Ground has broken at Summit Motorsports Park for a new state-of-the art lighting system to illuminate both sides of the track surface.

Designed by internationally-known company Musco, it will feature fifteen galvanized steel poles on the Budweiser side of the park from the head of staging to the sandtrap, where an additional pole will be located on the Summit side of the park. Each will be outfitted with more than a hundred 1500-watt luminaries.

“This will improve the fan experience because they’ll be able to see better, and it will improve the driver experience, because they’ll have consistent lighting from one end of the track to the next end of the track,” said Bill Bader Jr., Summit Motorsports Park president.

Electrical wiring and conduit is set to be routed through a trench before being connected to the light poles, and while the project will cost $400,000, it’s poised to offer a substantial energy savings over standard lighting systems as well as minimal spill and glare light.

“Musco has always been in the foreground as an energy-conscious company,” said Bader. “They also are the industry leader in source lighting for all types of sports, not just drag-racing. They have patented technology that allows them to capture light and direct it without light loss.”

Officials plan to debut the new lighting at the 10th annual Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser, May 20–22, at Summit Motorsports Park.

“With this lighting project, we’ll go to the head of the class, and after using it at the 10th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 23–26, we’ll officially have the best-lit track on the NHRA tour,” said Bader, Jr.

WISSOTA staff will hold the first of four mandatory tech seminars on Saturday, March 5, in Watertown, SD, at Dirt Track Supply. The next seminar will be March 12 at Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls, WI. The third tech seminar will be held on March 19 in Sheridan, WY (1201 Bowie Rd #9), and the final tech seminar for 2016 will be held at Ogilvie Raceway in Ogilvie, MN, on March 26. Each seminar starts at noon.

It is mandatory for every WISSOTA track to send its head tech official to at least one of the tech seminars. For questions regarding these mandatory seminars for WISSOTA track tech personnel, contact Bill Engelstad at 218/262-5823 or 218/208-7844, or bill@wissota.org.

In related news, WISSOTA has released details of its updated Late Model suspension rules, effective immediately. The update can be found on the WISSOTA website (wissota.org), under Tech Updates.

Included in the update are shock and spring design, materials and locations, rear suspension mounts, lift arm and pull bar descriptions, radius rod and birdcage descriptions, and more. Also included is information on the process manufacturers must follow when introducing new designs and components.

Drivers are encouraged to read this update thoroughly now, before the season begins, to ensure cars meet all applicable rules. Questions may be directed to Engelstad at the numbers or email listed above.

Additional dates have been added to the lineup for the 2016 Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour, as well as a venue change during the months of June and July.

Booking a show on Tuesday, June 21 Cloud Peak Raceway in Sheridan, Wy. will welcome the starts of the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series for the first time, along with the Brodix ASCS Frontier Region. Formerly the Sheridan Speedway, the Wyoming oval will be the second one to sanction an ASCS National event, joining the Gillette Thunder Speedway.

Another first time visit, Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16 have been moved to the Gallatin Speedway, located just outside Belgrade, Mont. The two day Sprint Car spectacular will also be co-sanctioned with the Brodix ASCS Frontier Region. The Gallatin Speedway is the third track in Montana to sanction an ASCS National Tour event.

Finally, Thursday, July 28 will see the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour debuting at Park Jefferson International Speedway in North Sioux City, S.D. just ahead of the series debut at Badlands Motor Speedway in Bandon, S.D. on Sunday, July 31; a night worth $10,000 to the winner, which was announced earlier this year. The pair moves the track count in South Dakota to five since the series debut in 1998 at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City.

The 2016 season is the 25th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing across the United States for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network. The 2016 season begins at the Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla. on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 with the Sooner State Showdown.

For continued updates, and to see the full lineup of events for American Sprint Car Series, from the National Tour to the Regional Tours, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.

Tri-City Motor Speedway is partnering with area schools to celebrate their students’ accomplishments by rewarding them with an exciting night at the races.

Schools located within a 50-mile radius of Auburn, Mich., with an active Student of the Week/Month or similar recognition program are eligible.

Tri-City Motor Speedway is providing one complimentary grandstand race ticket for each recognized student at no cost to the school. Each student recognition ticket is good for one student and one parent into the grandstands for one race during the upcoming season (a $28 value).

“We want to give back to our community while making a difference in people’s lives. I loved redeeming the free offers I received as the Student of the Week in school,” said Erika Puvalowski, TCMS marketing and business development director. “I worked hard and it made me feel good when I received them. I wanted to take it a step further by having a parent celebrate their child’s accomplishments together.”

Area school officials can learn more about this program by downloading the participation form at www.tricityracetrack.com/community-outreach.

Tri-City sanctions the Xtreme Motor Sports IMCA Modified division. The first Friday night point season of the 2016 season is April 22.

The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge’s first event of the 2016 season was held at the 9th Annual Race & Performance Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois, February 20–21. Thirty-two teams competed for their chance to qualify for the National Dual Championships held later this year at the SEMA and PRI shows.

NHRA Top Fuel driver Antron Brown launched the event with words of encouragement to these young aspiring teens. Brown, quite familiar with “countdowns” after clinching another World Championship in 2015, was invited to lead the crowd in the first countdown for Hot Rodders of Tomorrow.

After two days, Team Motive Gear from Belvidere North High School came out on top with a low time of 23:29. The other seven qualifiers included Team Taylor Cable (Fremd High School), Team Firestone and Team Design Engineering (Joliet Central High School), Team Howard Cams (Belvidere North High School), Team Fel-Pro and Team Autometer (Lockport High School) and Team Royal Purple (South Elgin High School).

The next competition will be hosted at the Summit I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama in Cleveland, Ohio, March 19–20, 2016. Another batch of high-school teams will compete for their chance to qualify for the National Dual Championships held at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas and Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis. Visit HotRoddersOfTomorrow.com to see the complete results from the weekend.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge 2016 Schedule:
    •    Summit I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama: Cleveland, Ohio; March 19–20, 2016
    •    Tarrant College Hot Rodders Qualifier: Fort Worth, Texas; March 26, 2016
    •    Coker Tire Chattanooga Cruise-In: Chattanooga, Tennessee; April 2, 2016
    •    Magnaflow Exhaust Event: Santa Margarita, California; April 2, 2016
    •    Summit Racing Atlanta Motorama: Atlanta; April 16–17, 2016
    •    UTI Pennsylvania Qualifier: Exton, Pennsylvania; April 23, 2016
    •    Edelbrock Car Show: Torrance, California; May 14, 2016
    •    Lane Automotive Car Show: Watervliet, Michigan; May 28, 2016
    •    UTI Northern CA Qualifier: Sacramento, California; June 4, 2016
    •    11th Annual NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing: Joliet, Illinois; July 30–31, 2016
    •    SEMA Show: Las Vegas; November 1–4, 2016 (National Dual Championships)
    •    Performance Racing Industry: Indianapolis; December 8–10, 2016 (National Dual Championships)

With a history in Spec Racer Fords and Sport Renaults, as well as involvement as both a Sports Car Club of America Region Race Chairman and member of a Majors Tour Division Race Committee, Robey Clark has the experience and passion to care for the Spec Racer Ford community.

That is why he was named the new SCCA Enterprises President and CEO, replacing Erik Skirmants, who announced his resignation in February.

SCCA Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of SCCA, Inc., brings another dimension to the Club: race car construction. SCCA Enterprises constructs and maintains the Spec Racer Ford, Enterprise Sports Racer, and the Formula Enterprises race cars. Since the debut of the very first Spec Racer in1984, over 940 race cars have been built and delivered by SCCA Enterprises.

Clark, 65, of Austin, Texas, has been an SCCA member for more than 20 years. Active in the Texas Region, Clark began racing in the early ’90s with Sports Renault and Spec Racer Ford being his cars of choice. In the late ’90s, he competed in the Spec Racer Ford Pro Series. Today, Clark still competes as a Spec Racer Ford pilot at Club Divisional and Majors events with KC Racing out of Kansas City.

“Being very involved in Spec Racer Ford for all these years, I know how great it is to be a competitor in this class,” Clark said. “I also know that Spec Racer Ford is of tremendous value to the well-being of the SCCA and amateur racing as a whole.”

Over the last decade, Clark has acted as Race Chairman for the Texas Region and been a member of the Southwest Division U.S. Majors Tour Race Committee since its creation. Clark was named the 2009 Worker of the Year for his efforts as Race Chairman.

“I think Erik Skirmants and the team at SCCA Enterprises has done a great job in keeping Spec Racer Ford a vibrant and competitive class,” Clark said. “I share the long-term vision that has driven SCCA Enterprises for the last 10 years and intend to keep moving forward in a manner that supports continued growth and stability for the Spec Racer Ford community and SCCA Enterprises. Coming into this new position, I see the tasks ahead as fun and invigorating. And I look forward to keeping Spec Racer Ford one of the most competitive SCCA classes.”

Jerry Wannarka, SCCA Enterprises Board Chairman, said Clark is a solid choice to lead SCCA Enterprises.

“We are very glad to have Robey join Enterprises as the new President/CEO,” Wannarka said. “His business experience plus many years as a Spec Racer Ford driver and Regional Competition Director give him the unique background to continue the great traditions at Enterprises.”

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest, organizer of the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Le Mans Series and promoter of the FIA World Endurance Championship, is reinforcing its organization with the arrival of Thomas Otton as the new communications manager.

Thirty-eight-year-old Thomas Otton was born in Nantes. He has worked for Adidas, Atari and Orange after which he joined Babolat, world leader in raquet sports, in 2005. After six years in the marketing department as product manager and then group manager, he filled the role of international communications manager for four years. 



His main mission will be to promote the Le Mans 24 Hours, the summit of the endurance pyramid, and to open up the ACO to a new audience, in particular young people and women. He will also be involved in the digital transition of the ACO and the implementation of the communications strategy on the international scene. 



Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, said, “The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is continuing to develop and promote its activities to transmit the passion for the motor car to the widest possible audience. The ever-increasing success of the Le Mans 24 Hours, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 24 Heures Motos, as well as all our sporting events and the activities offered by the ACO teams, is proof of the success of our actions. But we can still attract a new public and enhance our renown on the international scene. Thomas’s experience will help him to accomplish his missions with success.” 



Thomas Otton, Automobile Club de l’Ouest communications manager, added, “I’m delighted to be joining the ACO and to work for the Le Mans 24 Hours, one of the most prestigious motor races in the world, and to develop the renown and the appeal of the club’s other activities.”    

AFCO Performance Group, an Indiana-based specialty manufacturer of automotive racing and high-performance suspension, brakes, cooling, and exhaust products, announced that its Quarter Midget Division is now a stocking dealer for Hoosier Quarter Midget Tires.

“In an effort to serve the industry and our loyal customers, we now offer full service tire programs customized to each team’s needs,” said AFCO Sales Engineer Dale Raber. “Every racing division needs a little something different in the tire program, as vehicle dynamics vary based on driver weight, vehicle weight, and horsepower.”
 
AFCO QM Performance Tire Center services offered are tire sizing, tire profiling, and needling. Tire orders are typically completed within three business days.

Long-time Kart racer and AFCO employee Kerry Dowdell will oversee tire profiling and quality control. He has been involved in racing for nearly 35 years.

In addition to Hoosier Tires, AFCO is a dealer for the following companies:
 
Competition Suspension
Douglas Wheels
Smoker Racing Products
Driven Steering Wheels
Joes Racing Products
AiM Sports

Many racers have already achieved national tour podium finishes this year while running tires from the AFCO program.

If you would like to take your quarter midget racing program to the next level, contact Adam Waters or Dale Raber at 800.632.2320, ext. 6244.

George Follmer, the only driver to have won both the Trans-Am and Can-Am championships in one year (1972), will be honored by the Road Racing Drivers Club at the “RRDC Evening with George Follmer presented by Firestone” in Long Beach, California, on Thursday, April 14, prior to the running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. This is the RRDC’s eighth consecutive annual banquet honoring auto racing’s most influential leaders and icons.

Previous honorees were Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Roger Penske, Jim Hall, Brian Redman, Mario Andretti and Bobby Unser. These “RRDC Evenings” are acknowledged as one of the highlights of the auto-racing social calendar, drawing fans and luminaries from all forms of motorsports.

The Firestone brand will return as presenting sponsor of the RRDC banquet for the seventh straight year.

"When George Follmer got behind the wheel he expected to win and more often than not he did," said Lisa Boggs, director of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. "Whether it was Can-Am, Indy cars, Trans-Am or Formula One, George was a true racer's racer, and Firestone is proud to recognize his career during this year's RRDC Evening."

The dinner’s proceeds will help support the RRDC’s young driver initiatives, including its groundbreaking SAFEISFAST.com program and the Team USA Scholarship, which the RRDC has backed since 1997 and has been providing opportunities for talented young American race-car drivers since 1991.

George Follmer's reputation as a driver who "could drive the wheels off anything" is well-deserved and respected. He's raced in Can-Am, Trans-Am, World Endurance, IndyCar, NASCAR, Formula One and IMSA, claiming the 1965 SCCA United States Road Racing Championship, as well as the above-mentioned 1972 Can-Am and Trans-Am titles. He again earned the Trans-Am crown in 1976.

In all, his career boasts 37 professional wins on 22 circuits in four countries.

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1934, Follmer eventually moved to California, where, in 1960, he was named the California Sports Car Club's Rookie of the Year, followed by Driver of the Year. Through the '60s and '70s he won the '66 Sebring 12 Hours, was the '68 Trans-Am runner-up to his teammate Mark Donohue and set nine Can-Am track records between '66-'71. He also notched two Formula 5000 wins in 1970.

Follmer's first Formula One start in 1973 resulted in a sixth-place finish for the UOP Shadow team at the South African Grand Prix, followed by a third at the Spanish Grand Prix. He also placed second in both Can-Am and IROC that year.

"George Follmer was a champion who lived through the greatest era of sports-car racing, the 'glory years' of the '60s and '70s," said Bobby Rahal, president of the RRDC. "His reputation for trading paint and bashing fenders was well documented and, remarkably, highly respected. His goal was to win, and he did!

"In 2012 the RRDC honored him with the Phil Hill Award," continued Rahal. "George has received many awards in recent years, which he richly deserves. The RRDC is pleased to honor this living legend in Long Beach."

"To be recognized by the RRDC for my many years in racing is certainly a thrill," said Follmer. "And I'm glad to see Firestone continues to be the presenting sponsor of these terrific dinners. Personally, without Firestone's support in 1965, my first year of pro racing, my career may not have happened. They made many things possible, and I will always be indebted to them. I look forward to a great evening with many of my peers and friends."

The RRDC Evening with George Follmer presented by Firestone will be held on Thursday, April 14, at the Hilton Hotel, 701 West Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, Calif., with cocktails at 6 p.m., and dinner at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $200 per person ($175 for RRDC members) if purchased in advance, and space is limited. Sponsor packages are also available. This event is expected to sell out quickly. All are welcome and early reservations are recommended. Please contact Jeremy Shaw at rrdc2@cox.net.

 NOLA Motorsports Park announces a pivotal addition to its leadership team. Francisco (Frank) Christian, Jr. is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the privately-owned autotainment complex and events facility in New Orleans.

“My job will be to rent asphalt and sell adrenaline,” said Christian. “NOLA Motorsports is dedicated to providing a high-quality experience like nothing else in Louisiana, and I am excited to be part of their bright future.”

Christian is responsible for leading and directing the day-to-day operations to ensure growth and sustainability under the NOLA Motorsports Park mission. This leadership role also entails overseeing facility operations and developing a vision and long-term strategy for the unique organization.

In just a short amount of time, Christian is already securing exciting new programs. With Xtreme Xperience now being offered year-round, fans can drive exotic cars such as a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Corvette. In addition, the park is also offering NASA Racing, and Jay Howard’s Motorsports Driver Development, a driving school coached by Indycar racer and karting-pro Jay Howard.

Laney Chouest, owner of NOLA Motorsports Park, has great respect for Christian. “Our primary goal is to provide our clients with first class, innovative, and desirable spaces to help them facilitate any event they would like to host. I believe that in Frank, we now have a passionate and excited leader to guide NOLA Motorsports Park.”

Christian has more than 20 years of experience in the catering and special event industries in a vast range of hospitality environments. Prior to joining NOLA Motorsports Park, he spent the majority of his career with the Festivities Catering team at Hospitality Events in San Diego, CA, where he led the integration of two companies and implemented new technology and business processes.