Formula 1 team McLaren Racing and engine supplier Honda have agreed to bring their partnership to an end after three years.

McLaren recently announced the team has signed a partnership with Renault Sport Racing for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons. The deal will see Renault Sport Racing supply McLaren with Formula 1 power units, while also establishing a close working relationship with McLaren’s engineers and technicians.

In related news, Formula 1 team Scuderia Toro Rosso recently confirmed it will use Honda as its engine supplier in place of Renault beginning next year. The team is said to have signed a multi-year deal with Honda.

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin’s Road America road course President and General Manager George Bruggenthies has announced Road America’s 2018 season schedule.

The four-mile, 14-turn road course will host nine racing weekends throughout the 2018 season, with a number of weekends encompassing several series.

Road America is known for having one of the most active schedule of any road race circuit in the US, and will host well-known races like the MotoAmerica Series, Verizon IndyCar Series, Pirelli World Challenge Series, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, NASCAR XFINITY Series, the Sports Car Club of America and three separate vintage events in 2018.

For a complete list of the 2018 event schedule, visit the Road America website.

USAC sprint car racing is coming eastbound on a full-time basis next season when the newly-formed USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series makes its debut.

USAC’s newest division joins the slate after series director Curt Michael and the United Racing Club conducted a pair of non-winged sprint car events this season.

Michael believes the series, which will utilize engines that are 360, 358 and under in size, creates a place for young drivers competing in wingless micros to step up to where they can run sprint cars without the wing, a foundation he saw being laid down in this past year’s events.

Michael is adamant that the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars will not be competing with URC, where he serves as vice president. The non-winged series will be competing on URC’s open weekends. A full 2018 schedule is in the works and will be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit the USAC website.

Aeromotive Inc. has announced that the company has implemented a Unilateral Pricing Policy (UPP) that will establish a Minimal Retail Price (MRP) for all Aeromotive products effective August 1, 2017.

This new pricing policy is designed to curb price slashing among Aeromotive retailers and eliminate unlawful counterfeit product sales. Likewise, it will allow all Aeromotive resellers to become more profitable in this highly competitive business environment. In order to remain in good standing with Aeromotive, from the date of implementation of the UPP, Aeromotive resellers will not be allowed to advertise or sell Aeromotive products below the company’s MRP.

Aeromotive will be utilizing the services of the Brand Protection Agency (BPA) to administer and enforce the new UPP. BPA will utilize proprietary software to search websites for violations, send notifications of violations, and track the number of violations. According to Aeromotive, violations or refusal to participate in the UPP could result in the loss of, and is not limited to:

          • Annual advertising cooperative funds
          • Privilege to use Aeromotive intellectual properties
          • Privilege of being listed on Aeromotive’s dealer locator
          • Ability to purchase Aeromotive products

All Aeromotive Warehouse Distributors have been asked to review their pricing and ensure that it conforms with the MRP, as the UPP will be strictly enforced.

For more information visit www.aeromotiveinc.com. To speak with one of Aeromotive’s technicians, call 913/647-7300. To obtain parts or contingency decals, contact Aeromotive via phone at 913/647-7300, fax at 913/647-7207, or email at info@aeromotiveinc.com.

Custom Automotive Network (CAN), formerly known as Performance Warehouse Association, has named R&R Marketing Consultants its 2017 Sales Rep of the Year.

R&R Marketing Consultants, Inc. was founded in 1979 to provide a high level of service to clients and customers as a leader in sales and marketing representation. R&R Marketing utilizes its team of 24, effective tools and a vision of excellence to be successful, according to CAN. Rich Butler, CAN Sales Rep Liaison, is the CEO and Co-Chairman of R&R Marketing Consultants.

Custom Automotive Network also named Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales the 2017 Person of the Year.  

Rudd has been a part Bob Cook Sales since 1992, reached partner status in 2003 and, along with John Clark and Jeff Bates purchased BCS from Bob Cook in 2006. In January of 2014, Rudd assumed the position of President of Bob Cook Sales.

Rudd is the past CAN Rep Liaison for more than 7 years and is also recognized by Manufacturers Agents National Association thru his CPMR certification via MRERF – Manufacturer Reps Education Research Foundation. Rudd currently serves on the SEMA Board of Directors, is Immediate Past Chairman of the Manufacturer Representative Network and is involved on many other industry committees and focus groups.

Both awards were voted on by CAN membership and recognizes a group or person who has made a significant contribution for the benefit of the custom automotive distribution system. The awards were presented by Custom Automotive Network's President, Tracie Nunez, at the 44th annual CAN Connect Conference on September 10, 2017.

The race track formerly known as Canandaigua Speedway will join the DIRTcar Racing sanctioning banner in 2018 as Land of Legends Raceway.

The Ontario County Fair Board and promoter Paul Cole have signed a deal for 2018/19 for the operation of the speedway in Canandaigua, NY. The track will now be managed and operated as Land of Legends Raceway, building off of the longtime nickname of the famed half-mile race track.

“Our plan is to bring the racing experience to new levels for fans, racers and sponsors,” said Cole. “Canandaigua has a long tradition of great racing, and we hope to continue that with bigger purses and exciting shows, and to build a desire for every racing fan to put the Land of Legends on their weekly list of things to do.”

Building on the speedway’s long history with DIRTcar Racing, Cole expects the DIRTcar Racing sanction to bring ample creditability and fairness to the Raceway, and set the expectations for competitors and fans when they visit.

“DIRTcar Racing brings the best of the best to the local tracks,” said Cole. “It provides a stable and powerful structure to Big-Block Modified and Sportsman Modified racing across the Northeast.”

Cole hopes to bring “fairness, safety, and fun” to the Raceway in 2018 and beyond.

“If we don’t address those things I’m not doing my job as a promotor,” he said. “And DIRTcar brings a lot of this to the table.”

The FIA has released its Formula 4 UAE Championship powered by Abarth official racing calendar for 2017/18, with more races and track time confirmed across a condensed six-round Championship.

With four 30-minute races at every event during the upcoming season—which equates to 40 minutes of additional competitive racing at each round compared to last season—the 2017/18 Championship will begin in mid-December at Yas Marina Circuit and run through March 2018, along with additional pre-season test days that will be confirmed in the coming months.

With a total 24 races across the season, four rounds will be run at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi—the Home of F4UAE—while two will be run on the international circuit configuration at the Dubai Autodrome.

However, one of the biggest developments for what is the second season of F4UAE features three events that will be held back-to-back early in 2018, which is aimed to be a cost-effective and time efficient solution for international teams.

The schedule is detailed below. For more information, visit the FIA website.

2017/18 F4UAE Championship Calendar
Round 1: December 15-16, 2017 at Yas Marina Circuit
Round 2: January 19-20, 2017 at Yas Marina Circuit
Round 3: January 26-27, 2018 at Dubai Autodrome
Round 4: February 2-3, 2018 at Yas Marina Circuit
Round 5: February 23-24, 2018 at Yas Marina Circuit
Round 6: March 2-3, 2018 at Dubai Autodrome

Jaguar has unveiled plans for a fully-electric support series to run alongside select races in the FIA Formula E Championship from season five—titled the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY.
 
The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY would be the first production battery electric vehicle racing series, featuring cars based on Jaguar’s first battery electric vehicle—the Jaguar I-PACE performance SUV—which hits the road later next year.
 
Modified Jaguar I-PACE cars will have the opportunity to compete on the same weekend at select Formula E events, using the same circuit layout as the stars of the electric street racing series—with the planned schedule consisting of a practice and qualifying session, followed by a 30-minute race.
 
The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY will offer a complete “Arrive and Drive” package for 20 drivers at each event, including professional technical support, spare parts and equipment. Technical specifications, schedule and participation costs will be released in 2018, with venues and calendar subject to FIA approval.

The US House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment has scheduled a September 13 hearing to discuss several bills to reduce regulatory burdens impacting small businesses, according to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).

The hearing will review the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2017 (H.R. 350), which would clarify that the Clean Air Act allows motor vehicles to be converted into race vehicles used solely for competition. The RPM Act provides clarity to motorsports parts businesses and protects racers’ ability to purchase the parts and equipment that enable them to compete.

The RPM Act of 2017 still needs support, according to SEMA, who is urging all race fans and businesses to take action, even if they wrote to Congress in 2016. Go to www.sema.org/RPM to support the RPM Act of 2017 and secure the future of racing today.

Custom Automotive Network, formerly known as Performance Warehouse Association, has named Edelbrock the 2017 Manufacturer of the Year.

The prestigious award is voted on by CAN membership in recognition of outstanding contributions to the custom automotive distribution system and in appreciation of conscientious dedication to the industry. The award was presented by Custom Automotive Network's President, Tracie Nunez, at the 44th Annual CAN Connect Conference on September 10, 2017.

Tracie Nunez, President of CAN, said “Edelbrock is a true pioneer in the custom automotive industry, and it is an honor to present this award to their entire team. They create innovative products that redefine what ‘performance’ means and have really focused on strengthening their programs and policies to better support the distribution channel.”

Edelbrock, LLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s premier designers, manufacturers and distributor of performance replacement parts for the automotive aftermarket. The Edelbrock story began in 1938, when Vic Edelbrock, Sr. developed the company’s first product, the Slingshot intake manifold for the Ford flathead.

Edelbrock produces their core products in the United States of America using state-of-the-art equipment in their world class manufacturing facilities. These products include lines of intake manifolds, cylinder heads, electronic fuel injection systems, carburetors, water pumps, E-Force Supercharger systems and more.

Edelbrock, LLC encompasses five locations in Southern California and one location in North Carolina totaling more than 500,000 square feet. For more information, visit www.edelbrock.com.