South Boston Speedway officials announced that an opening in the pit wall at the start-finish line would be covered with a solid steel gate to help prevent destructive crashes in that area.

The pedestrian gate will be in place for Saturday night’s Halifax Insurance Presents Whelen NASCAR Late Model 100.

“Driver safety is always our top priority,” said South Boston Speedway General Manager Cathy Rice. “We’ve had several crashes in that area where the car caught in the opening and made the situation worse. We believe we’ve come up with a solution that will prevent that from happening going forward.”

The most recent incident involving that area occurred two weeks ago during a Limited Sportsman race when Jessica Dana hit the inside wall and the rear of her car hooked in the opening damaging the fuel cell and causing a fire. Dana suffered a leg injury in the wreck and will be sidelined for a few weeks.

The half-inch thick steel gate, which is braced by a four-inch I-beam, will be inset so it is flush with the wall, according to Jeff Bomar, the track’s maintenance superintendent. The gate, which will be opened between races for pedestrian access, weighs more than 250 pounds.

This fall, Talladega Superspeedway fans can catch all the spectacular three- and four-wide racing action on the Alabama Gang Superstretch from the comfort of their “backyard” in the all-new Alabama Gang Superstretch RV area, set to open for the track’s fall doubleheader NASCAR Playoff Weekend, October 11–13.

Located on the inside of the track along the Alabama Gang Superstretch, it will add nearly 200 reserved camping spots on gravel, ideal for motorhomes, fifth wheels and pull-behinds. Each spot in the gated community will be 22 by 50 feet in size and will provide power and water hookups.

In addition, the Alabama Gang Superstretch RV guests will have immediate access to a lawn viewing area that stretches the majority of the length of the superstretch. Those who reserve their spot for Talladega’s doubleheader NASCAR Playoff weekend will receive two five-day infield admission wristbands and one tow vehicle pass. There will also be two additional fan viewing areas inside near the exit of Turn 2 and the entrance to Turn 3 for all fans who have infield wristbands.

Fans can reserve an Alabama Gang Superstretch RV spot in Row 1 for $1500, while slots in Row 2 are $1400. For more information, fans can call 855-518-RACE (7223) to speak to a representative or log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/camping.

Adding RV upgrades and amenities is a major aspect of Transformation – The Talladega Superspeedway Infield Project presented by Graybar, which will be highlighted by the one-of-a-kind Talladega Garage Experience that will allow fans to be immersed into the sport of NASCAR like never before at the historic track, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.

The all-new Talladega Garage Experience, which includes access under the same roof where the race cars are being prepped by the race teams, will feature “up-close” access, interactive attractions, free Wi-Fi and enhanced amenities for fans, sponsors, teams and stakeholders in the iconic Talladega infield. It will stretch from the center of the Tri-Oval all the way down near the start-finish line, and will offer guests incredible, delicious $4 or less Value-Priced Concessions (with the exception of the $9 Big One Meatball).

Robin Herd, the co-founder and designer at March, has died at the age of 80 after a lengthy illness.

Herd made his first foray into racing in 1965 when he joined the McLaren Racing team. In his first three years with the team Herd helped develop the car that would earn McLaren its first Formula One victory, the M7. He also developed cars that would represent McLaren in the now defunct Can-Am Series.

In 1968 Herd departed McLaren for Cosworth, but it wouldn’t be long before he departed Cosworth to co-found March with Max Mosley in 1969.

March would go on to compete in Formula One for the next two decades, earning four victories during that time. March’s greatest success came at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where its chassis designs won five-straight Indianapolis 500s from 1983 to 1987.

Herd sold his majority-share of March in 1989 and eventually left racing entirely.

The NMRA Technical Department and Ford Performance engineers have made an announcement regarding Gen II Coyote Stock engines after research and discussions of several areas of concern.

The drag race sanctioning body tech department has found "extreme conditions" of the category can result in issues that might affect power or performance.

Because of this, the NMRA Tech Department will allow the following components to be replaced under NMRA Tech supervision. This optional upgrade is limited to:

- Gen II Cam Phaser’s may be replaced with PART #-M-6004-A50R – 2015-2017 5.0L/5.2L Coyote High-Performance Cam Phaser
- Gen II VCT Solenoids may be replaced with PART #-M-6297-M50A – 5.0L High Strength VCT Solenoids

An NMRA representative must be present during an official and scheduled tear-down.

For more information, including dates available for an official tear-down, visit the NMRA website here.

Renegade Racing Fuel, the fuel and lubricant company under the Valor Oil, LLC banner, has announced the addition of Philip Delgado as its new national sales manager.

Delgado, who is passionate about motorsports, off-road and “anything fast and loud,” comes from Southern California growing up in the racing industry.

He previously held positions at Sunwest Sports, Malcolm Smith Motorsports, Monster Energy, Auto Technology, and OC Mazda along with Sea-Doo, Polaris, and a Victory dealership.

Delgado graduated with an Associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Leadership and Management.

He can be reached directly at pdelgado@valoroil.com.

For more information, visit renegaderacefuel.com.

Clay Valley Speedway, the track in Coeburn, Virginia, previously known as Lonesome Pine Raceway, has closed its gates, effective immediately.

Track officials made the following announcement via the track’s official Facebook page earlier this week:

After many hours of thought, consideration and prayer, we are sad to announce that Clay Valley Speedway will be closing. We want to thank our drivers and fans for their unwavering support and understanding. Each and every one of you [has] been great to work with and we appreciate you all more than you'll ever know. We wish you all the best! God bless!
-The Hill family
Bobby, Bernice, Terri, Kim & Jason

The track was first opened as a 3/8-mile asphalt track in 1972. The motorsports destination remained in business until shutting down in 2017 but was purchased a year later by businessman Bobby Hill, who converted it to a dirt facility and renamed it Clay Valley.

The track opened 2019 with a full season schedule, hosting a total of three events, before announcing plans to shut down. A total of six events were canceled during the season due to rain.

For more information, visit clayvalleyspeedway.com.

Holley Performance will once again host the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at Beech Bend Raceway Park. The 17th annual event is set for June 13-15, and features three days of vintage drag race cars, classic hot rods, customs and more.

Holley Performance will have a presence inside the oval track near the drag race tower with a "newly wrapped" race trailer selling apparel. A tech team of professionals will also be on hand.

The National Hot Rod Reunion Honoree Reception and Cruise-In, which is free of charge, will take place at the National Corvette Museum on Friday, June 14, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Reunion will also feature the Axalta Show ’N Shine car show on the acres of lawn in the facility, with car owners competing for the chance to show their winning rides at the NHRA US Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. A vintage parts swap meet is also scheduled, along with specialty vendors, autograph sessions and nitro-fueled nostalgia drag race matches competing for points in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series.

Jet dragsters will also showcase their power on the track, with World Champion Elaine Larsen and her team of professionals also on hand during the three-day event. Later, the Cacklefest features dozens of race cars taking to the track in a “mass ignition of  flame spewing, nitro-burning dragsters and Funny Cars in front of the grandstands.”

For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit nhra.com/reunion or holley.com/blog/.

Photo courtesy of Holley Performance

It’s summer… finally! Most race series, tracks and teams have now entered the meaty part of their schedules. Frontrunners are setting the pace; leaderboards are taking shape; and dark horses are strategizing for stretch runs that will (hopefully) put them in the thick of a title chase come fall.

For businesses and organizations that support these competitors there is no more critical time of year. For this is when to-do lists take on renewed urgency: Engines must be rebuilt, orders must be fulfilled, race programs must be fine-tuned, etc. Now more than ever, it’s now or never.

Exciting times for motorsports in the Northern Hemisphere!

Not to be outdone, here at PRI headquarters in Southern California we have our own flight plan for the coming months, one that culminates in the donning of our team colors as proud hosts of the world’s premier Trade Show for motorsports professionals. And it’s in this spirit that I invite you to register today to attend the Three Biggest Business Days in Racing, which take place December 12–14, 2019, at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.   

Those who’ve not yet gone through our online registration process will find it user-friendly and easy enough to complete; it took yours truly about 10 minutes, and that’s factoring in distractions that included email, a text from the wife, and an office-wide announcement that donuts were now being served in the kitchen area. I’m sure you won’t have much trouble getting yourself and your team squared away.

I would, however, like to point out that this year’s registration includes a few added touches, including a new sign-up page for PRI Education. Taking place before and during Show hours, PRI’s educational programming has more than tripled for 2019, with over two-dozen seminars broken out into tracks like Sales & Marketing, Business Operations, International, and more. The lineup of expert presenters and industry leaders we’re putting together will be unlike anything that’s ever been offered at PRI, and we encourage you to take advantage of these exclusive—and free—opportunities to elevate your operations.   

There will be much more Show news to report in the days and weeks ahead. And we’ll keep you informed every step of the way with the latest updates and information on:  

* When the official Floor Plan for PRI 2019 is released (stay tuned, it goes live later this month!)

* Where you can preview the new parts and equipment that will be on display in PRI’s Featured Products Showcase

* The companies and products you’ll encounter along PRI’s world-famous Machinery Row

* The events and activities in store for our international attendees and exhibitors, as well as US suppliers who wish to explore overseas markets

* The details of our Grand Opening Breakfast, which includes a new host and special guest(s)

* When and where you can purchase raffle tickets for this year’s Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes

We could go on and on about the benefits of registering early for PRI 2019. But for now, let’s just agree that getting your credentials in the mail before leaving for Indianapolis is better than the alternative. You’ll have enough to worry about in a few months—might as well take the 10 minutes now to cross one more item off your ever-growing to-do list.

Gaerte Racing Engines, the legendary engine business acquired by TOPP Performance Race Parts owner Kevin Birchmeier in 2017, will go to the auction block on June 18-19.

The company, which was founded by Joe and Brenda Gaerte nearly 50 years ago, is being liquidated by Kraft Auction Service.

The entire business from equipment and parts to complete engines will be for sale, according to Kraft Auction Service Owner Jonathan Craft.

The Gaerte Racing Engines name, logo, website and related intellectual property are also for sale.

Gaerte Racing Engines was founded in 1696 by Joe Gaerte out of a two-car garage behind his home. He started by building engines and selling parts to local racers and speed shops. The company later grew to a race-winning entity, creating winning motors for names such as Jeff Gordon, Ken Schrader, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell.

A live auction will take place at Gaerte Racing Engines (601 Monroe Street, Rochester, IN 46975) on June 18-19. An auction preview will take place on June 17.

Interested buyers may also find apparel, decals, trailers and more available as well. Online bidding is currently available. To view the available parts and products, visit the Kraft Auctions website here.

For more information, visit kraftauctions.com.

Logo courtesy of Kraft Auctions

Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) revealed a restructuring plan with the senior management of its Rally and Solo programs. Longtime program leader Howard Duncan will shift his focus to event operations for the Tire Rack SCCA National Solo program, with the search beginning for a new hire to take on the role of oversight and development for the Rally and Solo departments.

Duncan, who joined the staff in 1990 and has been instrumental in the creation and continued development of the National Solo program, will remain in his current Sr. Director of Rally/Solo position through the 2019 Championship season before moving to the newly-created Sr. Manager of National Solo Field Operations position this upcoming offseason.

“The demands of running the Tire Rack SCCA National Solo series make it extremely difficult to also develop and manage the business side of the programs—these really need to be two different positions,” said SCCA Vice President and COO Eric Prill. “There wouldn’t be a National Solo program without Howard’s vision and dedication over the last three decades. He’s been flat-out through that time period, developing the series while managing all aspects of the autocross and rally programs and being a key member of the national staff.

“This restructuring provides an opportunity for him to focus specifically on operations for these 20-plus events each year.”

The incoming Director of Rally/Solo will begin a new chapter for the programs, building on its solid foundation with a focus on member experience, operational excellence, technology and program development. Interested parties are encouraged to visit www.scca.com/careers.

In related SCCA news, series officials have extended the deadline for the 2020 SCCA Hall of Fame nomination suggestions. Any SCCA member can submit a nomination to the Hall of Fame Committee through Saturday, June 22. For more information, visit scca.com.