Motovicity Distribution announced that the Speed Ring, the West Coast’s premiere Motorsports festival, will be returning to Auto Club Speedway September 2-3, Labor Day Weekend.

With the success of the Speed Ring’s inaugural event earlier this year, Motovicity has committed to carrying on its unique form of Time Attack racing that brings unprecedented cash payouts, intense competition, and a personal experience that both participants and attendees will remember for a lifetime.

“We received an exceptionally positive response to the Speed Ring in 2016,” said Brian Lounsberry, Motovicity Distribution VP of Sales and Marketing. “And, we look forward to defining new and unique ways that will make the Speed Ring a destination event for enthusiasts everywhere in 2017,” he continued.

Looking forward to next year, the Speed Ring will also feature head to head vehicle platform battles like EVO vs. WRX and Mustang vs. Camaro, in addition to this year’s nail biting GT-R shootout, where Nob Taniguchi and Cole Powelson battled it out until the last laps of the weekend with the Lyfe Motorsports GT-R taking home the $20,000 cash purse.

For the latest Speed Ring developments, visit www.TheSpeedRing.com.

Motorsports are no stranger to Kolkata, India. In fact, the city is known as giving India its first motorsports club, the Calcutta Motor Sports Club (CMSC).

However, nearly 68 years after the CMSC first was formed, Kolkata will witness its first ever drag-racing event, the India Speed Week (ISW) 2016.

A collaborative effort by Elite Octane and the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the ISW will be held from December 9-11, 2016 at the Behala Flying Club airstrip.

The races will follow the standard quarter-mile drag racing format, wherein the automobile that is the quickest to cover the distance is the winner in a given category – based on the engine displacement and level of modification of the competition vehicle.

During the event, special arrangements will be made to ensure the safety of the spectators and the competitors, which include rescue, firefighting and medical support.

Drivers in the races must also adhere to the FMSCI's safety rules and have the appropriate safety gear to participate.

The Valley Run held annually at Amby Valley, organized by Elite Octane, is a popular motorcycle drag race event in India.

The new addition of Kolkata is expected to give drag racing some much needed traction in the area. In addition to the Valley Run and the India Speed Week, the calendar for 2017 is also going to add Ahmedabad, Noida (at the Buddh International Circuit), Bengaluru and Shillong to the list of venues.

Originally reported by AutoCar India.

Mazda Motorsports and Andersen Promotions announced that an agreement has been made regarding INDYCAR sanctioning the Mazda MX-5 Cup series beginning with the 2017 season.

The Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup, presented by BFGoodrich Tires, is the signature spec series for the Mazda Road to 24, the sports car counterpart to the Mazda Road to Indy, presented by Cooper Tires.
 
In both programs, series champions earn a Mazda Motorsports scholarship to advance their racing careers.

The MX-5 Cup season champion earns a $200,000 scholarship. New for 2017, the MX-5 Cup Rookie-of-the-Year will earn a $50,000 scholarship. In total, MX-5 Cup pays more than half-a-million dollars in prize money and scholarships.
 
“This sanctioning agreement with INDYCAR for the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires is based upon our long and productive relationship with Dan Andersen, Andersen Promotions and INDYCAR,” said John Doonan, director of motorsports at Mazda North American Operations. “We have worked closely with them to grow the Mazda Road to Indy into the finest open-wheel ladder in the world. Now, we are striving to grow this series, which is the first step of our sports car ladder known as the Mazda Road to 24. In only one year, we have sold more than 120 of the newest generation of MX-5 Cup cars and have seen starting fields of up to 40 cars.”
 
In 2017 the MX-5 Cup will consist of a 12-race schedule held on a total of six event weekends, plus the second annual Global MX-5 Cup Invitational, a non-points-paying event for Mazda racers from around the world. 

Four of those event weekends will be held during Verizon IndyCar Series events – Barber Motorsports Park (April 20-23), Road America (June 23-25), Toronto (July 14-16) and Watkins Glen International (September 1-3).

The series will also compete on the road course of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the SVRA event (June 15-17) and twice at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (Sept. 22-24 and the Global Invitational, Oct. 13-15).
 
The MX-5 Cup series is considered the best value in sports car racing. The cars are sold as a ready-to-race, turnkey package for $58,900. Because of the parity of the cars, the racing is always close, hard-fought and great fun for fans. The series is entering its twelfth season of action.
 
“When Mazda approached us regarding MX-5 Cup, we felt it would be a great opportunity for INDYCAR to expand upon what we’re already doing with our involvement in the Mazda Road to Indy,” said Jay Frye, INDYCAR president of competition and operations. “This agreement also allows us to enhance our overall platform with Mazda Motorsports and Andersen Promotions, who have been great partners of INDYCAR.”
      

Ligier constructor Onroak Automotive has acquired the company that builds the US Formula 4 chassis.

The Crawford Motorsport division, which formerly made Daytona Prototype chassis, has been incorporated into Onroak and its North Carolina workshops will become the service base for Ligier's LMP2, P3 and Group CN cars in North America.

"Since 2014, we've been looking for the right place, but mostly the right people, to base our activity in the USA. Onroak Automotive will pursue the development of the existing Crawford F4 programme in the USA and will establish its sales and support services for its range of prototypes for the North American market,” Onroak founder Jacques Nicolet said.  

Max Crawford, founder of his eponymous company, becomes Onroak's North American general manager.

Onroak is part of the newly-renamed Everspeed Motorsport group, which includes French constructor Mygale, the OAK Racing team, engine builder Sodemo and Italian-based carbon specialist HP Composites.

The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL has announced a new agreement with Crandon International Off-Road Raceway.

The new four-year partnership between Crandon and TORC will ensure two weekends of TORC racing at the historic track starting in 2017 through 2020.

“The history of off-road short course racing is deeply rooted in the region and the raceway. The TORC series feels that legacy is important to preserve for future drivers and fans. This partnership with Crandon is a key component of the foundation needed to develop the best possible TORC product for drivers, fans and partners,” said TORC Series Director Ben Nelson.

Crandon’s purpose-built, 400-acre complex has hosted the large crowds in off-road short course racing history. This legacy has recently grown with the record attendance of 49,600 fans that enjoyed the track’s Labor Day World Cup Celebration.

“The board of directors at Crandon Int’l Raceway are very supportive of the TORC series and the overall vision of its new ownership group,” said Crandon President Cliff Flannery. “At first we were a bit skeptical, but soon became impressed with the progressive steps TORC has taken in creating an honest and professional atmosphere, their commitment to a solid media package and executing a top-notch series for racers, sponsors, fans and our sport. This new agreement reflects Crandon’s faith in TORC’s path toward building an exciting future for all of us.”

Red Bull Global Rallycross will create an all-electric vehicle series for the 2018 season, joining the Supercar and GRC Lites classes in the series’ regular race program.

Electric vehicles will be added to Red Bull GRC race weekends as a distinct, standalone series; Red Bull GRC, in conjunction with USAC (United States Auto Club), will serve as the governing body for the new series.

“Red Bull Global Rallycross is pleased to add to our rallycross platform an electric series,” said Red Bull GRC CEO Colin Dyne. “The 2018 season will be a landmark year for us as we welcome electric vehicles to the grid for the first time. The electric car is one of the hottest topics in the automotive industry, and manufacturers across the globe have recognized its immense potential. We want to embrace this technology by welcoming it into our series as we continue to grow and expand.

“Our current platform is the most enticing in motorsports right now to a young, millennial audience. Our small displacement, high-horsepower, turbocharged engines allow our manufacturers to showcase the performance capabilities of their current millennial-focused offerings, and provide a glimpse into the exciting future of the automotive industry. This electric series will add a new dynamic that will never replace the current formula, but will be an important part of our expansion.”

Having just wrapped up its sixth season, Red Bull GRC’s Supercar class now features four manufacturer partners: Ford, Subaru, Honda, and Volkswagen. In 2015, Red Bull GRC also became the first racing series to compete on an active United States military installation.

Further details on Red Bull GRC’s upcoming electric class will be released in the coming year. For more information, visit RedBullGRC.com.

After a year absence, AMRA sanctioned racing will return to the I-77 Speedway in 2017 as the popular 3/8th mile facility located in Ripley West Virginia plans to revamp operations under new management in 2017.

In late September, it was announced that area racer and local resident Todd Jones will take charge of the facility with intentions to restore the track to a full schedule of racing while making numerous improvements to the facility with both fans and racers in mind. While complete information is yet to be formally determined, I-77 Speedway officials plan to feature racing in all 3 of the AMRA National divisions with the AMRA Late Models, AMRA Modifieds and the AMRA Sport Mods slated to compete at the track in 2017.

The I-77 Speedway (formerly operated as I-77 Raceway Park) has been a long standing staple within the AMRA family of tracks, but was not AMRA sanctioned in 2016 due to the facilities limited schedule.

With the track now set for what officials plan to be a full season of racing, AMRA officials are once again excited to see AMRA sanctioned competition on the 3/8th mile clay oval.

With former track champions and top contenders at I-77 Speedway in recent years including the likes of multiple time AMRA Late Model National Champions Tyler Carpenter and Chris Garnes along with the likes of Travis Brookover, James Dennis, Booger Garnes, Kyle Bond and numerous other perennial AMRA contenders, the action at the track is expected to deliver each and every Saturday night.

Outside of the weekly events, the move to have I-77 Speedway sanctioned by the AMRA will allow for the track’s competitors to compete for their portion of the AMRA’s impressive points fund in each of its 3 national divisions which reaches a total in excess of nearly $50,000 cash along with thousands of dollars worth of contingency prizes and awards.

With the tracks location just minutes off of Interstate 77 and between the major Charleston and Parkersburg West Virginia markets, the track is expected to play host to excellent fields of teams from each direction while welcoming fans from all across the region.

The facility which has held popular events including the Hillbilly 100 and multiple other special events in the past, looks forward to adding a new chapter of racing excitement to the tracks long history and restoring the excitement and tradition of dirt track racing to the Jackson County West Virginia area.

AMRA officials would like to extend their best wishes to the I-77 Speedway staff in their endeavors as they prepare for the 2017 season. Both I-77 and AMRA officials conducted a formal press conference and contract signing at Poske’s Performance Parts in Parkersburg on Wednesday afternoon and now look forward to once again welcoming the facility to the AMRA family of tracks and anticipate an exciting 2017 season.

Apollo Automobil Ltd. announced it will be working with Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus (SCG) and Italian manufacturing house Manifattura Automobili Torino (MAT) to build the next generation of the Apollo Arrow.

Bespoke hypercar SCG brand is best known for the SCG003C, a unique track car that took on the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year in addition to a number of other races in the VLN Series and DMV GTC, among others. The Italo-American brand is also developing a road car, the SCG003S, to be officially launched at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

Ideal Team Ventures Ltd, acquired former Gumpert Sportwagen Manufaktur GmbH in 2014 and has since restructured the company as Apollo Automobil Ltd and is reviving the brand as Apollo. The concept car ‘Arrow’ was unveiled during the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and received overwhelming worldwide coverage.

The first result of the collaboration is a radically redesigned body powered by a naturally-aspirated V12 track version, project name ‘Titan,’ set to be unveiled in the Spring 2017 and will take part in the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

There will also be an Apollo Arrow ‘S’ – a road version powered by a twin-turbo V8.

Both models will utilize the chassis technology developed for the SCG003C which has proved its performance and reliability at the ultimate test bed of the Nurburgring but will be given the treatment of unmistakable Apollo style.

Italian manufacturer MAT – having engineered and built the SCG003C – is now working on the SCG003S and will develop the Apollo Arrow, providing its technical expertise in all areas of the creation of this beautiful hypercar.

The partnership will allow SCG and MAT to showcase their expertise and craftsmanship in bringing Apollo's cars to life.

SCG, MAT and Apollo all have the same passion and drive for excellence as they aim to create a unique Apollo GT car.

SCG’s founder Jim Glickenhaus commented: “I’m really excited to be working on this project with Apollo. The Arrow is a thing of beauty and we can definitely bring a lot of technical know how to the table from our successful experience of competing on the toughest races in motorsport.”

Apollo’s chairman Norman Choi added: “The SCG003C is a really impressive car and I’m looking forward to working with the team to develop our new Apollo Arrow and create something truly special.”

Wilwood Engineering, the leader in high performance disc brakes, has doubled their overall footprint to continue to meet the increased demand for the industry’s highest quality braking solutions.

The acquisition of another 100,000 square foot building, located in close proximity to the company’s headquarters in Camarillo, CA, is a direct reaction to their year over year growth.

“We are extremely excited for what this expansion means to the company in regards to speed of production and overall delivery to our customers,” said Bill Wood, owner of Wilwood Engineering. “Over the past forty years we have continued to advance our product technology, and this expansion is the next logical step. With more manufacturing capabilities and double the size of our shipping and warehouse footprint, Wilwood is primed to continue delivering first class products to our customers.”

Wilwood’s second building officially opened in early 2016 and houses expanded product manufacturing, along with all warehouse and shipping operations.

Founded by Bill Wood in 1977, Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high performance disc brakes and components from their headquarters in Camarillo, California. Engineered and rigorously tested for any application, Wilwood celebrates 40 years of unsurpassed braking quality and performance with sleek, modern designs. From race cars to classic cars, Wilwood has the brakes to stop you.

For more information, contact Wilwood Engineering at info@wilwood.com.

In addition to thousands of new parts and products, the annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show offers motorsports professionals a unique opportunity to shop big-ticket items from a number of the industry’s top manufacturers and suppliers.

In fact, there’s no better showcase for the world’s leading precision machining equipment than PRI 2016, which will feature aisles upon aisles of the latest equipment, side-by-side and wired for live demonstrations. Meantime, the Show has expanded its outdoor trailer exhibit area to provide some of the best comparison shopping of race haulers and trailer equipment just beyond the doors of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC), site of the 29th annual PRI Trade Show.  
    
Along the Show’s world-famous Machinery Row, more than 100 manufacturers in approximately 400 booths will display cutting-edge machining equipment and provide hands-on demonstrations for shop owners, managers and employees seeking to enhance their efficiencies in cutting, honing, surfacing, fabrication and welding, and much more.  

“They have anything you could possibly ever want here,” said fabricator Reece Tracy of Hearn Motorsports. “There’s stuff that I’ve never thought about that can make your job 10 times easier. Anything you want to see or anything you could dream of is there.”

While shopping Machinery Row, many attendees also take the opportunity to meet with vendors, ask questions, and share information.

“The show is great,” said John Kolivas, owner of engine and tuning shop KBX Performance. “We went down to visit with quite a few of our vendors. We talked to DART and a lot of the piston companies, and also bought a honing machine from Rottler. Everybody that’s anybody is there, and anything you want to find is there.”

Big purchases aren’t limited to Machinery Row, however, as PRI will feature dedicated outdoor displays for several of the racing industry’s top trailer manufacturers to unveil their latest offerings.

In all, nearly two-dozen exhibitors, including such top-notch suppliers as Bruce Litton Trailer Sales, United Trailers, M&K Sport Coach, inTech Trailers, Haulmark, Bravo Trailers and many others, will line Georgia and Maryland streets along the perimeter of the ICC for an unprecedented display of motor coaches, haulers and toter homes to suit almost any taste and budget.    

“PRI 2016 will provide some of the best side-by-side shopping of race trailers anywhere,” confirmed Bill Miller, PRI Trade Show general manager. “Attendees can visit with trailer company representatives in their exhibits inside the exhibit halls, then walk outside to actually view a variety of trailers in person.”

The PRI Trade Show takes place December 8-10, 2016, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. This year’s show will feature over 1,100 companies throughout 3,300 booths showcasing the latest developments in auto racing technology. Tens of thousands of buyers from all 50 states and 70 countries will be on hand for the three biggest business days in racing.

In addition, the days leading up to and including the Show have come to be known as Race Industry Week, and related activities in and around the ICC begin on Monday, December 5. Race Industry Week consists of more than 45 conferences, seminars and other special events that offer unlimited business opportunities, as well as insight on the latest technologies and how to apply them throughout the racing world.

For more information on the 2016 PRI Trade Show, including hotel and travel options, visit www.pri2016.com.