Motorsports professionals are invited to learn from top-level engine builders, engineers and manufacturers during this year’s expanded Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) at the 2018 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show.

Attendees will exchange cutting-edge ideas and information on the latest in performance engine technology, as well as spend one-on-one time with colleagues and expert presenters during the two-day conference, December 4–5, at the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) in Indianapolis.

The program begins with an Opening Experience featuring an all-star panel of legendary engine builders: Ed Pink of Ed Pink’s Garage; Jon Kaase of Jon Kaase Race Engines; Sonny Leonard of Sonny’s Racing Engines; and Keith Dorton of Automotive Specialists. In addition to the panel, the Opening Experience includes exclusive networking, light hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

The following day, beginning at 8:30 a.m., engine builders, designers, engineers, manufacturers, business owners, racers, and media will gain invaluable information on some of the industry’s leading technological breakthroughs and state-of-the-art advances in motorsports technology during presentations from such notable experts as Gary Patterson of ECR Engines, Lake Speed Jr. of Driven Racing Oil, Jeremy Wagler of Wagler Motorsports, and Doug Sobotka of Excel Engineering, among others.

Later that day, the AETC will bring together attendees for a special networking event—its Engine Builder Happy Hour—recognizing the contributions of accomplished motorsports engine builders. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be available at the event, which begins at 4:30 p.m. in the ICC’s Meeting Rooms 235–237, just outside the Sagamore Ballroom.

In addition, the conference will present a slate of bonus sessions from 11 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. on December 6 and 7. These sessions will cover topics such as suspension, setup and shock tuning, among others. Further details will be released as session presenters are confirmed.

For more information or to register for the AETC, call 909/978-6743 or visit aetconline.com.

What if I told you there was a brand-new resource that lets a race engine builder in Winder, Georgia (for example) search the world’s largest database of racing and performance manufacturers for everything from A/N fittings to wrist pins. Similarly, a performance shop in Brainerd, Minnesota (again, just an example) could now use that same tool to locate suppliers of bolt extractors, flow benches or work holding equipment; and a fabricator in Red Oak, Texas, to find differential bearings, floater axles… you get the gist.

But what if you also wanted to know whether a manufacturers representative carries a certain line, or serves your area? Or you needed to double-check if a particular sanctioning body still runs pavement late models, 360 sprints or quarter-midgets?

And for manufacturers, service providers and wholesalers, the benefits would be as clear as a bellhousing: You, my friends, would be offered a direct pipeline to nearly 100,000 high-volume buyers and end users of your products and services—the same qualified industry professionals that gather each year in Indianapolis for our award-winning Trade Show; that read our best-in-class magazine; that receive our now-weekly eNewsletter; and that follow our daily updates online, including our highly engaging social media platforms.

What we’d have here is a powerful new search tool with up-to-the-minute information on domestic and international racing suppliers, wholesalers, warehouse distributors, service providers, race sanctioning organizations and manufacturers reps—one that’s uniquely positioned to draw on the strength of PRI’s resources for the sole purpose of promoting business across the industry’s vast and varied supply chain.

Introducing, PRI Direct.

Think of it as the 2.0 version of our annual PRI Buyers Guide: a comprehensive directory that’s online, mobile-friendly, updated regularly, available 24/7, and TOTALLY FREE TO ACCESS.  

I recently sat down with PRI Publisher Peter MacGillivray to discuss the new platform, and he described it thusly: "For more than 30 years, motorsports professionals have relied on the PRI Buyers Guide to conduct business, and now PRI Direct gives users instant online access to all of the valuable information in the print publication…. Because PRI Direct is part of the PRI ecosystem, businesses can increase their ROI by leveraging the power of PRI Magazine and the PRI Trade Show to increase their exposure.”

And I was like, “Peter, you had me at ‘ecosystem.’”

It’s actually a term we started using here some time ago to describe the interconnectivity of PRI’s products (Trade Show, magazine, eNewsletter, website, social media, etc.) and how they all work together to deliver truckloads of value for our partners (exhibitors, attendees, advertisers, readers, followers, etc.). When placed alongside our exclusive database of motorsports parts buyers, the possibilities are endless.

So we invite you to visit pridirect.com today and spend some time exploring. There, you’ll find company information for more than 2800 top motorsports suppliers, along with enhanced listings that include product photos, videos, contact information, distribution channels and more.

We’re definitely excited about this new venture, and we think you will be, too, as it’s yet another way PRI helps keep racing professionals dialed in to the worldwide motorsports marketplace!  

Jonny Baker is joining Andersen Promotions in a newly created position as Series Development Director for all three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires ladder system.

Baker will step into his new post immediately, following the conclusion of this past weekend’s Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda season finales at Portland International Raceway.

Baker’s role will be multifaceted, but his primary focus will be as a liaison with current teams and drivers to understand their challenges, assist in development of the Mazda Road to Indy in the recruitment of prospective drivers and teams, and as an advisor to Andersen Promotions on key areas for continued growth. Baker will be visiting racing events around the world in his new series development role, and will be providing feedback to ensure that the three ladder series remain competitive on a global basis compared to other motorsports platforms on offer.

Co-founder alongside Anders Krohn of the highly successful CoForce consulting, marketing and digital agency in 2011, Baker most recently served as General Manager for Team Pelfrey’s USF2000 and Pro Mazda programs since 2014, overseeing multiple race and championship wins. In addition to his former role as Director of Driver Development at Andersen Racing, he was also Track Manager at Andersen RacePark for five years, from start-up to successful development of the corporate and competition karting facility in Palmetto, Florida. Baker holds a Business Administration Degree from the University of the West of England.

Baker’s racing experience includes British Formula Ford, USF2000, and Pro Mazda from 2005 to 2008.

For more information, visit indylights.com.

Drivers planning to participate in the Speedway Motors WISSOTA 100 at I-94 Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, on September 15 will undergo pre-race inspection where parts such as body panels, minimum safety requirements, race car measurements, and more may be checked.

It is recommended by WISSOTA that all drivers have all safety equipment with them in the pre-race tech area. It is also recommended that all drivers know and understand all penalties for any infractions that may be found through pre- or post-race tech. A great place to find rules and clarifications is on the WISSOTA website at wissota.org/rules or in your All The Dirt! Racing News. The disqualification list online is also a great place to find some insights into tech inspections throughout the season.

“We recommend that all drivers are familiar with all rules in their class,” said WISSOTA Technical Director Bill Engelstad. “If all drivers continue to familiarize themselves with these rules, the pre-race tech lines will go a lot smoother and quicker.”

Pre-race tech will open at 2 pm on Tuesday, September 11, and 12 pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday tech times will be determined by car counts and number of new cars on Friday.

For technical questions, contact Bill Engelstad at bill@wissota.org or at 218/208-7844.

Visit WISSOTA.org for more information on all tech clarifications, WISSOTA 100 schedules, and more.

Pre-entries for the 20th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree, slated for September 20–22, at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota, have been revealed.

The list (as of September 5) of pre-entered drivers—among the world’s elite Modified and B-Mod racers who will compete for more than $150,000 in prize money—is available here.

Race fans will witness a complete program all three nights, with $5000 going to the Modified winner on the first two nights, and Saturday’s winner pocketing $10,000. Thirty cars will start the main event each night. Thursday’s Non-Qualifiers Race will pay $700 to win and a minimum of $100 for each of the 24 starters. Saturday’s Mon-Qualifiers Race will pay $2000 to win and a minimum $250 for each of the 30 starters. Saturday’s championship main event will start three-wide.

There will be a complete show each night. The top 15 in heat race passing points are locked into “A” Main each night with the top 8 redrawing for the first eight starting positions. An additional 15 drivers will advance from the “B” Mains.

For more from the United States Racing Association (USRA), visit www.usraracing.com.

Aston Martin Racing is launching the AMR Young Driver Academy for 2019 in its search to find the next Ross Gunn, the factory FIA World Endurance Championship team’s current reserve and development driver and the winner of its previous young driver scheme in 2015.

This new initiative aims to fast-track talent within the Aston Martin Racing customer network to factory status, and is set to run through 2019.

The AMR Young Driver Academy will include drivers between ages 17 and 25, and is eligible only to those competing in partner and customer Vantage GT cars in recognized championships. Contestants will be judged on a wide range of criteria that include pace, consistency, technical feedback and fitness.

The judging panel will also evaluate drivers’ ability to manage the strategic, teamwork, commercial and public relations aspects of their role. Finally, the outstanding candidate will demonstrate the most potential to develop their talent for the future.

The AMR Young Driver Academy is intended to stimulate healthy competition through the ranks that will encourage more talented rising stars to sign up and race for both established and incoming partner team programs next year.

Interested parties should submit their racing CV to enquiries@astonmartinracing.com by March 1, 2019.

Andersen Promotions has announced that a new team, BN Racing, will enter the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires fray in 2019.

The Chicago-based squad confirmed their plans to enter at least one Dallara-Mazda IL-15, in addition to its existing commitments in both the Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda.

Indy Lights represents the top rung on the Mazda Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires, which offers talented young open-wheel drivers a series of opportunities to progress from the grassroots of the sport to the pinnacle in North America.

No fewer than 25 of the 33 starters in this year’s Indianapolis 500 graduated via Indy Lights.

As confirmed recently, the winner of next year’s Indy Lights championship will claim an enhanced scholarship valued at $1.1 million, guaranteeing entry into at least three IndyCar Series events in 2020, including the 104th Indianapolis 500.

BN Racing is led by Englishman Bryn Nuttall, who has an extensive background in many areas of motorsports globally, from the engineering side to management and coaching aspects of the sport, with success all around the world.

The team has made quite an impression since bursting onto the scene with a partial season of USF2000 competition in 2017. Despite missing the opening four races, BN guided teenager David Malukas to a pole position in just his second event start at Road America and ended the season with a best finish of second, as well as three consecutive top-six results to round out its initial campaign.

The progression continued into 2018 as BN added a pair of Pro Mazda cars to its roster. The young team’s highlight came once again at Road America, where Malukas and Englishman Toby Sowery finished first and second in each of the two races and Keith Donegan earned his first podium finish in USF2000, claiming a season record of five podiums during a race weekend.

The team finished the 2018 season in style, with Malukas winning the last race of the year at the Portland GP this past weekend.

In a little over a year, BN Racing has become an established front-running team in both categories, with race wins, podiums, pole positions and lap records strewn across its impressive first full season this year.

“I’m delighted to be able to announce we will enter the 2019 Indy Lights championship and complete the team’s ability to offer all three categories of these outstanding racing series operated by Andersen Promotions,” said Nuttall. “Not only is this a key step in moving forward as a racing team but with the extra personnel coming in, this will also strengthen my already established USF2000 and Pro Mazda teams, which is a very critical point for me. My aim is to have the capability of winning in every series we enter.

“I’m under no illusions on how tough 2019 in Indy Lights is going to be, but we’ve shown many times over the last 18 months what we are capable of, so let’s see what happens when March arrives.”

BN will announce its driver and testing plans in the coming weeks.

“We are very excited to welcome BN Racing to the Indy Lights paddock,” said Dan Andersen, owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “Bryn has established his credentials with front-running teams in both USF2000 and Pro Mazda, and I expect no less from him in Indy Lights. His dedication and passion in helping drivers reach the top level of our sport is underscored with his expansion to now include all three levels of the ladder system.

“Bryn is a go-getter and has put a great program in place in a short amount of time. We are looking forward to seeing his hard work and commitment pay off with continued success in Indy Lights.”

The AAM Group recently appointed Dave Hamilton as its new Program Sales and Business Development Representative. Most recently serving in an outside sales/business development capacity with AAM member All Pro: Virginia, Hamilton brings a wealth of experience at both the distribution and vendor level. The role expands AAM’s commitment to drive program-affiliated jobbers and help them succeed at the local retail level.

Hamilton possesses more than 18 years’ experience in the automotive aftermarket. In addition to his time with All Pro: Virginia, he’s previously held various sales and warehouse management positions, notably with WeatherTech and Meyer Distribution. Alongside his program sales responsibilities, Hamilton will take point on AAM’s new Order Express service.

“In my time working with jobbers at both the manufacturing and distribution level, I have always been impressed with the support and awareness that AAM facilitates at all levels of our industry,” Hamilton said. “I am now proud to be a part of this team, and I look forward to working to ensure success with our partners in an ever-evolving marketplace.”

Automotive Accessories Marketing USA, Inc. (The AAM Group) is the largest distribution group in the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) marketplace. Now in its 30th year, the corporation was founded by eight high-performance warehouse distributors that sought to achieve cooperative scaled purchasing and marketing advantages. The AAM Group now counts 24 member-companies operating 46 distribution centers throughout North America.

In August, the MAHLE Group acquired all the shares in the former joint venture Behr Thermot-tronik Italia S.p.A. (BTTI), which has been renamed MAHLE Behr Grugliasco S.p.A. with immediate effect. The former shareholders, MAHLE Behr Kornwestheim GmbH and Valtri S.p.A., jointly agreed to this step in order to pursue the long-term, future-oriented focus and successful ongoing development of BTTI.

At its headquarters in Grugliasco near Turin in northern Italy, the company develops and produces a broad range of thermostat products for use in all vehicle classes. The employment contracts of the currently around 120 employees are expected to remain unchanged, and no physical relocations are planned.

“We are delighted that the employees of BTTI will now belong fully to MAHLE. Their skills and experience will secure the successful development of MAHLE Behr Grugliasco and therefore also of MAHLE,” said Bernd Eckl, Member of the Management Board and responsible for the Thermal Management business unit at MAHLE.

BTTI’s products are already an important component of MAHLE’s portfolio, as complex thermal management tasks within the vehicle can only be realized by intelligently controlling the energy flows that arise. Control systems such as map controlled thermostats ensure precise temperature regulation tuned to meet demand and thus promote more efficient operation, reduced consumption, less wear and lower emissions.

“Aside from the technological aspect, MAHLE also benefits from the BTTI team’s excellent reputation, extensive expertise, and outstanding customer relationships in the Italian market. This applies both to the original equipment and the spare parts businesses,” said Arnd Franz, Member of the Management Board and responsible for Automotive Sales and Application Engineering as well as for the Aftermarket business unit at MAHLE.

As a result of the acquisition, the Italian thermostat specialist will now benefit fully from the systems competence and global network of the MAHLE supplier group.

“For us, it was important to offer employees long-term, future-oriented prospects. We believe that MAHLE’s acquisition offers the best opportunity for BTTI to continue developing successfully,” said Franco Triberti, representative of the former shareholder family.

In turn, MAHLE is expanding its strategically significant thermal management product portfolio. Efficient thermal management is becoming increasingly important, irrespective of the powertrain configuration. In internal combustion drives, the cooling system plays an important part in making vehicles even more efficient. For electric vehicles, the economical use of hot and cold flows is the basis for performance, cruising range, and service life. Integrated, efficient, and intelligent thermal management is therefore a prerequisite for e-mobility.

Behr Thermot-tronik Italia was created in 1997 from Behr Thomson Italia. Since it was founded, the joint venture has worked closely with Behr Thermot-tronik’s other entities. These have already been fully integrated in the MAHLE Group for some time as part of MAHLE’s majority acquisition of Behr in 2013.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship team Furniture Row Racing has announced it will cease operations after this season, citing a lack of necessary funding.

It’s also being reported by motorsport.com that reigning champion Martin Truex Jr. will move to Joe Gibbs Racing next season. At the end of the 2018 season, Truex will move to JGR along with his current crew chief, Cole Pearn, and one of the sponsors currently on his Furniture Row Racing No. 78 Toyota team—Bass Pro Shops, sources told motorsport.com.

Truex, 38, has already been a pseudo-member of the JGR organization as FRR has been operating with a technical alliance with JGR in recent seasons, the news outlet added.

“I’ve always felt that we could be a competitive team and run for a championship even when it seemed like a pipe dream to many racing insiders,” FRR car owner Barney Visser said in a statement. “But to be successful in any business you need to assemble the right people and make a strong commitment to succeed. We achieved what we set out to do and feel like we climbed Mount Everest. To continue with anything less than a competitive team would not be acceptable. It’s been one incredible ride.”

The announcement comes less than a month after car Visser issued a statement that “not fielding a team in 2019 is not an option and we have every intention of continuing to build on our success for years to come.”

The move also comes after primary sponsor 5-hour Energy announced in July that it would no longer remain in NASCAR after this season. 5-hour Energy is serving as co-primary sponsor of the team with Bass Pro Shops for 30 races this year. Furniture Row Racing was unable to find any income to replace what it would be losing.

“This is not good for anybody,” Visser said in a statement about closing the team down after this season. “The numbers just don’t add up. I would have to borrow money to continue as a competitive team and I’m not going to do that. This was obviously a painful decision to arrive at knowing how it will affect a number of quality and talented people.

“We’ve been aggressively seeking sponsorship to replace 5-hour ENERGY and to offset the rising costs of continuing a team alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing but haven’t had any success. I feel that it’s only proper to make the decision at this time to allow all team members to start seeking employment for next year. I strongly believe that all of our people have enhanced their careers by working at Furniture Row Racing.”

The announcement comes as Martin Truex Jr. sits in third place in the points after winning his first series title last season.

Based in Denver, Colorado, and the only NASCAR Cup Series team headquartered west of the Carolinas, Furniture Row Racing started its NASCAR program in 2005—first as a Xfinity team and later in the same year as a Cup team.

For more information, visit furniturerowracing.furniturerow.com