Beginning at the 2018 SEMA and PRI Shows, JE Pistons will recognize engine builders’ hard work, creativity, and commitment to combustion with a new competition dubbed Masters of Motors. Judged by industry experts David Freiburger, Brian Lohnes, Steve Brulé and Mike Kojima, the competition will pit the top engines of SEMA and PRI against each other on the grounds of creativity, style, engineering, and several other facets.

2018 Masters of Motors SEMA and PRI Classes:
* “Engine-uity” Award (overall winner – 80-pound billet trophy)
* Sport Compact
* European
* Domestic
* Race Engine
* Nostalgia
* Power Adder

The Master of Motors winner will receive the coveted, billet “Engine-uity” trophy as well as $4,500 in product certificates from supporting manufacturers. All class winners will receive a $1,000 JE Pistons product certificate to be used on any set of JE pistons, rings, or JE Pro Seal gaskets.

Judging for Masters of Motors (SEMA Edition) will begin on Tuesday, October 30, and competitors are encouraged to register online to let judges know where to find their engines. The crowning of the inaugural Masters of Motors champion will take place on October 31, at JE Pistons SEMA booth #22657, 11:00 a.m. PST.

Click here to sign up for for Masters of Motors.

PRI exhibitor Hurco Companies, Inc. held its annual awards banquet to acknowledge the team of accomplished distributors and agents throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, and South America, who represent Hurco.

The winner of the "Top Hurco Sales Representative Award" was Tim Navalta (pictured above at right) of Braun Machinery, the full-service distributor that represents Hurco in Michigan. The other winners of the Hurco “Top 5 Award” were Jon Doell (#2) of Gage Machine Tool (Kansas), Jim Braun (#3) of Braun Machinery (Michigan), Fred Braun (#4) of Braun Machinery (Michigan), and Chris Queipo (#5) of Applied Machine Solutions (Georgia).

The distributorships were also recognized for their achievements in representing Hurco. The “Top 5 Distributors” from first to fifth were Braun Machinery (Michigan), Brooks Associates (Massachusetts), Reynolds Machinery (Ohio), Applied Machine Solutions (Georgia), and ACI Machine Tool Sales (Kentucky).

The winner of the “Top Market Share Award” was given to CJ Smith Machinery Company (Missouri). The other winners from second to fifth were Braun Machinery (Michigan), Foothills Machinery Sales (Colorado), Gage Machine Tool (Kansas), and Alta Machine Tools (Pennsylvania).

Hurco also awarded Northeast Precision Machinery (Pennsylvania) as “Most Improved” from 2017 to 2018.

For more information, visit hurco.com.

PRI exhibitor NASCAR has confirmed the details of two baseline rules packages that will be utilized in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) next year.

The different packages will be tailored to the specific tracks on the MENCS schedule, with a combination of a smaller tapered spacer to reduce engine horsepower to a target goal of 550 (from 750) and aero ducts to foster tighter racing on a majority of speedways measuring longer than one mile.

Both features will be in place for 17 of the 36 races next season, excluding the Daytona 500, which will run with traditional restrictor-plate rules. Five other races will be run with the smaller spacer, but without ducts.

The baseline aero elements of the rules package are a taller 8-inch by 61-inch rear spoiler, a larger front splitter with a 2-inch overhang, and a wider radiator pan that measures 37 inches wide in the front tapering to 31 inches at the rear. Those base changes will be in place at every race next season with the intent of adding downforce to stabilize handling.

Beyond the baseline components are the smaller tapered spacer (.922-inch versus the current 1.17-inch) and aerodynamic ducts to be used at select oval tracks larger than 1 mile. The smaller spacer will further limit airflow through the engine and thereby horsepower to a figure around 550, down from the current 750.

Both Pocono events and races at Atlanta, Darlington and Homestead will use the smaller tapered spacer, but will not use the aero ducts that transfer air to the side of the car away from the front tires. Neither the smaller spacer nor ducts will be used at short tracks and road courses.

Events at Daytona Int’l Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway also will be contested without restrictor plates next season for the first time since 1987. The cumulative effect of the base aerodynamic changes, engine restrictions and aero ducts are expected to keep the speeds and competition close to their current style of racing. The exception is the 2019 Daytona 500, which will be held under the current rules with restrictor plates.

Other rules announced Tuesday for next year include:
• The previously announced enhanced vehicle chassis (EVC) will be mandatory at all races.
• NASCAR has reduced the amount of organizational tests for the calendar year from four to three. Additionally, Goodyear tire tests will be conducted by three teams, down from the current four.
• NASCAR will expand the use of sealed engines next season, increasing to three long block seals in addition to keeping the current 13-race short block seal requirement.

For more information, visit NASCAR.com.

Motorsports legends Al Unser Sr. and Al Unser Jr. will help kick off the world’s premier event for motorsports professionals by headlining the Grand Opening Breakfast presented by MAVTV at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show on Thursday, December 6, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
 
Hosted by distinguished racing journalist and broadcaster Dave Despain, the Breakfast takes place immediately before the PRI Show opens its doors for the three biggest business days in racing. Despain will interview the Unsers in a casual, talk show-style setting, where they will share personal stories and experiences for a captive audience of more than 3000 industry professionals.
 
“We are excited to kick off the 2018 PRI Show with not only one, but two Indy 500 winners,” said PRI General Manager Bill Miller. “The insights and stories shared by these legendary racers will make for a very entertaining Breakfast, led by the great Dave Despain.”
 
During his legendary racing career, Al Sr. won the Indianapolis 500 four times and earned three series championships (1970, 1983, and 1985). In 1990, Al Jr. joined his father as a series champion before joining him as an Indy 500 winner in 1992. The younger Unser went on to win a second series championship in 1994, a season in which he also won the second Indy 500 of his career.
 
The Grand Opening Breakfast is offered exclusively to PRI attendees (not the general public). The event, which includes a hot catered meal, takes place in the Indiana Convention Center’s Sagamore Ballroom. Doors open at 7 a.m., and the program begins at 8 a.m. PRI attendees are admitted to the Breakfast free of charge, but guests are advised to arrive early, as seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
This year’s PRI Trade Show will feature over 1,100 companies exhibiting in more than 3,300 booths, showcasing the latest developments in auto racing technology. Tens of thousands of buyers from all 50 states and 70 countries will be on hand to conduct business and discover innovative solutions.
 
In addition, the days leading up to and including the PRI Show, which are commonly known as Race Industry Week, will offer a range of motorsports-related activities in and around the Indiana Convention Center beginning on Monday, December 3. Numerous conferences, seminars and other special events will offer unlimited business opportunities and provide invaluable insight into the latest technologies and how to apply them throughout the racing world.
 
To register for the 2018 PRI Trade Show, log on to pri2018.com.

John Saunders is the new chairman of the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC). He was elected to the position at the Center’s during a recent council meeting.

Saunders is currently president of the International Speedway Corporation (ISC). Since joining the ISC in 1998, he has served in various roles with expertise in strategic direction, marketing, sales, administration and operations.

Saunders also served as President of Watkins Glen International (WGI) from 1983-1997, leading the track out of bankruptcy to become one of the premier road racing venues in the world. Currently, he is Chariman of the Board of Directors at WGI and holds several other executive positions in the company.

Saunders is taking the reins from long-time IMRRC governing council chair, Bobby Rahal. Rahal was elected to the position in 2014.

“I am very pleased to have been selected by the other council members to become the chair of the organization” Saunders said. “Bobby has provided superb leadership in his time as chair and, as such, it’s really been a seamless transition.”

Saunders had served as Vice-Chair of the IMRRC since 2002.

Saunders has also served on numerous boards of directors, including Grand American Road Racing and the United States Auto Club.

PRI exhibitor International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced that IHRA-member track Capitol Raceway in Gambrills, Maryland, has been named the Division 1 (Patriots) Track of the Year.

Capitol Raceway, known for its “King of Kings” Funny Car events, is one of the top drag strips in the country with many legendary names racing down the track such as Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Ronnie Sox, and more.

What makes Capitol Raceway the Division 1 Track of the Year, according to the IHRA, is its commitment to growing the IHRA Summit Superseries and the willingness to listen to the racers.

Likewise, IHRA-member track Penwell Knights Raceway at Caprock Motorplex, Penwell, Texas, has been named the Division 4 (Renegades) Track of the Year.

The track, established in 1966, features a full schedule including IHRA Summit SuperSeries bracket racing and heads-up racing throughout the year. Caprock Motorplex was created in 2012 and Penwell Knights Dragway is now the premier state-of-the-art facility in West Texas.

After the tower had to be rebuilt and the scoring system had to be reinstalled following an electrical fire in 2016, the track reopened as a state-of-the-art facility, which now features a beautiful new tower sitting above three hospitality suites at the starting line.

For more information on the IHRA, visit IHRA.com.

C.J. O’Donnell, the chief marketing officer of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has decided to leave Hulman Motorsports at the end of the calendar year.

"We've made noteworthy strides at Hulman Motorsports in recent years,"  Hulman & Company President and CEO Mark Miles said. "Our fan base has grown significantly, and we've seen improvement across all key marketing metrics. I am pleased with our progress and thankful to C.J. for his strong leadership. His passion for the sport, dedication to his team and tireless effort have produced meaningful results."

Since being hired in November 2013, O'Donnell has built a team committed to driving increased fan engagement, adding over 1 million followers to INDYCAR's social platforms and lifting TV viewership by 23 percent. In addition, INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway produced several years of attendance growth, including the sellout of the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2016.

O'Donnell will now focus on a smooth transition for his team. This includes furthering INDYCAR's strategic plans with NBC Sports and assisting in the development of a comprehensive transition strategy for the marketing and communications departments.

The fourth annual Race Track Safety Program (RTSP), presented in conjunction with the International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) Annual Congress, will be held Friday, December 7, during the 2018 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The RTSP venue has been moved from the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) this year in order to accommodate the growing demands of the popular program. The 2018 RTSP will be held at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, Indiana, which is just 15 minutes west of downtown Indianapolis.

The expanded, one-day program will consist of several educational sessions as well as hands-on practical sessions geared especially for local short tracks, road courses, drag strips and rally events around the United States and Canada.

The target audience for this unique program is the small race track operations personnel—especially emergency medical services (EMS) and fire & rescue team members. Attendees will learn the most efficient and safest procedures of responding to race track incidents from top experts in the field.

Registration for the event is available online now. Registration fees, which includes lunch, are $75 on or before November 30, 2018. Registration fees increase to $100 (paid at the door) after the deadline. Continuing Education (CE) Credits are available to attendees as well as an Educational Tax Receipt.

A preseason open test at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) and in-season open tests at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) oval and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca highlight the 2018-19 IndyCar Series testing rules issued to teams by INDYCAR.

COTA, the popular permanent road course added to the schedule as the second race of the season on March 24, will play host to the only official gathering of all IndyCar Series full-season entries before the season starts. The track in Austin, Texas, will be the site of a two-day open test on February 12–13, as teams prepare for the season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, less than four weeks later.

Teams are scheduled to test on the iconic 2.5-mile IMS oval on April 24, ahead of on-track activities in May leading to the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca near Monterey, California, returns to the Indy car schedule in 2019 for the first time in 15 years, serving as the season finale on September 22. An open test day is set for September 19, just ahead of the official race weekend.

The private testing period runs from October 1, 2018–September 11, 2019, with blackout periods around Thanksgiving and Christmas and within seven days of all race weekends except prior to the St. Petersburg opener. Each team is permitted three preseason test days that must be completed by March 4, 2019.

Full-season IndyCar Series rookie drivers are permitted two additional test days to be used by September 11, 2019. New IndyCar Series teams are also granted two additional test days.

Full-season IndyCar Series teams may take advantage of an extra day to test current Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires drivers. A team with at least one full-season entrant in both the IndyCar Series and Indy Lights is also accorded one extra test day.

Chevrolet and Honda each receive one engine manufacturer test day at any approved track other than the three where open tests will take place.

The 2019 IndyCar Series schedule consists of 17 races, opening with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 10. 

POWRi has announced new venues for scheduled races on October 5 and 6.

The Friday, October 5, show will now take place at Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, Florida, and will serve as the POWRi Lucas Oil WAR Sprint League season finale. The Saturday, October 6, show will now be run at Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, Indiana, and will serve as the WAR Wildcard championship decider and the conclusion of the $20,000 Bell Racing USA Triple Crown Challenge.

The Jacksonville event on October 5, will also feature MOWA Sprint Cars and serve as the season finale for the POWRi Lucas Oil WAR Sprint League. The WAR Sprints last competed at the Jacksonville quarter-mile in June, when Joe B. Miller topped a 26-car field.

The Kokomo event on the following day will feature POWRi WAR Wildcard League will race alongside the previously-scheduled season-finale for the All-Star Circuit of Champions and a non-wing sprint car support class organized by Bernie Stuebgen of Indy Race Parts. That race will now be sanctioned by the POWRi Lucas Oil WAR Wildcard Sprints and will be the deciding race in the season-long championship.

Any driver in the top-ten in WAR Sprints points standings will receive $100 tow money, plus event payout, if they make the trip to Indiana for Saturday's WAR Wildcard race at Kokomo.