After two years sitting idle for area racers, the roar returned to the Ohio Kil-Kare Raceway’s tricky 3/8th-mile, modified-D track this last weekend.

The Gem City Auto Racing (GCAR) group—comprised primarily of racers, car owners and business owners—sanctioned the race and will sanction future Sunday racing at Kil-Kare with late models, modifieds, street stocks and compact divisions. Racing starts Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Greene County track.

GCAR is scheduled to host 11 races during its bi-weekly schedule at Kil-Kare through September. Highlights include the Robbie Dean Memorial on June 4, the CRA Jegs 100 on July 9, the CRA Super Series 125 on July 30 and the Lee Raymond Dayton 100 on August 27.

Kil-Kare’s oval track closed in October 2014 with officials citing low car counts and dwindling crowds. The track also ended its association with the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series for late models.

Gem City officials approached Kil-Kare last October about returning local racing to the oval.

“I think this is the first step to seeing if it will ever be the 4000 people showing up for a program,” said Will Tharpe, Kil-Kare’s general manager and competition director. “I don’t know if we’ll ever see those numbers again. But I think we can put together a good program to generate revenue that sustains the program.”

Tharpe said Gem City is in control of the racing program for 2017. It’s possible, he said, that Kil-Kare could start sanctioning the races in the future.

In addition to Gem City Auto Racing, the oval will also host the Sports Car Club of America, the Midwest Drift Union, Corvette Troy and the Rusty Wallace Driving Experience. Test-and-tune sessions will be held weekly on Thursday. The full racing schedule can be found at gemcityautoracing.com.

Kil-Kare’s facility, that also boasts a drag strip, will continue to host drag racing on Friday and Saturday as well as the Miami Valley Quarter Midget Racing Association.

As the oval returns to action, the track’s noise curfew remains the same. Racing must be completed by 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and by midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Formula One is known as an innovation sport where even the tiniest advantage could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Now, McLaren is working to make the process of testing new designs even quicker by bringing an entire 3D printer to each and every race.

The McLaren Formula One team confirmed it has partnered up with 3D printing firm Stratasys to print parts for the MCL32 F1 car on-site during race weekends, starting at the Bahrain Grand Prix next week. Parts like carbon-fiber reinforced hydraulic lines, radio cables, brake cooling ducts and even rear wing flaps can be printed using the new setup.

"We are consistently modifying and improving our Formula One car designs, so the ability to test new designs quickly is critical to making the car lighter and more importantly increasing the number of tangible iterations in improved car performance," said McLaren Racing Design and Development Director Neil Oatley. "If we can bring new developments to the car one race earlier—going from new idea to new part in only a few days—this will be a key factor in making the McLaren MCL32 more competitive."

This means McLaren can develop, print and implement a new part, all in a single race weekend.

Champion Oil, a manufacturer of performance lubricants and motor oils, announced that Pacific Marketing is their newest rep agency covering the Western United States.

“Pacific Marketing is a premier manufacturers’ rep agency specializing in outside sales of performance auto parts and aftermarket truck, jeep and SUV accessories through traditional distribution and eCommerce,” stated Karl Dedolph, Champion Director of National Sales. “This group is driven to succeed for companies like Champion utilizing their award-winning personnel and sales philosophy.”

Champion Oil will now collaborate with Pacific Marketing for representation of its Western United States offices including in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii.

“Pacific Marketing philosophy of listening to the needs of the manufacturer and being innovative and flexible enough to meet the needs of today’s marketplace is a very successful combination. They combine that with cutting-edge technology in communication and software to support e-retailers such as Amazon, Auto Anything, US Auto Parts, JC Whitney, etc.,” Dedolph said.
 
Champion Brands is a globally recognized manufacturer of specialty lubricants for over 60 years. Champion also produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets.

Xtreme Raceway Park in Texas and the Onawa Racing and Events Complex in Iowa are the two latest tracks to sign multi-year sanctioning agreements with the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).

The Xtreme Raceway Park is currently under construction and scheduled to open October 1. The 90-acre complex will feature an 1/8-mile drag strip with concrete walls from the burnout box to the end of the track. There will be five suites, six staging lanes at 400 feet long and a 200-foot sand safety pit.

Track owner Clyde Scott races a Pro Modified car, but loves the IHRA’s commitment to grassroots and Sportsman racers as seen through its partnership with ESPN3, according to the IHRA.

“Being sanctioned by IHRA, it gives me a platform for a healthy bracket racing program,” Scott said. “Bracket racers, those are the same people who will come support other races. They come and watch your Pro Mod shows, your Outlaw 10.5s and your drag radial classes.”

“Location, location, location is everything,” said Phil Gingerich, IHRA special advisor for track development. “It’s only 20 miles from downtown Dallas and off Interstate 45 headed to Houston. It’s a route traveled by so many people in Texas, so the location is perfect.”

The Onawa Racing and Events Complex is also currently under construction. The Onawa, Iowa facility will feature an 1/8-mile drag strip with the option to be converted into a ¼-mile strip.

With a goal to begin racing later this year, the 105-acre facility also has a 10,000-square foot event center in the planning stages.

Track representative Phil Schroder talked about how he and the other members of the facility’s board of directors appreciate IHRA’s commitment to growing the sport of drag racing, in their case, literally from the ground up.

“From being involved in racing for years, IHRA has a lot to offer to the Sportsman and Junior Dragster racers at our track,” Schroder said. “We’ve talked to our sanctioning bodies, but IHRA was so helpful answering questions day and night. I’ve been in [the equipment] business for 46 years and service is the answer in this country. IHRA cared about helping us getting up and running even before we signed any sanctioning contract.”

“It will be a great facility with drag racing and other events in that part of the Midwest. New construction is always welcome because that stirs up new interest in everybody,” Ginergich said.

Image by Ford Motor Co.

A.J. Foyt, one of the most legendary American drivers in history, was presented with the prestigious Spirit of Ford Award in a ceremony at the Road Racing Driver’s Club dinner Thursday night.

The Spirit of Ford Award is Ford Motor Co.’s highest honor in auto racing, recognizing lifetime achievements and contributions to the industry both on and off the race track. Foyt becomes the 26th recipient, joining an international list of honorees from all forms of racing and racing media.

Foyt was presented with the award during the RRDC dinner by Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford and a member of the company’s board of directors.

Foyt was on hand for the dinner, along with Dan Gurney, as part of an event helping commemorate the 50th anniversary of the duo’s victory at the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours, the first and only victory at Le Mans by an All-American team featuring All-American drivers.

“A.J. was one of my heroes in racing when I first followed the sport,” said Ford. “When looking back at his magnificent career, the question isn’t what did A.J. drive, but more what didn’t he drive and win in? His passion for driving and his commitment to the sport since his retirement have made him more than worthy for all the halls of fames he is part of. Many of his most significant victories—including the ’67 Le Mans win—came with Ford power, and it’s truly my honor to be able to present him with our Spirit of Ford Award.”

Foyt is best known as being the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, but his career spanned into many forms of racing. He has a record 67 wins and seven championships in IndyCar racing. He also was a seven-time winner in the NASCAR Cup series and has a total of 172 victories and 14 championships during his career.

He is also the only driver in history to win the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona.

He is currently still involved in the sport as the owner of the two-car A.J. Foyt Racing team that competes in the Verizon IndyCar Series.

Previous Spirit of Ford Awards winners are listed below.

Bill Stroppe, 1988
Bob Glidden, 1989
Chris Economaki, 1990
Richard Petty, 1992
Bob Bondurant, 1993
Mario Andretti, 1994
Jackie Stewart, 1994
Bud Moore, 1995
Parnelli Jones, 1996
Jim Clark, 1997
Phil Hill, 1998
Stirling Moss, 1998
Bill France, Sr., 1998
Bill France, Jr., 1998
Junie Donlavey, Jr., 1999
Glen Wood, 1999
Leonard Wood, 1999
Dan Gurney, 1999
Denise McCluggage, 2000
Bill Elliott, 2000
Carroll Shelby, 2001
Wally Parks, 2001
Ned Jarrett, 2003
Mose Nowland, 2005
Jack Roush, 2006
John Force, 2010
Kevin Kennedy, 2011
A.J. Foyt, 2017

Team Kalitta is expanding to a third full-time Top Fuel dragster team beginning with the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ next event in Houston. The machine will be backed by Global Electronic Technology with 2013 Top Fuel world champion Shawn Langdon as the driver.

“It’s been a tough year so far with me sitting on the sidelines. It has been the first time since my rookie year in 2009 that I haven’t been able to attend the NHRA races,” Langdon said. “My focus is to contend for a championship. We are seven rounds out of the top 10 and we have 14 races to catch up, and I am confident in my chances with the group that Kalitta is putting behind me.”

Like new teammate J.R. Todd, Langdon began his career in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, capturing a national title in 1997 and a division title in 1999. He continued his career with championship wins in the Super Comp division in back-to-back seasons in 2007 and 2008.

Since joining the Top Fuel ranks in 2009, Langdon has captured the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel world championship to go along with 14 race wins in 28 final-round appearances. The Mira Loma, California native has eight consecutive Countdown to the Championship finishes and claimed the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout $100,000 bonus in 2013.

The addition of Langdon is made possible due to an agreement with Global Electronic Technology, who is scheduled to be the primary sponsor on Langdon’s machine for 19 of the remaining 20 events this season.

With the addition of Langdon’s team, the Team Kalitta crew chiefs will make a few changes. All three Top Fuel teams will continue to share information and data with the focus on winning races and championships.

Oberhofer will now be the lead tuner on both the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster with driver Doug Kalitta and the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster with Troy Coughlin Jr. He will continue to team with Troy Fasching on the Mac Tools ride and will work with Glen Huszar and Nick Casertano on the SealMaster team. The Global Electronic Technology team will be led by NHRA’s only Lifetime Achievement honoree, Connie Kalitta, and Rob Flynn.

The new look five-team effort with Top Fuel drivers Coughlin Jr., Doug Kalitta, and Langdon and Funny Car drivers Alexis DeJoria and J.R. Todd will make its official debut in qualifying for the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston April 21-23.

The Malaysian Grand Prix will be dropped from the Formula 1 calendar next year after a joint decision was made with Grand Prix chiefs to end its deal early.

The long-term future of the Sepang event had been in doubt for several months after government ministers announced last November that they would not fund an extension of the original deal that ran to the end of 2018.

The decision to not continue with F1 was based on the high costs of holding the event, allied to low ticket sales.

However, following discussions with new F1 owners Liberty Media, a deal has been reached for the contract to be terminated after this year's race – with the event being replaced by the returning German Grand Prix in 2018.

F1's managing director of commercial operations Sean Bratches said in a statement: "It's always sad to say goodbye to a member of the Formula 1 family.

"Over nearly two decades, the Malaysian Formula 1 fans have proven themselves to be some of the sport's most passionate supporters.

"We will have 21 exciting events to look forward to in the 2018 calendar, with the additions of the French and German races. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Sepang International Circuit for their hospitality and professionalism over the years, and their ongoing commitment to motorsport."

Although Malaysia has not been able to make a success of its F1 race, the track remains fully committed to MotoGP, which has attracted bumper crowds and generates a profit for the circuit.

Motor State Distributing has added the DeatschWerks (DWK) product line to the company’s list of vendors.

DeatschWerks manufactures high-flow, drop-in fitment fuel injectors and in-tank electric fuel pumps for both modern muscle and sport compact vehicles.

All DeatschWerk’s drop-in fuel injectors are QA tested, flow matched and engineered to fit the OE harness, fuel rails and intake manifold, according to the company. The ethanol compatible DW in-tank electric fuel pumps are available in 255, 265 and 340 LPH fuel flow for daily driver to modified forced induction applications.

Application specific fuel injectors, in-tank and universal in-line fuel pumps, fuel pressure regulators in-line fuel filters are available from Motor State Distributing.

For more information, contact Motor State at 800-772-2678, or by visiting www.motorstate.com.

PRI exhibitors now have the opportunity to highlight their top products in the all-new Featured Products Showcase at the 2017 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This promotion is open to all exhibitors interested in boosting sales leads and gaining maximum exposure for their products. Each product entry includes placement in the showcase exhibit area of the Indiana Convention Center, promotional exhibitor booth signage, media exposure, and more!

The Showcase itself will be located in the Convention Center’s 500 Ballroom during Show days (December 7–9) and hours (December 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; December 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).   

The first product entry is $50, and additional product entries are $75 each (up to five total items). Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to enter products is Thursday, November 9, 2017. After the November 9 deadline, the cost to enter on-site is $100 for the first item, and $150 for subsequent products (up to five total), based on space availability.

In last year’s post-Show survey, some 97 percent of buyers expressed interest in a Featured Products Showcase. And this year’s program is a direct result of that feedback!

For more information, click here.

The SAE Foundation’s 2017 Annual Celebration will now include an addition to the evening festivities as auto industry expert and journalist John McElroy will interview Jack Roush, the 2017 Industry Leadership Award recipient, for an “Autoline This Week” broadcast.

Jack Roush, Founder, CEO and Co-Owner of Roush Fenway Racing and Chairman of the Board of Roush Enterprises is receiving this award in recognition of his meaningful contributions to the mobility industry and his exemplary philanthropic activities and passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

John McElroy, host of “Autoline Daily” and “Autoline This Week” has won numerous awards and accolades for his print and broadcast coverage of the auto industry. In addition to interviewing Roush, he will also serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.

Other highlights of the celebration will include a unique VIP Reception and Guest Networking Reception, where local students present exhibits from their participation in SAE International’s award-winning STEM education programs – A World In Motion (AWIM) and the Collegiate Design Series.

Proceeds from this annual fundraiser benefit the SAE Foundation. The Foundation is addressing the decline of students enrolling in science and technology programs by supporting SAE’s pre-K through college programming that brings math and science to life and fills the workforce pipeline with skilled technical talent.

Since its inception, SAE International’s AWIM curriculum has served more than 5 million students and involved more than 30,000 industry volunteers.

Based on surveys, 72 percent of students experienced a significant increase in math and science scores after participating in AWIM.

For more information about the celebration, visit http://saefoundation.org/celebration.