Volkswagen Motorsport has undergone a restructuring at the management level, as Sven Smeets took over as Volkswagen Motorsport Director on September 1. He succeeds Jost Capito, who departs the company to pursue a new professional challenge.

Lukasz Urban also takes over as Commercial Managing Director from Kirsten Zimmermann, who moved into a new management role at Volkswagen AG on September 1. At the same time, François-Xavier Demaison as Technical Director and Dr. Donatus Wichelhaus as Director of Engine Development move up into the Management Board of Volkswagen Motorsport.

As Volkswagen Motorsport Director, Smeets is responsible for all of the brand’s motorsport activities, including the top-tier involvement in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The Belgian has been with Volkswagen Motorsport since 2012. He joined the team as Team Manager in the World Rally Championship and took on the role of Sporting Director in the middle of 2016.

Demaison also joined Volkswagen in 2012, since when he has been responsible for the technical development of the Polo for the World Rally Championship. As Technical Director since June 1, 2016, he is now also responsible for all Volkswagen’s other car projects within the field of motorsport.

Wichelhaus has been a member of the management team since 2005. He took over as Director of Engine Development on June 1, meaning he is now responsible for the development of all Volkswagen engines for motorsport purposes. Andre Dietzel, Head of Communications and Marketing, Matthias Meyer, Manager of Workshop, and Eduard Weidl, Head of Customer Sports, continue in their roles within the Volkswagen Motorsport management team.

“How much space do I get?”

This was the first question that crossed my mind after deciding to devote my September 2016 Editor’s Note to our special guest for this year’s Grand Opening Breakfast, the traditional kickoff event of the annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show.

Just in the past few years, the Breakfast has featured industry luminaries like the magnificent Richard Petty, the incomparable John Force, the legendary Snake and Mongoose (Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen), and the hard-charging Brad Keselowski. And each year we’ve been fortunate to showcase MAVTV’s Dave Despain as host of our own live AM wakeup program, “Good Morning, PRI.” Served up alongside a hearty, catered meal and the camaraderie of 3000 or so fellow racing professionals, it’s a pretty perfect way to set the world’s premier motorsports industry showcase in motion.

Which brings us to 2016…and my aforementioned dilemma. For it is indeed our honor to present, as this year’s Grand Opening Breakfast guest speaker, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and three-time IndyCar/CART series champion Rick Mears.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Bakersfield, California, Mears cut his teeth racing motorcycles, buggies and pickup trucks in the surrounding desert. By his mid-20s, Mears had made the switch to open-wheel cars, and in 1976 he won the Formula Vee and Super Vee SCCA nationals; that same year he was named USAC Rookie of the Year.

Soon after he would partner with race safety pioneer and then-team owner Bill Simpson to pilot his first Indy car. Simpson led Mears to Penske, which paved the way for a historic run of Indy car success that included 26 wins, 68 podium finishes and 38 poles, including a record six in the Indy 500.

Mears was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1997, and to this day remains a trusted advisor and consultant for Team Penske. Career accomplishments aside, he’s known throughout the sport as one of racing’s truly good guys. Fellow icon Al Unser called him “probably one of the best teammates I ever had.… He didn’t pull any shenanigans, he told you the truth.”

A real buzz spread throughout PRI headquarters when word came down that Rick Mears was appearing at this year’s Grand Opening Breakfast. Many here have followed his career for decades. And all regard him among racing’s elite.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Mears and Despain live on stage in the Indiana Convention Center’s Sagamore Ballroom—exclusively and free of charge for PRI Show attendees and exhibitors. Doors open at 7 a.m., and the program starts at 8 a.m. sharp. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive early. We’ll see you there!

For the first time ever, a panel of leading international buyers and top manufacturers selling internationally will headline the inaugural PRI International Motorsports Trade Seminar, presented in partnership with the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) and SEMA.

PRI Trade Show attendees and exhibitors are encouraged to participate in this seminar/roundtable featuring seasoned exporters, top overseas buyers and other key stakeholders. Seminar attendees will learn the fundamentals required to expand their audience reach and succeed globally. They will also discover best practices and strategies to overcome challenges—including cost and time—related to international commerce.

Attendees are further invited to participate in an open Q&A session with panelists following their presentations, and network with key international stakeholders and domestic companies throughout the US interested in increasing their export sales.

This event will be held, Friday, December 9, from 10–11:30 a.m. in the Indiana Convention Center, Room 234.

To attend this seminar, please RSVP to international@performanceracing.com.

Details: http://pri2016.mapyourshow.com/7_0/sessions/session-details.cfm?ScheduleID=6

IndyCar has announced the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule, a 17-race season that provides continuity, adds a new event at Gateway Motorsports Park and confirms a multi-year agreement with Watkins Glen International. The series calendar features the return of all venues on the 2016 schedule and consists of a total of six events on ovals, six on permanent road courses and five on temporary street circuits.

IndyCar experienced a 38 percent growth in both television ratings and viewership from 2013 to 2015 and the same numbers are up this season by a total of 7 percent compared to this time last year. Attendance at IndyCar events is also on the rise, with six events this season drawing crowds at or near record highs.

“The release of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule continues to build upon the success IndyCar has experienced the last three years and establishes continuity and consistency in our event calendar,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “As a series we are working diligently to create long-term relationships with our promoters to establish date equity and to provide them with the opportunity to initiate ticket renewals and event promotions earlier, which is pivotal to continuing the increase in attendance at our events.”

For the sixth consecutive season, the IndyCar schedule will open on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. (March 12) in 2017 and conclude at Sonoma Raceway (Sept. 17)—the third straight year the Verizon IndyCar Series championship will be crowned on the scenic 12-turn, 2.385-mile road course in California.

All events on the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule will be broadcast by longstanding television partners ABC and NBCSN. The final TV schedule will be released later this year.

The addition of Gateway Motorsports Park (Aug. 26) marks a return for the Verizon IndyCar Series, which last competed at the venue outside St. Louis in 2003. The track has hosted seven Indy car races, in CART from 1997-2000 and the Verizon IndyCar Series from 2001-03.

“I am proud of the progress we’ve made at my hometown track," said Curtis Francois, owner of Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill. "I knew someday we would be making an announcement like this because I have such confidence in the people of this region and their commitment to great sporting events. More than a dozen track operators around the country sought this IndyCar race for their communities. I firmly believe we came out on top because of the energy, loyalty and commitment to great sports that sports fans of all kinds demonstrate each day in this community.”

Current Verizon IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves won the event in 2003 and his Team Penske teammate Juan Pablo Montoya won in 2000. Two other current drivers—Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Tony Kanaan and Scott Dixon—have also competed at the 1.25-mile oval.

“I think it’s great that we’re going back to Gateway,” Castroneves said. “Personally, I like it because I’ve had success there but also that I used to race for Hogan (a St. Louis-based Indy car team in 1999), which makes it a special place to me. I won there with Team Penske in 2003 and there was an all-Brazilian podium with Tony (Kanaan) and Gil (de Ferran). I remember that we had a really good car. I think we started from the pole and led a lot of laps. I know that the people of St. Louis will get a heck of a show. The track isn’t a typical oval with the irregular shape, which makes it challenging. It’s a track well suited for IndyCar. I’m looking forward to it.”

Watkins Glen International, a replacement venue for the canceled Boston race this year, hosted the Indycar Grand Prix at the Glen this season on Sept. 4. The permanent road course, steeped in open-wheel racing history, will return on Labor Day weekend again in 2017 under a new multi-year agreement with IndyCar.

“The addition of Gateway Motorsports Park and the return of Watkins Glen International are integral to the continued growth of IndyCar,” Miles said. “Gateway officials have been enthusiastic about the prospect of hosting a Verizon IndyCar Series event for some time and we’re excited to bring the series to the St. Louis market. Watkins Glen is an iconic American road course that is revered by our fans, drivers and teams. Our goal from the beginning was to establish a long-term agreement and we’re thrilled that we’ve been able to extend this relationship for the future.”

In addition to coverage from ABC and NBCSN, all Verizon IndyCar Series races can be heard on the Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio Network, available through network affiliates, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, the INDYCAR Mobile app and IndyCar.com.

For more on the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Schedule, visit www.indycar.com.

Dover Motorsports Inc. has entered into an agreement to sell its Nashville Superspeedway facility to an entity owned by Panattoni Development Company, an international commercial real estate development company specializing in industrial, office and build-to-suit projects.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dover Motorsports and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nashville Speedway U.S.A. Inc., will sell the Nashville Superspeedway facility along with some related equipment and assets for $27.5 million in cash and the assumption by the purchaser of obligations of Dover Motorsports under certain Variable Rate Tax Exempt Infrastructure Revenue Bonds.

The Bonds are the obligation of the Sports Authority of the County of Wilson, Tenn., and were issued by the Sports Authority in 1999 in order to build certain infrastructure improvements benefiting the speedway. Debt service on the Bonds, which have a remaining principal balance of $17,200,000, is payable from property and sales taxes generated by the facility.

Principal and interest on the Bonds are secured by a letter of credit provided by Dover Motorsports which will be replaced by a letter of credit provided by the purchaser.

Closing is subject to customary due diligence and closing conditions, including zoning approvals, and is anticipated to take place in the first quarter of 2017.

Nashville Superspeedway was active from 2001 through 2011. The 1.333-mile concrete oval hosted a number of different racing series, including the Verizon IndyCar Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series.

The last race at Nashville, a NASCAR XFINITY Series event, was held on July 21, 2011 and was won by Carl Edwards. The track closed following the conclusion of the 2011 season and has not been active since. Since closing the track has hosted private events, including testing.

In 2014 Dover Motorsports agreed to sell the track to NeXovation Inc. for $27 million, but the sale never materialized when NeXovation failed to make payments.

The Knoxville Racing Charitable Organization has partnered with Motorsports Safety Education Foundation, to provide Lifesquare, an advanced technological safety application, for nearly all drivers who compete at Knoxville Raceway.

Those included in the program include weekly Knoxville Raceway drivers and those who participated in the Arnold Motor Supply 360 Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank and in the 5-hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores.

KRCO has covered the cost of the application for all drivers, as well as all Knoxville Raceway officials.

Knoxville Raceway, through KRCO, is the first track in all of motorsports to provide the cutting-edge safety technology for its drivers.

“KRCO is excited about this opportunity to work with the Motorsports Safety Education Foundation to be the first in the racing community to issue Lifesquare QR Codes to all 305, 360 and 410 drivers at Knoxville Raceway, including all of those who entered the 360 and 410 Nationals,” said Maureen Nichols, President of KRCO. “Our mission is to promote safety for drivers and this is one example of what we do. We’re proud to be the first group to take this step and hope that other racing communities will join us in advancing safety for their drivers.”

“One of the challenges facing the racing community is making essential driver health information available to qualified medical personnel should an incident occur at the track,” explained Tom Weisenbach, Executive Director of MSEF.

Lifesquare revolutionizes emergency care in motorsports with a personalized QR code located on each driver’s helmet. Knoxville Raceway’s safety crew has the ability to scan the QR code in times of emergency and access drivers’ medical history, emergency contact information, insurance information and more. Knoxville Hospital will also be immediately alerted of a scanned QR code to better prepare for the patient’s arrival. Lifesquare believes that developing simple, easy to use technology to improve the safety of drivers is of paramount importance.

“Lifesquare embraced the unique challenge of developing of a motorsport-specific solution with MSEF.” said Lifesquare CEO Laurie Racine. “We are excited to be a part of making the sport as safe as it can be for all drivers by providing critical health information when and where it is needed.”

Mike Long, a Motorsports Safety Education Foundation board member, was tasked with the distribution of the decals to each driver.

“After years of observing the work of the KRCO, it gives the MSEF great pleasure to accomplish this new safety initiative with them,” Long said.

More than 185 drivers have received Lifesquare at the conclusion of the 5-hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores. Thirty-two track officials have also received personalized QR codes.

“The KRCO helped my family and I out during our time of need in 2012 following a life-threatening accident at Knoxville,” said Knoxville Raceway driver Jamie Ball. “They helped ease the pain by assisting with our medical bills and medical transportation. Not to mention, all of the safety equipment, preventive tethers and insurance that has been given to all of us Knoxville Raceway drivers annually. It was a long road to recovery, but the KRCO made the road much easier and for that my family and I are forever grateful. We are lucky to have the support of the KRCO and Knoxville Raceway.”

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that Matt Mindrum will serve as its Vice President of Marketing and Communications, leading all promotional efforts at the Speedway. Mindrum is currently the Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Butler University and will join the IMS team on Sept. 19.

"Matt has both the experience and proven leadership skills necessary to ensure the Indianapolis Motor Speedway continues to grow and excel," Hulman Motorsports Chief Marketing Officer CJ O'Donnell said. "As we work to grow our talent base and deliver world-class entertainment opportunities to our fans, Matt will be a key addition to our team."

At the Speedway, Mindrum will be responsible for advancing the IMS brand and promoting all IMS events, including the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, Crown Royal 400 at the Brickyard and the Red Bull Air Race. He and his team will be charged with increasing year-round fan engagement at the world's greatest racetrack. Immediate priorities will be the marketing campaign for the 101st Running of the Indy 500 and partnering with the broader Hulman Motorsports team to further the success of the Verizon IndyCar Series.

"I'm humbled by the opportunity to join such a talented team and to contribute to the continued growth and success of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," said Mindrum. "I can't imagine a better place from which to advance our sport and our city."

Mindrum takes on this new role following a key staffing transition at the Speedway. Jarrod Krisiloff, who previously spearheaded IMS marketing, digital and creative efforts, is now the Executive Director of Events, leading efforts to deliver top-notch and innovative experiences for spectators. The Vice President of Marketing and Communications reports to the CMO of Hulman Motorsports.

At Butler, Mindrum's responsibilities included campus-wide brand management and strategic communications, creative services, media and community relations and leadership of the Butler Arts Center. During his tenure, Butler raised its national profile, expanded community partnerships, and welcomed the largest class in the institution's 160-year history.

Prior to joining Butler in 2013, Mindrum worked at Eli Lilly & Company, where he began his career as a sales representative, managed consumer marketing for a multi-billion-dollar franchise, and directed marketing efforts for Lilly's first product launch in the U.S. Alzheimer's market.

Mindrum has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Music degree, magna cum laude, in Vocal Performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. He is actively involved in the Indianapolis community, serving as board president for the Indianapolis Opera and board vice president for Midtown Indianapolis, Inc., and is a recent graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series.

Summit Racing Equipment, a large direct marketer of performance automotive parts and accessories, announced the opening of a new Distribution Center and Retail Super Store in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Summit Racing customers in most of Texas and adjacent states will enjoy one-day delivery on orders for in-stock parts.

“Summit Racing is committed to providing our customers with the best possible service, and that includes fast shipping and delivery,” explained Nan Gelhard, Summit Racing Advertising Manager. “With the addition of our Texas facility, we will have four Distribution Centers. We will be able to deliver parts to more customers in the continental U.S. in just one to two days.”

The new Distribution Center is designed to process orders quickly and efficiently. It will be large enough to stock thousands of parts from over 1200 manufacturers, ready for immediate delivery.

The Retail Super Store will be a destination for performance enthusiasts in the region. It will have 32,000 square feet of display space for parts, tools, and accessories for racing, street performance, trucks and off-road vehicles, restoration, late model vehicles, ATVs and UTVs, and motorcycles.

“The Retail Super Store gives customers the opportunity to see parts in person and talk directly with a tech adviser about their projects,” Gelhard continued. “You can place an order on the SummitRacing.com website and pick it up in the store. If you’re visiting from out of town, you can order at the store and have it shipped to your home.”

Construction of Summit Racing’s Texas facility is scheduled for early fall 2016. The company plans to ship orders from the new Distribution Center starting in mid-2017. The Retail Super Store will open shortly afterward.

Watkins Glen International is officially New York’s home for INDYCAR racing once again.

In a joint announcement made at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup, INDYCAR President Jay Frye, and INDYCAR driver Will Power confirmed that the Verizon IndyCar Series will return to the historic circuit in 2017 and beyond.

“In the end, this was the goal of both Watkins Glen International and INDYCAR – to announce a multi-year agreement. We are very much looking forward to next weekend’s Grand Prix at The Glen, and can’t wait to get started with our efforts to grow this event moving into the 2017 season,” said Printup. “Of course, this would not be possible without the outstanding support that we receive from New York State and Governor Cuomo. It’s just a great day and a very exciting announcement for our fans and partners.”

Following the cancellation of the planned Grand Prix of Boston, Printup and Frye announced in Indianapolis that the series would return to Watkins Glen International September 1-4, Labor Day weekend, on a one-year deal that would fill the open date on the schedule.

Tickets are still available for INDYCAR’s return to Watkins Glen International – September 1-4 – featuring Indy Lights and the Verizon IndyCar Series. Call 1-866-461-RACE or visit www.theglen.com for more information.

FOX Sports will offer comprehensive live Labor Day weekend coverage of the prestigious 62nd annual NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, Ind.

FS1 will air highlights from U.S. Nationals qualifying Sunday, Sept. 4 (Noon and 5 p.m. ET). Coverage continues on FS1 with two hours of live eliminations Monday, Sept. 5 (11 a.m. ET), before moving to FOX at 1 p.m. ET for a three-hour show.

Monday’s Final Round on FOX marks the first time in history the historic event will air live on broadcast television.

Eight-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher leads all active racers with nine wins at Indy (tied with Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden for most all time), while Pro Stock pilot Greg Anderson is next among active drivers with six victories.

NHRA’s six-race playoff gets underway Sept. 15-17 with the NHRA Carolina Nationals from zMAX Dragway in Charlotte live on FS1, but not before the coveted Wallys are handed out at the race known as ‘the Big Go’ at Lucas Oil Raceway.

Dave Rieff and two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon call the action, with Bruno Massel and Jamie Howe working the pits.