems.

Regarding the SK Light Modified division, the rules remain unchanged from 2019.

Teams are encouraged to contact the track via phone, email or social media with any questions relating to rules or track procedures.

For more information, visit staffordmotorspeedway.com.

Racing and performance parts suppliers looking to grow their customer base are invited to attend a premier business development program in the Middle East sponsored by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).
 
Attendees of the 2020 SEMA Middle East Trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, set for March 31–April 7, 2020, will gain first-hand knowledge of overseas trading and exhibit at the largest trade show in the region, among other benefits.
 
Manufacturers will attend briefings with US government representatives and top trade buyers, tour specialty equipment shops, and exhibit at the Custom Show Emirates in the UAE. The program is open to all companies (SEMA membership is not required) and is co-sponsored by the US government.
 
The Middle Eastern market has an impressive concentration of top-notch racing facilities, including the home of the F1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit and the Dubai Autodrome. Saudi Arabia was also recently named as the new venue for the Dakar Rally.   
 
The region is also well-known for its grassroots racing and features a number of karting, drag racing and sand-based performance events.
 
UAE and Saudi Arabian enthusiasts possess considerable disposable income and a passion for motorsports, making it a top market for US suppliers. Those just interested in attending the UAE portion can do so March 31-April 5, with the optional trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia set for April 5-7. 
 
Grants of $1250 are available to defray the cost of participating for qualified companies. Register today at 2020 SEMA Middle East Exhibitor Registration or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org for more information.

Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. (RM&M), the producer of RACER, RACER.com, Vintage Motorsport and SportsCar, has announced the addition of longtime publishing veteran Bruce Kukuk to its sales and publishing team. Kukuk, who will oversee the four titles in his role, will also lead new business development for RACER’s in-house agency, RACER Studio.

“I’m very happy that Bruce has joined the RACER team,” RM&M Co-Founder, President and CEO Paul Pfanner said in a RACER release. “He brings over 20 years of media sales and strategy expertise as we continue to grow our audience base and seek new ways to engage with advertisers and sponsors especially on our digital and native content platforms.”

Previously Kukuk held positions with TEN: Motor Trend Automotive Group, USA Today Sports Media Group, MSN Advertising, Jumpstart Automotive Group and ESPN. He also held a position as the Director of National Sales for Storygize.

For more information, visit racer.com.

Photo courtesy of RACER

Officials for the Sonoma Speed Festival have announced the second annual event will take place May 28-31, 2020, at Sonoma Raceway.

The news follows the success of the inaugural event in 2019, which featured over 200 cars including rides from LeMans, Sebring, Formula 1 and more.

Special exhibits are also planned throughout the weekend, including Brass Era to contemporary racing vehicles along with focused displays for vintage dragsters, concepts, prototypes and more. The region’s restaurants, wine, beer and coffee will be offered as well, providing visitors with the opportunity to experience the area’s cuisine and car culture in a unique environment.

To celebrate the track’s 50th anniversary, officials also announced the event’s featured class will be ‘66-69 Historic Trans-Ams, highlighting the Trans-American Sedan Championship battle on the course between Mark Donohue and Parnelli Jones in 1969.

For more information, visit sonomaspeedfestival.com.