The 51st annual Louis Schwitzer Award presented by BorgWarner has been presented to engineers Don Burgoon, James Borner, Darin Cate, Paul Rankin and Mark Wagner from PFC Brakes for the PFC carbon disc brake system.

Considered the founder and visionary for PFC brakes, Don Burgoon (1955-2015) received the award posthumously along with the rest of the team during a ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

“The spirit of innovation drives progress. If you glance in the rear-view mirror, you’ll see that past award winners have improved performance, efficiency and safety for generations of racecar drivers. The engineers we acknowledge today will take their place in history, inspiring new innovations in the future,” said James Verrier, president and CEO, BorgWarner. “We are proud to sponsor the Louis Schwitzer Award and congratulate the engineers who worked tirelessly to bring this technology to the racetrack.”

The PFC carbon disc brake system consists of a carbon disc and pad assembly made from single continuously wound strands along with a patented mounting mechanism. The material and manufacturing process of the disc and pads provide a uniform matrix that reduces unwanted vibration and tire wear by improving the overall balance of the assembly.

The disc is mounted to the hat with a novel, yet simple, retaining mechanism consisting of a double-rolled ring and locating bobbins. The patented hat assembly greatly reduces stress, bending moments and distortion while the friction behavior exhibits modulation, cold bite and uniform heat distribution.

Presented by engineers to engineers, the Louis Schwitzer Award recognizes individuals for innovation and engineering excellence in racing technology associated with the annual Indianapolis 500. The award memorializes Louis Schwitzer, who won the first auto race at IMS in 1909 and designed the “Marmon Yellow Jacket” engine that powered the Marmon Wasp to victory at the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

After working in the automotive industry for many years, Louis founded Schwitzer Corp., which produced innovative cooling fans, water pumps and turbochargers. Schwitzer Corp. joined BorgWarner in 1999.

BorgWarner continues Schwitzer’s legacy of technology leadership as the official turbocharger supplier of the Verizon IndyCar Series. The engine of every car in the Indianapolis 500 will be boosted by BorgWarner’s line of EFR (Engineered For Racing) turbochargers. Built for reliable and powerful performance, EFR turbochargers feature Gamma-Ti (titanium aluminide) turbine wheels, ceramic ball bearings and stainless steel turbine housings.

A $10,000 award is sponsored by BorgWarner and presented to the winning engineers by the Indiana Section of SAE International.

After sitting vacant last summer, The Hill in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, was ready to fire their engines and dropped the green flag on its 2017 season.

Opening night took place Sunday, May 21, where stock cars, sport mods, street stocks and the new Baby Bombers (formally known as the Enduro Class) all hit the track. The night, presented by NAPA Auto Parts of Door County, was broadcasted live by WBDK.

The track will continue to host races, with the next event slated for June 11.
 
The Hill Raceway is located at John Miles Park in Sturgeon Bay, WI. GPS address 812 N. 14th Avenue. To stay up to date on current events, visit the track’s Facebook page (The Hill Raceway).

Admission to the Grandstands: $10 for Adults. Ages 12 and under are FREE. To honor those who have or are currently fighting for our country, we’re offering retired or active service members FREE grandstand admission with military I.D. as a small token of our appreciation.

Pit Admission: $25 for Adults. Ages 12 and under is $15 with a guardian.
 
The Hill Raceway 2017 Schedule
*Sunday, June 11
*Saturday, June 24
*Sunday, July 9
*Friday, July 14
*Friday, July 21
*Thursday, August 3 Door County Fair start time TBA
*Saturday, September 2 Championship Night

Camp Boggy Creek, a camp for seriously ill children based in Eustis, Florida, holds the distinction of being a “Proud Charity” of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).

The partnership dates to the GRAND-AM Road Racing era prior to the 2013 merger of GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series to form the new IMSA. Throughout the life of the partnership, more than $3 million has been raised in support of Camp Boggy Creek.

“Our partnership with IMSA has been longstanding for 17 years,” said Camp Boggy Creek President/CEO June Clark. “We greatly appreciate all the awareness and promotion that IMSA does for the Camp throughout the year through the races, teams, drivers, owners and everyone connected with IMSA.”

Camp Boggy Creek recently established the “Newman’s Circle of Friends Award,” named after the late actor, racer and philanthropist, Paul Newman, who co-founded Camp Boggy Creek alongside General H. Norman Schwarzkopf in 1996.

The “Newman’s Circle of Friends Award” recognizes entities responsible for raising more than $1 million on behalf of the Camp. IMSA was presented with the award during a recent “work party” at Camp Boggy Creek where several IMSA staffers assisted with preparations for the upcoming camp season, which begins in June.

“We couldn’t be prouder to be associated with Camp Boggy Creek and to earn our place in the ‘Newman’s Circle of Friends,’” said IMSA President Scott Atherton. “Our ‘IMSA Work Party’ at the Camp was an opportunity for many of our team members to get a close look at the great work Camp Boggy Creek is doing to help these children and their families. We took great pride in the work we did getting the Camp ready for the new season, and look forward to making it an annual tradition.”

Each year, drivers, teams and partners participate in “IMSA Day” at Camp Boggy Creek, traditionally held early in the week leading up to the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January. The day includes tours of the facility, as well as competitive activities, such as miniature golf tournaments, archery competitions and paddleboat racing.

Additionally, numerous IMSA competitors have generously donated much-needed funds and volunteering time at the Camp. Monies raised through fines during the season also are contributed to the Camp.

3rd Dimension, a contract manufacturer specializing in metal additive manufacturing for highly complex parts, announced plans to expand its operations in central Indiana, creating up to 45 new high-wage jobs by 2022.
 
The company, which develops and produces prototypes and end-use products, uses a new manufacturing process called additive manufacturing or 3D printing, adding layer-upon-layer of material to produce three-dimensional objects.
 
The company will invest at least $804,200 to purchase new machines and bring its operations under one roof in central Indiana. The company currently operates in two facilities on Indianapolis’ northwest side, together occupying 5,800 square feet.
 
3rd Dimension is led by Bob Markley, a former engineer for multiple IndyCar race teams who started his career while still a student at Purdue University. Markley went on to work for an Indianapolis automotive supplier before writing his business plan for 3rd Dimension through the Butler University MBA program and launching what is the only metal additive manufacturing business in central Indiana.
 
After launching the company as a one-person operation in 2013, Markley has hired eight Hoosiers, who are now running four 3D printers and six traditional CNC machines. The company plans to hire for engineering, machinist, sales and production positions throughout the year, with new jobs routinely posted across the company’s social media sites, including its LinkedIn page. These positions are expected to pay an average wage more than 60 percent higher than the state average wage.

With its growing team, 3rd Dimension is working on several production and research and development projects that have a focus on innovative manufacturing processing. This includes a project for Cummins to recreate critical parts to run the 1952 Indianapolis 500 pole-winning racecar.

Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run Township, Michigan has a new name and a new owner.

The 49-acre site is now called the Birch Run Speedway and Event Center. It's hoped it will generate even more tourism in the Birch Run, Bridgeport and Frankenmuth area.

The track’s new owner, Andy Suki, stated he’s “always admired this track” and felt he could “take it to another level.”

The track will continue to race stock cars, super late models and modifieds, with a few additional non-racing events also scheduled.

“[Racing] will be our No. 1 thing we'll be doing, but also the township has been kind enough to approve a flea market, farmers market, crafts market, outdoor entertainment," Suski told WJRT.

The first stock car race of the season will be June 30 where the roar of racing will be heard again on the half-mile oval.

Improvements to the track include parking lot upgrades and improvements to the lighting fixtures. A grandstand expanding project is set for a future date.

The track’s tentative 2017 schedule is below.

2017 Birch Run Speedway Racing Schedule  
Friday, June 30 Eve of Destruction
Friday, July 14 The BIG ONE: Main Event Super Late Models & NSTA Top Speed Modifieds
Friday, August 18 CRA JEGS All Star Tour & GLS Mini Cups
Friday, September 1 Eve of Destruction
Saturday, September 23 Eve of Destruction

The 2017 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP) welcomed 26 students from across the country seeking to learn about the motorsports industry during the Monster Energy All-Star Race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
 
This year, 14 former NDIP interns currently working in the industry full-time will help mentor the students throughout the 10-week, paid internship.

Mentors include Brandon Thompson, Lauren Houston, Pedro Mojica and Jusan Hamilton.
 
In its 18th year, NDIP has introduced hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds to professional opportunities in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, 2017 interns will be working at NASCAR partner companies including Rev Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Pocono Raceway, Toyota and the International Speedway Corporation.
 
The 2017 NDIP class began its NASCAR experience with an orientation session at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the NASCAR Production Studio, as well as the race shop for Rev Racing.
 
The class also put its own racing skills to the test at Victory Lane Karting.
 
For many, attending the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Monster Energy Open and Monster Energy All-Star race from Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend will be their first live NASCAR experience.
 
Throughout the internship, the students will contribute to the industry and gain experience working in marketing, engineering, public relations, licensing, diversity and public affairs. They will also learn from leading NASCAR executives in weekly lunch-and-learn sessions and networking events with professionals across the industry.
 
The NDIP program offers diverse students an opportunity to work in one of the largest professional sports industries in the United States. Each year, the internships are available to college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students across the country. To be eligible, students must be in good standing with their school and community and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
 
The 2017 NDIP class includes the following students from colleges and universities across the nation:

Name	Department/Organization	University
Alex Alvarado	NASCAR Public Affairs	University of Central Florida
Alton Peques	NASCAR Marketing, Media Research	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ashleigh Young	NASCAR Creative Design	University of Southern Mississippi
Bria Dixon	NASCAR Weekly and Touring	University of Miami
Cabrell Cooper	NASCAR Productions Engineering	Delaware State University
Cambric Moye	Toyota, Logistics	University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Carter Allen	NASCAR Brand Platforms Marketing	Arizona State University
Catherine Rivera-Chardon	Pocono Raceway	Penn State University
Dejah Gilliam	NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications	Syracuse University
Federico Morales	NASCAR Finance	Georgia State University
Glen Charlton	NASCAR Digital	University of Maryland
Greg Carty	Roush Fenway Racing	Old Dominion University
Jorge Jones	NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications	University of the Incarnate Word
Kenneth Lee	The NASCAR Foundation	Tuskegee University
Kevin Lee	Toyota, Information Systems	University of Texas Dallas
Kim Brian Fadul	NASCAR Digital Media	North Carolina State University
Lillian Hermina	NASCAR Industry Services	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Monica Matias	ISC Public Affairs	University of Central Florida
Natalia Mendoza	NASCAR Green Innovation	Wake Forest University
Precious Makuyana	ISC Legal	Florida A&M University
Ronald Alexander	ISC Partnership Marketing	Winston-Salem State University
Sandra Prieto	NASCAR Member Services	University of Miami
Sarah Torres	ISC Finance	Penn State University
Shawn Meachem	Rev Racing	Johnson C. Smith University
Tylar Williams	NASCAR Human Resources	Texas A&M College Station
Zane Smith	Toyota Engineering	Southern Methodist University

Clay Hill Speedway officials in Atwood, Tennessee, announced the track is under new management and will now be running the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division as part of its Friday night racing program in 2017.

The speedway, formerly called Clayhill Motorsports and nestled in Atwood, Tennessee, has hosted numerous NeSmith Racing-sanctioned events in the past.
 
Clay Hill Speedway will host Friday night action and will work closely with current NeSmith sanctioned Camden Motor Speedway to offer the West Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky competitors two great tracks to earn points. The NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock division events get started with the reopening night, May 26, 2017.
 
The crew and staff have made quick improvements in getting the facilities and track into “tip top” shape to host their first event of 2017 under the new management. That event will feature a full racing program with pit gates opening at 5 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 6 p.m. Hot Laps are scheduled for 7 p.m. with racing to follow.
 
For information about Clay Hill Speedway, visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Clayhillspeedway/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf as they work to get an official website up.
 
For more information on the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division, visit www.nesmithracing.com.

Wisconsin-based AMSOIL returns as TORC’s presenting sponsor for 2017. The 13-round racing season marks the ninth year that the synthetic lubricants have backed TORC: The Off-Road Championship.

“Since 2009, TORC has been a great way for AMSOIL to connect with off-road fans. The series reaches the core off-road audience—the hands-on people that run the entire gambit of AMSOIL products,” said AMSOIL’s Erica Danielski.

In addition to their history with the TORC Series, AMSOIL also offers sponsorship of drivers that runs from the privateer Sportsman class all the way up to the premier PRO 4 class.

“We look forward to having AMSOIL as the presenting sponsor this year, teaming up on all the great activations throughout the season,” said Ben Nelson TORC series director.

Joining AMSOIL in sponsoring the 2017 TORC season is Rugged Radios, Kenda Tires, Cooper Tires, Atturo Tire, Maxxis, Yamaha Racing, Vision Wheels, VP Racing Fuels, Racingjunk.com and Fuel Off-Road.

Next up for TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL is the “Twin Cities Takedown,” June 10-11, at ERX Motor Park in Elk River, Minn. Tickets are available at www.torcseries.com.

Performance Racing Industry Magazine and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show have been recognized by Graphic Design USA with Best American Inhouse Design Awards.
 
The 2016 PRI Trade Show campaign along with the Magazine’s 2017 PRI Media Kit, June 2016 Electric Hybrid Racing spread and March 2017 EcoBoost spread, will be recognized in the upcoming American Inhouse Design Annual and on the Graphic Design USA website later this year.

“I’m very proud of our talented art and editorial teams,” said PRI Director of Marketing & Creative Rob Hiner. “PRI has a hard-working inhouse crew that strives to provide the racing industry with valuable, high-quality resources.”

The American Inhouse Design Awards are the original and premier showcase for outstanding work by inhouse designers. For more than five decades, Graphic Design USA has sponsored competitions that spotlight areas of excellence and opportunity. It is a unique opportunity for inhouse departments to be recognized for their creativity, the challenges they face, and most importantly, the value that they bring to their business and institutions.

In 2017, nearly 5000 entries were submitted, but only a highly selective 15 percent are recognized with a Certificate of Excellence. Winners this year will be showcased in the upcoming American Inhouse Design printed annual, the digital annual and the GD USA website.

Performance Racing Industry Magazine is published monthly for the b2b motorsports marketplace. The 30th annual PRI Trade Show will be held Dec. 7–9, 2017, in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information, visit www.performanceracing.com.

The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Engine Challenge held two qualifying events for the second weekend in a row, with both events held in new locations and states.

In Kaysville, Utah at the Davis Applied Technology College, seven Utah teams competed in their very first HROT Engine Challenge.

Of those, Team Hedman Hedders, (Hunter High School from West Valley City, UT) qualified with the time of 32:59, just one second under the limit.

Team Aeroquip, (Box Elder High School from Brigham City, UT) came in with a time of 33:52, but will be invited to the Dual National Championship as a “wild card” team.

The other event took place in Lenexa, Kansas at the Aeromotive open house and car show. Eight teams competed, with six qualifying for the Dual National Championship.

Team Aeromotive (Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center from Choctaw, OK) came in with a time of 19:51. Team Flowmaster (Tulsa Technology Center #3 from Broken Arrow, OK) had a time of 25:22. Team B&M (Pontotoc Tech Center from Ada, OK) scored a 29:28.

Hereford High School from Hereford, TX had two teams qualify, Team Vibrant Performance (30:17) and Team National Performance Warehouse (30:40).

Team Allstar (Doherty High School), a new team from Colorado Springs, CO, competed for the first time and came in with a time of 51:47.

The Dual National Championship is held at the SEMA and PRI Shows later this year. A team qualifies by disassembling and then reassembling a small-block Chevrolet engine in less than 33 minutes, including penalties.

There is now a total of 44 teams that have qualified and one “wild card” team with times ranging from 17:47 to 33:52 to participate in the Dual National Championship held at the SEMA and the PRI Shows.

Those students that participate at the Championships will compete for scholarships ranging from $5000 to $10,000 from five different colleges: Ohio Technical College, University of Northwestern Ohio, School of Automotive Machinists & Technology, Universal Technical Institute and WyoTech.

HROT is a 501-C3 nonprofit education organization helping students stay in the racing automotive industry.

For more information, visit HotRoddersofTomorrow.com or connect with them on social media.

For additional information, donations or in starting a team or sponsorship opportunities, contact Rodney Bingham at RBingham@hotroddersoftomorrow.com or call at 815-722-5460.