Performance Racing Industry (PRI) hosted another successful reception for racing professionals at Red Rocks Cafe in Huntersville, North Carolina, in late May. Several dozen industry members—including longtime friends and colleagues, as well as a handful of new ones—came for the annual networking event held between NASCAR’s All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600. Among myriad motorsports businesses represented were Automotive Specialists, Brenton Productions, Carbotech Performance Brakes, G-Force Racing Gear, Hendrick Motorsports, Mike’s Racing Heads, North Carolina Motorsports Association, Pro FABrication, Simpson Performance Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Xceldyne, XRP, and more.

Results of the 2018 SEMA Board of Directors election have been announced, with Donnie Eatherly from P&E Distributors Inc., Dan Kahn from Kahn Media Inc., Brian Lounsberry from Motovicity Distribution, Dr. Jamie Meyer from General Motors, and Steve Whipple from Edelbrock LLC elected to serve on the Board.

While Kahn is a current SEMA Board member who was re-elected onto the group, Eatherly has served as a past Board member, and Lounsberry, Meyer, and Whipple will join as new SEMA Board members.

The complete list of the 2018–2019 SEMA Board of Directors, effective at the close of the Board meeting on July 20, includes: Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki, Coker Group; Chairman-Elect Tim Martin, K&N Engineering Inc.; Immediate-Past Chairman and Secretary Doug Evans, Crower Cams & Equipment Co. Inc.; and Treasurer Peter Lehman, Granite Creek Capital Partners LLC; as well as Board members Greg Adler, Transamerican Auto Parts; Chris Douglas, COMP Performance Group; Donnie Eatherly, P&E Distributors Inc.; Kyle Fickler, Aeromotive Inc.; Dan Kahn, Kahn Media Inc.; James Lawrence, Power Automedia; Brian Lounsberry, Motovicity Distribution; Dr. Jamie Meyer, General Motors; Les Rudd, Bob Cook Sales; and Steve Whipple, Edelbrock LLC.

David Goch of Webster, Chamberlain & Bean LLP and Russ Deane of Trainum, Snowdon & Deane continue as general counsels.

SEMA Board members are industry representatives who volunteer their time to lead and guide the association. They are elected by all SEMA-member companies and represent the key membership categories: manufacturers, distributors/retailers, manufacturers’ rep and services.

The entire 2018–2019 SEMA Board of Directors will be honored and recognized during the SEMA Installation and Gala in July. At the same time, outgoing SEMA Board members Jim Bingham of Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc., Susan Carpenter of CPG, Laurel Dasher of MagnaFlow, and Nick Gramelspacher of Meyer Distributing will be concluding their volunteer terms and honored for their service and contributions. The event will also feature a special tribute to 2018 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductees Ed Pink, Chris Thomson and Donnie Eatherly.

Details and tickets to the SEMA Installation and Gala are available at www.sema.org/gala. SEMA is the parent company of Performance Racing Industry.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has named Timothy McGrane as Chief Executive Officer of the County of Monterey-owned facility.

McGrane, a lifelong automotive enthusiast with an extensive background in event management, fund- raising, and sponsorship acquisition, has been involved with classic car auctions for 30 years, and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance through various associations for 25 years. Most recently, he had served as executive director of Blackhawk Automotive Museum since 2013.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is an 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course built in 1957 that hosts world-class motorsports events such as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix, and Porsche Rennsport Reunion. Earlier this year, the raceway announced a naming rights agreement with WeatherTech Inc., signed Lexus as its Official Luxury Automobile, and extended the naming rights agreement of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion with Rolex Watch USA.

“The County of Monterey and SCRAMP have made a long-term commitment to transform this legendary race track facility into a modern motorsports and lifestyle special events venue, and I am looking forward to being a part of the transition of this iconic and historic motor racing circuit,” said McGrane. “We are entering into a new era of not only continuing its motorsports legacy but also evolving it to maximize the potential of the entire facility with motor-sports as well as non-automotive and lifestyle events. We want to get the rest of the facility to match what is a world-class motorsports circuit. We want the participants, sponsors, spectators, and local community to see an immediate difference and know that WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is headed toward the future.”

The partnership between WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Monterey County is helping to bring improvements to the historic facility, and McGrane’s expertise is expected to accelerate that process. “Tim shares the county’s vision of transforming the raceway into a world-class facility,” said Dewayne Woods, Assistant County Administrative Officer for Monterey County. “The combination of Tim’s experience and the county’s engagement will expedite success in this transformation.”

QA1 has named Dave Kass as its new Marketing Manager. A QA1 team member since 2009, Kass started his career with QA1 on the technical support team. Since then he has worked in a variety of sales positions, most recently as Customer Service Manager, where he led the company’s customer service and technical support team. In that capacity, he also worked closely with the marketing department, attending numerous trade shows and media events. Most recently, he championed the conception of QA1’s #goDRIVEit campaign, which encourages enthusiasts to get out and enjoy their vehicles.

Kass, a past recipient of SEMA’s 35 Under 35 award, will now be responsible for the planning and execution of day-to-day marketing activities, driving corporate and product marketing strategies, and monitoring market trends.

“We have a strong marketing team, and with the right focus, I think we can capitalize on the strength of the QA1 brand as we continue to innovate and grow,” he said. “Applying what I’ve learned through thousands of interactions with QA1 users will be a great tool when developing various marketing strategies.”

In related news, QA1 will mark its 25th anniversary this year during the company’s annual Open House and #goDRIVEit Cruise, which takes place July 20 at QA1’s facility in Lakeville, Minnesota.

Each year, QA1 invites enthusiasts to take an inside look at its operations and manufacturing facility by spending the morning at its annual Open House and #goDRIVEit Cruise. Held from 7 to 9 a.m., the open house features tours of the facility, prizes varying from small to large, free T-shirts, and a chance for attendees to show off their cars. Attendees then will cruise the 27 miles up to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for the Street Machine Nationals, gaining preferred entrance to the show (attendees must be preregistered for the Street Machine Nationals and pick up their registration packet Thursday night). This year, QA1 will highlight its 25 years with extra prizes and activities.

For more information on the Open House and #goDRIVEit Cruise, visit QA1.net/cruise.

Motovicity Distribution, a wholesale-only aftermarket distributor based in Madison Heights, Michigan, recently announced the addition of Peter Martz as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer. In his new role, Martz is responsible for the financial reporting, accounting and treasury aspects of the company, as well as helping to expand the business beyond its current footprint.

Martz has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive and services industries, holding roles in both finance and operations. Most recently, Martz served as corporate controller for Fisher Dynamics, a tier 1 seating automotive supplier. He joined Fisher after spending the previous seven years as financial director for the US Division of AGS Automotive, a tier 1 automotive supplier focused on impact systems.

“What a massive score for Moto—his expansive financial knowledge, vast professional experience, peer network and impressive education are just what this company needed,” said CEO Brian Lounsberry. “Honestly, we are bringing a gun to a knife fight with Pete. Shake in those boots, competition, because a new Moto is just around the corner.”

Martz holds an MBA in Finance from The University of Notre Dame and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Michigan State University.

In related news, Motovicity announced that Greg Atkins has joined the company to fill the newly created role of Chief Information Officer.

Atkins brings nearly 20 years of IT systems implementation and project leadership to the company, including work in the manufacturing industry. Before accepting his new role with Motovicity, Atkins served as President of Troy, Michigan-based The IT Management Group, a company he founded in 2003.

The addition of Atkins for the recently created CIO position continues Lounsberry’s strategic initiative to strengthen the company’s executive leadership team, which recently included the addition of VP of Sales & Marketing Rob Weir.

NASCAR has announced a series of promotions, beginning with the news that Gene Stefanyshyn will now lead the organization’s international efforts as Senior Vice President and Chief International Officer; John Probst has been promoted to Vice President, Innovation and Racing Development; John Bobo has been promoted to Vice President, Racing Operations; and Scott Prime has been promoted to Vice President, Strategic Development.

In his new role, Stefanyshyn is responsible for developing the racing product and brand across NASCAR’s international series in Canada, Mexico and Europe, as well as prospective new markets abroad. Stefanyshyn joined NASCAR in 2013 and has led efforts to innovate across all competition platforms. Prior to NASCAR, Stefanyshyn worked internationally in the automotive industry, and brings extensive overseas experience to the role. He will continue to report to Steve O’Donnell, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer.

Probst steps into the key leadership role Stefanyshyn held the past five years and will be responsible for leading the sport’s efforts to continue to deliver strong racing at all levels of competition, as well as integrating innovation and technology across the sport’s at-track operations. Probst joined NASCAR in 2016 after two-plus decades of industry experience, including time with Ford Motor Company, Red Bull Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing. Probst will remain based out of the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, North Carolina, and report directly to O’Donnell.

Bobo will now oversee racing operations across all national, touring and weekly series, as well as managing the American Medical Response (AMR) relationship and the sport’s drug testing program. Bobo joined NASCAR in 2010 after two decades of previous high-level experience in private, government and non-profit sectors. Most notably, he served as a state prosecutor, chief drug and alcohol policy advisor to the US Secretary of Transportation, and later head of the US DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration. Bobo will remain based out of NASCAR’s Daytona Beach, Florida, headquarters and report directly to O’Donnell.

Prime will oversee key strategic initiatives and development of new business platforms for the sport, as well as managing the industry council framework across the sport’s main stakeholders.  Prime joined NASCAR in 2015 after a decade-long career driving strategy at McKinsey & Company, the National Basketball Association and Mercer Management Consulting. Prime will remain based out of NASCAR’s New York offices and report directly to Steve Phelps, Chief Operating Officer.

Sonny Leonard and the team from Sonny’s World Class Racing in Lynchburg, Virginia, have volunteered to build a high-performance engine that will serve as the grand prize for this year’s 30th anniversary Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis.

The power plant is a custom-built 727-cubic-inch hemi engine valued at more than $60,000. The engine will include: Sonny’s fully in-house ported hemispherical cylinder heads, Sonny’s/Brodix 5.000 B.S. block with 1.000-inch raised cam with special high-flow water jackets, a Bryant billet crank, Carrillo steel billet rods, and much more. The engine can be street-driven on 93 octane fuel, producing 1310 horsepower, naturally aspirated.

All proceeds from the Sweepstakes will be given to Victory Junction, a camp for children living with serious medical conditions, founded by NASCAR’s Petty family. The winning ticket will be drawn at the PRI Show on December 8, the final day of the three-day trade event.

Over the past 30 years, Sunnen, PRI and a number of well-known engine builders—including most recently Patterson Elite Performance and Reher-Morrison Racing Engines—have teamed up to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities within the racing community. To purchase tickets for this year’s Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes, or for more information on Victory Junction, visit victoryjunction.org/sunnen-sweepstakes/.

This year’s PRI Show takes place December 6–8 at the Indiana Convention Center. For more information or to register, visit pri2018.com.

The initial floor plan for the 2018 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show is now available online at www.pri2018.com/floorplan.

Highlights for this year’s Show, taking place December 6–8 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, include a new indoor exhibit area at Lucas Oil Stadium that will house trailer exhibits as well as the Featured Products Showcase, PRI’s world-famous Machinery Row, expanded Education areas, and a full-service Media Center.

As the premier business event for motorsports professionals, the annual PRI Show features more than 3300 exhibit booths showcasing the latest developments in auto racing technology along with tens of thousands of buyers from all 50 states and 70-plus countries.

“The PRI Show is the only motorsports trade show in the world where more than 1100 exhibiting companies display the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies, and trailers for the racing industry in a single location,” said PRI General Manager Bill Miller. “The entire motorsports industry will convene in Indianapolis to conduct business and network with experts at the industry-exclusive PRI Show."

As referenced previously, PRI’s all-new indoor exhibit area at Lucas Oil Stadium now allows trailer exhibitors to show off their product lineups alongside their booths. The area also will play host to PRI’s Featured Products Showcase—a one-stop shop for hundreds of new and highlighted race parts and equipment—which returns after an overwhelmingly successful inaugural program in 2017.

Additional highlights of the 2018 PRI Trade Show include an exclusive Unser Family Tribute exhibit, as well as the Race Track Business Conference, Advanced Engineering Technology Conference, Annual Congress of the International Council of Motorsport Sciences, and much more.

Details about Show features and events, along with featured exhibitors on the floor plan, can be accessed and saved in the PRI Show Planner. Available at www.pri2018.com/planner, this dynamic resource makes it easy for attendees to develop a personalized list of must-see exhibitors and activities to attend.

For more information or to register for the 2018 PRI Trade Show, visit pri2018.com.

Dayco Products, LLC has announced the appointment of Angela Golden as the new head of marketing. In her new role, Golden will lead all automotive and industrial aftermarket marketing efforts in the United States.

Golden joins Troy, Michigan-based Dayco from NGK Spark Plugs, where she was responsible for marketing NGK and NTK brands through advertising, promotions, product launches and events. She has spent over a decade working with the automotive industry in B2B and B2C markets, driving product launches, promotions and marketing programs through various traditional and social media platforms, according to company sources.

“Angela’s drive in seeking out innovative solutions and challenging the status quo for progress is exactly the approach Dayco is looking for in its new team,” said Daniel Sheehan, Vice President of US Aftermarket Sales at Dayco. “[Her] automotive and marketing experience will prove beneficial in creating new marketing strategies for Dayco and profitable programs for our customers. She will continue to play a vital role in moving Dayco forward.”

Golden is an active member of various industry associations, including the Auto Care Association Marketing and Communications Committee, Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), AASA Marketing Executives Council (MEC), and AASA Modern Industry eXpertise (MiX).

For more information on Dayco, visit dayco.com.

IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE), a marketer and promoter of sports and live entertainment experiences, has expanded its leadership team.

Joining IRGSE are Ryan Perezluha, Public Relations Manager for IRGSE; Justin Kamm, Director of Corporate Partnerships for Palm Beach International Raceway; and Lee Lyons, Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships for IRGSE.

Based out of IRGSE’s West Palm Beach, Florida, headquarters, Perezluha, Kamm and Lyons will report to IRGSE Senior Director of New Business & Industry Relations Dana Landry. Perezluha has over a decade of experience as a publicist and marketing manager for various NASCAR and drag racing teams.

Kamm, a sports marketing professional, most recently served as the Director of Marketing and Sales for New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey. In his current role, he will specialize in the procurement and management of partners for PBIR and other IRGSE properties.

Lyons, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Alabama, has worked for a range of marketing companies, including PGA of America, The Gab Group, and MELT.

For more information, visit IRGSE.com.