What is it about off-road racing that draws the world's top auto manufacturers? It certainly isn't traditional racing glamor. Forget about glass-smooth racing surfaces and corporate VIP suites at the track. Forget about viewing races from a Monaco balcony while sipping vintage wines. On a practical level, off-road racing isn't likely to impress government regulators or activist groups that perpetually target the auto industry.

Everything about off-road racing is dusty, sweaty, and bone-jarring. It's the MMA of motorsports.

And yet almost all major OEs participate, most with considerable enthusiasm and resources invested. What's the motivation? According to our sources, off-road racing is the ultimate proving ground for both machinery and people. The lessons learned in the dirt have wide-ranging application. To mangle a famous Frank Sinatra lyric, "If I can make it at Baja, I can make it anywhere."

Dirt Club

As a manufacturer of motorcycles, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides as well as cars, SUVs, and trucks, Honda has been racing in the dirt for decades.

"In general, Honda is involved in racing because it's part of our DNA as a company," said Chuck Schifsky, manager, Honda & Acura Motorsports, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Torrance, California. "We use racing as a proof point of our engineering prowess, and to help show that Honda products are youthful, exciting, innovative, and fun to use and drive. For off-road racing itself, this helps Honda demonstrate and communicate to customers the rugged abilities of Honda's production cars."

That investment is paying dividends for Honda and influencing product like never before. The company debuted a new Baja Passport race truck in the Mint 400's Unlimited Truck 2WD class in March. Driver Ethan Ebert had the Baja Passport up to P2 in class before a mechanical issue sidelined him. He rebounded at the SCORE Baja 500 on June 8, winning the pole and finishing second. Corbin Leaverton captured a class win for Honda in the Pro UTV Normally Aspirated class in a Talon.

These race vehicles serve another purpose for Honda. The company has been positioning its street SUVs in a more trail-ready direction with the Passport and Pilot TrailSport models. Part of that push included entering a near-stock Passport TrailSport in the Stock Production Truck class at the Mint 400 and other races. Honda long ago developed a reputation for rugged off-road performance with its two-wheel offerings and now seeks to build that reputation around its SUVs and Ridgeline truck.

At Ford Motor Company, with headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, the off-road roots run deep. Ak Miller and Ray Brock won the two-wheel drive production class in a Ford Ranchero in the inaugural NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally in 1967 (the forerunner of the Baja 1000). A Bronco prepared by Bill Stroppe won the famed 1,000-mile race in 1969, the only stock 4x4 to do so to this day. Parnelli Jones and Bill Stroppe won the 1970 Baja 500, and Stroppe's "Big Oly" Broncos went on to achieve off-road racing immortality in the 1970s.

The Raptor models are today's off-road standard bearers for Ford, and Baja was an integral part of their development. "Going to Baja and proving Raptor is something we've done since the beginning of that brand and those trucks," said Brian Novak, Ford's off-road motorsports supervisor for North America. "Baja has been a huge part of that. We go to Baja almost every year now and have for many years, and proved our different products. The 3.5-liter went down there; the aluminum body went down there when we went to the aluminum body. And obviously, a lot of different Raptors have gone down there and raced, including the current ones—the Ranger, the Bronco, and the Raptor R. That is where we go to prove the product and get the data and learn."

To read the rest of this article for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.    

Once you download the Zinio mobile app or are logged into Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including " Proving Grounds: Why OEs Go All-Out for Off-Road Racing" here and additional coverage in the September 2025 issue here. 

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PRI Show exhibitors can generate excitement and awareness among attendees and media--and possibly be included in PRI publications and promotions--by posting Show-related press releases at performanceracing.com/node/add/press_releases_exhibitor.

The new tool enables exhibitors to spotlight their products, make pre-Show announcements and direct media to their booths in the Indiana Convention Center, December 11-13.  

Here are a few press release submission tips:  

• Post early. Media run preview stories with deadlines beginning in October.
• Post often. Celebrity appearances, vehicle unveils, product news, special announcements--media want to know what you're doing at the PRI Show.
• Use a strong, short headline that will catch the media's attention.  
• Keep the press release brief. Journalists want to know what the press release is about right from the beginning.  
• Include a photo; releases with photos are more likely to be used. Submit photos in a high-resolution image format.
• When you upload a press release, make sure the type of announcement and racing segment is tagged correctly.
• Always include your booth number and contact information.  
   

To learn more about the PRI Show Exhibitor Press Releases tool and other public relations resources, including press conferences, available to PRI Show exhibitors, contact Juan Torres at juant@performanceracing.com.   

Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, California, recently shared new images of recent renovations to two of its tracks.

The 1.8-mile Streets of Willow Springs road course and .625-mile kart track have both undergone significant investment and modernization to improve safety and upgrade the overall on-track experience, according to the new ownership group, CrossHarbor Capital Partners.

The unveil revealed upgrades to both circuits, including repaved tracks and extensive painting in the raceway’s new green and off-white color scheme.

Streets of Willow Springs and the kart track have both been upgraded with:

• New asphalt to replace the old track surfaces
• New internal and external curbs
• Grading and added gravel along the track perimeter
• New runoff around the circuit
• Branded striping and logos in the runoff areas, curbs and track perimeter

In addition to these improvements, three new chicanes were added to the Streets of Willow Springs layout for track extension and safety. With its continued focus on safety, Willow Springs will also add tire barriers, Armco and air fence to the circuits, with work expected to be completed during the fall.

“We are excited to preserve the history of Willow Springs while continuing to make improvements that establish it as the premier venue for motorsport enthusiasts of all kinds,” said Sam Byrne, co-founder of CrossHarbor Capital Partners and representative of the Willow Springs ownership group. “This is just the first phase of our plans for this iconic facility, and we’re excited to show off the work we’ve completed so far at the Willow Springs Reimagined event on October 11.”

For more information, visit willowspringsraceway.com.

The IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge will expand from six to 10 total race weekends in 2026, covering both sprint and endurance racing formats. The series will continue to run two 45-minute races on sprint weekends, while the four new weekends will include a two-hour endurance race component for Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) cars.

The Le Mans Prototype 3 class--which will see the introduction of a new car specification in 2026--will compete on nine of the 10 total weekends for the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. Those will be split between five sprint weekends and four two-hour endurance races sanctioned by IMSA that will take place on four United States Auto Club (USAC) event weekends.

Both sprint and endurance race components will count towards the overall VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Le Mans Prototype 3 championship, with the endurance events comprising an additional championship akin to the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup’s relationship to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Grand Touring Daytona X (GTDX) and Grand Sport X (GSX) classes will compete only on the six sprint weekends, including the first GTDX/GSX combination appearance at VIRginia International Raceway in August. These two class championships will be decided by the sprint races.

Further details regarding the standalone LMP3 endurance races will be revealed at a later date.

See the full schedule below:

• Jan. 16-18 – Daytona International Speedway
• Feb. 27-28 – Circuit of the Americas
• Mar. 6-8 – Sebring International Raceway
• May 7-8 – Circuit of the Americas
• June 5-7 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
• June 19-21 – VIRginia International Raceway
• July 10-12 – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
• Aug. 14-16 – Road America
• Aug. 20-23 – VIRginia International Raceway
• Oct. 1-3 – Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

For more information, visit imsa.com.

Northwood University, located in Midland, Michigan, has launched a new academic program designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the global motorsports industry.

Developed in collaboration with leading motorsports professionals and industry organizations, the new program blends Northwood's business education with career-focused motorsports management outcomes. In addition to dedicated programming, students will also gain real-world experience at iconic motorsports events.

"Motorsports is not only an exciting spectacle to watch, it's one of the fastest-growing global industries, expected to double its economic impact by 2035. Competing in this dynamic field requires sharp commercial insight, bold strategic vision, and relentless innovation," said Northwood University President Kent MacDonald. "This new programming exemplifies Northwood's mission to serve as America's Automotive University — preparing students to lead, innovate, and shape the industries of tomorrow."

Starting in Fall 2025, current students will be able to enroll in a three-part motorsports-focused workshop series that is part of a new "Motorsports Essentials" digital badge that students can earn through an existing degree program, including Northwood's undergraduate "Automotive Marketing and Management" and "Automotive Aftermarket Management" programs. To earn the badge, students will complete a combination of Northwood courses and experiential learning opportunities at motorsports industry events, in addition to the motorsports workshop series.

In Fall 2026, Northwood will offer a new "Fundamentals of Motorsports" course for current and new students. Enrollment for this course will open in Spring 2026.

MacDonald has appointed motorsports industry veteran and alumnus Steve Madincea to lead Northwood's program. Madincea uniquely has been at the forefront of international motorsport activities by creating innovative commercial activities in Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar and IMSA. He will utilize his extensive global motorsport network to ensure students have the latest industry case studies, engage with top industry professionals and obtain practical work experience at iconic motorsport events worldwide. 

The motorsports workshop series and motorsports fundamentals course will be taught by a mix of Northwood faculty and guest lecturers from the motorsports and sports management industries, including executives, media personalities, engineers and team principals.

For more information, visit northwood.edu.

The United States' tariff landscape continues to evolve steadily under the Trump Administration. Here are the latest developments, including details on motorsports-industry impacts of trade agreements with Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as the latest opening of the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariff inclusions process. 

Commerce Tariff Inclusion Process for Steel and Aluminum Derivative Items 

The U.S. Department of Commerce on September 15 opened the process for the next round of inclusions under the steel and aluminum Section 232 tariffs, which will close on September 29, 2025. Companies that import products containing any amount of steel or aluminum and that are not currently subject to the steel and aluminum tariffs should monitor the process. 

• The process is not an exclusion mechanism. Rather, it is a means to expand tariff coverage, which could have direct impacts on motorsports/specialty aftermarket parts and components that contain derivative steel or aluminum elements, such as brackets, fittings or heat exchangers. If those derivative products are subject to the 50% steel and aluminum tariffs, which are applied on the percentage of steel and aluminum that comprises the product, costs could rise significantly. However, it's important to note that products covered by automotive tariffs aren't subject to 232 tariffs. Monitoring submissions during this window and participating in the public comment process may be important steps to protect supply chains. 

Following this two-week submission window, during which interested parties can request additions to products covered by the tariffs, Commerce will publish the requests and allow public comment for 14 days (expected to take place between September 30 and October 14).  

• Click here to learn more about how the Commerce Department is allowing parties to request that products containing steel and aluminum can be added to the list of derivative articles subject to the tariffs. 

During the final step of the process, Commerce will review all submissions and comments before determining whether any articles should be added to the list of derivative articles. Commerce has 60 days from the submission of the requests to decide on derivative items whose steel and aluminum content will be subject to tariffs.  

The Commerce Department previously added 407 tariff subheadings to the list of derivative articles subject to the tariffs in August. 

• Click here to see PRI's recent article on which products were included. 

Increased Market Access to Japan 

The U.S.-Japan trade agreement, concluded this summer and implemented earlier this month, makes notable changes for autos and auto parts. Under the deal, tariffs on Japanese autos and parts are being reduced from 25%, to 15%. The reduction took effect within a week of the executive order's publication and applies retroactively to August 7, meaning importers may be eligible for refunds on qualifying shipments.  

In addition to the rate change, the agreement establishes a reciprocal tariff framework in which Japanese imports are generally subject to a 15% duty unless their baseline tariff rate is already at or above that level. Japan committed to a $550 billion investment program across strategic United States sectors and agreed to regulatory adjustments, including recognition of United States safety standards for vehicles. Recognizing American safety standards is a huge step forward in the industry. For decades, Japanese safety standards were more stringent than some of its international trading partners, so the agreement with the United States marks a seminal moment in international trade. Now, American autos--and by proxy, aftermarket performance parts--will have access to a new market with high demand.  

• For motorsports businesses, this means Japan-sourced components are now more competitive in American markets, though duties remain in place.  

Reciprocal Trade with the United Kingdom 

A parallel arrangement with the United Kingdom (U.K.), known as the Economic Prosperity Deal, also reshapes trade flows. U.K.-manufactured vehicles exported to the United States now face a reduced tariff of 10% (down from 27.5%) for up to 100,000 vehicles annually. Parts produced in the U.K. for use in these vehicles benefit from the same 10% tariff.  

• For the motorsports businesses, this provides a measure of relief. Steel and aluminum remain a sticking point: while U.K. exports are excluded from the recent escalation of Section 232 tariffs to 50%, they remain subject to the longstanding 25% rate. Motorsports and aftermarket businesses sourcing components or raw materials from the U.K. will need to keep a close watch on quota thresholds and the outcome of ongoing steel and aluminum discussions. 

Looking Ahead 

Although the outlines of these trade deals are now clear, various unresolved issues linger. The implementation details of the Japan agreement, including refund procedures through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, are still being clarified. The U.K. agreement hinges on the 100,000-vehicle quota, meaning costs could rise once the threshold is exceeded.  

• The inclusions process under Section 232 introduces a new element of uncertainty as stakeholders petition to add products to the tariff scope. For the motorsports industry and the specialty automotive aftermarket, the practical implications will come down to classification, sourcing and documentation. Companies and importers should review their inventory to determine which components are affected, ensure recordkeeping is strong enough to take advantage of lower duty rates or refunds and consider long-term supply chain realignment. 

Questions? Contact Juan Mejia, SEMA senior manager for federal government affairs, at juanm@sema.org. 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has announced a significant restructuring of rallycross competition beginning with the 2026 season, pending approval by the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC). The overhaul will reintroduce internal combustion engines to the top class, establish a streamlined European championship format and launch a new FIA Rallycross World Cup to maintain the sport's global presence.

Over the past two years, rallycross has showcased a head-to-head battle between electric and combustion powertrains—a period that highlighted the category's willingness to innovate. The FIA said the lessons learned from that era will remain part of the discipline's legacy. Still, the new structure is designed to strengthen grids, simplify competition, and deliver the excitement fans have asked for.

Beginning in 2026, the top-tier category will once again feature internal combustion engines exclusively. That class will also return to the FIA European Rallycross Championship, which will run as a six-round series at historic European venues known for their rallycross heritage.

To preserve international competition, the FIA plans to launch an inaugural FIA Rallycross World Cup outside Europe. The new global event, pending WMSC approval, will bring together top drivers and teams from around the world in a high-stakes showdown.

Looking further ahead, the FIA plans to apply the new technical framework currently being developed for the World Rally Championship's premier class to rallycross by 2028. The goal is to introduce faster, safer and more cost-effective vehicles, helping attract new competitors and paving the way for a future relaunch of a full FIA World Rallycross Championship.

FIA Road Sport Director, Emilia Abel, said "The changes announced today mark an important step in shaping the long-term growth of rallycross. From the beginning, our approach has been to listen to the teams, the drivers, the organisers, and above all, the fans. 

The FIA has made races free to watch worldwide and built a world-class broadcast experience. But shaping the bigger picture takes time, which is why we are laying out this clear vision for 2026 and beyond.

The past two seasons have been a true battle of technologies, with electric and combustion power going head-to-head. This era showed how rallycross can lead in motorsport innovation, and the lessons learned will remain part of our DNA. The move to an internal combustion drivetrain builds on this foundation, delivering an affordable and accessible format to grow grids and intensify competition.

With the European Championship providing a strong racing format, and plans--subject to the approval of the World Motor Sport Council--for a World Cup to create a thrilling global showcase, we are offering the best of both worlds as we transition toward the new technical regulations for the 2028 season.

The FIA is committed to delivering the close racing and spectacle that make rallycross unique, while preparing the sport for an even stronger future, which honours our past, celebrates innovation, and ensures growth in rallycross for years to come."

For more information, visit the FIA announcement.

Wegner Automotive Research & Manufacturing marks its 50th anniversary in the high-performance automotive and motorsports industries in 2025. To commemorate this milestone, Wegner Automotive will showcase its latest innovations and performance engines at the PRI Show, taking place December 11–13, downtown Indianapolis. Visitors are invited to stop by the Wegner booth (Booth #419, Green Hall) to celebrate with the team and explore the company's newest advancements in high-performance technology.

Founded in 1975 by Carl Wegner, the company began as a small engine shop driven by a passion for precision and performance. Over the years, Wegner Automotive has grown into a globally respected manufacturer of high-performance engines and front serpentine systems used by elite racing teams, custom car builders and automotive enthusiasts.

"This milestone reflects the incredible dedication of our entire team, past and present, as well as my dad's lifelong passion for horsepower and innovation," said Casey Wegner, president at Wegner. "We're honored to have served the industry for 50 years and we look forward to continuing to push the limits of performance and reliability, with a customer-first approach."

For more information on the PRI Show, visit the PRI Show website.

P1 Motor Club has announced that its Treasure Coast Circuit is on track to debut in March 2026, two years earlier than initially planned. The private motorsports club also confirmed it will raise its initiation fee from $180,000 to $186,000 on October 1.

The Treasure Coast Circuit is part of the larger Treasure Coast Motorsports Complex, which will include four additional specialized driving venues:

P1 Circuit

• 4.5 miles.
• 3 configurations.
• 3,450-foot straight.
• Dramatic elevation changes.
• F1 Suzuka-inspired bridge.

Treasure Coast Circuit

• 3 miles.
• 3 configurations.
• 1,110-foot pit lane.
• Paddock and fueling station.
• Event pavilion.

Karting Circuit

• 1 mile.
• 2 configurations.
• Family-friendly design.
• Located beside the planned Members' Clubhouse.

Rally Circuit

• 0.5 miles.
• Irrigated surface for grip and dust control.
• Combination of paved and unpaved sections.

Drift Circuit

• 0.25 miles.
• Purpose-built layout.
• Wide corners with ample runoff.

More than 80% of Phase 1 trackside garages are already reserved, and the club has signed more than 200 members to date, according to P1 Motor Club.

Individuals who join the Club by September 30 will lock in the current initiation rate, receive Charter Member status with driving privileges and real estate priority and gain access to track driving as early as Treasure Coast Circuit's opening date. Membership is by invitation and referral only; those without a referral may request an interview and application for consideration.

For more information, visit p1motorclub.com/contact/.