PRI got to spend three days last week surrounded by dozens of leading motorsports parts suppliers at the 2018 MPMC Media Trade Conference at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Santa Ana, California.

This is one of our favorite events of the year, as we get to meet face-to-face with makers of the parts and equipment that power all types of race and performance vehicles in a pretty dynamic setting.

I, along with Managing Editor Meredith Kaplan Burns, Associate Editor Laura Pitts, and members of our sales & marketing team learned about the latest offerings and met with representatives from Nitrous Outlet, Hedman Performance Group, FOX Factory, Energy Suspension, DeatschWerks, QA1, Flaming River Industries, Chris Alston's Chassisworks, Racepak Data, BluePrint Engines, Driven Racing Oil, OPTIMA Batteries, ProCharger, Impact Racing, Federal-Mogul, Eibach, Total Seal, MAHLE Aftermarket, JE Pistons, Specialty Auto Parts USA, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Gforce Performance Engineering, AEM Performance Electronics, Turbonetics Turbochargers/Precision Turbo & Engine, Meziere Enterprises, Coker Tire Company, Wilwood Disc Brakes and Toyo Tires, among others.

In addition to discussing new products, future coverage angles and a host of other topics, our staff photographer Michael Bartholomew captured images of our meetings. Click the links below for:

Day 1 coverage

Day 2 coverage

Day 3 coverage

And a special thanks to our friends and associates at the abovementioned companies—we truly appreciate the one-on-one time and valuable insights!

Southern National Motorsports Park (SNMP), a 4/10-mile oval asphalt track in Lucama, North Carolina, has named Charlie Hansen as its general manager.

Hansen has previous ties to the facility, working before as general manager when the track reopened in 2012, and later helping put together a variety of events, including last year’s Day of Destruction.

He has nearly two decades of experience in motorsports operations, serving at several tracks including Wake County Speedway, Clary’s Speedway, King’s Raceway and Fayetteville Motor Speedway.

“I’m glad to have Charlie back as general manager,” SNMP track owner Michael Diaz said. “We have some unfinished business to take care of at Southern National since our separation as him being general manager in 2012. A lot of things were planned on that we never had a chance to accomplish, and accomplishing those things will be our focus.”

In addition to this announcement, Michael Diaz’s son, Mason Diaz will take over as the assistant manager of operations at SNMP. Mason is a racer in the Late Model Stock Car division and also made his first career start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Changes made since the announcement include the reinstatement of the Charger division, the return of the Day of Destruction and Monster Truck show, and the adoption of the Carolina Mini-Stock Challenge rules for the Mini-Stock class and the adoption of Southeast Limited Late Model Series rules for the Limited Late Model division.

MAVTV Motorsports Network will televise 12 Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Racing Series presented by Menards race events in 2018.

Eleven of the races will be featured live, including the first-ever superspeedway event scheduled for live coverage on MAVTV. (June 8 at Michigan International Speedway).

Coverage begins Saturday, April 7, with the first live broadcast from Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tenn. Scheduled for live event coverage is as follows:

•     April 22 and September 15 from Salem (IN) Speedway
•     May 20 from Toledo (OH) Speedway
•     June 15 from Madison (WI) Int'l Speedway
•     July 14 from Elko (MN) Speedway
•     July 21 from Berlin (MI) Raceway
•     Aug. 19 from the Illinois State Fairgrounds
•     Sept. 3 from the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds
•     Sept. 7 from Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg, Ind.

The only event not scheduled for live broadcast will be a July 7 event from Iowa Speedway, which will air on a delayed basis.

The MAVTV broadcast schedule rounds out ARCA's 20-race 2018 telecast package, with the remaining races scheduled for live coverage on Fox Sports.

The ARCA Racing Series first aired on MAVTV in the early 2000s with delayed coverage from Salem.

The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) has announced that the inaugural Toyo Tires Classic will take place during the 2018 NASA Championships presented by Toyo Tires, set for Sept 13–16, 2018, at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.  

This newly created event will include Spec Miata competition during the championships and will provide competitors with the largest purse ever in modern amateur competition history, say NASA officials.

This unique race will award the overall winner at the event with a cash payout of up to $80,000, with more than $131,000 in cash awards made available to Spec Miata racers taking part in the competition. Two random cash awards will also total $5,000, while a “hard charger” award will land one driver $10,000.

“This will be the richest purse in Spec Miata competition,” said Marc Sanzenbacher, Toyo Tires, Senior Manager of Motorsports. “Our hope is that this new program will provide Spec Miata competitors with an annual pilgrimage that combines the camaraderie and festivities that NASA events are known for—combined with a financial benefit that has never been seen in the community.”

“We’re really excited to announce this new program with our long-time partner Toyo Tires,” said Jeremy Croiset, NASA Director of Business Development. “We fully expect this to be the largest Spec Miata competition in history at one of the best tracks in the country and we’re just getting started.”

Roush Yates Engines and L.S. Starrett Co. have announced the two companies have reached a partnership extension.

Starrett provides the Roush Yates Engines’ team with measuring and inspection tools required in the fast-paced and competitive world of motorsports manufacturing.

“Starrett is bar none the premier metrology instruments and measuring tool manufacturer,” said Todd English, VP Business Development, Roush Yates Engines. “We rely on their high standards of workmanship and quality every day on and off the track. We are excited for the opportunity to grow and expand this valued partnership and look forward to taking it to the next level.”

Starrett has been a supplier of Roush Yates Engines since 2003 and later became an official Roush Yates Engines partner in 2016. They have been an integral part of over 14 championships, 312 wins and 282 poles with Roush Yates Engines, according to Roush Yates.

“Being technical partners with Roush Yates Engines has been a significant win for Starrett,” VP of Operations, L.S. Starrett Co. James B. Taylor, Ph.D., said.

The Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) has announced David Hobbs as the 2018 Phil Hill Award recipient. Hobbs’ career as a championship race-car driver has spanned three decades while his stint as a television commentator has spanned more than four.

The Phil Hill Award has been presented annually since 1993 to the person who the RRDC feels has rendered outstanding service to road racing. Named in honor of America’s first Formula 1 World Champion (in 1961), it is not only a tribute to his accomplishments on the track but also recognizes his contributions as an excellent ambassador for the sport. Hill passed away in 2008.

Hobbs’ racing accomplishments include victories in the SCCA Trans-Am championship, the IMSA Camel GT competition, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula 5000. He also competed in four Indianapolis 500 races. He later went on to become a racing analyst and commentator, covering live coverage for the Speed Channel, ESPN and NBCSports.

In related news, former Marine Archie Urciuoli, an SCCA racer in the 1950s and '60s was named the 2017 recipient of the RRDC Bob Akin Award.

Each recipient of this honor considered the top award in motorsports for amateur, vintage/ historic or semi-professional drivers, is selected by Akin’s son Bobby, RRDC members Brian Redman and Judy Stropus, and approved by RRDC president Bobby Rahal.

Urciuoli’s racing accomplishments include racing with the SCCA, Barber Formula Ford, IMSA and other historical events like the Rolex At Daytona 24-hour races. He also hit the salt flats in Bonneville in 1996, taking the Ford GT40 to a top speed of 226 mph and a one-mile average of 187 mph.

Rahal made the presentations at the annual RRDC members' dinner on Jan. 24 before the running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the season opener of the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

StarCom Racing (SCR) has announced the acquisition of a NASCAR charter for the upcoming 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) season. The team will run a full 36-week schedule.

SCR—an emerging team that was started in 2017 led by Team Manager Derrike Cope—will hit the track at the Daytona 500 in the 00 Chevy Camaro (pictured).

SCR Crew Chief Tony Furr and Cope worked during the off-season to strengthen the staff and hire experienced personnel to the team.

Jeffrey Earnhardt has been named the driver of the 00 Chevy Camaro for the 60th running of the Daytona 500 on February 18. This partnership means the Earnhardt name will appear in the Daytona 500 for the 40th season in a row. 

At this time, SCR Marketing Director Elyshia Cope and the team are also actively seeking sponsorship opportunities for the coming season.

SCR ended last season with a best 32nd place finish during its second attempt out on the track.

“Acquiring a charter for the season has allowed us to escalate our program to the next level, which is a major step for our young team. We are looking forward to bringing top-notch equipment and excitement to the garage,” SCR President Matthew Kohler said.

Wilwood Engineering has announced that Dave Brzozowski has been named Motorsports Manager, overseeing all motorsports-related projects and opportunities for Wilwood Disc Brakes.

Before joining Wilwood in 2012, Brzozowski spent more than three decades in various roles within pavement and dirt series including USAC, World of Outlaws, CART, Champ Car and IRL. In his new position, Brzozowski will work with race teams and internal staff to gather valuable feedback from each racing market. He will also provide on-site support at races throughout the season.

“Dave has always been an important part of the motorsports team at Wilwood,” said Steve Cornelius, Director of Sales and Marketing at Wilwood. “The relationships he’s created and the important insight he gathers has become vital to delivering the right components to each racing market.”

Founded by Bill Wood in 1977, Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brakes and components from their headquarters in Camarillo, California.

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) will hold the 2019 SCCA National Championship Runoffs October 8–13 at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Virginia. This event will be the very first time the sprawling venue (located near the border of Virginia and North Carolina) has hosted the Runoffs.

The 3.27-mile track draws thousands of spectators each year for some of the best road racing in the country. Its uphill Esses and sharp elevation changes not only make it a fan and driver favorite, but VIR has also received international acclaim and rave reviews, according to the SCCA.

"I can't tell you how excited we are to welcome the best amateur drivers in the U.S. for the 56th edition of the Runoffs," Connie Nyholm, VIR's Owner and CEO, said. "SCCA sanctioned the very first race here, and again in March 2000 when Harvey Siegel and I re-opened the resurrected VIR. Having the 2019 Runoffs will be an important part of VIR's history."

The expansive 1,300-acre property is one of America's first true "motorsport resorts,” which includes onsite hotel and lodging options. Within the property's rolling hills and miles of lush forest, guests can enjoy unique amenities such as the exclusive Driver's Club, dining options, spa, karting, skid pad and even shooting sports.

While the SCCA looks forward to the 56th Runoffs at VIR in 2019, racers are currently qualifying for the 2018 Runoffs being held October 16–21 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. The traditional 12-turn, 2.52-mile course layout will be used for that event.

Officials of the Pirelli World Challenge have announced two intended cost-saving measures for the GTS class teams in the 18-race Pirelli World Challenge schedule with reduced tire usage as well as no required tire changes in the GTS SprintX events.

In the GTS division, teams will be permitted to campaign three (3) new sets of Pirelli tires as well as one (1) set from a previous PWC event (four total). In addition, SprintX competitors will not be required to make any tire changes in the ten SprintX races scheduled in five doubleheader race weekends.

The SprintX format for both GT and GTS categories (60 minutes with two drivers per entry) will be contested at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), VIRginia International Raceway, Lime Rock Park, Portland International Raceway and Utah Motorsports Campus with two GT and GTS SprintX races per weekend at each track.

In 2017, the SprintX format (60 minutes, two drivers) enjoyed a successful debut in the Pirelli World Challenge for the GT class with five doubleheader race weekends. Last year’s GT SprintX events did not include tire changes.

The same format will hold true in 2018 for the GTS SprintX division with no tire changes during the driver switch for the GT4 teams. The minimum pit stop time changed from 60 seconds plus the pit lane delta to 45 seconds plus the pit lane delta.

In 2018, the GT class will be permitted to run four (4) new Pirelli sets with one (1) leftover set from a previous event for five total sets.

The 2018 Pirelli World Challenge Competitor/Racer Registration link and the PWC Sporting and Technical Regulations have been released on the PWC Competitor Portal and can be found at race.world-challenge.com.

The 2018 Pirelli World Challenge GTS season opener is set for March 9-11 in the streets of St. Petersburg at the 14-turn, 1.8-mile temporary circuit. PWC will feature twin 50-minute Sprint races in the GT and GTS classes with a feature race of each category on Saturday, March 10, and Sunday, March 11.

For more, visit www.world-challenge.com.