Pocono Raceway (Long Pond, PA) CEO Nick Igdalsky and President Ben May have announced the addition of two new employees and several key staff promotions.

Craig Amhaus joins Pocono Raceway as the Executive Managing Director, Partnership Sales and Service. He will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive internal and external sales, sponsorship and partner relations with the goal of increasing service, partners and returns.

Amhaus joins Pocono after working for Upstage Video at Rock Lititz as the Vice President of Business Development.

Kayla Houser joins the Pocono Raceway as a Ticketing Specialist after a successful summer internship position with the department in 2016. She graduated from Seton Hill University in May 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management and Minor in Business Administration.

Key staff promotions include the following:

Kevin Henry was promoted to Managing Director, Facility Operations as he enters his fifth year at Pocono.

Ryan Yanoshak starts his third year at ‘The Tricky Triangle’ as the Managing Director, Marketing Communications.

Ricky Durst, who will begin his seventh season with Pocono, has been promoted to Senior Director, Marketing and Fan Engagement. He will also continue to serve as the track’s government affairs liaison.

Kevin Heaney will begin his eighth season at the raceway and will lead the newly-created Content Department, handling all outbound fan engagement over social media, e-mail marketing and website communications, as Director, Content.

Kevin Teel joins the Content Department as the Manager, Content after six seasons as a member of the Ticket Office staff.

J.J. LaRose enters his fifth season at Pocono Raceway and also joins the Content Department as Manager, Content & Promotions.

Performance Racing Industry wants to wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving holiday! Our Aliso Viejo, California, office will be closed Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24. We will reopen on Monday, November 27.

PRI Trade Show registration will remain open online 24/7 at www.pri2017.com.

The Short Track U.S. Nationals will return to Bristol Motor Speedway for the second-straight season on May 18-20.

The second annual running of the event will be sanctioned by five different racing organizations. The race brings together six short track racing categories to compete on the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway in one weekend of action.

Champion Racing Association powered by JEGS, who took the lead sanctioning role in developing this event, will be co-sanctioning the super late model race with the ARCA/CRA Super Series, CARS Super Late Model Tour and the Southern Super Series.

CRA also will oversee the action for the crate late model event with their JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented by Chevrolet and the Street Stocks with their Lawrence Towing/CRA Street Stock Series.

CARS officials will oversee the Late Model Stock portion of the event with their CARS Late Model Stock Tour. The compacts will be organized and overseen by the Vore’s Compact Touring Series while the Modified portion of the weekend will be sanctioned by a Midwest-based Touring Modified organization to be named at a later date.

The Short Track U. S. Nationals is being presented by Vore’s Welding & Steel.

McLaren has unveiled its 720S GT3 race car as part of a series of announcements that ramp up its activities in GT racing.

The 720S, which replaces the 650S GT3 which launched in 2014, will begin testing in 2018 and launch with customer teams in 2019, fully compliant with GT3 regulations and eligible to compete globally in all GT3 race series.

The MonoCage II carbon fiber structure will provide the structure for a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive car. A race-prepared version of McLaren's 4.0-liter, a twin-turbocharged V8 M840T engine will provide the power source, through a six-speed, sequential shift motorsport transmission.

The bodywork of the 720S GT3 will be formed from both composite and lightweight carbon fiber with a bespoke aerodynamic package. The suspension will comprise tried and tested adjustable dampers and coil-over springs, front and rear.

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) has revealed the qualification criteria for drivers seeking to take part in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, taking place next year at Sonoma Raceway on Oct. 16-21.

The process by which racers receive invites to compete at the upcoming Runoffs remains relatively unchanged. Three distinct paths again exist for racers to gain eligibility. For those involved in Hoosier Super Tour or U.S. Majors Tour Conference events, drivers must first participate in a minimum of three separate weekends, in any Conference, and have a minimum of three individual race starts, all in the same class.

A Divisional Championship path to a Runoffs invite also remains an option. Here, a competitor must first participate in the same class for a minimum of four weekends within a single Divisional Championship. Then, racers must finish in the top three positions within a class point standings, except for Spec Miata and Spec Racer Ford Gen3 where the top five will be invited to the Runoffs.

In addition to the top three (top five in SRF3/SM) Divisional Championship point earners, drivers in the top 50 percent of the NorPac and SoPac Divisions in 2018 will be eligible for Runoffs invitations dictated by available space.

If a Divisional Championship is not concluded at the time of the Runoffs, invitations will be extended to competitors meeting the requirements three weeks prior to the start of the Runoffs, thus allowing Divisions to run programs year-round.

As usual, defending Runoffs winners also get an invite.

For more information, visit here.

Centric Parts, a division of APC Automotive Technologies, has announced that Wilson Dias has joined the company as Vice President/General Manager of its StopTech division. StopTech is Centric Parts’ high performance and racing brand.

Dias will oversee sales, design engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and quality.

Greg Woo, recently promoted to President of Centric Parts, made the announcement and noted that Dias is the latest industry executive joining APC/Centric Parts as the company positions itself for further growth in its core business of brake system and chassis components.

Before joining Centric, Dias served at Honeywell for over 13 years in several senior-level capacities, including Business Director for Turbo/Thermal Products, Global Business Director for Thermal Products, and Product Line Manager for Thermal Engineering, and Senior Program Manager. Prior to Honeywell, Dias was the OEM Business Manager for AlliedSignal in Brazil.

Dias holds Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Automotive Engineering from FEI, SBC, Brazil and an MBA from Fundacão Getulio Vargas, São Paulo, Brazil. He is a Lean Green Belt and a Six Sigma Green Belt. Dias is fluent in English, Spanish, and his native language of Portuguese.

Heading into its 40th year of existence, the World of Outlaws (WoO) Craftsman Sprint Car Series officials have announced its 2018 schedule for The Greatest Show on Dirt.
 
A total of ninety-one dates will fill the 2018 Series schedule, including 23 multi-day events with 48 race nights. The series will visit 53 tracks in 24 states over nearly 30,000 highway miles.
 
The 2018 season will commence in Florida in February (#FLinFEB), with the much-anticipated and highly-revered DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 6-17 at Volusia Speedway Park and conclude with the blockbuster Textron Off Road World Finals in Charlotte, Nov. 1-3.
                                                                                         
The World of Outlaws will make a few celebrated returns to tracks they haven't been to in quite some time. After a long absence, the Series returns to Lake Ozark (MO) Speedway on Saturday, April 28; Farley (IA) Speedway on Friday, June 22; and Terre Haute (IN) Action Track on Saturday, October 13.
 
The staples of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to the 2018 slate, including the Month of Money, highlighted by the $50,000-to-win Kings Royal at the famous Eldora Speedway and concluding with the World of Outlaws-co-sanctioned $150,000-to-win Knoxville Nationals.
 
With last season's Ironman 55 rained out at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, one driver could win $40,000 at the 2018 event, with $20,000-to-win features on both Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4.

The lucrative 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series schedule will crown a champion at the season's most anticipated event, the World of Outlaws World Finals on Nov. 1-3 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway — the only event on the planet featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series, and the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds.

To view the complete 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series schedule, visit here.

Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl officials have released a 19-event schedule for next year, with events scheduled for April through September.

The 58th season of racing will open with the 20th annual Community Bank 150 on Sunday, April 29, when the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) will make its first of two visits to Thunder Road. The Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors will also kick off their seasons as well.

The Thunder Road Late Model King of the Road chase will begin at the 56th Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic on Sunday, May 27, which will again feature a visit from the Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Models.

Weekly competition gets underway with a special Friday night event on June 8. Thursday night events will begin on June 14 and run through Aug. 23. The Myers Container Services Triple Crown Series for the Flying Tigers will return in 2018 with dates to be announced.

The King of the Road will be crowned at the Thursday finale on Aug. 23 as part of Jet Service Envelope/Accura Printing Night. The Flying Tigers and Street Stocks will crown their 2018 champions at the 40th Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200 on Sunday, Sept. 2, which features the second visit of the year for the ACT Late Model Tour.

The season will conclude with the 56th Vermont Milk Bowl Weekend, which has been expanded to three days of competition in 2018. A special Milk Bowl Friday event will be held Friday, Sept. 28. Booth Bros./H.P. Hood Milk Bowl Qualifying Day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29 with the 56th Vermont Milk Bowl presented by Northfield Savings Bank on Sunday, Sept. 30.

2018 Thunder Road Speedbowl Schedule of Events

Sat., April 28 — Downtown Barre Car Show & Practice

Sun., April 29 — ACT Late Model Tour Community Bank 150
Sun., May 27 — Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic — PASS North 15
Fri., June 8 — Regular Event

Thurs., June 14 — Casella Waste Management Night — NEAR
Thurs., June 21 — North Country Federal Credit Union Night
Thurs., June 28 — Community College of Vermont Night

Tues., July 3 — Aubuchon Hardware Holiday Spectacular

Thurs., July 5 — Premium Mortgage Night
Thurs., July 12 — Fairpoint Communications Night

Thurs., July 19 — VP Racing Fuels Vermont Governor’s Cup 150
Thurs., July 26 — Times Argus Mid-Season Championships

Thurs., Aug. 2 — WDEV Radio/Calkins Portable Toilets Night

Thurs., Aug. 5 — M&M Beverages Enduro 200 — Street Stock Special

Thurs., Aug. 9 — Cody Chevrolet-Cadillac Night
Thurs., Aug. 16 — U.S. Army Recruiting Night
Thurs., Aug. 23 — Jet Service Envelope/Accura Printing
Sun., Sept. 2 — ACT Late Model Tour Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200
Fri., Sept 28 — Milk Bowl Friday Special Event
Sat./Sun., Sept. 29/30 — 56th Northfield Savings Bank Milk Bowl

Alongside a Show floor bursting at the seams with the latest motorsports parts and technology, PRI 2017 also presents a highly unique, entertaining and informative educational program for racing business professionals.

PRI-sponsored seminars, which take place from 8–9 a.m., December 8 and 9, in the upstairs meeting rooms of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC), cover a range of topics, from international buying to marketing strategies, race track promotion, driver development and much more.

Kicking off the program is PRI’s second annual “Opportunities for Women In Motorsports” seminar, a fast-paced panel discussion featuring Indy car driver Pippa Mann, Elaine Larsen of Larsen Motorsports, and 2015 IHRA Pro Mod Champion Dina Parise. Moderated by PRI Magazine Editor Dan Schechner, the session promises a deep dive into these accomplished racers’ careers, challenges, triumphs, and continuing efforts to engage and raise awareness among young women interested in pursuing motorsports as a profession.

Just down the hall, strategic marketing and innovation specialist Mike Brown follows up his acclaimed presentation at last year’s PRI Show with an all-new seminar designed to help motorsports businesses get the very best return on investment (ROI) from their sponsorship programs. This dynamic session, based on lessons from award-winning sponsorship programs, will help attendees better link business and sponsorship strategies; identify their own set of innovative activation tools to make the most out of a sponsorship; develop metrics to track sponsorship ROI; and much more.

Rounding out Friday’s lineup is the second annual International Motorsports Trade Seminar (IMTS), offering invaluable information and insights for international buyers seeking to do business in the US. Attendees will hear expert panelists explain what it takes to develop great overseas partnerships, including what exactly US companies look for in international buyers, what buyers bring to the table, and what benefits US companies can offer, among other topics.

The following morning, bestselling author and marketing expert Corey Perlman presents his Digital Marketing State of the Union—2018 And Beyond. This highly charged seminar will offer digital marketing tips, takeaways, and best practices for racing professionals to position their business for future success. Perlman, the head of Atlanta, Georgia-based eBoot Camp, Inc., will discuss winning strategies in social media; how to create compelling online content; effective website techniques (and mistakes to avoid); and much more.

A returning PRI Show favorite is the broadcaster, entrepreneur, speaker, author and former world-class Formula 1 and Indy car racer Derek Daly, who presents his Derek Daly Academy Driver Development Seminar for aspiring racers and parents. In this informative and illuminating session, Daly will reveal the key skills required to become a complete champion, including positioning for success, fundraising, turning relationships into sponsorships, how to become indispensable to a race team, and more.

New this year, PRI Magazine columnist and small business consultant Paet Hidalgo, himself a former racer, delivers a highly interactive seminar on strategies and approaches to finding and hiring solid job candidates, proper training techniques, and incorporating new employees into the workplace.

Also new for 2017 is PRI’s Family- Owned Race Track Promoters Roundtable, an energetic program offering firsthand accounts, experiences and solutions from owners and operators of some of the nation’s most innovative and successful family- owned racing venues, including Bill Bader Jr. of Summit Motorsports Park, Sporty Bandimere of Bandimere Raceway, Blake Bowser of Auto Club Famoso Raceway, and Scott New of Firebird Raceway. PRI Senior Editor Christen D’Alessandro will moderate a wide-ranging conversation on marketing, media relations, finances, government resources and much more.

All PRI-sponsored seminars are offered free of charge to registered Trade Show attendees, exhibitors and media. For more information, visit www.pri2017.com.

IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE) announced the recent acquisition of Bertil Roos Racing School.

The Bertil Roos Racing School has been training students in the art of motor racing for over four decades. Graduates of the European-style, road racing “arrive and drive” school can be found at every level of racing, from the hobbyist up to the top levels of professional racing, according to IRGSE.

Bertil Roos will continue to run programs at existing locations and will add resident driving schools at Palm Beach International Raceway and at Memphis International Raceway.

In addition, IRGSE acquired the complete Formula fleet and spares from the Skip Barber Racing School. These vehicles are undergoing complete overhauls and will be permanently situated at the Palm Beach and Memphis Bertil Roos Racing School locations.

Bertil Roos Racing School will service seven track locations in 2018 with a fleet of 45 open-wheel Formula cars and 20 full-bodied cars, along with offering trackside support. Corporate headquarters will be based in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"I am excited to be part of the IRGSE family," said Dennis Macchio, President of Bertil Roos Racing Schools. "Their track assets fit perfectly into our vision for the continued expansion of Bertil Roos Racing School and the residency driving school programs we have developed.

"The resources afforded to Bertil Roos through this venture will allow us to expand both geographically and through the development of additional programs and racing weekends."

For more information about Bertil Roos Racing School including gift certificates, holiday pricing and travel discounts, visit the website at www.racenow.com.