PRI is deeply saddened to learn that Pittsburgh International Race Complex, known to racers and fans alike as "Pitt Race," is slated to close following the 2025 season after being sold. 

While details of the sale have not been disclosed, reports suggest the site may be repurposed for a data center. The loss of such a facility underscores the growing pressures facing race tracks nationwide as land values rise and alternative development interests increase. 

"Race tracks are vital parts of our communities," said Christian Robinson, PRI Senior Director of State Government Affairs and Grassroots. "They create jobs, attract visitors and bring people together. When a track closes, it is not just a loss for racers, but for the entire local economy and culture. PRI is committed to standing with these communities by advocating for policies that protect race tracks from nuisance claims and other threats, ensuring motorsports continues to thrive as an economic driver and an enduring American tradition." 

Located in Wampum, Pennsylvania, Pitt Race has long been a cornerstone of the regional and national motorsports community. Home to sports cars, formula cars, karting and more events, the facility has played host to major series including SCCA, NASA, ChampCar Enduirance Series, Trans Am Series, F4 USA and F3 Americas, and the GRIDLIFE Championship, while also providing an accessible space for track days, testing and driver education. 

The complex includes three unique configurations totaling 2.78 miles of race surface and is known for its dramatic elevation changes and natural terrain design. Since 2011, owners Jim and Kathy Stout have transformed the former BeaveRun Motorsports Complex into a world-class destination for racers and enthusiasts across the country. 

In an open letter, the Stouts announced the sale of the facility and reflected on their journey and the lasting impact of the venue. "When we purchased the BeaveRun Motorsports Complex in 2011, our goal was to take the struggling race track headed toward bankruptcy and transform it into a world-class facility for all things motorsports," they wrote. "It wasn't only about racing; it was about the friendships, memories and community that grew around it." 

The owners also expressed gratitude for the staff, sponsors and supporters who helped shape Pitt Race into what it became, while acknowledging the deep community ties that developed through the years from job creation and local partnerships to charitable work and scholarship programs. 

Pitt Race's anticipated closure serves as a reminder of why PRI's ongoing Save the Race Tracks initiative is so critical. The program, part of PRI's broader advocacy efforts, works year-round to support track operators through legislative engagement, economic impact studies and public awareness campaigns that highlight the importance of motorsports facilities to local and national economies. PRI's leadership and staff remain committed to standing with the racing community during times like these. 

For more information about PRI's advocacy and Save Our Race Tracks effort, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org. 

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) has unveiled exclusive renderings of The Circuit, a new private membership club set to open at the Austin, Texas, facility.

The Circuit will offer members year-round access to the track, as well as curated driving experiences, dining and hospitality throughout the year.

The facility will include two pools on the sky deck, a full fitness center, race and golf simulators, executive conference rooms and dining. Club members will also receive "skip-the-line" passes at the COTALAND amusement park, plus access to the members' box at the Germania Amphitheater.

Club members will receive a minimum of 250 days a year of fully dedicated track days on the main Circuit of The Americas Grand Prix track. Beginning in 2027, the track will be limited to members, select races and special events.

Additionally, COTA also dedicated Turn 20 to Mario Andretti during the 2025 United States Grand Prix weekend. Turn 20—renamed 'The Andretti'—is the last turn of the 3.41-mile track in Austin, Texas.

For more information, visit circuitoftheamericas.com.

Attendee registration for the 2025 PRI Show is officially open for qualified industry members, and you don't want to waste any time securing you badge.

Set for December 11–13 in downtown Indianapolis, the PRI Show allows motorsports professionals to build a foundation for a successful season ahead. Whether you're sourcing new parts to find that extra mph--from cutting-edge machinery to groundbreaking new products--or looking for new industry connections, the PRI Show attracts motorsports professionals from all 50 states and 70 countries, creating an unrivaled global event unites professionals from every racing discipline, including stock car, drag, sports car, prototype, sprint car, midget, modified, formula, dirt late model, sport compact, karting, vintage and more, all under one roof. Sign up for your PRI Show badge now to uncover emerging technologies and source the hottest new racing products all at a convenient, affordable gathering.

New for 2025: Big Improvements to the Registration Process

The PRI Show team has introduced two exciting updates to make registering smoother, faster and more user-friendly:

One-Stop Shop Experience
After confirming membership, attendees will now only need to complete two prompts:

• Profile information.
• Demographic questions.

Single Transaction for Multiple Attendees
Planning to register your entire team? You now can do so all in one transaction. This requested feature eliminates one of the most common frustrations from years past.

Why Attend the 2025 PRI Show?

With a focus on the present and future of racing, the 2025 PRI Show promises to feature all the newest parts, latest innovations, nearly unlimited networking opportunities and access to an unrivaled number of motorsports manufacturers and service providers that can't be matched anywhere else. 

Expect the return of signature Show features like:

• Featured Products Showcase.
• Grand Opening Breakfast.
• Machinery Row with live demos.
• PRI ESports Arena.
• Indoor motorsports trailers exhibit.
• Track Operators, Promoters and Sanctions (TOPS) HQ.
• And much more!
   

Ready to Plan Your Trip?

View the current 2025 PRI Show Floorplan and start mapping out your visit. Book your hotel now to secure the best rates and locations here. As a reminder, PRI Membership is required to attend. Be sure to renew or sign up before registering.

Don't miss your chance to be part of the world's largest gathering of motorsports professionals.

For more information on the 2025 PRI Show, visit here.

Formula 1 today announced that the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, is set to remain on the calendar until the 2034 season.

The new deal secures the long-term future of the event as Formula 1 continues to experience significant growth across the United States, the organization said.

The Texas facility first appeared on the Formula 1 calendar in 2012.

"Since 2012 the United States Grand Prix has continued to grow in strength and popularity, and I want to thank the City of Austin and Travis County for hosting us. Each year, the event at the Circuit of the Americas stands out as a true highlight for fans, drivers, and teams alike, drawing hundreds of thousands of passionate supporters who come to witness the thrilling on-track action and soak up the vibrant energy of the circuit and the city," said Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula. "As Formula 1 continues to grow and thrive in the United States, we are proud to extend our partnership with Bobby Epstein and his outstanding team in Austin, as well as with Governor Abbott, whose leadership has been instrumental in supporting the sport's development in Texas and beyond. Both have shown unwavering commitment to F1, and their shared vision and investment have played a vital role in establishing the strong foundation we now enjoy in the U.S."

"We're glad Formula 1 has found a home in Texas, and are grateful to the fans, teams, and the entire F1 community who have consistently supported us and made The United States Grand Prix a favorite stop on the global calendar. Equally, we're proud of--and appreciate--the people of Central Texas who have been such welcoming hosts," said Bobby Epstein, chairman of Circuit of The Americas. "With this contract, COTA will overtake Watkins Glen as the longest serving Formula 1 track in the United States. Thanks to the great support and a wonderful host city, the United States Grand Prix has grown to be one of the world's biggest single weekend sporting events--with an unrivalled annual economic impact."

For more information, visit circuitoftheamericas.com.

Racing is alive and well across the nation. Here's a roundup of some events happening this weekend:

NASCAR Cup Series

Event: Xfinity 500
Location: Martinsville Speedway — Ridgeway, Virginia
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. EDT

USAC Sprint Car National Championship

Event: Western World Championships
Location: Central Arizona Raceway – Casa Grande, Arizona
Date: October 24-25

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Event: Wichita Sprint Car Showdown
Location: 81 Speedway – Park City, Kansas
Date: Friday, October 24
Time: 6:30 p.m. CDT

Event: Jason Johnson Classic
Location: Arrowhead Speedway – Colcord, Oklahoma
Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 6:30 p.m. CDT

Photo courtesy of NASCAR/Logan Riely/Getty Images

Ginetta, the British race car manufacturer, is entering the SRO GT America series in 2026, and will run a one-make spec championship for its GTP8 race car.

The GTP8 is a purpose-built race car designed and manufactured at Ginetta's headquarters near Leeds, England, and is powered by a 6.2-L V8 engine producing 390 hp.

The car features a sealed Xtrac transaxle with E-shift actuator for immediate gear changes, while Bosch Motorsport ABS. Stopping power comes from six-pot front Alcon callipers paired with 380mm discs.

The addition of SRO GT America further expands on the brand's expansion into the United States with the Ginetta North America Challenge series.

"Bringing our V8 to the United States marks an exciting new chapter for Ginetta," said Mike Simpson, CEO Ginetta Motorsport. "SRO GT America is the perfect stage to showcase this car, which blends raw performance and accessibility with proven engineering. We're proud to expand our footprint further into the world's most dynamic motorsport market and offer American drivers and teams a genuine pathway into top level GT spec racing."

"We're thrilled to welcome Ginetta and the GTP8 to the SRO America paddock. It underscores the continued growth and diversity of our GT America series, and their arrival marks an exciting step forward in broadening the opportunities available to North American drivers and teams within our GT platform," said SRO America President Greg Gill. "Ginetta's commitment to delivering accessible, competitive racing aligns perfectly with SRO's own mission, and the GTP8 brings a fresh new dimension to the grid and provides an exciting, attainable path for both aspiring and experienced competitors. We look forward to seeing them join our paddock and to watching this program thrive on American soil."

For more information, visit ginetta.com.

Formula 1 has announced a five-year partnership with Apple to become the sport's exclusive U.S. broadcast partner from 2026, bringing together two global brands with a shared passion for innovation, excellence, and entertainment.

In addition to showing F1 on Apple TV, Apple will amplify the sport across Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Sports and Apple Fitness+.

This new broadcast agreement will see Apple TV host all Free Practice, Qualifying, Sprint sessions and Grands Prix. Select races and all Free Practice sessions throughout the season will also be available to watch for free in the Apple TV app.

F1 TV Premium, F1's own premier content offering, will continue to be available in the U.S. via an Apple TV subscription only and will be free for those who subscribe.

Additional information will be announced in the coming months.

"This is an incredibly exciting partnership for both Formula 1 and Apple that will ensure we can continue to maximise our growth potential in the U.S. with the right content and innovative distribution channels," said Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1.

"We are no strangers to each other, having spent the past three years working together to create "F1 The Movie," which has already proven to be a huge hit around the world.

"We have a shared vision to bring this amazing sport to our fans in the U.S. and entice new fans through live broadcasts, engaging content, and a year-round approach to keep them hooked.

"I want to thank Tim Cook [Apple's CEO], Eddy Cue [Apple's Senior Vice President of Services], and the entire Apple team for their vision, enthusiasm and passionate approach to delivering this partnership, and we are looking forward to the next five years together."

The news follows on from the hugely successful "F1 The Movie," the Apple Original Film starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, which was already released internationally in cinemas and IMAX venues and will make its global streaming debut on Apple TV on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Apple invested significantly in the project and worked with the F1 community in an unprecedented collaboration over three years to deliver a truly authentic and immersive racing movie for new and established F1 fans.

Critically acclaimed worldwide, "F1 The Movie" has grossed nearly $630 million globally to date, making it the most successful sports movie in history.

Importantly, as demonstrated by "F1 The Movie," Apple's ability to reach a diverse range of consumers across its powerful ecosystem presents a groundbreaking opportunity to engage new fans.

The 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey found that 47% of new U.S. F1 fans, who have been following the sport for five years or less, are aged 18-24, while over half are female, underlining the partnership's huge potential to expand the sport's younger and more diverse audience.

For more information, visit the Formula 1 website at formula1.com.

New opportunities are everywhere at the PRI Show—to network with industry members, investigate the latest products and services, and connect with new exhibitors. In fact, more than 100 companies have signed up to exhibit for the first time at the 2025 PRI Show, which takes place December 11–13, providing racing retailers, fabricators, engine builders, tuners, service providers, and other motorsports businesses with potential for new revenue streams.

From engine and chassis parts to tools and equipment to trailers, here's a preview of some of the companies and the latest components, equipment, and technology they will display in Indianapolis.

Adding Inventory

Motorsports' wide swath of disciplines provides plenty of opportunities for companies to get involved and even crossover from one segment to another. Take Radflo Suspension Technology in Fountain Valley, California, as an example. The company is already established in off-road and OE replacement suspension systems. Exhibiting at the PRI Show is part of its strategic expansion into the performance racing industry. It reflects the company's growing commitment to motorsports and high-performance applications, according to AJ Grasso.

"The PRI Show provides an unmatched platform to introduce our latest race-ready technologies, connect with professional builders and race teams, and collaborate with key industry partners," Grasso explained. "We're excited to showcase our advanced shock solutions and support the innovation and performance that define the racing community.

"This debut marks a new chapter for Radflo, one that brings our race-proven engineering to an even broader audience," Grasso added. "Ultimately, our goal is to support the racing community with cutting-edge suspension technology while forming long-term partnerships that drive innovation and success on and off the track."

Attendees at the Radflo Shocks exhibit (booth 7149) can expect a "hands-on, informative experience that highlights our capabilities in high-performance suspension technology, featuring our all-new Works Series Internal Bypass shocks." Grasso noted the company's products are all made in America.

"We want PRI Show attendees to know that Radflo Shocks is more than a suspension manufacturer—we're a performance partner," Grasso said. "Every shock we produce is built with precision, tuned for demanding conditions, and backed by decades of real-world racing and off-road experience."

Diesel is the focus of Lambert Performance Laboratories in Schenectady, New York. Kevin Lambert is exhibiting at the PRI Show "to connect with builders, fabricators, and enthusiasts who want modern diesel performance in classic or custom builds. We're here to show how our engineered solutions make complex swaps simpler, cleaner, and more reliable."

The team at Lambert Performance Laboratories plans to introduce its latest Duramax swap-focused components—from precision-engineered engine mounts and oil pans to full swap harnesses—and build relationships with shops and enthusiasts looking to bring new life to their projects.

By visiting the LPL Duramax Swaps exhibit (booth 7519), Lambert said attendees can "get hands-on with our swap-ready hardware for Duramax platforms, see how our designs solve fitment challenges, and talk through the details of your next resto-mod or custom diesel project with our engineering team."

Velocity Manufacturing Group in Statesville, North Carolina, offers more than 75 years of combined motorsports experience in engineering, designing, and machining components, as well as fabricating and setting up chassis. Products are available for race car chassis and suspension.

"Velocity Manufacturing Group is revealing our new cutting-edge motorsports products, connecting with racers and industry leaders, and sharing our vision for pushing performance to the next level," Gaston Shealy explained. "It's our chance to build relationships, demonstrate our precision engineering, and cement our legacy as a supplier-manufacturer for the highest-quality, race-winning solutions."

Shealy said the company's goal while exhibiting in booth 2536 at the PRI Show is "to welcome new customers and continue to serve loyal racers by offering top-tier motorsports products designed for peak performance. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or just getting started, our goal is to equip you with the best to keep you ahead of the pack."

To read the rest of this article, and hundreds more like it, for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.    

Once you download the Zinio mobile app or are logged into Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including "Opportunity Seekers: New Exhibitors at the 2025 PRI Show" here and additional coverage in the October 2025 issue here. 

By Chuck Ross, PivotPoint Business Solutions, and Todd Downing and Chris Cimaglio, Managing Partners at BEST Human Capital & Advisory Group

Ask yourself these questions: Do you have the right people on your bench? Are you proactively building and sustaining a strong bench for today and the future?

For many reasons, the performance racing industry, among others, faces a talent shortage compared to other sectors. Our demographics further complicate the situation, as many professionals in our industry are approaching retirement age at an increasingly rapid pace. The urgency to prepare our setup and act has never been greater.

The numbers tell the story: Baby boomers make up 25% of the US population but own 61% of all US businesses, resulting in more than 3.5 million businesses changing hands in the next 10 years—a veritable "tsunami" of exits, according to data from the US Census Bureau and Project Equity. Meanwhile, younger generations have different values and interests, with many opting for different tech jobs or other careers instead of industries like ours, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. We can't afford to ignore this trend.

Attracting new talent and early-career professionals remains challenging as the current labor market is historically ever-changing. Thus, we must continue to identify strategies you can put into action to build your human capital pipeline and current employee engagement for today and tomorrow. Attracting talent to your company and assessing fit to not just the job description but the behaviors of the job and culture have many intertwined parts. We cannot stress enough that there is no single magic solution. It requires a combination of HR-related initiatives and new thinking.

Think Like a Candidate

To attract top talent, start thinking like they do. Today's top talent is looking for:

• Social Capital: A strong company culture and reputation.
   
• Training & Development: Opportunities to learn new skills and grow.
   
• Organizational Structure: Structured clear paths for advancement.
   
• Compensation and Benefits: Competitive with current market rates.
   

It is important to note that there is not one solution, but a combination of multiple human resource solutions to improve talent flow and increase retention with happy team members. Talent doesn't follow paychecks alone. They follow purpose, opportunity, and connection.

Hiring for Behaviors, Not Just Experience

A vast talent pool exists outside our industry. Too often, performance racing industry companies focus heavily on a candidate's direct experience with the products, processes, or customers.

While specific experience is one factor, chemistry (culture fit) and behavioral talent are equally important. After extensive research by industrial-organizational psychologists at the Talent Strategy Institute, behavioral talent has proven to be the best indicator of success, followed by chemistry, with direct experience being the least important.

There are four families of behavioral traits to assess:

• Motivation: What drives an individual beyond money?
   
• Action: How do they approach tasks?
   
• Interaction: How well do they communicate and collaborate?
   
• Thinking: How do they process information and solve problems?
   

Hiring for behaviors dramatically creates a broader pool of potential candidates from other industries, a strategy many Fortune 500 companies use with great success, as documented in Harvard Business Review's research on high-performance hiring practices.

To read the rest of this article, and hundreds more like it, for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.    

Once you download the Zinio mobile app or are logged into Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including "PRI Education: Building Your Bench" here and additional coverage in the October 2025 issue here. 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

A little more than a decade ago, it seemed as if electronic fuel injection (EFI) would completely reshape the auto racing landscape and replace carburetors in almost all top-tier classes.

NASCAR Cup cars made the switch in 2012, trading a Holley HP series carb for a Holley EFI throttle body that sits atop a conventional-style single-plane intake manifold modified for fuel injectors. The ARCA series introduced a new engine package in 2015, developed by Ilmor, which included an entire Holley EFI system. Three years later, the NASCAR Truck series adopted the same package. NHRA Pro Stock mandated a Holley-based EFI in 2016 after more than 45 years of dual four-barrel setups.

A surge of aftermarket EFI development followed those examples. It wasn't that long ago that only a handful of companies, like Holley, BigStuff3, FAST, Electromotive, MoTeC, Haltech, and a couple of others in the UK and Australia, offered ECUs, wiring harnesses, and other EFI equipment to amateur and pro racers on a wide scale. Today, numerous companies are in the EFI market, designing not only highly sophisticated hardware and software, but also entry-level, self-tuning products for those on a budget.

These observations beg the question: Has the shift to EFI hit a ceiling? The debate over whether there's a performance advantage has pretty much been sorted out—and the answer depends on the application and the rules.

Finding The Advantage

"One of the struggles is always cost," observed Ben Strader of EFI University, Lake Havasu City, Arizona. "You look at circle track, ASCS, 360 or 305 sprints, RaceSaver guys—they're happy. They're not looking for a solution to end any problem. So it's really hard to sell those guys on EFI. I think the growth in the marketplace is where somebody's looking for an advantage. That tends to be drag racing, where you follow the weather and extract more power through tuning. Or road racing, where you're looking for efficiency and fuel economy."

Cost plays a significant role in any technical changes considered by a sanctioning body, especially when evaluating the benefit to the racer.

"With the restrictions in the rules and many series adopting crate engines, there isn't a huge performance advantage—at least not enough to justify the expense if they have a good carburetor and fuel system and are running up front every week," said Graham Fordyce of Holley, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The sanctioning body itself must also balance progress with scarce human resources, including relying on older volunteers with 20 to 40 years of experience inspecting carburetors, but who have no EFI background.

"The majority of sanctioning bodies have a rule that prohibits data logging and any form of traction control. Again, without trained officials, how can you enforce a rule when you can't detect it?" asked Fordyce.

Cost factors multiply when considering the expense of teams adding a laptop computer, electric fuel pumps, and safeguards to shut off the pump in the event of an accident.

"We have provisions for this with the Holley ECUs, but the officials need to know how to test this," added Fordyce. "With a carburetor and a mechanical pump, the fuel flow stops as soon as the engine stalls. Sanctioning bodies also believe that if they allow EFI, the teams will need to hire an engineer to get all the benefits of EFI, which will greatly increase the cost of racing."

Tailored Solutions

Since Holley has been a carburetor powerhouse from the early 1900s as well as a leading EFI innovator more recently, the company can serve both interests.

"Our motorsports group works with the teams and sanctioning bodies to ensure they have the best products for their situation. Plus, we provide trackside support at as many events as we can," said Fordyce.

Over at NHRA, Holley products are mandated in Pro Stock and Factory X. Both use the Holley HP ECU with a spec rev limiter hard-coded in the firmware set to 10,500 rpm in Pro Stock and 10,200 rpm in Factory X.

To read the rest of this article, and hundreds more like it, for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.    

Once you download the Zinio mobile app or are logged into Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including "Decoding EFI: Future Growth Opportunities" here and additional coverage in the October 2025 issue here.