Automotive event organizers throughout the country now have a cost-effective, modern tool to reach consumers and promote events ranging from car shows, auto auctions, drifting or race competitions, free of charge.

Created through a partnership between SEMA and ClassicCars.com, the new MOTORin’ app is a car and truck event finder designed to make it easy for auto enthusiasts to find events, and to help event organizers reach more users.

The app, which is available for download now at no cost at both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, includes hundreds of events, with new events being added daily.

“SEMA is committed to building programs and platforms that help the automotive industry flourish,” SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki said. “Organizers are invited and encouraged to submit their events so they don’t miss out on this opportunity to reach MOTORin’ users.”

Promoters can create an account by downloading the app. Once registered, promoters will be able to submit their events, along with details, a photo and a link to purchase tickets, if desired. Visitors will automatically obtain a list of upcoming events local to them when they access MOTORin’, but can also search for events by date, location, distance, keyword or event category.

“The automotive community thrives by making connections, and there are few places better to do that at than a car event,” ClassicCars.com President and CEO Roger Falcione said. “The MOTORin’ app offers a convenient way for collectors and enthusiasts to promote and discover relevant automotive events in their backyard or across the country. It was a pleasure to work with SEMA to develop the app.”

While events can also be searched on the online website, the mobile app is designed to target a younger audience that is on the move.

For more information or to begin posting events to MOTORin’, download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play or visit motorin.com.

Formula E and the FIA have revealed the calendar for the 2018-19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship, as well as details on the new race format and split power modes on offer alongside the new-look next-generation car in season five.

The FIA released more details on changes to the race format taking into account the increased power and energy storage capacity of the Gen2 car for the coming season, which can complete a full race distance without the need to make a mid-race car swap.

It will also be mandatory for drivers to use two different power modes over a race distance.

Drivers will be able to access 225kW of power in a higher mode—as opposed to the standard 200kW available during the race—once they’ve passed through a single activation zone. The activation zone will be visible and marked out on the circuit for fans. The two power modes on each car will be indicated using different colors on the LED system on the halo head protection device.

The exact number of individual uses and relative duration of the higher power mode will vary at each event and will be determined by the FIA. It will be at the discretion of the teams and drivers when to activate the higher power mode throughout the race within limits set by the FIA.

Drivers will also be able to activate FANBOOST—the unique interactive voting mechanism that allows three drivers to receive extra energy—only when the cars are running on a higher power mode, taking the maximum power available to 250kW.

Other alterations for season five include changes to the number of cars making it through to the super pole shoot-out, to accommodate the larger grid of 22 cars. The new qualifying format now sees the top-six fastest drivers after the group stages battle it out to secure Julius Baer pole position.

Race distances will no longer be measured using a pre-defined number of laps, but will instead run to a strict time limit of 45-minutes plus one lap to reach the checkered flag. The prize for fastest lap will also be replaced, with points being awarded to the most efficient driver classified in the top-five positions, rewarding the driver who has used the least amount of energy.

The 2018-19 calendar was published following the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting in Manila and features 13 races in 12 cities across four continents—starting in Ad Diriyah with the debut of Formula E in the Middle East on December 15, and coming to a close in New York with a doubleheader July 13–14.

The ABB FIA Formula E Championship returns to existing locations including Marrakesh, Mexico City and Hong Kong. Together with events in Africa, Asia and North America—next season also sees the introduction of the newly-titled voestalpine European races.

Formula E cars will tackle a number of cities spanning the continent, with the European leg comprising of races in Rome, Paris, Berlin and Zurich, in addition to visiting the streets of Monaco for a third time on May 11.

Formula 1's governing body FIA has announced new helmet design requirements after over a decade of research, with the ultra-protective helmet offering a number of vital safety benefits, including advanced ballistic protection and increased energy absorption.

Notably, the front of the visor has been lowered by 10mm, which has been implemented to increase safety during impact from debris, while the shell itself uses advanced composite materials to ensure resistance to crushing and penetration.

This new standard, called FIA 8860-2018, will first be used in F1 and comes after the Halo cockpit protection system, designed to reduce the risk of injury from debris or other objects striking a driver’s head, was made mandatory this season.

“The current top-end helmets are already the safest in the world but the new standard will take them to the next level,” FIA Safety Director Laurent Mekies said. “It is important for all of our safety research that we continually strive to improve and this is why we are requiring all manufacturers to meet this tougher standard for our championships.”

F1 helmet manufacturers Stilo, Bell Racing, Schuberth and Arai worked closely with the FIA throughout the extensive research process and will now begin work on their new designs ahead of next season.

Under the new FIA 8860-2018 standard all helmets must withstand the following tests:
1. Standard impact: Helmet impact at 9.5m/s. Peak deceleration on ‘driver’s head’ shall not exceed 275G.
2. Low velocity impact: Helmet impact at 6m/s. Peak deceleration shall not exceed 200G with a maximum average of 180g.
3. Low lateral impact: Helmet impact at 8.5m/s. Peak deceleration shall not exceed 275G.
4. Advanced Ballistic Protection: A 225g metal projectile fired at 250km/h. The peak deceleration shall not exceed 275G.
5. Crush: A 10kg weight falling 5.1 metres onto helmet. Lateral and longitudinal tests. The transmitted force should not exceed 10 kN.
6. Shell penetration: A 4kg impactor dropped onto helmet at 7.7 m/s.
7. Visor penetration: Air rifle fires 1.2g pellet at visor. Pellet must not penetrate the interior of the helmet.
8. Visor coating: Transmitter test to ensure coloration and vision is not significantly changed or distorted.
9. Retention system: Roll-off test and dynamic test to ensure strength of chin strap and its attachments.
10. Chin guard linear impact: Impact test with full headform at 5.5m/s. The peak deceleration shall not exceed 275G.
11. Chin guard crush: Hammer hits chin guard and measures ability to keep impact away from the head.
12. FHR mechanical strength: Test to ensure high strength of attachment points for Frontal Head Restraints.
13. Projection and surface friction: Test to ensure helmet surface uniformity and that friction is minimised. Shell surface also subjected to BARCOL hardness test for resistance to penetration.
14. Flammability: Helmet exposed to 790 C° flame; it must self-extinguish once flame is removed.

(Photo courtesy of the FIA.)

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) has recently bolstered its sales team with the addition of Celina Ingargiola as industry sales director.

In her new position, Ingargiola will be responsible for servicing accounts for PRI as well as SEMA, including overseeing sponsorships, print advertising and web inventories. She will also spend time on the road visiting customers and potential customers. She will report to PRI Magazine Publisher/SEMA Vice President, Events and Communications, Peter MacGillivray.

Prior to PRI, Ingargiola worked as an account manager at Bonnier Corporation in Winter Park, Florida. No stranger to the industry, Ingargiola was also a part of the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) Select Committee, where she spent time volunteering and helped work on the SEMA Launch Pad, the young entrepreneur automotive business competition.

“I’m excited. It’s going to be nice to see what I can bring to the table from some of my past experiences,” Ingargiola said. “I think being part of the SEMA Young Executives Network will be very helpful because it’s going to shorten the learning curve I would have had as an outsider coming into this industry. I was able to learn and integrate so much with SEMA and PRI staff through my role volunteering that it should translate nicely into this role.”

Ingargiola holds a bachelor’s degree in event management with a minor in hospitality management from the University of Central Florida.

Ingargiola will be based out of PRI’s Aliso Viejo, California, offices and can be contacted at 949/373-9214 or celinai@performanceracing.com.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series races this weekend at Michigan International Speedway will both utilize new tire compounds from Goodyear.

The announcement comes after an April 17–18  tire test at the high-speed, 2-mile track in Brooklyn, Michigan. The new set-up will debut in Saturday’s LTi Printing 250 for Xfinity cars and Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 for the Monster Energy Series.

The new compounds are said to be designed to introduce more wear and place a premium on tire management. The tire makeup is also said to be designed to minimize heat build-up during the races.

“Michigan was paved not too many years ago and the track still has a lot of grip, so we have to be cognizant of that and the speeds the Cup cars are running when we make our tire recommendation,” Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of racing, said in a release. “We tested at Michigan this spring with the expressed intent of looking at right-side tire temperatures, and came away with a great compound that will wear more and run cooler. We also were able to update our left-side construction and go with a compound on that side of the car that will wear more as well.”

Goodyear Racing will also provide a new compound for left-side tires for Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway to bring the series’ tires up to Texas code.

For more information, visit NASCAR.com.

The Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block modifieds will return to the 99-year-old Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York, on Thursday, July 19, for the Battle on the Midway.

The victor will take home $10,000 and a guaranteed starting position at the 47th annual NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week. The Series has not raced on the 5/8-mile speedway since 2014, and the first Super DIRTcar Series OCFS race was held in 1972.

In 1919, the fair held its first automobile race on the new OCFS. The track has the distinction of one of the oldest continuously operating dirt track in the country, nearing its 100th anniversary. This year the Battle on the Midway will run concurrently with the fair. Pre-ordered fair tickets will include free entry into the 100-lap, $10,000-to-win, Super DIRT Week Qualifier.

The Super DIRTcar Series is one of the premier Big-Block modified tours of North America. In 2018 there are 17 drivers contending for the Series Championship.

Babcox Media Inc. has announced that Jenna Kuczkowski has joined BodyShop Business and Counterman as the associate editor.

Kuczkowski previously served on the editorial staff of Babcox Media’s Tire Review publication while finishing her journalism degree at Kent State University. She also served as managing editor of the university’s newspaper, Kent Stater.

In her new role, Kuczkowski will report to Jason Stahl, editor of BodyShop Business, as well as Josh Cable, editor of Counterman magazine.

“Jenna brings a fresh perspective and excellent journalistic skills to the team. Welcome aboard, Jenna,” said Scott Shriber, group publisher of BodyShop Business, Counterman and aftermarketNews.

Kuczkowski can be reached at 330/670-1234, ext. 244.

Online registration is now open for IMCA Modified and IMCA Sunoco Stock Car drivers planning to follow the 29th annual Kupper Chevrolet Dakota Classic Tour.

Drivers in both divisions can go to the "drivers" tab on the dakotamodtour.com website to pre-register.

Modified drivers must be pre-entered to become eligible for provisionals during the tour as well as to compete in the $10,003 to win Corral Sales Legendary 50 on July 13, at Dacotah Speedway.

Modified features pay $2,400 to win, a minimum of $300 to start and are qualifying events for the 2018 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. Stock car features pay $800 to win and a minimum of $125 to start.

The tour opens Saturday, July 7, at Jamestown Speedway before heading to Nodak Speedway in Minot on July 8, Estevan Motor Speedway in Saskatchewan on July 9, Williston Basin Speedway on July 10, Southwest Speedway in Dickinson on July 11 and Da­cotah Speedway at Mandan on July 12.

Title sponsor Kupper Chevrolet provides tour point funds of $2000 for the modifieds and $1000 for the stock cars. Drivers in both divisions also earn contingency awards from numerous IMCA and local sponsors.

More information about the tour is available from Director John Gartner at 701/202-6075. All Dakota Tour events as well as the Legendary event will be broadcast by IMCA.TV.

(Image courtesy of IMCA.)

This year’s Summer Showdown, a yearly sprint car special at Tri-State Speedway, will feature both Hoosier Tire Midwest Sprint Car Series and the POWRi WAR Sprints.

Previously only featuring the Midwest Sprint Car Series, the event will now be co-sanctioned, with drivers from the two organizations racing wheel to wheel. Scheduled for Saturday, June 9, the special event will offer a purse of $5000 to the winner.

The POWRi WAR Sprints is a non-wing series based in Missouri that competes in marquee venues throughout the race season. The series will be competing in races in Illinois prior to racing Saturday at Haubstadt.

Past Summer Showdown events were rather competitive, having ten different drivers finish in the top five spots throughout the night.

UMP Open Wheel Modifieds will also join the lineup with a 25-lap feature, and the Vintage Car Club will be on-hand for the event.

Warm-up laps begin at 6 p.m. CDT, with racing beginning at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

Promoter Steve Beitler, champion driver Lance Dewease, mechanic Scott Gerkin and media member Bob Mays each took center stage June 2 as they were officially inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (NSCHoF).

Emcees Dave Argabright and Dr. Pat Sullivan, and a crowd of over 350 guests, enjoyed the three-hour ceremony, which honored the exceptional careers of eight inductees.

The families of deceased inductees Bryan Clauson (parents Diane and Tim, and fiancée Lauren Stewart), “Red” Garnant (son Jon), Emmett J. Malloy (sons Tom and Tim and daughter Evelyn) and Dave Steele (wife Lynn) were also on hand to honor the 2018 class.

National Sprint Car Hall of Famers who were present included Johnny Anderson, Dave Argabright, Allan Brown, Shane Carson, Doug Clark, Ray Lee Goodwin, Shirley Kear Valentine, John Mahoney, Lynn Paxton, Steve Stapp, Pat Sullivan and Bill Utz.

Also in attendance in the Dyer-Hudson Hall on the Marion County Fairgrounds were family members of the following NSCHoF inductees: Bobbie Adamson (son Brett Adamson), Bud Carson (son Shane Carson), Russ Garnant (nephew Jon), John Gerber (son Jim Gerber), Kenny Jacobs (daughter Kendra), Jack Miller (nephew Anthony), Elbert “Babe” Stapp (son Steve Stapp), Bob Trostle (wife Dorotha and daughter Judy Trostle), Greg Weld and Kenny Weld (niece Linda), and Chet Wilson (daughter Donna Wilson).

The program was dedicated to the memories of deceased National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductees Bill Hill, Bob Kinser, John Singer, and Gil Sonner.

National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation former board president Jeff Savage of South Dakota was awarded the President’s Award. This year’s twenty-ninth NSCHoF induction banquet again featured dual large-screen televisions showing photos organized by videographer Kris Krohn.