The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) announced today plans to host – for the first time ever – its own accredited race driver’s school to provide prospective vintage racers an accelerated, cost effective path to competing in America’s premier vintage racing. The school is part of a special race event weekend at the 2.02-mile Roebling Road Raceway near Savannah in Bloomingdale, Georgia on February 17-19, 2017.

The entire weekend is homage to the early culture of vintage racing with throwback entry fees for the races and a general old school, low-pressure “club racing” feel. The capstone of the weekend will be the Bob Williams Heritage Cup to be presented by Williams, a recently retired SVRA Hall of Fame official, to the winner of the Group 1 race for small-bore sports cars. Group 1 was selected because the small-bore racers exemplify the early heritage of sports car club racing. Both the school and the races will be limited to Group 1 through Group 8 entries.

SVRA plans call for the weekend to celebrate the heritage and culture of vintage racing. The “throwback” theme of the events even applies to entry fees for the races set at $295 per car, a reduced rate not seen for nearly a generation. Other features will include a 1970’s themed party on Saturday night and awards for the use of old school open trailers and period dress. The event is a return to Roebling Road Raceway for the SVRA, who last presented races there in 2011.

“Our goal for the school is to remove barriers to entry into our sport and, frankly, by shortening the licensing process, make it a lot more affordable,” said Tony Parella, SVRA president and CEO. “In the past prospective drivers were required to attend outside driving schools and expected to compete with other vintage groups and then undergo observation with selected SVRA veteran drivers before being fully certified. This way rookies can get it all done in one weekend if they succeed with both written and on-track examinations.”

The SVRA school program is fully accredited and focuses on safety, driving skill and the etiquette of vintage racing. Anyone with a vintage race car that meets all the SVRA safety requirements that are spelled out on the organization’s Web site can register for the school. The fee is $550 and includes a certification ceremony at the end of the weekend.

Peter Krause, who serves as the SVRA’s chief driving instructor, will oversee the school. Krause is widely recognized in vintage racing circles as an outstanding instructor and recently proved his race-craft mettle yet again by taking a victory in the ultra-competitive Sports 2000 race at Virginia International Raceway on September 24.

“This school gives the aspiring vintage racer the opportunity to come away from the track ready to go wheel-to-wheel racing,” said Krause. “This is an entertaining, affordable and efficient licensing path. The full-featured and complete curriculum will equip drivers with everything they need to race with the SVRA. On-track sessions, observation and classroom instruction with a written exam will be part of the weekend. Our goal is to help new drivers learn the skills and understand the proper attitude to race with the SVRA. Roebling Road is one of the best high-speed, long-cornered school and testing tracks in the country.”
By coupling the school with a special race event weekend the overall experience will give new drivers a glimpse at the foundations of vintage racing culture. Hall-of-Famer Williams will serve as event grand marshal and will perform ceremonial duties including the presentation of the special Group 1 race trophy in his name.

Appropriately enough, Williams will, in 2017, mark his 30th anniversary of joining the SVRA staff in 1987. Williams is well respected for his contributions in building the organization’s safety and technical inspection staff. He is especially well known at Watkins Glen and their Grand Prix Festival where he has, since 1992, been instrumental in organizing and conducting reenactments of that community’s original public roads grand prix in 1948.

“I am delighted to serve as grand marshal of this event,” said Williams. “Everything Tony tells me about it indicates this will be a back-to-basics return to the heritage and culture of vintage racing. The sport is evolving with the times but it is hugely important that we never forget our roots.”

The Buccaneer Region SCCA Region will share the Roebling Road Raceway with the SVRA on this weekend, also conducting a driving school and a slate of race events. Aside from sharing the facility, the two organizations’ on-track events will be fully distinct and separate from one another.

“The SVRA appreciates the Buccaneer Region SCCA Region for sharing the weekend with us,” Parella added. “The social aspects of the weekend will provide a unique opportunity for SVRA and SCCA participants to enjoy some wonderful racing fellowship.”

SVRA 2017 Events Schedule
February 10-12 | Spring Vintage Classic, Spring Mountain, NV
February 17-19 | First National Driver’s School In Savannah & Bob Williams Heritage Cup Races, Roebling Road, GA
March 2-5 | Sebring Vintage Classic, Sebring Intl Raceway, FL
March 16-19 | Amelia Island Vintage Gran Prix, Fernandina Beach, FL
March 25-26 | Willow Springs Historics, Willow Springs, CA
April 28-30 | S. California Historic Sports Car Festival, Auto Club Speedway, CA
May 18-21 | Spring Vintage Festival, Road America, WI
June 1-4 | Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, Sonoma Raceway, CA
June 8-11 | Open Wheel World Challenge, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IN
June 14-18 | Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IN
June 22-25 | Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, OH
July 27-30 | Portland Vintage Racing Festival, Portland Intl Raceway, OR
September 6-10 | U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, Watkins Glen Intl, NY
September 21-24 | Heacock Classic Gold Cup, Virginia Intl Raceway, VA
October 13-15 | Coronado Speed Festival, Naval Air Station, North Island, CA*
November 1-5 | US Vintage National Championship, Circuits of The Americas, TX

*Pending U.S. Navy approval.

An outstanding panel of presenters headlined by Indianapolis Motor Speedway President, Doug Boles is being assembled for the 5th annual Race Track Business Conference at the 2016 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.
 
Boles is responsible for the daily operations of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including all world-class racing events at the facility - the Indianapolis 500, Grand Prix of Indianapolis, and Brickyard 400, He also is responsible for exploring and expanding business opportunities for the Speedway.
 
The event will be held just prior and in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry Show, the centerpiece event for Race Industry Week 2016. The PRI Show runs from Thursday December 8 to Saturday December 10, 2016 at the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Occupying 566,000 square feet, it features over 1,200 companies in 3,000 booths with new racing technology and draws 40,000 buyers from across the US, as well as 70 countries.
 
"The RTBC-2016 will continue the dialogue for motorsports professionals away from the track. From risk management to track operations to sanctions to safety to media, we expect to present a wide variety of sessions with expert panelists," said Tim Frost, publisher of National Speedway Directory, racing's key source of information on race tracks and more.
 
Industry leaders from across racing will be among the expert presenters. They include:
 
    •    Doug Boles | President | Indianapolis Motor Speedway
    •    Dave Dusick | Founder | Race Track Engineering
    •    Christian Epp | Director | Tilke GmbH & Co. KG
    •    Darren Hickey | Vice President | Gregory & Appel Insurance
    •    John Kalejta | Manager | Geobrugg North America, LLC
    •    Gavin Knapp | Director | SEMA
    •    Ron Knoch | President | DIESEL Motorsports
    •    Jeff Ladd | President | Sports Insurance Specialists, LLC
    •    Jim Liaw | President | Formula Drift
    •    Brad Oleshansky | CEO | M1 Concourse
    •    John Oreovicz | Journalist | ESPN
    •    Chip Pankow | President | Red Bull Global Rally Cross
    •    Scott Peterson | Director - Motorsports | TSMGI
    •    Paul Pfanner | CEO | Racer Magazine
    •    Neeraj Sharma | Head of Growth | Rally Bus
    •    Ralph Sheheen | Co-Founder | Turn 3 Media
    •    John Waraniak | Vice President | SEMA

"The business of race tracks is unique and comes with unique challenges," said PRI General Manager Bill Miller. "No where else are race track owners and stakeholders able to collaborate and focus on the unique challenges in the industry."

With over 20 years of executive-level motorsports experience, Boles has served as chief operating officer, vice president of communications and director of public relations for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He was a founding partner of Panther Racing - one of IndyCar's most successful teams. A Butler University graduate Boles, has a law degree from the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis,
 
The lists of speakers and agenda items are tentative and subject to change.
 
The cost to attend RTBC-2016 is $250. This cost includes lunch and admission to the PRI Trade Show. Additional information can be found at the PRI Map Your Show website, www.racetrackbusinessconference.com or by contacting Tim Frost at (twfrost@speedwaysonline.com) or (847) 853-0294.
 
About National Speedway Directory
 
National Speedway Directory (www.speedwaysonline.com) is an information source for the motorsports industry. Published annually since 1975, the publication lists information on tracks, sanctions, publications, museums, and race schedules. In addition, they are the developers of Track Guide, a mobile app for the iPhone and Android.
 
About Performance Racing Industry
 
Performance Racing Industry, (www.performanceracing.com) monthly business magazine, is recognized as "The Voice of Racing Marketplace."  Targeted at the racing trade, PRI connects manufacturers of racing products and technology with the distribution channels of retailers, builders, distributers, and teams.  The PRI Show is the world's largest auto racing trade show.

Two worthy military veteran groups will receive significant grants through the Infinite Hero Foundation this weekend at the AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals outside of Dallas, Texas.

Houston native and retired Navy Lt. Morgan Luttrell will receive a pair of $100,000 grants made possible by the Infinite Hero Foundation and presented by Terry Chandler, the New Mexico-based philanthropist, who funds 100 percent of the Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car driven by past NHRA champion Jack Beckman.

The grants will be made to the ReBOOT program (BootCampaign.org) and the Airpower Foundation (AirPowerFoundation.com).

Luttrell, director of development for ReBOOT, sustained a major brain injury on a training mission in 2009 and has since committed his civilian life to helping to combat brain injuries and their affects.

Luttrell was aboard a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter which crashed into a combat support ship, killing one and injuring eight, including him. He remembers falling out of the helicopter and hitting the top deck of the ship and being blown to another deck when the helicopter exploded.

His back was broken in six places with major damage done to his spinal cord. He was in a body cast for about six months. He also suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and endured sharp headaches and dizziness for months.

Luttrell was deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan during his 14-year military career and, since being granted a medical discharge in 2014, returned to Texas where he discovered the Center for Brain Health, part of the University of Texas at Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences where he was treated for his traumatic brain injury.

Luttrell was so inspired by the inner workings of the facility, he began a course to earn his Master's degree, and earned a doctorate degree as a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Chandler not only funds the Infinite Hero team but also the Make-A-Wish Funny Car driven by Tommy Johnson Jr. Neither organization contributes any funding to the teams.

Chandler's program has raised nearly $500,000 for Infinite Hero and has brought tremendous awareness to some of the most difficult issues facing returning U.S. military heroes and families.

This season, Beckman has raised more than $120,000 through the sale of special military "challenge coins." He carries at least 10 on each run down the track and then personalizes each for fans making a $100 donation to Infinite Hero.

The presentation will take place on Friday (Oct. 14) at 3:30 p.m. during the AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals in the Texas Motorplex's Champion's Club

Knoxville Raceway, Badlands Motor Speedway, and Jackson Motorplex are working together in regards to scheduling for the upcoming sprint car racing season.

In an effort to enhance and continue building sprint car racing in the region, the three tracks have agreed to not compete against each other during high profile racing events next year.

These events include the 57th Annual Knoxville Nationals on August 9-12, the 27th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals on August 3-5, the 39th annual Jackson Nationals on June 1-3, and the second annual Badlands Motor Speedway Rock N Roll Gold Cup on July 28-29.

There will be no racing at any other track during the above mentioned events, allowing teams to focus on just one major race on those particular weekends.

“With the 2017 sprint car season scheduling underway, we are excited to be a part of putting together a schedule that helps promote our special shows at Knoxville, as well as those at Badlands Motor Speedway and Jackson Motorplex. Our three tracks working together will benefit fans and teams alike,” said Knoxville Raceway Race Director John McCoy. “I know Tod, Chuck and I share the same goal to continue to advance the popularity and growth of sprint car racing in this region by continued cooperation between the three tracks.”

“With all three tracks sitting down and working through their 2017 schedules together and honoring each tracks large events is a huge step for the Midwest and Sprint Car Racing,” said Tod Quiring of Jackson Motorplex. “This is going to give every fan and competitor the opportunity to attend all of the large events at Jackson Motorplex, Badlands Motor Speedway and Knoxville Raceway. I feel this is a great start to build on and I’m looking forward to all working together on future opportunities.”

“It has been a giant step in the right direction to have all three of our legendary dirt track facilities at the same table to discuss ways to make the 2017 race season the best possible for race teams and race fans alike,” said Badlands Motor Speedway founder Chuck Brennan. “Personally I am excited to not only visit both Jackson and Knoxville next year for their key races, but to host both Tod and John at BMS in 2017. I am a big fan and both these tracks do it up right.”

Originally reported by Speed Sport.

The biggest weekend in the racing business is fast approaching, but there is still space available and time to apply for a booth at the 2016 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show.

Join the world's top racing professionals and more than 1,100 exhibiting companies in the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, December 8-10, 2016. Experience the latest in motorsports technology, products, ideas, and new business opportunities with top motorsports professionals. Or, shop the Trade Show floor with thousands of brand new products from different motorsports companies.

Contact a PRI Show sales representative at 949/499-5413 or submit your application online today.

For general information about the PRI Trade Show, visit the PRI 2016 website here.

IndyCar announced today that Curt Cavin has been appointed vice president of communications. Cavin, currently an Indianapolis Star sportswriter who has covered motorsports for three decades, will join IndyCar on October 24.

"Curt is already a leading voice on the Verizon IndyCar Series and the best candidate to share the speed, excitement and drama of the sport," said CJ O'Donnell, Hulman Motorsports chief marketing officer. "Curt will enhance our ability to share the compelling stories of our drivers and thrilling action on track. His skills and experience will complement the efforts of our strong existing communications team and will further the progress the series has seen in the past three seasons."

In collaboration with Mike Kitchel, IndyCar director of communications, and Brian Simpson, IndyCar digital/social media manager, Cavin will lead INDYCAR's public relations, media relations and digital media efforts. IndyCar is the sanctioning body for the Verizon IndyCar Series and the Mazda Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires developmental stepladder.

Among Cavin's responsibilities will be advancing national media coverage of INDYCAR and expanding editorial content published through IndyCar.com and social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. IndyCar's communications and digital teams have driven substantial growth in recent years and Cavin will be charged with increasing that year-round media engagement and social activation to further the growth of the Verizon IndyCar Series.

"I can't wait to bring my multimedia experience covering motorsports and other national sporting events to the talented team already in place at the Verizon IndyCar Series," Cavin said. "I am looking forward to building upon the momentum generated by the series this year."

A Franklin Indiana College graduate, Cavin joined The Indianapolis Star in 1987, spending nearly 30 years with Indiana's largest newspaper. He has been a key contributor to the daily print product, while also becoming a leader at IndyStar in providing multimedia content and social media strategies. His racing blog became a regular feature on IndyStar.com in 2001 and he authored both editions of IndyStar's "100 Years, 500 Miles" book celebrating the Indianapolis 500's centennial anniversaries.

While best known for his IndyCar coverage, Cavin is a former Indiana University sports beat writer whose versatility made him a key contributor to the newspaper's coverage of the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers and Butler University basketball. He covered two Super Bowls and five Final Fours in addition to 29 consecutive Indianapolis 500s and all of NASCAR's Brickyard 400s at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Cavin is in his ninth year co-hosting "Trackside," an IndyCar-centric radio show along with NBCSN reporter Kevin Lee originating from WFNI-1070 AM in Indianapolis. For 13 years he was a motorsports analyst for WTHR, the Indianapolis NBC TV affiliate, and he has been a longtime contributor to Autoweek, a Detroit-based magazine.

Cavin also is the founder of the Carb Night Burger Bash, a free fan charity event now a staple of the Indianapolis 500 weekend. In its nine years, The Burger Bash has donated nearly $200,000 to Central Indiana programs.

DIRTcar Racing announced Thursday that NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week will remain at Oswego Speedway in 2017.

After 44 years of running NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds “Moody Mile”, the event found a new home at Oswego Speedway this year. The event was originally planned to be held at the new Central New York Raceway Park, but the venue was not completed on schedule and the race was moved to Oswego this year.

Over the last three months, historic Oswego Speedway has undergone a major renovation to set the stage for the first NAPA Super DIRT Week away from the fairgrounds. For the first time since 1952, the “Steel Palace” is now covered in over 500 truckloads of clay for this event.

“With support from Governor Cuomo, the State of New York, and incredible fans and sponsors, we are excited to announce that the State of New York has committed the resources that will allow Super DIRT Week to return to Oswego Speedway in 2017,” said DIRTcar Racing CEO Brian Carter. “Over the last several months we’ve developed a great relationship with John and Eric Torrese and their team as we took on an extensive overhaul project to ready the historic Oswego Speedway for Racing’s Biggest Party. The infrastructure is now here, the support from the fans and sponsors has been tremendous, and we look forward to improving on 2016 and making 2017 at Oswego Speedway the best Super DIRT Week yet.”

While DIRTcar Racing is moving forward with Oswego Speedway in 2017, they will be closely monitoring the progress of Central New York Raceway Park and are ready to make a move there when it’s ready for Super DIRT Week.

New York State has been the home of NAPA Super DIRT Week for 45 years now, and the state is committed to keeping it here. NAPA Super DIRT Week is an annual economic driver for Central New York. The event attracts 70,000 fans and competitors and contributes $12 million to the local economy, something that Oswego County and the City of Oswego will strongly benefit from.

Since the July 14 announcement that NAPA Super Dirt Week would move to Oswego Speedway in 2016, many improvements have been made to the 65-year-old facility. Of those improvements, the largest project included the rebuilding of the Gary Witter Memorial Rear Grandstands. Rebuilding it took approximately 100 tons of steel. Over 100 camping spots were electrified and plumbed with water and sewerage, a new bathhouse was erected, and new roads were carved throughout the facility.

The world’s largest digital motorsport company adds six motorsport online, print and events businesses to its existing operations.
Motorsport Network, the Miami-headquartered publisher of Motorsport.com and Motor1.com, today announced the acquisition of six business operations that make up the Haymarket Media Group’s interests in motorsport publishing, photography and events.

The acquired businesses in the Autosport portfolio include Autosport.com, a respected and authoritative digital voice in international motorsport.

The website has a provenance derived from its sister business, Autosport Magazine. Continuously published since August 1950, the weekly magazine has a heritage that dates back to the very origins of the Formula One World Championship.

In addition to the Autosport brand, Motorsport Network has also added F1 Racing, the premium monthly periodical, to its stable. F1 Racing is published in nine languages in 15 editions, sold in 60 countries and is the only magazine licensed by Formula One Management.

The print assets acquired also include Motorsport News, which has been the voice of British motorsport since the era of Moss and Fangio in the fifties.

The publishing interests are supplemented by the world’s richest and most extensive motorsport photographic archive, LAT Photographic. With 13 million images that date from 1895, the archive forms the central element of a full-service photo agency with staff presence at all major international motor racing series. The company also provides image production services and studio facilities.

The Autosport brand additionally lends its identity to two major events acquired by Motorsport Network. Having established itself over a period of a quarter of a century, Autosport International – The Racing Car Show is recognized as the curtain-raiser to the international motorsport season. Attracting 85,000 visitors, the trade, technology and live event show is by some margin the pre-eminent motorsport event of its kind anywhere in the world.

The Autosport Awards book-ends each season as the ‘Oscars of Motorsport’. Graced by almost every Formula One World Champion since it was instituted in 1987 and attended by a ‘who’s who’ of international motorsport personalities, the black-tie event at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel is a mainstay in motorsport’s calendar every December.

The acquisitions by Motorsport Network are founded on the principle of preserving the rich heritage in Haymarket’s motorsport businesses. Its fans, followers and customers can continue to seamlessly enjoy the world’s best-loved racing websites, magazines and blue-riband events.

Best known for its Motorsport.com and Motor1.com brands, Motorsport Network speaks to 75 million people every month across 22 website editions operating in 16 languages.

The success of the Motorsport Network has been founded on three guiding principles: speaking to audiences in their native tongue, packaging & presenting unique content for digitally engaged audiences. Together this provides customers & clients with an integrated array of products & services to connect with this global audience.

For more information, visit the Motorsport website.

Derive Systems is relocating its Idaho-based Bully Dog headquarters from American Falls to Pocatello, Idaho.

Bully Dog, a brand that operates under Derive Systems, started in Aberdeen, Idaho, in the late 1990s before relocating to American Falls.

Derive Systems CEO David Thawley said the strategic move to Pocatello will give Bully Dog's employees access to more amenities, support the local economy, and help attract more top talent to the growing business.

"It's important for us to keep our business here in Idaho," Thawley said. "Pocatello is a great location for our current employees, and will bring opportunities for growth and jobs to the area."

Bully Dog is moving approximately 50 jobs to its new location in the Kinport Building in Old Town Pocatello. Employees residing in American Falls are still able to commute to the new location.

Bully Dog expects to be fully operational in its new location by January 2017.

The Must See Racing Sprint Car Series has reached a two-year extension with American Racer Tire to continue as the official series tire for both the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

The new agreement extends the partnership between Must See Racing and American Racer to a total of nine years.

Wayne Bishop and Michigan American Racer, LLC, will continue as the series tire distributor.

“From day one in March of 2010 when Must See Racing selected American Racer to be the official tire for the series, their management team, engineers and Wayne Bishop have all delivered on every commitment and promise they have made,” said Must See Racing President Jim Hanks. “American Racer has enabled Must See Racing to not only meet, but exceed, our three original objectives: safety, obtaining a level and competitive playing field for our competitors, and significantly reducing tire costs for our teams.

“I appreciate and respect American Racer’s continued and ongoing commitment to product quality and competitive pricing. Performance has been the foundation of our series and our long standing and outstanding relationship. The quality of our first class race teams, their spectacular competition and the series’ continued performance record on the American Racer tire speaks for itself.”

Must See Racing has competed exclusively on American Racer tires since 2010, setting 18 track records across 11 different states in the series’ seven-year history.

Of the 15 common tracks between the three existing pavement sprint car series in the Midwest, 13 of the current track records are held by Must See Racing.

Must See Racing is based in Holly, Mich., and utilizes 410ci, unlimited horsepower winged sprint cars in its racing competition, visiting some of the most historic tracks throughout the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States.