Image courtesy of INDYCAR.

INDYCAR will be testing a windscreen on an Indy car for the first time on track, Thursday, Feb. 8, at ISM Raceway. The test will be held in conjunction with the Verizon IndyCar Series’ preseason open test near Phoenix.

The windscreen, under development for nearly two years, will be affixed to a Chip Ganassi Racing Honda driven by four-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon. The primary goal of the test will be to validate visual acuity for the driver in various lighting conditions – under full sun, at dusk and at night under track lighting.

The testing will take place on the day set aside for rookie oval testing (3-7 p.m. ET). Dixon is expected to turn his first laps in the late afternoon. All Verizon IndyCar Series cars will test Feb. 9-10.

“This has been a long process, one that’s been very methodical and purposeful,” INDYCAR President of Competition and Operations Jay Frye said of the windscreen project. “We have been striving to create a safety piece that aesthetically looks good and works in all conditions, and this is a test of those things. Any piece we put on an Indy car must work for multiple types of venues and different lighting conditions. It has to be versatile.”

The windscreen is made of a proprietary Opticor advanced transparency material by PPG, the same material the company uses in its production of fighter jet canopies. The material has shown to be stronger, lighter and more impact-resistant than polycarbonate previously used, according to Jeff Horton, INDYCAR’s director of engineering and safety, who has spearheaded windscreen development with Dr. Terry Trammell, INDYCAR medical consultant.

The prototype windscreen has been tested in a scale-model wind tunnel and racing simulator at Dallara, INDYCAR’s chassis producer.

The on-track test at ISM Raceway is the next step in its evolution, though Frye said there is no timetable for implementation in Verizon IndyCar Series competition.

“We’ve tested this at Dallara’s simulator, but this will be the first time it has been on a car at speed,” Frye said. “So, this is just the next step in the process.”

The 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season consists of 17 races beginning with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 11 (12:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc., based in Exeter, Pennsylvania, has announced it now offers the complete line of Champion Brands, LLC racing and performance motor oils, chemicals, additives, and lubricants.

Keystone distributes and markets a number of specialty automotive equipment and accessories in North America, serving the interests and needs of auto enthusiasts and their installers across the US and Canada.

The company operates seven distribution centers and 47 cross-docks in the North America. Its distribution network utilizes over 350 trucks/trailers that is said to provide next-day or two-day delivery to customers in 48 states and 9 provinces in Canada. They also export to more than 70 countries.

“It has always been extremely important for Champion to identify businesses that shares the same goals and has the ability to provide first class service and product support,” said Karl Dedolph, Director of National Sales for Champion. “Keystone clearly fits the stringent criteria we have identified to distribute our products.”
 
Champion Brands, LLC produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for racing, automotive, and more specialty markets.

Pocono Raceway of Long Pond, Pennsylvania, announced it would become the first motorsports facility in North America to house an inclusive playground in its infield. The new feature will be designed for children of all ages and abilities to learn and play together.

The playground will be another amenity available to race weekend camping and Infield Block Party guests. It will also be open to residents and track visitors to use throughout the spring, summer and fall months free of charge.

The playground, built on a soft-play area, includes several vital inclusive elements to allow wheelchair-bound children to access all aspects without leaving their chairs and will also feature multiple shaded areas for children who struggle with sensory disorders.

“This project is near and dear to our company’s core values of integrity, respect, growth and community,” said Pocono Raceway CEO and Mattioli Foundation Director, Nick Igdalsky. “People who have known about the project prior to today’s announcement have asked us, ‘Why an inclusive playground?’ Our response was ‘Why not?’ We chose to build and open a playground for kids of all ability levels.”

The inclusive playground will be a permanent structure located along Earnhardt Road and inside "The Tricky Triangle’s" infield. It is scheduled to be open to the public before the June NASCAR race weekend. Exact dates will be announced later this year.

Please visit www.poconoraceway.com/playground to see a video and photos of the designed mockups of the playground.

The FIA will sanction the Electric Production Car Series (EPCS) as announced by Electric GT Holdings Inc.

The Electric Production Car Series (EPCS) is the first all-electric, zero-emissions motorsports category from Electric GT Holdings Inc. Up to 20 drivers will race the fully race-prepared Tesla Model S P100D in the Electric Production Car Series, running on bespoke Pirelli tires and equipped with the latest OMP safety equipment, Alcon brakes, R53 suspension and composite bodywork from BComp.

The news follows last week’s confirmation that the EPCS race-prepared Tesla Model S P100D passed its official FIA crash test.

Electric GT Holdings Inc. has also published the EPCS sporting regulations, which include a three-heat (585kW) qualifying format. Rounds will consist of a day race (60km) and a dusk race (60km). EPCS race power will be set to a maximum of 585kW (778hp).

An innovative “Drift Off” competition will also take place at suitable circuits, where fans will see the top two finishing drivers plus two fan-voted drivers go head-to-head to complete a series of drifting challenges to secure three further championship points.

“This is such an exciting day for us as we confirm that the Electric Production Car Series has been officially sanctioned by the FIA. We respect the FIA and we are honored to have their support ahead of our inaugural season,” Electric GT Holdings Inc. CEO Mark Gemmell said. 



Multiple staffing changes have been reported at the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) headquarters in Topeka, Kansas.

Aimee Thoennes, who has been an executive assistant for the last 15 years, has taken the member services manager position. She will now be responsible for the operations of the Member Services Department to ensure a high level of service within established performance and budget guidelines.

Derrick Frakes, who had been the member services manager for nearly five years, has moved to the Information Technology Department and assumed the role of software systems engineer. In his new position, Frakes will help develop, modify, code and maintain software systems programming applications and more.

Within the Marketing Department, Region Development Manager Rick Myers and Membership Marketing Manager John Burchardt will now work directly with Chris Robbins, the new director of region development. The group is tasked with helping SCCA regions grow through a mix of membership acquisition, membership service and training, and program creation.

Heyward Wagner, formerly the director of the experiential program, has officially been named marketing and experiential programs director—a position he has held for the past several months on an interim basis.

Brandy Wiggans has filled the role of marketing services coordinator, where she works with various partners and sponsors on contingency and member benefits.

“These staffing changes at the national office reflect the desire to focus our leadership on growing the Club and providing great service to our members. With these moves in place, we believe we are in a better position to serve the member and those that serve the member, helping the Club move forward in a positive manner,” SCCA President & CEO Mike Cobb said.  

In related news, the SCCA has also announced several partners have pledged support for 2018 Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo competitors through contingency sponsorship programs. A full rundown of contingencies can be viewed at www.scca.com/pages/solo-contingency.

Heidts Hot Rod and Muscle Car Parts has announced it has acquired Chassis Engineering Inc. of West Branch, Iowa.

The two companies will continue to operate under each established brand, but Chassis Engineering Inc. will move its sales, technical and manufacturing operations to the Heidts facility in Lake Zurich, Illinois.

Chassis Engineering Inc. products will continue to be produced by many of the same employees currently with the company.

Darlington Raceway officials have announced that the track will receive a significant investment for a capital improvement project, slated to begin immediately.

The project coined "A Better Darlington…The Tradition Continues" will feature a renovation of the track’s Tyler, Wallace and Colvin Grandstands, giving fans a more comfortable seating experience when they attend the September 1–2 NASCAR race weekend. In 2018, the focus of Darlington’s throwback platform will be a celebration of the Seven Decades of NASCAR, in tribute to the 70th anniversary of the sport.

The pitch of the Tyler Tower Grandstands on the frontstretch will be improved, providing better sightlines and viewing experience for the fans. Stadium-style chairback seats with cup holders will replace the current metal seats in Tyler, providing a wider and more comfortable seating experience.

The metal seats in the Wallace Grandstands on the frontstretch will be replaced with bench style seats with backs, providing fans with a wider and more comfortable seating experience, as well. The historic Colvin Grandstands will also receive a makeover, with wider, more comfortable bench seating, along with refurbished concession areas and restroom facilities.

All grandstands at Darlington Raceway will now be considered smoke-free. Designated smoking areas will be available throughout the concourses for guests.

Additionally, multiple cross-over gates will be installed along the frontstretch, providing fans with quicker and more efficient access to Bojangles’ Southern 500 pre-race activities.

The project will also feature a Wall of Honor, banner signage at the bottom of the Wallace and Colvin grandstands that will pay tribute to the former race champions at the track. 

A group of four racing executives has formed Motorsports Strategy Group (MSG), an agency designed to help venues, series, sponsors and race teams to maximize investments.

The Nashville-based firm was formed by former president and CEO of IRG Sports & Entertainment Jason Rittenberry, former IHRA president Scott Gardner, former director of operations at Lucas Oil Raceway Kurt Johnson, and producer and marketer of car shows Jenny Schmitz.  

MSG will focus on four disciplines of the sports and entertainment world: strategy, events, production, and venues. Capabilities include strategic consulting, event production and management, content creation, booking, marketing, communications and venue services, including capital projects and maintenance.

Its client base includes race tracks, entertainment venues, race teams, sanctioning bodies and corporate brands.

In addition to the four partners, MSG will bring in several associates to be a part of several unique areas of the firm, including associate Todd Silvey.

Silvey specializes in marketing, creative, communications and public relations and brings 30 years of motorsports industry experience as a communications expert.

For more information, visit here.

Motorsports icon Jack Roush was the guest of honor during Tuesday night’s 12th annual North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank.

Roush, who became the 12th recipient of the North Carolina Motorsports Ass’n’s Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award, shared the stage with Jim Hunter Memorial Media Award winner Mike Joy and six motorsports companies which received Motorsports Industry Awards.

Roush was honored for a glorious racing career that has crisscrossed the motorsports industry from drag racing to road racing to stock car racing, performance and safety innovation.

“I’ve been hauling my race cars around the country for 50 years and it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and not realize what you have accomplished. We’ve been so fortunate to accomplish what we have and a lot of people played a part in that,” said Roush, who went on to mention Steve Hmiel, Robin Pemberton, Buddy Parrott, Jimmy Fennig, Geoff Smith and Doug Yates — all of whom were in attendance — among others.

NASCAR President Mike Helton also presented the Jim Hunter Memorial Media Award to FOX Sports announcer Mike Joy.

Other companies earning Motorsports Industry Awards were SPEEDSPORT, RACERSITES, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Belmont Abbey College, Ford Performance Center and The Dale Jr. Foundation.

Four students—Andrew De Piante, Samuel Greene, Lauren Houston and Samuel Smith—received North Carolina Motorsports Foundation scholarships, while Brian McGuire earned the annual Sam Belnavis Scholarship.

Status Racing, SpeedStrap and PRP Seats, owned by KAAM Industries in Temecula, California, have been acquired by aftermarket manufacturer Bestop Premium Accessories Group (BPAG).

Status Racing manufactures a full line of specialized racing seats with customization and personalization options. SpeedStrap, acquired by KAMM Industries in June 2017, is the maker of a weavable recovery straps, premium tie-downs and accessories for off-road vehicles. PRP Seats manufactures seats for Jeeps, trucks and other UTVs.

“PRP Seats, Status Racing and SpeedStrap are premier-quality names in this space and we are thrilled to work with them,” CEO of Bestop Premium Accessories Group John Larson said. “The addition of these three brands to the Bestop Premium Accessories Group family further positions us as the leading provider of top-of-the-line off-road driving accessories.”