The keynote speaker for the 2018 Race Track Business Conference (RTBC-2018) has been revealed, along with several other speakers for the exclusive event held in conjunction with the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Motorsport Industry Association CEO Chris Aylett will headline the “Motorsports – A European Perspective” which will detail the government initiatives said to threaten the industry, including what they are and how to respond, diversify and expand into new sectors. This one-hour session will take place 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5.

Following this discussion will be the “Road Courses” session, which will include participation from Autobahn Country Club President Mark Basso, M1 Concourse CEO Brad Oleshansky and Atlanta Motorsports Park CEO Jeremy Porter. This 45-minute session will take place at 2:15 p.m. that day.

Finally, the speakers have been announced for the “Sports Finance” session, which is set for 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Game Point Capital Managing Director Will Hall will join Sports Management Worldwide President Dr. Lynn Lashbrook and Fifth Third Bank - Motorsports Vice President David Morton for the session covering getting creative with sports financing and finding new sources.

The cost to attend RTBC-2018 is $250, which includes lunch and access to PRI 2018.

To register for RTBC-2018, visit here. For a brief video overview of the RTBC-2018, visit here. For more information or to register for PRI 2018, visit pri2018.com.

They say life begins at 30. Granted, I’m not entirely sure who “they” are—if it’s the same people who claim you can’t have Pop-Tarts for dinner then just take this column with a grain of salt.

That said, we at Performance Racing Industry tend to follow conventional wisdom, and that’s why we’re fired up to begin our fourth decade of producing the world’s premier expo for motorsports professionals. If past is prologue, which is to say the last 30 years are a good indicator of what’s to come, then the next three decades, beginning in 2018, should be one helluva ride!

Set for launch December 6–8 at our home away from home—the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis—this year’s PRI Trade Show promises to deliver a plethora of race-winning parts, equipment, strategies and solutions in a convenient location. Typically we’d say “all under one roof,” but as we announced in these pages a few months ago, the Show has secured 40,000-plus square feet of exhibit space inside Lucas Oil Stadium for an expansive display of race trailers, haulers, motor coaches and toter homes. This new, high-traffic area is also where you’ll find our popular Featured Products Showcase. It’s just one of the many reasons we’re confident PRI 2018 will exceed all expectations. Let’s set the table, shall we?

Kicking off the three biggest business days in racing are a pair of Indy 500 winners who also happen to share a surname: Al Unser Sr. and Al Jr. will take the stage at PRI’s Grand Opening Breakfast presented by MAVTV with the incomparable Dave Despain as host for this time-honored tradition that signals the start of PRI. For those in attendance—some 3000 strong—the Breakfast is an unforgettable experience that both entertains and inspires ahead of the main event…where nearly 1200 exhibiting companies will showcase thousands of new products for drag racing, stock cars, sprints, midgets, dirt late models, sports cars, off-road, karting, performance marine and more.

For buyers, that means booths packed with the latest hardcore racing goods and gear, and experts on hand to exchange information, answer questions, offer advice, and even run demonstrations to help facilitate business. As Bob Davis of longtime exhibitor Sunnen told us recently, “When we come to PRI we bring just about one of each of the machines we sell for this market, so it saves our customers from having to try to come to our headquarters in St. Louis to see the things in person. They can come to the show, they can compare our machines to other machines in the market, and then make their purchase decision based on what they see.”

PRI’s world-famous Machinery Row is also where you’ll find “Rottler Alley,” home to the prolific Kent, Washington-based manufacturer whose expansive display will feature over a dozen CNC machining units in addition to tools, software, financial services and more. Speaking to his company’s presence at PRI, Anthony Usher told us, “[Our machines] are all set up just as they would be in someone’s shop—they’re on the floor level, they’re 100% operational, and we can show people how they work…. In many cases, we actually let the customer take the controls and run the machine.”

In fact, those hands-on, up-close and in-person encounters are a hallmark of PRI. And they extend far beyond the Show floor into the many conferences, seminars and networking opportunities over the days leading up to and including the Show.

For attendees—both domestic and international—that means countless occasions to exchange ideas and learn from experts and leaders in engine technology (AETC and the accompanying Engine Builder Happy Hour), safety (ICMS’s Annual Congress and Stand 21 Safety Foundation sessions), international business (International Motorsports Trade Seminar, and PRI’s Global Media Awards and International Reception), race track operations (Race Track Business Conference and PRI’s Race Track Promoters Roundtable), and much more.

Industry pros prep for the annual PRI Show months in advance, and for good reason. As the worldwide epicenter of new racing technology, it’s the must-attend trade event where innovations are discovered, knowledge is acquired, connections are made, and strategies are developed to enhance your performance ahead of the 2019 racing season. Get set for an extraordinary experience in Indianapolis!

Dave Muzzillo of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has acquired the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt (SOD) presented by ARP sprint car series.

Muzzillo is well known in oval track racing as the promoter of several racing and other public events for many years. He is recognized as a personable, innovative promoter who is willing to think out of the box.

SOD, in its 39-year history, has been one of the pioneers in sprint car racing under the previous owner John Naida.

In 2016, SOD transitioned from a 360 series and rolled out a radical new format known as “Beyond Limits” with no engine or weight limits and new spec rear tires.

Utilizing Hoosier Racing Tire right and left spec rear tires specifically built to meet SOD’s needs, the main objective of the Beyond Limits class, which has found success, is to achieve equality among different engine sizes and configurations.

There will be no changes to the new format under Muzzillo. Naida will continue to work with the series as a scheduling assistant, marketing partner and race day operator.

Muzzillo is also the current owner of Baer Field Speedway in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and operates the International Championship Auto Racing (ICAR) Modified series. Muzzillo has also acquired the crate sprint series that raced at Plymouth (IN) Speedway, which will now be a feeder class for SOD.

For more information, visit sprintsondirt.com.

The racing facility known as Utah Motorsports Campus (formerly Miller Motorsports Park) in Erda, Utah, has changed ownership.

Following a vote by the Tooele County Commissioners, Tooele County has agreed to sell Utah Motorsports Campus to Mitime Utah Investment LLC.

The company has plans to build 10 similarly-sized racetracks in China; the first one, Ningbo Int’l Circuit, opened in 2017 and the second track is currently under construction. Geely also owns and operates the FIA Chinese Formula 4 Championship and is preparing to launch an entry in the FIA World Touring Car Championship under the Lynk & Co banner.

“We are thrilled to finally consummate this agreement to purchase Utah Motorsports Campus,” Mitime Vice President William Lee said. “This facility is a perfect fit with our company’s other enterprises, and we are looking forward to making it bigger and better in the future.

The sale of UMC includes the racetrack as well as all buildings and physical assets in addition to the 511-acre property. Current leases with tenants, event organizers and race sanctioning bodies will be honored under the agreement but may be subject to changes in 2019.

Miller Motorsports Park originally opened its gates in June 2006.

Mitime is a subsidiary of the Geely Holding Group of China, a publicly-traded company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that is currently ranked 267 on the Fortune Global 500 list. Geely Motors is the largest private automobile manufacturer in China; in addition to its own Geely-branded cars, the company also owns the Volvo, Polestar, Proton (which includes Lotus), Lynk & Co and London Taxi Cab brands as well as the Terrafugia flying car brand.

Geely operates manufacturing plants in China, the United States, England, Sweden, Belgium, Belarus, Australia and Malaysia. Geely is also the largest private shareholder of stock in Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz.

Officials with the Oswego Speedway in Oswego, New York, revealed the track’s rule changes for 2019 along with the addition of a 350 Supermodified class for the upcoming season.

For next year, all big block Supermodified teams will be required to use a ‘phoenix’ type wing on the rear end of their cars. This wing will be used in place of the traditional tail section and must adhere to specific sizing, location and body rules. Visit the Oswego website here for specific dimensions and related details.

In 2019, body panels that produce downforce (excluding the nose wing) will not be allowed.

The front and/or rear lower frame rails may flare up, but no vertical sheet metal may extend below the lower frame rails. No tunneling of the air is allowed. No side panel flaring or skirting will be allowed.

The Supermodified vehicle must also weigh 1975 pounds after the race with the driver in all required racing gear.

The new season will also feature a brand new 350 Supermodified class, which will follow the basic 2019 350 Super rules implemented at the Star Speedway in New Hampshire.

As far as the small-block Supermodified class, the 602 crate engine program is remaining mandatory for the upcoming season.

For more information, visit oswegospeedway.com.

Aeromotive, one of the market leaders in high-performance fuel systems, was announced as the 2018 SEMA Show Manufacturer of the Year during the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet last week.

The award honors companies that have made a significant impact on the specialty equipment market during the past 12 months of SEMA’s fiscal year July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018. SEMA’s criteria is far-ranging and includes a history of SEMA involvement, proven outstanding business practices, workforce excellence and employee well-being, protection of brand equity, quality retail displays and packaging, and innovative processes and products.

With over 2,900 SEMA manufacturers able to compete, three candidates made the slate for the final candidacy before the show—Aeromotive Inc., Edlebrock Inc. and Hunter Engineering Company.

Aeromotive Founder and President Steve Matusek accepted the award, which was presented by Formula D announcer Jarod DeAnda and off-road racer and industry personality Jessi Combs.

“I was thrilled to accept the award on behalf of every single employee that works hard to design and build the absolute finest fuel systems and components on the market,” Matusek said. “Our commitment to develop the pinnacle of performance products comes from our history, our real-world experiences and our passion.”

Matusek concluded his speech by urging the industry to help fight foreign counterfeiters and knock-off artists before thanking the judges for the honor on behalf of his entire Aeromotive team. Matusek was accompanied onstage by Kyle Fickler, Shawn Dill, Johnson Barrick, Amanda Matusek, Jackson Lueg, Matt Brewer, Jon Pestinger, Jeff Stacy and Darr Hawthorn.

Aeromotive is the third company to receive the honor joining MagnaFlow (2017) and WeatherTech (2016).

For more information, visit Aeromotiveinc.com.

Hulman & Company announced Monday the formation of INDYCAR Media, which becomes the in-house global distribution arm of INDYCAR’s international media rights. INDYCAR Media has already begun to arrange the distribution of media rights for the 2019 IndyCar Series season and beyond.

Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, which owns INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, oversaw the development of a similar program for the ATP Tour in men’s professional tennis and that program stands as a model. INDYCAR Media will secure deals with more than two dozen licensees representing more than 100 countries broadcasting IndyCar Series races.

IMS Productions, also owned by Hulman & Company, will continue to create the televised world feed distributed globally. INDYCAR Media will draw on IMSP’s expertise to facilitate technical aspects of the programming and use IMSP’s first-class production facilities and personnel to offer customized video content to the various international broadcasters for the first time.

“The IndyCar Series is experiencing a resurgence outside the US,” Miles said. “For that reason, now is a particularly good time to do this. Controlling video content and media rights are essential to growth.”

Miles said tailoring video content to the needs of the broadcasters is key to engaging audiences.

“In the highest-priority countries, we will work more closely with our broadcast partners to define market-specific opportunities, and we will grow our international audiences by focusing on these specific needs,” Miles said. “We can enhance the amount of video content by creating new clips or drawing from our extensive archives.”

Stephen Starks, INDYCAR vice president of promoter and media partner relations, has and will continue to assist Miles in developing INDYCAR Media. Starks will manage the coordination of INDYCAR’s resources to execute all necessary functions. This includes the identification and arrangement of external needs such as the recent hiring of Heather White, a media rights veteran based in London who most recently worked for ESPN International, which worked on INDYCAR’s behalf over the past two decades. While at ESPN International, White assisted with the distribution of INDYCAR’s media rights in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She will serve as the primary licensing point of contact for INDYCAR Media.

Starks said arrangements will be in place in advance of the IndyCar Series’ first race of the 2019 season, which is March 10 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

For more information, visit indycar.com.

DIRTvision and DirtonDirt.com, some of the biggest names in live video streaming, announced a new broadcast partnership with the aim to provide live broadcast coverage of every World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series event on the 2019 season schedule, as well as the entire DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour.

“This season’s effort to ramp up the DIRTVision schedule and offer every Sprint Car Series race live was a huge success we wanted to build on,” World of Outlaws & DIRTcar CMO Ben Geisler said. “This is a big deal for both Late Model series, delivering over 80 live broadcasts powered by DirtonDirt to our fans and increasing exposure for our sponsors, teams and tracks.”

Following DIRTVision’s Sprint Car model, Late Model shows will be offered as part of a monthly Late Model Fast Pass subscription, available both on DIRTVision and DIrtonDirt.com. Late Model Fast Pass subscribers will be able to access and view broadcasts on either channel for just $39 a month. Individual event pay-per-views will still be available for an average price of $24.99 per night.

DIRTVision and DirtonDirt.com have partnered on select World of Outlaws Late Model broadcasts since 2013, offering special events throughout the year, from the DIRTcar Nationals to the Firecracker 100, the Prairie Dirt Classic for the first time this year, and the World of Outlaws World Finals.

The Late Model Fast Pass will include World of Outlaws Late Model Series events in addition to DIRTcar Summer Nationals coverage, from mid-June to mid-July.

For more information, visit dirtvision.com or dirtondirt.com.

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and Summit Racing Equipment announced a multi-year partnership extension of the IHRA Summit SuperSeries and IHRA Summit Team Finals programs.

The IHRA Summit SuperSeries, one of the largest and most prestigious bracket racing programs in drag racing, will return for an 18th consecutive year in 2019. The $200,000 program is the World Championship for over 8,000 IHRA member-track racers each season and held at nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned member tracks.

In 2018, IHRA Summit SuperSeries track champions from 28 states and international competitors from Canada, and Aruba were represented in Top (Box), Mod (No Box) and Junior divisions along with Summit Team Final champions from six IHRA regions competing at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals at Memphis International Raceway.

“The Summit SuperSeries and Summit Team Finals are wildly successful programs that saw an increase with new members and increased participation in 2018,” IHRA Vice President Skooter Peaco said. “The programs bring together IHRA-member tracks and racers in an environment which features great competition and builds outstanding camaraderie and lifelong friendships. We are proud to continue our efforts in the successful program.”

For more information, visit ihra.com.

Hulman & Co. and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Chairman of the Board Emeritus Mari Hulman George passed away November 3, in Indianapolis with her family by her side. She was 83.

Hulman George served as IMS chairman from 1988-2016, but motorsports and the world-renowned racetrack were among the cornerstones of her life since her father, Anton “Tony” Hulman Jr., purchased the facility in November 1945 and saved it from almost certain demolition after World War II.

She was a pioneer as co-owner of a team that raced at the highest levels of Midwestern auto racing, in the 1950s and 1960s. She also touched the lives of countless Hoosiers through tireless, generous philanthropic efforts for her entire adult life, with a special focus on the arts, health care and, in particular, animal care.

Among a long list of several accomplishments, many which include philanthropic efforts tied into her motorsports reach, Hulman George created a program through which thousands of Indiana school children visited the Speedway each May on complimentary field trips to learn about the connections between education and motorsports. Those field trips continue to this day.

IMS prospered and evolved into a new era during Hulman George’s tenure as chairman of the board, from 1988-2016.

During that span, the Indianapolis 500 grew to unprecedented worldwide popularity. The facility also expanded its annual schedule beyond the Month of May to include the Brickyard 400 for the NASCAR Cup Series, the United States Grand Prix for the FIA Formula One World Championship and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP for the FIM MotoGP World Championship.

That evolution required significant capital improvements to the facility, such as the construction of the new Pagoda control tower, an infield road course that included parts of the famous 2.5-mile oval, new pit-side garages and various safety improvements.

IMS and INDYCAR also led the development of one of the most significant safety innovations in motorsports history—the energy-absorbing SAFER Barrier —during Mari’s tenure as chairman.

These contributions to IMS and motorsports – along with her charitable work for the racing community – led to Hulman George being inducted into the IMS Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2015.

Mari is survived by three daughters, Nancy George, Josie George and Kathi George-Conforti; a son, Anton H. “Tony” George; a stepdaughter, Carolyn Coffey; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and her longtime companion, Guy Trollinger. She was predeceased by her husband, Elmer, and a stepson, Joseph George.

For more information, including funeral services and memorial contributions, visit here.