Beginning in 2017, SFI Foundation, Inc. (SFI) is changing the way its labels for driver restraints, window nets and roll cage nets are dated.

SFI is implementing a new label design which will remove the punched-out month/year date of manufacture and instead incorporate a single expiration date pre-printed on the label. This system will eliminate the need for punch-dating of labels and aims to facilitate technical inspection of dated products in the field.

New labels will start being used after January 1, 2017. An example of the new label (right), next to the old label (left) for comparison, is shown here:



The new labels will be used for the following SFI products:

Driver Restraints: SFI Specs 16.1, 16.2, 16.5, and 16.6
Window Nets: SFI Spec 27.1
Roll Cage Nets: SFI Spec 37.1

Labels will come out in 6-month segments per the below chart. These certified items may still be used for 2 years, the service life has not changed.



Be aware that product manufacturers are allowed to use the discontinued punch-date style labels (above left) until their existing supply runs out. Therefore, you may see the old style labels on driver restraints and window nets/roll cage nets for a while. Restraints or nets with the old label may also still be used until they expire, which is 2 years from the date of manufacture punched on the tag.

Please direct any questions about the new label dating system to the SFI office.

Mark Melling announced the following changes to the 2017 Melling Engine Parts aftermarket executive sales team:

    •    Laura Short has been promoted to vice president of North American aftermarket sales. Short has been with the company for 31 years in a variety of key roles. Her knowledge and experience covers all aspects of sales management and delivering customer satisfaction.  Prior to assuming this new role, Short served as sales manager of special markets.

    •    Mike Osterhaus has been promoted to vice president of aftermarket product management. Osterhaus has been with the company for 21 years. He came to Melling from Hoof Products and has become a key contributor to the company with an unwavering commitment to quality products. Most recently he has served as the aftermarket engineering director.

    •    Tom Trosin, who most recently served as the president of Melling Aftermarket will assume the responsibilities as president of Melling World Trade and export sales. Trosin has been with the company for 29 years. He replaces Ernie Rodriguez, who retired from Melling World Trade this fall. Rodriguez helped establish Melling World Trade 17 years ago.

The Melling Engine Parts brand has oil pumps, camshafts, timing components, valve train parts, cylinder sleeves and expansion plugs.

NASCAR unveiled a new official brand identity which will replace the bar mark used by the sanctioning body since 1976. The announcement was made in conjunction with the news that Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be the new name of the sport’s premier series beginning January 1, 2017.
 
The new brand mark and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series mark, which prominently features the iconic Monster Energy logo, together represent a new era in NASCAR and were first shared across NASCAR social and digital media channels.
 
The NASCAR brand identity has been in development since early 2016 as part of a broader effort to refresh the NASCAR brand, according to a press release from the company. It was designed to pay tribute to the storied history of NASCAR, incorporating elements of all four previous marks since the company’s inaugural season of 1948.
 
“Our new NASCAR mark is modern, timeless, and embraces the heritage of our sport,” said Jill Gregory, NASCAR senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “It was important for us to recognize our history and implement a piece of each previous mark in the new design. Our goal was to evolve the sport’s visual identity to make it concise, relevant and functional, while respecting and maintaining the unique qualities of the original mark.”
 
The first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points race will be the 59th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 26 (2 p.m. ET).

The United States Auto Club (USAC) announced a new national championship series beginning in 2017, titled The Speedway Motors Lightning Sprint National Championship.

“With the many clubs across the country to be unified in rules and procedures, it’s a pleasure to create a program that enables many to pursue a championship with USAC,” USAC National Series Director Levi Jones said.

Lightning sprints are an open wheel car with a motorcycle based power plant and wings. A winged division will be unique within USAC as a majority of the existing classes are wingless. These cars are capable of producing 200 horsepower and utilize much of the same construction and components that USAC Midgets do, and drivers will compete on many of the same sized tracks across the country as well.

The organization and management of the division is also unique, utilizing Satellite Lightning Sprint groups, already existing across the United States and Canada. These groups are managed by individual club leaders or boards and will continue to operate as before, with the option of hosting a set number of USAC-sanctioned events. These events will be noted on their 2017 schedule and will count toward the National Championship points structure.

A 10-race minimum will be scheduled with a best of 12 race points tabulation. The points system is weighted by the number of cars competing and allows an individual to win a national title from their home track. The top-10 positions in National Championship points will be paid cash and contingency awards at season's end. The inaugural champion will receive national accolades in addition to a $3,000 reward.

The uniformity in rules has attracted sponsors to this new series, including Hoosier Tire with a multiyear relationship. Cars will be required to use Hoosier tires on all four corners during USAC-sanctioned Lightning Sprint events. Speedway Motors is the title sponsor. Additional sponsoring companies include AFCO, CSI, PRO Shocks, My Race Pass, Saldana Race Products, Aeromotive, Weld, Rod End Supply, Hoosier Speed, Outlaw Wings, Racing Optics and Emi.

Registration for this series will begin Jan. 1, 2017, online. All drivers competing for national points must hold a valid USAC license for this series and must adhere to general guidelines set forth in the registration process. Eligible drivers must be 13 years of age on the day of the sanctioned event. Scheduled tracks must carry a minimum level of liability insurance, which group leaders will verify.

Joining the likes of National Sprint cars, Sliver Crown, and Midgets, Lightning Sprint competitors will share the stage with the country’s open wheel racers during USAC’s Night of Champions in December 2017.

"With a national sanction, a uniform series rule book, corporate sponsorship, and the support of many organized groups, the Lightning Sprint division begins a new era in racing history," said Mike Long, Director of Operations at EMi and an aid to the series. “Lightning Sprint racing offers the pure excitement and challenge of any other open wheel division at an affordable cost. The effort of many over the last year has built a foundation for these cars to compete on a national level.”

The IRGSE, owners of IHRA and several tracks across the country, has issued a “State of the State” statement from CEO Chris Lencheski.

A few highlights from the document include the fact that there will be no IHRA-sanctioned “National Points Championship” professional racing series for 2017, as they were deferred into the 2018 racing calendar year.

Another note-worthy announcement from the statement was that IRGSE will announce a “marquee relationship with the preeminent sports media company in North America for the IRGSE stable of sanctioning bodies.” While said sports media company is not named, an announcement regarding the partnership will be released early next year.

Lastly, the return of the World Series of Drag Racing to Cordova International Raceway from Memphis International Raceway is possible in the future, as the Cordova International Raceway saw many necessary managerial changes over the 2016 year, according to the statement.

To read the document in full, visit here.

Featuring an all-new engine builder—and grand prize race engine—for 2016, the annual Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes raised more than $40,000 for the Victory Junction children’s charity during this year’s Performance Racing Industry Trade Show.

Raffle tickets for the sweepstakes, which raised a total of $40,689, were sold online in the months prior to the 29th annual PRI Show in Indianapolis, as well as at the Sunnen charity sweepstakes booth on the Trade Show floor of the Indiana Convention Center during the Show.

The grand prize drawing took place in the booth on Saturday, December 10, and Scott Harr of Dominick Racecar Fabrication in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, took home the top prize: an 850-horsepower, high-performance Chevy LSX 454 race engine built by Nick Ferri, co-owner of Patterson Elite Performance.

Ferri, who’s built the engines behind 57 national NHRA Pro Stock victories, was also responsible for the powerplants that delivered consecutive national championships in 2014 and 2015 for NHRA Pro Stock driver Erica Enders-Stevens.

All proceeds raised through the raffle will be donated to Victory Junction, the North Carolina-based charity founded by NASCAR’s Petty family that allows children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses to attend camp year-round.

For more information on Victory Junction, visit victoryjunction.org.

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) has secured support from the Motorsport Safety Group, LLC, as an official partner of the ARCA Safety Initiative.

Dr. Jason Cormier, a top neurosurgeon, has formed the Motorsports Safety Group to create a means by which to promote health, wellness and preventative practices within the sport of auto racing. Dr. Cormier crafted this partnership with the ARCA Safety Initiative Program to form a “Motorsports Healthcare Education Plan”, a high profile, interactive activation designed to reach millions of race fans throughout the country.

“From both my training as a neurosurgeon and my experiences as a racer, I continue to enjoy watching and participating in the sport,” said Dr. Cormier regarding his newly-announced involvement. “I look forward to sharing my ideas, as they are based on medical expertise and my personal and collaborative experiences in racing.”

Utilizing the strength and demographic reach of auto racing, the Motorsports Safety Group's mission is to provide a comprehensive, grassroots marketing campaign focused on preventative health care education and wellness training. With an emphasis to educate and engage race fans in their growing role as healthcare consumers, the objective is to influence behavioral changes, to provide racing’s brand-loyal audience with the medical knowledge to make informed, preventative decisions which directly affect the wellness of their families.

The partnership announcement was made by ARCA's VP of Business Development and Corporate Partnerships Mark Gundrum, in conjunction with So Good! Entertainment, the agency of record for the Motorsports Safety Group.

“The ARCA Safety Initiative is the culmination of forward thinking, combined efforts and the desire to achieve a higher level of responsibility within the safety sector of the ARCA Sanctioning Body,” said Gundrum. “The program was launched in an effort to explore, examine, and react to the elements that comprise the safety environment in the sport, and for the wellbeing of those who participate, spectate, and manage. The addition of the Motorsports Safety Group will prove to be highly beneficial to this effort.”

The past decade has seen significant improvements regarding driver safety in the sport. The combined and independent efforts of the leading motorsports sanctioning bodies worldwide have brought tremendous advances to the safety of automobile racing.

New fire extinguishers, cockpit carbon-monoxide filters for the drivers, wheel tethers and rooftop escape hatches have all been developed recently, in addition to the introduction of head and neck restraints mandated for use by all drivers in most major touring series and many short tracks across the country.

Additional driver safety enhancements to seats, helmets, and fire retardant clothing, plus external upgrades to retaining wall construction have made the sport much safer.

Further information about the programs planned throughout the season by the Motorsports Safety Group will be announced in the near future.

The Professional Drag Racing Association announced a new membership program for fans and racers alike during the 2016 PRI Trade Show, to help PDRA members stay connected and also offer special perks.

The first 1000 members to sign up will receive a GOLD level membership, equal to a lifetime elite membership to the PDRA. In addition to the benefits included in the regular membership, GOLD members will receive a free digital subscription to Drag Illustrated and an option to purchase a vastly discounted subscription for print copies. Once the first 1000 memberships are taken, GOLD level memberships will no longer be available. Detailed information, including how to join the PDRA membership program will be available after the holidays.  
 
The PDRA and Drag Illustrated partnership will continue to grow for 2017, even beyond the membership program. Drag Illustrated Editor in Chief, Wes Buck, announced that the industry-leading publication will feature a dedicated PDRA section in every digital and print issue and at www.dragillustrated.com. Drag Illustrated has provided timely news for every PDRA event to date. The team will build upon this for 2017, providing PDRA Power Rankings before each race for all professional categories, upping their commitment to make stars out of the PDRA drivers.

Along with these major announcements, the PDRA also announced two new sponsors. Penske Racing Shocks will be the Official Shock Supplier of the PDRA and Precision Racing Suspension (PRS) will be the Official Chassis Specialist for the series. PDRA’s Bob Harris also hinted to additional sponsor announcements coming soon, including new class sponsors in Pro Extreme and Pro Boost.

Along with the new membership program and partners, PDRA also made changes to regulations within its series. The weight limit for Pro Extreme has been changed to 2350 pounds for 2017. Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous presented by MoTeC will continue to build upon its strength as one of the strongest classes of the series. The dynamic Flatout Gaskets Nitrous Wars will return for a second straight season. Although rumors circulated about both Pro Boost and Drag965 Pro Extreme Motorcycle, both of those classes will build upon the continuity of their respective programs for 2017. Extreme Pro Stock will return to as a full-schedule class with the PDRA next season.

In the sportsman ranks, the PDRA offers new Pro Junior Dragster class sponsor, Campers Inn RV, and returning sponsors include Megacorp (Top Junior Dragster), Lucas Oil (Top Dragster) and MagnaFuel (Top Sportsman). Top Sportsman will receive the biggest face lift in 2017, making room for the tremendous amount of racer support the class receives. The category will qualify either 32 or 48 cars at each event, with the top 16 qualifiers separating out into a semi-pro Elite Top Sportsman class for eliminations so that the top 16 and bottom 16 or 32 will compete as separate classes. A distinct points structure is also set for both Top Sportsman and Elite.

At the Sunshine State Shootout this past fall, the PDRA offered Outlaw 632 as a guest class. In 2017, Outlaw 632 will make four appearances with the series with stops at both GALOT Motorsports Park events, Darlington Dragway and the World Finals at Virginia Motorsports Park. Outlaw 632 will be sponsored by Eastside Auto Transport. Harris also noted that the series is actively working toward including a drag radial class for 2017.

The Bracket Bash, introduced this year, will continue for next season, and will allow cars to dial 6.99 or quicker instead of the 4.99 required this year. This class highlights local racers and is also available for Top Dragster and Top Sportsman competitors who fail to qualify in their respective categories.

The PDRA also celebrated its 2016 champions at the PDRA Championship Awards on Saturday, Dec. 10 evening at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.

In a show of unity to grow winged sprint car racing in the Pacific Northwest and Central Montana, the Washington-based Summer Thunder Sprint Series has partnered with the Montana and Western Canada-based North-American Speed Association to create a special 11-race Northwest Challenge Series for teams in the Pacific Northwest, Central Montana and Western Canada.

The series will be comprised of select events from both STSS and NSA tours. Both series will have additional races outside of the Northwest Challenge Series as well.

“This will give the teams from Washington, Oregon, Montana and Edmonton (Canada) a chance to compete against the best of the best in the Northwest,” STSS Owner Steve Beitler said. “The fans will also get to see the elite teams from different areas compete at their home tracks.”

The circuit will pay a minimum of $2,000 to win and $300 to start all events with the Summer Nationals (July 28-29) at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash., paying $1,500 on the preliminary night and $10,000 to win on the final night. A points fund will also be established for the 11-race series.

“I am happy to have these two great series racing together for our fans and teams,” NSA Owner Mike Quigley said. “This will give all the teams more opportunities to race for increased purses and against tougher competition.”

The circuit will kick off June 16-17 at Billings Motorsports Park in Billings, Mont., before returning to Montana the following month for races on July 14 at Electric City Speedway in Great Falls and July 15 at Billings Motorsports Park.

The series visits Canada on July 21-22 during the renowned Gold Cup at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, before shifting to Drayton Valley Speedway in Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada, on July 23.

Skagit Speedway will host a Northwest Challenge doubleheader on July 28-29 during its famed Summer Nationals before the series will conclude on Sept. 22-23 at Central Washington State Fair Raceway in Yakima, Wash.


Northwest Challenge Series 2017 Schedule:

June 16-17	Billings Motorsports Park	Billings, Mont.	NSA / NCS
July 14	Electric City Speedway	Great Falls, Mont.	NSA / NCS
July 15	Billings Motorsports Park	Billings, Mont.	NSA / NCS
July 21-22	Castrol Raceway	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	NSA / NCS
July 23	Drayton Valley Speedway	Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada	NSA / NCS
July 28-29	Skagit Speedway	Alger, Wash.	STSS / NCS
Sept 22-23	Central Washington State Fair Raceway	Yakima, Wash.	STSS / NCS

The Trans Am Race Company has announced that Wally Dallenbach, Jr., will return to the Trans Am Series, presented by Pirelli, but in a far different capacity than in years gone by: as the former two-time Series champ returns as Chief Steward for the upcoming 2017 season.  

Dallenbach, Trans Am Champion in 1985 and 1986, will spearhead the restructured race control, as Trans Am increases its staff to better accommodate growing field sizes. For Dallenbach, the return to Trans Am is a homecoming of sorts, a new role in the Series that helped establish him as a household name in racing.  

“The Trans Am Series is what put me on the map,” said Dallenbach. “It’s unreal when you think back on it—everything all started in 1984 with me, my family, and a dually pickup truck with a trailer and a car in the back, going out to the races with this small team effort.  Then suddenly I’m a Ford factory driver and a two-time champion. I wouldn’t have had some of the opportunities I’ve enjoyed over the years without Trans Am. I love the Series and today’s racing; some of my old friends I used to race with and against back in the day are back in the paddock—this is like coming home to me.”

“Trans Am has the utmost faith and confidence in Wally as our new Chief Steward,” said John Clagett, President of The Trans Am Race Company. “He has the right mindset and has decades of experience behind the wheel, experience we feel is a game changer up in race control. We’re excited to see what the future holds for Trans Am and believe that Wally will play a large role in the Series’ future successes.”

Joining Dallenbach in the new-look race control will be another familiar face to the Trans Am Series; as Terry Dale, now Trans Am Operating Steward, makes his return to Trans Am having previously acted as Chief Steward from 2002 to 2003. Dale has also held similar positions with ALMS, Star Mazda, Porsche GT3 Cup, IMSA, Formula BMW and more. Gordon Ensing and Terry Earwood will also return as members of the team.  

“One of my major stipulations in taking the job was making sure we had the right team in place,” said Dallenbach. “It’s important for me to surround myself with good people—I’m only going to be as good as those around me.  These guys have the experience in race control. They’ve done it. I’ll be making judgment calls but I’m still going to be learning as we go. Having guys like Terry Dale, who’s worked with my dad and comes highly recommended by him, is a big deal. Terry Dale, Gordie Ensing, Terry Earwood—they’re a good group of guys with plenty of experience. It makes my job easier to have them to fall back on.”

Dallenbach will also capitalize on yet another advantage, the experience and lessons learned over the years from his father, legendary steward Wally Dallenbach, Sr., who held the position of Chief Steward at CART from 1981 until 2004.  
 
“You pick up a lot when you’re in the same house as the man,” said Dallenbach. “You hear and learn a lot about situations and what steps were taken, how decisions were made.  My dad is one of the most levelheaded people I know, and I’ve learned plenty from him over the years. You have to be tough and fair. Drivers and teams are looking for someone who is fair and consistent. That’s what I want to bring to the position. And the thing is, my dad is only a phone call away; and I’m going to lean on that— I’m learning, and it’s a great tool to have.”

Dallenbach replaces outgoing Chief Steward, James Foyle, who is reducing his workload in the coming years and departing Trans Am.