The Western and Mid-States Conferences have constructed a portion of its 2018 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) U.S. Majors Tour competition schedules.

Three of the Western Conference schedule’s four race weekends are slated for California tracks. One or two additional race weekends may be added to the schedule, according to officials. Additionally, a few Western Conference events may be named Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour dates at a later time.

The Mid-States Conference gets going in early April at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Oklahoma. Stops are then made in Kansas and Iowa before heading to Colorado for the conference’s last three events. Like the Western schedule, events may be named a Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour race date at a later time.

2018 US Major Tour Western Conference Schedule
- January 12-14: Auto Club Speedway; Fontana, California
- March 17-18: Willow Springs International Raceway; Rosamond, California
- April 27-29: Buttonwillow Raceway Park; Buttonwillow, California
- May 19-20: Portland International Raceway; Portland, Oregon

2018 US Major Tour Mid-StatesConference Schedule
- April 7-8: Hallett Motor Racing Circuit; Jennings, Oklahoma
(Dual Mid-States Conf./Southern Conf. Event)
- April 28-29: Heartland Park Topeka; Topeka, Kansas
- May 19-20 Iowa Speedway; Newton, Iowa
- May 26-27: Pueblo Motorsports Park; Pueblo, Colorado
- July 7-8: High Plains Raceway; Deer Trail, Colorado
- August 25-26: High Plains Raceway; Deer Trail, Colorado

The Richmond Raceway Reimagined, a $30 million infield redevelopment project for the Virginia speedway, reached an important step this week with the completion of the foundations for the new Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garages.

The new Cup garages will be a component of Richmond Raceway’s modernized infield, highlighted by fan viewing walkways to allow fans to get closer than ever to their favorite drivers and put them in the middle of the action with teams on race weekends.

“The foundation being poured for the new Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garages is a momentous milestone for Richmond Raceway Reimagined,” said Richmond President, Dennis Bickmeier. “This signals the beginning of modernizing our infield to be more welcoming for fans, drivers, and race teams. We have more milestones to celebrate in the coming months with Richmond Raceway Reimagined.”

To date, over 1,000 cubic yards of concrete has been poured into the infield. The next step will be the new pedestrian tunnel being installed in turn one, widening from six to ten feet, with an elevator rising in the newly developed infield.

Nearly 25,000 LS and LT enthusiasts turned out for a weekend full of drag racing, autocross, drifting, road courses and more at this year’s largest-ever Holley LS Fest in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Organizers counted some 1200 participating cars over a slew of different categories and contests including the 3S Challenge, Show-n-Shine, Road Course Challenge and Fastest Vette, among others at Beech Bend Raceway Park.

On the heels of the September spectacular we caught up with Holley Advertising and PR Supervisor Blane Burnett to kick around some ideas for upcoming coverage. And in typical fashion, he over-delivered. In the coming months, Burnett told us, LS enthusiasts can expect an “even more comprehensive portfolio” of Holley swap kits and LS conversion components, designed to help “remove all of that headache of determining what brands’ aftermarket parts play nicely with others for consumers.”

Holley also is set to release LS swap kits for Fox Body Mustangs, both generations of Chevrolet S10 pickup, and 67-72 C10 pickups, as well as its own 4th generation F-Body style mount, and a newly updated engine swap oil pan. “Whether it’s a shop that’s building a customer car or the end consumer building their own car… they can come to us for all they need to make their LS swap work,” he explained. “And then come back to us when it comes time to add more power and performance.”

Looking ahead to December’s big 30th anniversary PRI Trade Show, Burnett added, “we’re hoping to have a transmission cross-member for the 1968-72 A-body convertibles and El Caminos. [And] another one of our companies, Earl’s Performance Plumbing, continues to release LS specific adapters and fittings in order to make swapping these engines into other vehicles a much easier feat.”

Look for more from Holley in booth #247 (Holley EFI) and booth #425 (Holley–MSD) at PRI 2017.

The 2018 NASCAR Drive For Diversity Development Team has been announced. The drivers represent a cross-section of backgrounds—both in terms of heritage and driving disciplines—and all share a common goal: To reach the highest levels of NASCAR.
 
“What we’re seeing with these six drivers is a group of very talented racers who have shown the ability on and off the track to excel at the next level,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “With an increased focus on seat time and competition among the drivers, we’re looking forward to watching them perform next season.”
 
The 2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity roster includes:

Chase Cabre, 20, Tampa, Florida
Ernie Francis Jr., 19, Dania, Florida
Rubén García Jr., 21, Mexico City, Mexico
Nick Sanchez, 16, Homestead, Florida
Ryan Vargas, 17, La Mirada, California
Isabella Robusto, 13, Fort Mill, South Carolina
 
NASCAR Drive for Diversity aligns drivers with a team of executives, athletic directors, crew chiefs and mentors tasked with helping them achieve career successes, and thus improving their goal of reaching one of the three NASCAR national series.
 
For more information on NASCAR Drive for Diversity, including short biographies on the six drivers, visit NASCARDiversity.com.

Mazda has confirmed the eligible racers for the 12th annual Mazda Road to 24 Shootout. This post-season shootout will award a $100,000 Mazda Motorsports scholarship to compete in the 2018 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires. The shootout will take place December 8, 2017, at the Bondurant Racing School in Chandler, Arizona.   
 
Winning a club racing championship with Mazda power is the primary entry channel into the Mazda Road to 24 Shootout. Racers competing in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), the National Auto Sport Association (NASA), Teen Mazda Challenge, and iRacing are eligible. The following racers are being invited to submit a written and video proposal from which three to five finalists will be selected.
 
“The criteria for the shootout has been created to identify the aspiring professional racer who has the most complete set of skills required to succeed in motorsport. These skills include speed, consistency, race craft, technical understanding, and off-track business and PR skills,” business development manager for Mazda Motorsports David Cook said.

Eligible Racers for the 12th annual Mazda Road to 24 Shootout
1. John Allen – iRacing MX-5 Cup Champion
2. Jay Aranha – NASA NP01 (At large)
3. Ryan Dexter - Teen Mazda Challenge Rock Mountain Region Champion
4. Julian Garfield – SCCA Solo (At large)
5. Brian Henderson - Teen Mazda Challenge Mid-Atlantic Region / NASA East PTE Champion
6. Tyler Kicera – SCCA Spec Miata (At Large)
7. Tristan Littlehale NASA West Spec Miata Champion
8. Brian Lock NASA West – NP01 Champion
9. Aaron Michelet - NASA PTC (At large)
10. Matt Million – Teen Mazda Challenge (At large)
11. Austin Newmark - NASA ST4 (At large)
12. Preston Pardus - SCCA Runoffs Spec Miata Champion
13. Eric Prill – SCCA Runoffs F-Production Champion
14. Bryan Putt - NASA East Super Unlimited Champion
15. Selin Rollan – SCCA/NASA Spec Miata (At large)
16. Michael Ross - NASA East Spec Miata Champion
17. Nick Sommers - Teen Mazda Challenge West Coast Region Champion
18. Danny Soufi - Teen Mazda Challenge Texas Region Champion

VIRginia International Raceway has unveiled its lineup of events for 2018. The track schedule features nine returning “spectator favorite” events and tickets go on sale mid-November.
 
The season gets underway with the SCCA Majors Tour April 13-15, a pinnacle of club racing in North America. It continues to rev up in late April with the Pirelli World Challenge.
 
August brings the fan-favorite IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to the track, as it makes its only mid-Atlantic stop Aug. 17–19. In addition, the weekend will feature several support series including the Biscuitville Grand Prix for the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. Following in September, VIR will “transport fans back in time” for its Heacock Classic Gold Cup, where two distinct eras collide to display historic racing action.
 
“The spectator event lineup at VIR just keeps getting better and better,” said Connie Nyholm, owner and CEO of VIR. “We’re beyond excited to see the return of so many prestigious races to our road course, and are proud to be able to offer some of the highest quality events racing has to offer.”
 
Tickets for all events will go on sale in mid-November. Fans who purchase a ticket for any of VIR’s 2018 events on Cyber Monday, Nov. 27, will receive a free shirt voucher, redeemable at the TMI Racing Products store in the North Paddock at VIR.

VIRginia International Raceway 2018 Spectator Schedule
April 13-15—Sports Car Club of America “VIR Spring Sprints” Majors Tour
April 27-29—Pirelli World Challenge
May 4-6—MotoAmerica Championship of Virginia
May 18-20—NASA Mid-Atlantic HyperFest, Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Challenge, presented by Grassroots Motorsports Magazine
June 1-3—Historic Sportscar Racing
June 9-10—Championship Cup Series Motorcycle Road Racing           
Aug. 17-19—Michelin GT Challenge, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Biscuitville Grand Prix, Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge,     Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA, IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda
Sept. 15-16—Championship Cup Series Motorcycle Road Racing          
Sept. 21-23—Heacock Classic Gold Cup, presented by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, Trans-Am Road Racing Series

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced that member tracks Alaska Raceway Park and Gulfport Dragway in Mississippi have signed multi-year agreements with the sanctioning body.

Alaska Raceway Park boasts a 1/4-mile drag strip that opened in 1964. The racing surface was completely rebuilt in 2000 with a process which included grinding the old surface, laying a new bed using laser-controlled machinery, constructing a 300-foot concrete launch pad followed by 4,100 feet of asphalt.

In 2016, Alaska Raceway Park opened a 1/3-mile asphalt oval track which is home to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competition.

Mississippi’s Gulfport Dragway, which features a 1/4-mile drag strip, hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. Upcoming events for the track include Diesel Thunder event, complete with the big rigs racing, on November 10–11. Concerts and car shows are also on the schedule.

“We are happy to have these two outstanding facilities as IHRA member tracks,” IHRA division director Frank Kohutek said. “Like the IHRA, they look to provide the best possible experience to their racers. Both enjoy the IHRA’s continued commitment to grassroots, Sportsman racing through the Summit SuperSeries.”

LKQ Corporation has finalized the acquisition of Warn Industries. Warn, previously owned by Dover Corp., will now be a part of LKQ’s specialty segment, represented by Keystone Automotive Operations.

“Finding new and better ways to serve the needs of our customers is a priority for Keystone. We are excited about the value and capabilities Warn brings to our customer-centric approach to service,” said Bill Rogers, vice president and general manager of Keystone. “Their leadership position in the market and premium iconic brand gives us the ability to drive our long-term strategy of growing share in our core markets and developing viable points of entry into adjacent spaces that show promise.

Warn offers a broad product line of premium winches, hoists, locking hubs and bumpers and serve specialty retailers and distributors globally. Warn has a long history and reputation of developing the highest quality most technologically advanced products in the industry, according to LKQ.

Warn will be run in an autonomous way within LKQ’s Specialty Products Group and maintain its operational presence in Oregon, according to the company.

“It is fantastic to have a very capable management team and experienced workforce in place there. Their infusion of talent to our organization will contribute significantly to all our working groups,” said Kyle Shiminski, vice president of Keystone’s Specialty Products Group. “Their passion for their products and customers will help ensure that we continue to provide the highest quality products and service experiences people have come to expect.”

Cris Michaud and Pat Malone, who earlier this year purchased Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl, have completed the purchase of the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) for asphalt late models.

Founded by the late Tom Curley, who died in May from complications of COPD, the 31-year-old series features strict rules requirements, including the use of crate engines and other cost-restricting guidelines. ACT events have been held throughout New England, New York, eastern Canada and Florida.

Darla Hartt, who took over ownership of the series following Curley’s passing, spoke about the sale of the series.

“My decision to sell ACT is bittersweet, having worked with Tom from the initial NASCAR North Tour in 1979, and then launching our own series in 1986,” said Hartt. “Over 38 years we logged many thousands of miles and enjoyed so many adventures with incredible people. Everyone in our ACT family felt a huge loss in his passing, but the teams, fans, promoters, and officials who are ACT remain dedicated to the task of moving forward.”

The Trans-Am Race Company has unveiled the Trans-Am Championship presented by Pirelli schedule for its 52nd anniversary season.

Trans-Am will split the field on two occasions next year to maintain an 11-race championship for all competitors, with the TA2 class heading to Detroit’s Belle Isle Park, June 1-3 for a doubleheader weekend, the 3-Dimensional Services Motor City Showcase and Showdown, at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.

Likewise, the TA, TA3 and TA4 classes will tackle the Pittsburgh Int’l Race Complex on Aug. 3-5, while creating a new Trans-Am tradition as the series makes its debut at the circuit.

Trans-Am will offer up two new dates for its annual visits to Road Atlanta and Homestead-Miami Speedway, partnering with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Ass’n at Road Atlanta to create a new weekend March 29-31, while joining with the Formula & Automobile Racing Association (FARA) at Homestead-Miami on April 13-15.

New for next year will be the addition of the Trans-Am Southern and Northern Cups, two regional groupings of Trans-Am competitions designed to reward competitors and teams that tackle certain segments of the Trans-Am schedule but do not undertake a full season commitment. Competitors who undertake a full season will not be eligible.

In addition to its national championship, Trans-Am will also hold its Trans-Am West Coast Championship presented by Pirelli for the second consecutive season. To expose that base to the primary championship, the two schedules will hold two events in conjunction— Indianapolis Motor Speedway on June 17 and Circuit of The Americas on Nov. 3.

2018 Trans-Am Championship Schedule
March 2-4 – Sebring Int’l Raceway – Sebring, Fla.
March 29-31 – Road Atlanta – Braselton, Ga.
April 13-15 – Homestead-Miami Speedway – Homestead, Fla.
June 1-3 – Raceway at Belle Isle Park – Detroit, Mich.
June 15-17 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course – Indianapolis, Ind.
Aug. 3-5 – Pittsburgh Int’l Race Complex – Wampum, Pa.
Aug. 9-11 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Lexington, Ohio
Aug. 23-25 – Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Sept. 7-9 – Watkins Glen Int’l – Watkins Glen, N.Y.
Sept. 21-23 – Virginia Int’l Raceway – Alton, Va.
Nov. 1-3 – Circuit of the Americas – Austin, Texas
Nov. 9-10 – Daytona Int’l Speedway – Daytona Beach, Fla.

2018 Trans-Am West Coast Championship Schedule
April 27-29 – Auto Club Speedway – Fontana, Calif.
June 1-3 – Sonoma Raceway – Sonoma, Calif.
June 15-17 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course – Indianapolis, Ind.
July 27-29 – Portland Int’l Raceway – Portland, Ore.
Nov. 1-3 – Circuit of the Americas – Austin, Texas