A true racing historian and insider, Greg Zyla has been an invaluable contributor to Performance Racing Industry Magazine since day one.

His Industry Insights columns, a PRI cornerstone, have brought readers face-to-face with some of the most revered and recognizable names in motorsports, names like Roger Penske (November 2016), Wally Parks (July/August 1989, February 2005), Forrest Lucas (June 2011), Humpy Wheeler (February 1992, August 2003) and many more.

So when Greg informed us last year that he wished to dial back his workload and enjoy a semi-retirement beginning in 2017, we had a decision to make: Who would take over Insights?

Well, it didn’t take long to produce the world’s shortest wish list. And when we reached out to longtime racing writer and broadcaster—and member of multiple racing halls of fame—Dave Argabright, we were thrilled to receive his response. Beginning in the January 2017 issue, Dave brings his exceptional skills in writing and interviewing to a column that in many ways has helped define what PRI Magazine has stood for over a span of 30-plus years.

Thank you for everything you’ve done for—and meant to—PRI, Greg, and welcome, Dave!     

Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) announced that Jeff Barna will join the company starting January 16 as chief operating officer. Barna will report to Shinichi Takimoto, YTC president, and will have responsibility for sales, marketing and product planning. Barna will also be on YTC’s executive committee.

According to Hideto Katsuragawa, CEO of Yokohama Corporation of North America and CEO of YTC, “Jeff is another strategic investment in the future of Yokohama Tire Corporation in the American market, like our modern manufacturing plant in Mississippi, new and upgraded distribution centers, new R&D technical center in North Carolina, stream of new products in the consumer, commercial and OTR space, and commitment to expanded OE partnerships.”

Takimoto praised Barna’s extensive experience in the auto aftermarket business. “Jeff sold a range of products to many of the same high-quality companies that Yokohama sells to,” he said. “Jeff will work closely with our team to strengthen Yokohama and make us more valuable to our business partners. His experience starting at the street level of the auto parts business, to broader areas of responsibility, and right up to the board rooms of multi-national companies is a perfect match for today’s competitive business climate and our lean team.”

Prior to Yokohama Barna was successful in management, sales and logistics positions, most recently at Nilfisk-Advance Inc., an international company in the professional cleaning products and service industry. Prior to that, he was with Exide Technologies, a global battery manufacturer. Barna began his career at Tenneco Automotive selling Monroe shock absorbers to dealers and retail stores in the metropolitan New York market.  

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.

With the start of the 28th annual Northeast Motorsports Expo at the Augusta Civic Center in Maine, the unofficial start of the 2017 racing season is also underway.

With this start, Speedway 95 in Hermon, ME will see some administrative changes.

Nick Huff, a graphic designer who previously leased Unity Raceway in Unity, ME, has joined Speedway 95’s staff roster.

“He will be in charge of the drivers. If the drivers have any questions or if problems build up, they’ll talk to Nick. And he’ll be doing a little bit of work on the website, and he’ll be doing some announcing,” Speedway 95 owner Del Merritt said.

“He will be a good asset,” Speedway 95 office manager and head scorer Kim Baker Allen said. “He’s a hard worker, and he has a lot of drive and ambition. He’s really good at social media. And he’s a great guy.”

Baker Allen also announced that they are going to have a combined class for “four or five events” on their Saturday night race card as two recently defunct classes, the Speedway 95 Sportsman and the touring Outlaws, will team up.

“We will provide them with Granite State Takeoff tires. They won’t have to pay for them. If the class grows during the season, we may add it for 2018 and allow them to compete for points and better payouts,” Baker Allen said.

On the heels of a strong season in 2016 that saw over 230 different DIRTcar Sportsman Modified drivers compete in 15 series points shows, DIRTcar Racing officials have unveiled a new format for Sportsman Modified teams in 2017.
 
Currently, 19 different tracks have signed up for DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds Series with negotiations ongoing for additional dates. To accommodate the increased demand, tour events being scheduled from the last weekend in April through late-September will be run under a regional format, with the schedule divided into four regions - North, West, Central and the East, which was announced will be a part of the King Of Dirt tour. DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series teams will only be required to participate in a region of their choice in order to earn valuable series points. Point races run in other regions will become optional events for teams.
 
Home Track Bonus Points awarded for participating at one of the many DIRTcar Racing sanction tracks is again the foundation for the 2017 schedule. Bonus points from the regional DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series will be added to a driver's home track total on September 25. In addition to 1,000 Series bonus points, each regional points champion will earn a guaranteed starting spot at the Super DIRT Week Sportsman Championship at Oswego Speedway as well as a preferred starting spot in the OneDirt.com World Short Track Championship at the Dirt Track at Charlotte.
 
Drivers may compete in as many DIRTcar Racing events as they choose and may earn additional points toward the championship by competing in events out of their region (20 points per attempt up to a maximum of five totaling 100 points). These points will be added to a driver's home track and regional bonus total.
 
Central New York and Brockville, Ontario will be the final battleground for the DIRTcar Racing Championship when the calendar reaches fall. All regions will converge for a five event "Fall Championship Challenge”—bringing the best of the best together into one five-race chase for the championship. Mandatory 150 point-to-win races will be on tap for Sportsman Modified teams during a busy week-long stretch beginning with Fulton Speedway's 32nd Outlaw 200 Weekend on September 29th & 30th, Weedsport Speedway Super DIRT Week Kickoff Party on Wednesday Oct. 4, Brewerton Speedway 25th Hurricane, Thursday, Oct. 5 and the the 75-lap Super DIRT Week Championship at Oswego Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 8th. These events will build to the final series showdown for the DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series crown on Friday, October 13 at Brockville Speedway for the Fall Nationals.
 
"We feel this will allow teams to run good paying races within region throughout the season and earn valuable points without a heavy travel burden," said Mike Perrotte, DIRTcar Director of Series and sanction. "Then to have them all converge into the same sand box for the Fall Championship Challenge allows teams to race against racers from other regions for all the marbles."
 
Any Series feature winner across all four regions will earn automatic berths into the OneDirt.com World Short Track Championship All-Star Invitational at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on October 27. The top-12 in final overall series points will carry provisional starter status into the OneDirt.com World Short Track Championship non-point series finale on October 28.

"There has been a high demand for series races from track promoters and a lot of interest from race teams since we ended the series last fall," said DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Director, Cory Reed. "The series includes major events and great race tracks—we think the race teams will be pleased."

2017 Super DIRTcar Sportsman Series Schedule
*Subject to Change*
Day/Date	Location	Event Name
Central Region
Friday, April 28	Fulton Speedway	Highbank Holdup
Sunday, April 30	Utica-Rome Speedway
Tuesday, June 20	Outlaw Speedway
Monday, July 3	Weedsport Speedway	Sportsman Classic
Friday, September 15	Brewerton Speedway	Duel at the Demon

North Region
Saturday, May 6	Autodrome Drummond
Friday, August 11	Autodrome Granby
Sunday, September 3	Cornwall Motor Speedway
Saturday, September 16	Mohawk Speedway	Pete Mitchell Memorial
Friday, September 22	LeRPM Speedway
Saturday, September 23	Autodrome Drummond
Sunday, September 24	Airborne Speedway

West Region
Tuesday, July 25	Ohsweken Speedway
Friday, September 8	Ransomville Speedway
Saturday, September 9	Merrittville Speedway
Sunday, September 10	Humberstone Speedway
Friday, September 22	Brighton Speedway	Applefest Weekend
Saturday, September 23	Brighton Speedway	Applefest Weekend

East Region/King of Dirt
Sunday, May 13	Utica-Rome Speedway
Monday, May 28	Devil's Bowl Speedway
Saturday, July 15	Lebanon Valley Speedway
Tuesday, August 15	Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Sunday, August 20	Utica-Rome Speedway
Thursday, August 31	Lebanon Valley Speedway
Friday, September 8	Albany-Saratoga Speedway	Northeast Crate Nationals
Friday, September 22	Fonda Speedway

Fall Championship Challenge (150 point events)
Friday-Saturday, September 29 & 30	Fulton Speedway	32nd Outlaw 200 Weekend
Wednesday, October 4	Weedsport Speedway	Super DIRT Week Kickoff Party
Thursday, October 5	Brewerton Speedway	25th Hurricane
Sunday, October 8	Oswego Speedway	NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week
Friday, October 13	Brockville Speedway	Fall Nationals
Thu-Fri-Sat, October 26-28	The Dirt Track at Charlotte	World Short Track Championship - NP

NASCAR competition officials issued memos detailing rule book changes for the 2017 season in its three national series, including limits on tire allocation, restrictor-plate and spoiler size, and an allowance for drivers to use biometric devices.
 
The 80 total pages of revisions pertain to Sections 20 (Vehicle and Driver Safety specifications) and 21 (Pit Equipment and Crew Safety specifications) across the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
 
Among the highlights in the rules updates:
 
• NASCAR set its regulations on tire allocation for all three series in 2017. In the Monster Energy Cup Series, the number of tire sets available to teams per event dropped for 13 of the 36 points-paying races and increased for eight events compared to last year. With the exception of the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the number of tire sets was only adjusted by one. Teams will have two fewer sets in the season-ending event this season, a reduction from 2016's 12 sets to just 10 in 2017.
 
Tracks with one fewer set of tires allowed next season: Daytona (500 only), Phoenix (both races), Auto Club, Martinsville (both races), Bristol (both races), Kansas (both races), Kentucky and Chicagoland. Tracks with an additional set of tires allowed next season: Talladega (both races), Sonoma, Daytona (July only), New Hampshire (both races), Watkins Glen and Darlington.
 
• In 2017, Monster Energy Cup teams will be required to start the race on the tires they used in Coors Light Pole Qualifying. This change does not apply to the XFINITY or Camping World Truck Series.
 
• Drivers in all three series may use biometrics devices in their vehicles in 2017. The wrist-worn health tracking devices may not transmit data, may not connect to the vehicle in any way and must operate on an internal battery. Devices eligible for use are certain models made by Garmin, Misfit, Polar, Samsung, Tom Tom and Jawbone.
 
• The 2017 aerodynamic package for non-restrictor plate tracks in the Monster Energy Cup Series will feature a shortened rear spoiler, measuring 2.35 inches tall. The standard rear-spoiler height for premier series teams last season was 3.5 inches, with a 2.5-inch tall spoiler used at Kentucky and both Michigan races as auditions for this season.
 
• For superspeedway events at Daytona and Talladega, the restrictor plate opening will be smaller by 1/64 of an inch—reduced from 57/64 to 7/8. The change affects only the Monster Energy Cup and XFINITY series for those two tracks.
 
• Additional safety guidelines were issued for restrictor-plate events for Monster Energy Cup and XFINITY teams. Among them, the previously optional roof hatch is now mandatory as an alternate escape route. Competition officials have also required the use of energy-absorbing materials to strengthen the area occupied by the drivers' feet in the cockpit.
 
• Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams will be required to carry a roof-mounted camera assembly at all times, whether in use by broadcast partner networks or not.

The Best in the Desert announced the passing of its leader, Casey Folks, on January 12, 2017.

On January 7, 2017, Folks was doing what he loved, living his passion for off-road racing, getting ready to drop the flag on the latest UTV race event, when he suffered a stroke. He was rushed to a hospital and transported by air to Las Vegas for care. Despite efforts by doctors, Folks succumbed to the effects of the stroke.

Folks lived a life most of us only dream about. He was a participant, promoter and friend to the off-road racing industry. An ardent competitor, Folks raced motorcycles between the ages of 21 and 45. He won 16 championships in his career and in 1980, was the first to Ironman the Baja 1000 and finish. He was the only person to finish every Barstow to Vegas race.

In 1968, Folks opened Sportsman Cycle Sales with his racing partner and friend, Tom Scales. The dealership opened as a Husqvarna Dealer with only two motorcycles. One was Folks’s race bike and the other was Tom’s race bike. Many stories were told Monday mornings after a race about Folks and his Chippewa Charley’s (boots) moving another competitor out of the way. Folks didn’t gain many friends by this but it sure created a buzz about the guy from Sportsman Cycle.

Over the next few decades, Sportsman Cycle grew into the premier motorcycle racing shop in Las Vegas. Through Folks’s guidance and support, Sportsman Cycle birthed and nurtured many racers that went on to have very successful racing careers. In 1988, Folks passed the baton to his oldest son Daryl so he could focus on his next passion in life: the Best in the Desert Racing Association.  

He started Best in the Desert in 1984 for motorcycles. Then he introduced the “Vegas to Reno” race in March of 1996, adding for the first time cars, trucks and quads to his races. Due to Folks’s drive and strengths, Best in the Desert grew into North America’s largest and most prestigious off-road racing organization, aptly named “The American Off-Road Racing Series.”

Folks competed in almost every type of off-road event throughout the Western United States.  His portfolio included over 30 races in Baja, Mexico, and the Tunisia Rally in Northern Africa. He served as the American Consultant for the Incas Rally in Peru and was the event coordinator for the Nevada Rally, representing the company “Acerbis Adventure” based in Italy.

Folks was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2012, joining the ranks of off-road racing’s greatest legends and honored by off-road racers worldwide.

His many friends at the Bureau of Land Management had respect and trust in Folks judgment and stated that Folks’high standards established the rules for safety in off-road desert racing.

He is survived by the love of his life Diane DeLauer, son Daryl Folks and his wife Sheri Folks, his son Bryan Folks, his sister Joan Ragona-Suarez, and 3 granddaughters: Adrianna, Morgan, and Marlee.

Folks created memorable moments for thousands and thousands of people. Many thank him for a lifetime of dedication to the sport. As life goes on, and many continue to experience the passion of off-road racing, his legacy will live on. Remember the words he lived by, “Life is an Adventure. Come Live Your Adventure with Best in the Desert.”

Folks’ life was truly an adventure, and many will always treasure our memories of him.
 
Originally posted by Best In The Desert.
 

Two longtime senior directors at Dover International Speedway in Delaware have been promoted to assistant vice president positions, track officials announced.
 
Gary Camp will serve as Dover International Speedway’s new Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Camp, who began his career at Dover International Speedway in 2004, will oversee planning and implementation of the track’s marketing and communications efforts, including advertising strategies, media relations, internal and external customer communications and social media.
 
Rob Lofland will serve as Dover International Speedway’s new Assistant Vice President of Business Development. Lofland, who started his Dover International Speedway career in 2000, has been instrumental in securing many of the sponsors and partners that play a critical role in the Monster Mile’s two NASCAR tripleheader weekends each year.
 
“Rob and Gary have both demonstrated their ability to become an even more integral part of our organization and their additional responsibilities are reflective of our confidence in each of them. We’re delighted that they will continue to contribute to our success,” said Mike Tatoian, Dover International Speedway’s president and CEO. “This is an exciting time for our business, with NASCAR’s introduction of Monster Energy as the Cup Series’ premier sponsor and Firefly Music Festival’s continued growth. We’re looking forward to Rob and Gary using their expertise to help us expand our marketing and business development reach for years to come.” 
 
NASCAR returns to Dover International Speedway for two tripleheader weekends on June 2-4 and Sept. 29-Oct. 1, including the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, June 4 and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, Oct. 1.
 
For tickets or more information, call 800‐441‐RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.

Ford Performance announced another major push in its NASCAR initiative, launching a driver development program ahead of the 2017 season.

The first phase includes an agreement with Brad Keselowski Racing, placing new Ford signee Chase Briscoe in a full-time ride in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Ford Performance indicated that other stages of the driver development program would be announced at a later time. The program is designed to cultivate home-grown talent for all Ford teams in NASCAR. According to the news release, current teams will be consulted about driver selection and placement, but their contractual ties will reside with Ford, which will also use signees in product development and testing.

"We're making a commitment to win long-term in NASCAR," Dave Pericak, Ford Performance's global director, said in a release provided by the manufacturer. "We have been increasing our engineering support and our technological development at the team level, and now we're looking to work with our teams to find the best available drivers coming up in the sport."

The move further strengthens the ties with the automaker and team owner Brad Keselowski, which will field Ford trucks full-time for Austin Cindric and now Briscoe this season. Briscoe, a 22-year-old Indiana native with a rich sprint-car racing pedigree, landed the ARCA championship in 2016, riding a six-win season to the series crown.


"This is a big day in the history of BKR," Keselowski said in the news release. "To be recognized as a true partner to Ford and Ford Performance and what they are trying to do speaks directly to the hard work our team has put in over the last several years. It is an honor, frankly, and it is really what BKR is all about—providing young, talented drivers with championship-caliber equipment to continue to hone their craft and showcase their talents.


"We have been fortunate to have had a lot of success together with Ford across the three major NASCAR touring series and to now elevate that relationship in an official capacity is a testament to what we set out to do."

The move marks the second significant boost for Ford's racing program ahead of the season. Stewart-Haas Racing's four-car organization has joined the Blue Oval camp for 2017, helping Ford Performance increase its numbers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage. That expansion also included the birth of a NASCAR XFINITY Series program for SHR, with Cole Custer competing full-time and Kevin Harvick driving on a part-time basis.

The first step in revealing INDYCAR’s next equipment generation comes in the form of signing Dallara, the sport’s longtime chassis manufacturer, to a contract extension, officials announced at the North American International Auto Show.

The multiyear agreement calls for Dallara, an Italian company with a U.S. base in Speedway, Indiana, to continue providing driver safety cells to the Verizon IndyCar Series through the 2020 season. The 2017 season marks Dallara’s 20th anniversary in U.S.-based open-wheel racing.

“Dallara's continued participation in our sport provides INDYCAR and our competitors a tremendous amount of confidence,” said Jay Frye, INDYCAR president, competition and operations. “Dallara has been an instrumental partner in the Verizon IndyCar Series for over 20 years and we are excited to extend our relationship with them."

INDYCAR will soon unveil plans for new bodywork giving the Dallara IR-12 chassis a fresh appearance for the 2018 season. Also, teams will be given more flexibility and control over parts for their cars.

“The signature of this contract is a natural extension of an intensive working relationship that has been continuing since 1997,” said Giampaolo Dallara, founder and president of Dallara Automobili. “We are pleased to continue to contribute to the great success that this series deserves.”

Founded in 1972 near Parma, Italy, Dallara is said to have a record of success around the world, designing and manufacturing cars for a range of different motorsports series and formulas. Dallara began its INDYCAR affiliation in 1997.

“We are all working together for a common goal and this is the reason why the possibility to work more closely with the teams excites us,” said Andrea Pontremoli, CEO and general manager of Dallara Automobili. “We want to contribute concretely to their success and to that of the series.”

Stock car racing will return to the Canadian side of the border, as the race track on the Laird Fairgrounds property begins a makeover for the 2017 season. Superior Int’l Motorplex, previously named Larid Raceway, will begin racing in early June on a brand new clay surface.

The track will see several changes for the 2017 season, including a new promoter. Jordan Sims will take over the promoting duties and will oversee the operations and racing at the track.

“I cannot wait to get this season started with this new clay surface. Sault Ste. Marie hasn’t had a dirt track in over 40 years, and dirt racing presents some of the best racing action there is. The racing experience along with the fan experience will be second to none. This race track is going to be transformed into a first-class facility where families will enjoy coming every week.”

Racing will once again be on Thursday nights and divisions are currently being finalized. The 2017 schedule, rules and other exciting news will be shared in the upcoming weeks.

The management team will be holding a meeting with all interested parties on January 19, 2017 at 7:30pm at the Northern Grand Gardens (1324 Great Northern Rd).