Fel-Pro Gaskets, a genuine American success story built through the ingenuity and hard work of thousands of employees and tens of thousands of satisfied customers, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The brand continues to extend its impressive heritage of innovation and commitment to providing gaskets that simplify even the most complex sealing repairs. Fel-Pro is a brand of Federal-Mogul Motorparts, a global manufacturer of original equipment and replacement components for automotive, commercial vehicle, performance, agricultural, industrial and other applications.

The 100th anniversary celebration will span an extensive schedule of customer-focused activities culminating in an industry and community open house on July 21, 2018, at the Fel-Pro engineering, manufacturing and distribution complex in Skokie, Illinois.

"Fel-Pro is an amazing brand by any measure—product innovation, quality and, above all, customer loyalty," said Mike Proud, vice president of marketing, Americas, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. "This anniversary is a celebration of the multiple generations of talented technicians, engine builders, racing teams, consumers and Fel-Pro employees who together have built a truly elite brand by demanding and delivering the very best for every sealing repair."

Fel-Pro was founded July 5, 1918, in Chicago. The company became a leading innovator in the sealing category beginning with felt-based seals for the Ford Model T. By the early 1920s it had established one of the pivotal characteristics that continues to drive the brand's success today—a commitment to providing products that address the demands of the sealing repair environment.

"Fel-Pro engineers are intensely focused on the real-world conditions facing technicians and other customers, whether they're working in a repair bay, machine shop or their own garage," said Craig Frohock, vice president, global sealing, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. "Our highly specialized gasket materials and problem-solving designs help each customer achieve a long-lasting seal they can rely on."

During the 1970s, Fel-Pro introduced its now-iconic blue gasket materials and Blue Stripe design to visually differentiate its products. This unique approach communicates the brand's strengths and the innovative technologies that have earned the trust of front-line professionals.a Knowing that every part that goes into a Fel-Pro box is validated and approved by a Fel-Pro engineer adds confidence that each gasket has been designed and manufactured specifically for the corresponding repair.

Fel-Pro was acquired in 1998 by Federal-Mogul, which over the past 20 years has aggressively invested in new R&D and manufacturing resources to position the brand for continued leadership in an era of lighter-weight, higher-output, harder-to-seal engines. Federal-Mogul also invested millions of dollars in the equipment necessary to develop and manufacture modern multi-layered-steel (MLS) head gaskets, which have become the preferred technology for engine manufacturers, professional stock car and drag racing teams, engine builders, and automotive repair businesses. And like each preceding generation of Fel-Pro technology, the brand's leading-edge PermaTorque MLS head gaskets are number one in their category because they are designed to work under real-world repair conditions.

Thanks to Federal-Mogul's impressive stewardship, Fel-Pro remains the predominant brand of automotive sealing products, from MLS head gaskets to fluoroelastomer-encapsulated intake manifold gaskets to timing cover, valve cover, water outlet and more than a dozen other types of sealing products installed in engines and transmissions each day.

Another characteristic that has not changed is the brand's commitment to US-based engineering and manufacturing. The more than 1300 employees at the million-plus-square-foot Fel-Pro complex in Skokie each day produce more than 325,000 gaskets, seals and other products and ship more than 120,000 complete, vehicle- and/or engine-specific sealing repair sets.

"Each of our employees is proud of the fact that, even after 100 years, Fel-Pro remains the standard by which all other automotive gaskets are measured," Proud said. "This level of excellence—built through hard work, innovation and customer values—continues for each new generation of engine and vehicle technology."

HOT ROD and ENGINE MASTERS, in conjunction with AMSOIL and JE Pistons, recently announced the class concepts for the 2018 AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge. Now in its 17th year, the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge is one of the largest dynamometer racing events of its type, pitting well-known names in engine building against one another.

This year’s event will take place October 1-5, 2018, at the corporate headquarters of JE Pistons in Mentor, Ohio.
 
The AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge is accepting 10 applicants for each designated class, with all other applicants becoming alternates. Entry fee is $350 per applicant. Using JE Pistons’ SuperFlow dynamometer, each competitor’s engine will be put through a series of tests designed to measure torque, power, and performance, where the best combination of torque and horsepower scores wins the class.
 
2018 Engine Masters Challenge Classes:

* Vintage Class: This class encourages competitors to think out of the box and revive unique, highly aesthetic, and often-forgotten engine architectures with new-age horsepower-producing techniques. Types of engines found in this class include: normally aspirated OEM domestic production passenger car V-8 engine types or families introduced in 1954 or earlier; normally aspirated OEM domestic production passenger car inline six-cylinder engine types or families introduced in 1964 or earlier. 


* Muscle Car Engines Class: This class includes big-blocks and small-blocks and have a cubic-inch range from 400ci to 500ci. Street-style heads are required, and race-only parts are prohibited throughout the build.
 
AMSOIL will provide oil for both testing and competition runs at the event. For a listing of complete class rules and event information, visit www.hotrod.com/events/engine-masters-challenge/.

Custom Automotive Network is now accepting registrations for the 45th Annual CAN Connect Conference, September 9-12, 2018, in Frisco, Texas. The annual networking event, formerly known as the PWA conference, is an opportunity for manufacturers, resellers, sales reps, service providers and media to meet and discuss sales and marketing policies, grow existing business, and initiate new business.
 
“The CAN Connect Conference provides a unique concentration of distributors and manufacturers. The last four years has seen an expansion in the types of Resellers and Distributors attending the event. Manufacturers want to promote a consistent brand message and having these meetings helps ensure a better sale.  So even if a reseller relies on other fulfillment distributors for inventory, they are welcome to attend this event. Each attending company can choose partners that fit their supply channel needs,” said Tracie Nunez, CAN President.
 
“Our CAN Connect Conference provides a great venue and atmosphere to ‘Get Business Done!’ Where else can a reseller have 45 to 90 plus face-to-face meetings with manufacturers and service providers in three days at one location? Nowhere, as far as I know,” added Scott Wahlstrom, Motor State Distributing and Chairman-Elect of the CAN Board of Directors.
 
To register for CAN Connect, visit www.customautomotivenetwork.com.

NASCAR and PNC Bank announced a five-year agreement that introduces the bank as the “Official Bank of NASCAR” and “Official Wealth Management Partner of NASCAR.”

The agreement provides PNC exclusive status and promotional rights around retail, corporate and private banking across the country and U.S. military bases abroad. PNC will be present at key NASCAR races throughout each season and offer its services to the industry, providing valuable insights to drivers, teams, tracks and sponsors. The agreement takes effect immediately.

“PNC Bank has a trusted reputation and national reach and we couldn’t be more pleased to welcome them to our family of partners,” said Steve Phelps, EVP and Chief Global Marketing, Media and Sales Officer, NASCAR. “Like many blue-chip brands, we are thrilled PNC Bank sees the value of the NASCAR fan. I’m confident we’ll deliver unique opportunities for PNC to connect with our industry and diverse fan base.”

The announcement signals another step in an ongoing effort to establish a stronger national PNC brand, even in markets without a retail branch presence. Last year, PNC said it was forming a national digital retail strategy. Since 2016, the bank announced the opening of expansion markets focused primarily on middle market corporate lending in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Kansas City, the Twin Cities, Nashville, Denver, Houston and the Port Cities market of Jacksonville, Savannah and Charleston.

“As we continue to focus on establishing a more powerful national presence, PNC’s new alliance with NASCAR will open more avenues to build on our brand and business coast-to-coast,” said PNC Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer William S. Demchak. “NASCAR is a storied part of Americana that built a national fan base. Millions of Americans say they are NASCAR fans, and so are we.”

PNC becomes the latest Fortune 500 company to invest in the sport. In 2017, more than 1 in 4 Fortune 500 companies invested in NASCAR—a seven percent increase year-over-year—showing sustained investments or growth year-over-year for the past five years.

“PNC Bank has earned the reputation as a reliable and trusted financial institution with strong client relationships,” said Susan Schandel, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NASCAR. “We look forward to leveraging their capabilities and technology solutions as they become NASCAR’s primary provider of banking services moving forward.”

Announced during the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina, the agreement is PNC’s first with a sports league. PNC joins the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council, bringing together an exclusive group of more than 50 Official NASCAR Partners to buy and sell products and services from one another.

The first IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car track champion crowned in Oklahoma will earn that title at Lawton Speedway.

Opening night on the three-eighths-mile red clay oval is scheduled for April 7. The IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point season continues on Saturday nights through September 29.

The growth of RaceSaver nationwide helped pique the interest of co-promoters Kyle Ezell and his mother Marcy Davis but its economical rules is what ultimately sold them on the class.

“What we really like is the rules package with the sealed motor,” Ezell explained. “IMCA RaceSaver rules give everybody the same chance to win and be competitive. You can’t just outdollar somebody. The outcome of the race is determined by the driver and setup and not just how much money you spend.”

As a promoter and RaceSaver driver himself, Ezell has seen the effects high costs have had on car count numbers for a non-IMCA series in the state.

“It’s no fun when you know you can’t win or finish in the top five any night,” he said. “RaceSaver is more appealing to everybody. The weekend racer can compete with anybody.”
The Sprint Series of Oklahoma made a single visit to Lawton last season and returns for three shows this year, on April 14, July 7 and Aug. 11.

Ezell grew up working at the race track. His grandfather was legendary promoter and Chili Bowl Midget Nationals co-founder Lanny Edwards.

“I learned a lot from him,” said Ezell. “He taught me about business in general and the business of racing in particular.”

“Lawton Speedway is in a traditional Sprint Car area,” said IMCA Vice President of Operations Jim Stannard, “ and what’s even more exciting is the opportunity to work with another generation of the Edwards family.”

Drivers participating in the Holley EFI Outlaw Street Car Reunion event at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, April 18-22 are invited to take part in a free two-day test session. Slated for the Tuesday and Wednesday before OSCR officially gets under way, the test session is open to drivers in all categories who run Holley EFI and are willing to be filmed testing and working on their cars.

Holley's marketing and engineering staff will be on site to capture video of the many combinations that Holley EFI teams utilize to put the power down. To be eligible, participants must simply pre-register for the race and agree to be filmed discussing a feature of their Holley EFI system.

To secure an invitation, email Holley's Rick Anderson (rickanderson@holley.com) with your contact information and combination. Pre-registration for the event can be done here (click on "Event Info" and then on "Racer Registration”).

Holley also has added additional incentive for racers, as it has set up bounties (product certificates) that will be awarded to winners running Holley EFI in each of the five different classes: Radial vs. the World, Limited Drag Radial, X275, Ultra Street, and MX235. The bounty certificate amounts for each class are as follows:
 
    •    Radial vs. the World champ: $1000
    •    Limited Drag Radial: $1000
    •    X275: $500
    •    Ultra Street: $500
    •    MX235: $500

For more information, visit holley.com.

Lincoln Electric Holdings has announced the grand opening of its new Welding Technology & Training Center in Cleveland, Ohio. An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this week highlighted Lincoln’s expanded educational offering and commemorated the centennial anniversary of its welding school.

The center focuses on training welding educators, engineers and industrial professionals who are advancing welding in schools and industry globally. Additionally, it provides advanced technical welding training for professionals, as well as a comprehensive portfolio of turnkey educational solutions that can be used to launch welding training at customers’ own facilities. Lincoln’s education portfolio includes an extensive educational curriculum, virtual reality and technology-assisted training tools, industry-leading welding and cutting solutions, and robotic cells.

“Our new center is a strategic investment to help our customers and educational partners grow using leading solutions,” said Christopher L. Mapes, chairman, president and CEO of Lincoln Electric. “Our educational offering and leadership in automation solutions provide meaningful solutions to address the skills gap and capacity constraints facing customers in our industry.”

“We are committed to providing students and customers with the relevant skills and knowledge needed to support career and technical schools, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure growth,” added Jason Scales, business manager, education, Lincoln Electric. “Our education model will shape the next generation of welders, managers and industry leaders.”

Located on the company’s headquarters campus in Cleveland, the new 130,000-square-foot facility represents a $30 million investment in training for a new generation of welding leaders and educators. The center features 166 welding and cutting booths, a virtual reality training lab with 10 VRTEX virtual reality welding simulators, as well as extensive seminar and welding school classroom space, and a 100-seat auditorium. The center will also become an American Welding Society accredited testing facility later this year.

Shane Liebig and Jerry Brey are the new owners of the Billings, Montana-based Big Sky Speedway, the former BMP Speedway and before that, Billings Motorsports Park.

The first order of business for the duo was to rename the track as well as secure a new website, which can be found at www.bigskyspeedway.com.

“We wanted to change the atmosphere and have something that is a little more attached to the area, with it being ‘Big Sky,’” Liebig said to World of Outlaws. “We wanted to start fresh and have things a little bit newer and more modern. That includes the new-look logo, which has a modern look to it. We want it to be a new era for racing in Billings at Big Sky Speedway.”

Highlights of the track’s 2018 schedule include visits from IMCA Racing, Gunslinger Modified Tour, WISSOTA, Wild West Late Model Tour, Lucas Oil Sprint Car Dirt Series, and World of Outlaws Sprint Cars.

(Photo courtesy of NHRA).

The K&N Horsepower Challenge all-star Pro Stock event will feature eight top racers in the factory hot-rod category and seven racers have secured their position in the starting field. The eighth and final position will be filled via a fan vote.

Voting is open now and will end on Sunday, April 1, at noon (ET). Fans can go to www.nhra.com/knfanvote to vote for their favorite driver.  

The K&N Horsepower Challenge will be held Saturday, April 7, during the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Drivers that have clinched a spot in the K&N Horsepower Challenge include Bo Butner, Greg Anderson, Jason Line, Drew Skillman, Tanner Gray, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Erica Enders.

The following Pro Stock drivers are currently eligible for the fan vote: Allen Johnson, Chris McGaha, Vincent Nobile, Alan Prusiensky, Alex Laughlin, Deric Kramer, Matt Hartford, Kenny Delco, Shane Gray, Val Smeland, Shane Tucker, John Gaydosh Jr., Brian Self, Mark Hogan, Larry Morgan, Steve Graham, David River, Richie Stevens Jr., Tom Huggins, Wally Stroupe, Johnny Gray, and Joey Grose.

Two Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) RallyCross classes will now be known as Constructors Two-Wheel Drive (C2) and Constructors All-Wheel Drive (C4).

Last year, the RallyCross Board (RXB) decided to add two new car classes to the 2018 National RallyCross competition. The RXB held a contest to name the new classes and accepted suggestions, which were recently announced by RXB Chairman Steve Hyatt.

With the addition of these two new Constructors classes, there are now 11 different competition classes across four categories in SCCA RallyCross. Each class is eligible to compete in regional and national events, including DirtFish SCCA RallyCross National Challenges and the DirtFish SCCA RallyCross National Championship being held October 12–14 at the National Balloon Classic venue in Indianola, Iowa.

For more information on class rules, visit the 2018 SCCA website here.