Following a huge opening day, the 28th annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show gained momentum Friday as shoulder-to-shoulder aisles and brisk sales were reported throughout the Indiana Convention Center.

Attendees arrived early and wholly prepared to buy, according to unanimous feedback from the Show floor.

“It was another great day for the PRI Trade Show,” said John Kilroy, producer of the Indianapolis-based event. “Our exhibitors have brought the latest innovation and technology to the Show, and it’s clear that our attendees arrived ready to buy. There’s a lot of business being conducted throughout the Convention Center, and that’s a great sign for the racing industry.”

Exhibitors were equally pleased with the day’s yield.

“The Show’s been awesome,” relayed Mike Giles of SuperFlow Dynamometers and Flowbenches. “We’ve had people in our booth all Show ready to buy, looking to get a quote on the spot, and get a dynamometer on order. PRI is our core business. We sell a lot of different kinds of dynos, but our bread and butter forever has always been engine dynos, and this is where people come to buy them.”

The Show's first two days, in fact, have exceeded already-lofty expectations.

Corey Schultz of Five-Star Race Car Bodies told us the Show, "seems to be growing each year since moving back to Indianapolis [in 2013]. It seems like since noon on Thursday, everyone we’ve had come through have been serious buyers. We contracted with the Trans-Am Series to come out with a new Camaro and Mustang body for the TA2 class, and so far it has been a hit. I love that this is a single show that we do once a year, and we go big. If you work hard and make a nice display of good products, you know you’re going to get to the right people at PRI every time–guaranteed.”

A key component of the Show’s success has been an increase in its international profile, with 70 nations represented and approximately 3000 overseas attendees and exhibitors expected for the three-day event.        

“The Show’s been really good so far,” relayed Ashley Garrett of US Legends Cars, International. “We’re really happy with the turnout, and there’s been people everywhere. International sales account for about 30 percent of our business, and we’ve already met with a buyer from Australia who’s looking to buy some engines from us.”

International buyers and exhibitors also offered praise for PRI Friday.

“We’ve been coming to the show since Cincinnati,” said Jean Marie Jacquemin of the France-based Jacquemin Tuning. “We represent 15-20 companies, not only in the US, but also in Europe and Argentina. The biggest advantage of coming to PRI is discovering new suppliers and multiplying the business. I’ve been an exhibitor in a number of major shows around the world, and PRI is totally unique.”

Speaking to French firm Oreca's recently opened office in Charlotte, North Carolina, Renauld Chevalier told us, "A big part of our job is to understand the market, so we’re at PRI to meet some people and show our product. This is definitely the place to be because PRI has so many distributors, buyers, sanctioning bodies and users, so you can get all the feedback you need on your product.”

More than 1200 motorsports industry suppliers in 3200 booths exhibit the latest in auto racing technology and services during the 2015 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis. Buyers from throughout the US and 70 countries come to the Racing Capital of the World for the premier trade show for motorsports professionals. For additional information on the 2015 PRI Trade Show, visit www.pri2015.com.

Hundreds of racing professionals turned out Friday morning for a three-pack of PRI Trade Show-sponsored seminars focused on boosting business.

Drag racers and engine builders formed a standing-room only audience for a session with drag legend Pat Musi and his daughter Lizzy Musi, herself a record-breaking driver. The interview-style seminar led by PRI Editor Dan Schechner touched on a number of timely topics, from what the two look forward to most about their jobs (both cited "the competition") to what the immediate future holds for the iconic Musi Racing Engines (look for expansion into the sportsman ranks).

Down the hall, Erin Bemis of Constant Contact discussed the top five social networks-Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest-and the demographics that utilize each one. She advised racing operators who aren't yet using social media to begin with Facebook, which is now far and away the most popular form of social media. She added that business people who commit to using the medium must remain active on it.

Among the attendees was Marla Hoyos, promoter of Thunder Road Raceway Park in Gilliam, Louisiana, who noted that although she actively promotes the drag strip on social media, she still learned about new blogs and new ways to post. Hoyos emphasized the value of PRI’s educational opportunities: “The first thing I do when I schedule out my plan for the day is I look to see what seminars are available. Then I schedule my day thereafter, so my meetings and everything follow the seminars because they are very insightful. You learn a lot.”

The day's third seminar was presented by veteran columnist, author and small business owner Gene Marks, who covered several employee-related topics like paid time off, health care, human resources, and project/problem management and communication.

Scott Rygol of Kroyer Racing Engines in Las Vegas, Nevada, found Marks' presentation to be “very helpful,” as business owner Kevin Kroyer has been using social media to find new employees but is seeking additional resources. He also cited Marks' advice on “benefits that we need to give or present to future employees or current employees to try to keep them.”

Marks also provided details on the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), as well as accounting and benefits information.

Erica Ellis of Blackmon Automotive in Kennesaw, Georgia, said, “We will be applying a lot more of the links [Marks] provided to us, as well as the forms, the documentation, and things like that, which will help cover us as a small business. The biggest thing that we have learned is just protecting ourselves to maintain our company," because, he added, “things have changed so much since we started 20 years ago.”

PRI's business education seminars continue tomorrow at 8 am in Rooms 239, 240 and 242 of the Indiana Convention Center. For more information, visit www.pri2015.com.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and SAM Racing will sponsor a new COPO Camaro class at Holley's LS Fest in 2016, the organizations announced Friday at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.

The COPO Battle At The Green event will take place at next year's Holley LS Fest at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, September 9-10. Buoyed by an LS Fest-high purse of $10,000-to-win, organizers want to create the world's largest COPO gathering. They're aiming for at least 32 entries for the inaugural Battle At The Green.

"Believe it or not, I look forward to handing somebody that check for $10,000," confirmed Mike Copeland of Lingenfelter.

Representatives from longtime LS Fest supporters Lingenfelter and School of Automotive Machinists, whose Judson Massingill also weighed in on the partnership, were joined by Bill Tichenor from Holley Performance Products for the official announcement.

Qualifying for the all-COPO shootout will be against an NHRA class index. There also will be a fuel check, as well as a Pro Ladder. In addition, competitors will face an all Dial-In format, and no heads up for the same class vehicles.

For more information, including a complete rules package, visit www.lingenfelter.com.

Honda Performance Development (HPD) and the Formula Lites series will announce details of the replacement engine package for the current Honda K24-series engine at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Friday, December 11.
 
At approximately 1:30 p.m. in the HPD display (Booth 3047), Ryan Arciero and Dennis McCormick, co-owners of the Formula Lites series, will join HPD’s Jeff Barrow and Formula Lites team owner Jonathan Scarallo to announce the details of the replacement engine, and reveal the prototype installation in the Formula Lites car on display.
 
“We’ve been waiting for the right place and time to make this announcement,” said Jeff Barrow, Commercial Motorsports Manager at HPD. “It’s an opportunity to showcase the connection between our grassroots racing programs and the great engine technology we can access by being a part of Honda.”

For more information on the PRI Trade Show, visit www.pri2015.com.

The PRI Trade Show provided a backdrop for breaking news on Thursday, as several top racing companies announced new partnerships, car reveals, acquisitions and more on the floor of the Indiana Convention Center.

Leading off the news cycle was PAC Racing Springs of Southfield, Michigan, which announced its acquisition of Schroeder Torsion Bar Manufacturing in Burbank, California.

According to Jason Youd of PAC Racing Springs, the deal will allow PAC to bring to market new product lines that pair up with its stabilizer bar systems. It is also expected to add significant manufacturing capability to PAC's operations.

"With Gary [Schroeder’s] company, we can get all of that manufacturing capability to allow us to launch new product lines to match up with some of the technology that we are launching in a systems approach," Youd said. "So we want to be a full-service suspension supplier. That was one link in the chain, if you will, that we needed to have, and that is where Schroeder Enterprises and his manufacturing technology brings us up to speed."

Also on Thursday, QA1 helped unveil a new drag car for Daddy Dave (real name Dave Comstock) of the popular Discovery Channel show Street Outlaws. Daddy Dave earlier in the year sustained serious injuries in a rollover crash while racing his first Chevy Nova, "Goliath." He built a new Nova, also named Goliath, which was introduced to the public in QA1's booth on the Show floor. The new Nova features QA1 shocks and the new QA1 REV Series carbon fiber driveshaft.

"The timing worked out well," said Melissa Scoles, President of QA1, Lakeville, Minnesota. "A month or so after the accident, Daddy Dave decided to rebuild, and we knew he'd have it ready for the show. And PRI is the place for racers, it just made sense to do [the unveiling] here."

Later in the day, Drag Illustrated magazine announced its inaugural 30 Under 30 list honoring some of the brightest young talent in drag racing.
"You dream about things like this," said honoree Cameron Ferre, driver in NHRA Top Alcohol and a 5-time Wally winner who recently became licensed in Top Fuel. "I really hope to make a living out of this. I've wanted to do it since I was 9, and I'm really enjoying being a member of this industry and, through Racepak, helping to move it into the future."

Also among the day's announcements, Taya Kyle, wife of the late 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle, announced her Chris Kyle Frog Foundation's association with PIRTEK Team Murray and the team's entry for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day, 2016. The car will be piloted by IndyCar driver Matthew Brabham.

Much more is planned for the PRI Trade Show, which runs through Saturday, December 12. Stay tuned to www.performanceracing.com and our Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest from Indianapolis.

Brad Keselowski filled the house for another memorable Grand Opening Breakfast at the annual PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.
 
Approximately 3000 motorsports professionals crowded into the Indiana Convention Center's Sagamore Ballroom to hear 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Keselowski while enjoying a complimentary hot breakfast Thursday morning. MAVTV racing journalist Dave Despain served as host for the talk show-style program, in which third-generation racer Keselowski revealed his humble racing beginnings: “My dream was to make a living in racing—and be successful at it, don’t get me wrong.”

Although he didn’t begin competing in a quarter midget until age 14, his involvement in racing began with the careers of both his father and uncle, which helped him carve his own path. “People ask me about my dad… To me, my dad was Dale Earnhardt.”

Regarding his love for auto racing, he added, “My dad passed it down to me.”

Keselowski first attended the PRI Trade Show as a teenager, he recalled. “When I came to PRI for the first time, I had heard about it, but I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “The only thing I can really compare that feeling of the first time I came to PRI is the first time I went to Las Vegas. It was an incredible experience.”

Keselowski discussed a range of motorsports topics, offering thoughtful commentary on the industry's economics. In fact, he said, “I understand the importance of events like today, and events like this entire Trade Show. That is why I have to be here, and that is why I want to be here.”
 
Before the headliner took the stage, attendees were treated to the musical talents of yodeling cowgirl Micky Daniels.
 
“Outstanding,” said Jack Parker of High Tech Performance in Van Nuys, California, in response to Keselowski's interview. “Dave Despain does an outstanding job no matter what he does. The PRI Show has been great for years, and it looks like it’s going down the right road. It’s going to continue to be great.”
 
Charles Leindecker of Leindecker Racing Engines in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, particularly appreciated Keselowski’s views on "the economics of the teams and where the sport is going.”

Packed aisles, full booths and pleased exhibitors were the order of the day as the 28th annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show opened at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on Thursday.

The three-day event kicked off with its traditional Grand Opening Breakfast before a capacity crowd in the Convention Center's Sagamore Ballroom. Renowned motorsports journalist and broadcaster Dave Despain of MAVTV hosted the morning program's live talk show, with 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski as his special guest.

“We had a great opening day,” said John Kilroy, PRI Trade Show producer. “There was just a certain vitality on the Show floor today. The aisles were full and exhibitors are thrilled with both the traffic and, most importantly, the sales taking place.”

Buyers flooded the Trade Show floor as soon as the doors opened to the world's largest showcase of new racing technology. And for many, foot traffic didn’t subside until the Show's 5 p.m. closing.

“It’s been non-stop since the door opened,” said Chase Knight of exhibitor Crane Cams. “We’re just thrilled with the enthusiasm and the rush of people. We probably misjudged a little on how many people would be here. Here it is Thursday afternoon and we’re almost out of catalogs and promotional material already. We’re getting real buyers, real engine builders, guys who have actually raced-been there, done that-and those are the people we’re trying to reach.”

Knight's sentiments were echoed throughout the bustling Show floor.

“We’re seeing all the right people,” relayed Bill Tichenor of exhibitor Holley Performance Products. “The people that we are most interested in our products are here–everyone from the guy who has a car who’s trying to race, to the engine shop owner, and all the way to our warehouse distributors and biggest customers. It couldn’t be a better place for us to launch our brand new brushless fuel pumps. We’ve been swamped since 9:30 and we’re still swamped, and the show closes in 10 minutes.”

The high-volume buyer traffic extended to the Show floor's high-end Machinery Row.

“The traffic has been great and we had three machines sold by lunch [on Thursday],” David Kildoo of exhibitor Serdi Machines.

Attendee feedback was equally-and overwhelmingly-positive over opening day.

Robert Bartlett of Virkler & Bartlett, a Virginia-based motorsports power engineering company, noted, “We get to see all the vendors we deal with during the year. I try to cover every aisle and just keep my eyes open. I’ll see something new that gets my attention. Most of our major machine purchases are made here. PRI is a place where you can see the machines work and put your hands on them. That’s very important.”

Overall, more than 1200 motorsports industry suppliers in 3200 booths exhibit the latest in auto racing technology and services during the 2015 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis. Buyers from throughout the US and 70 countries come to the Racing Capital of the World for the premier trade show for motorsports professionals. For additional information on the 2015 PRI Trade Show, visit www.pri2015.com.

Featuring packed rooms of attendees from across the globe and every corner of the trade, PRI's Race Industry Week got into full swing Wednesday as special event organizers reported some of their strongest numbers to date ahead of the 28th annual PRI Trade Show, which kicks off December 10 at the Indiana Convention Center.

The day included four major conferences, four more seminars, a trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and teams of high school students from coast to coast competing in the opening rounds of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge. In all, more than 35 Race Industry Week events will continue through the weekend in conjunction with the three-day PRI Trade Show.

[Click here for an online photo gallery featuring pre-Show setup and events from Race Industry Week.]

Now in its 26th year, the two-day Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) played to a full house this week as some of the nation’s top engine builders and performance industry experts addressed a range of subjects.

“This has been one of our best events ever,” said Ron Coleman of AETC. “We have a wide variety of attendees from a wide variety of backgrounds. This year, we set a record for the number of international attendees.

"Interest is high in all areas of the conference," he added. "Our main sponsor, Motor State Distributing, continues to be great for us, and we’ve seen be a definite increase in the number of businesses that are interested in being a part of the AETC."

Conference attendees were equally eager to learn about the latest innovations in race engine technology.

“I’ve been coming to AETC going on 20 years, and you’re still going to learn something new every year,” said Judson Massingill of the School of Automotive Machinists. “The camaraderie here is amazing, and you are going to make life-long friends. You’re also going to make connections that help your business. Someone is going to introduce something you hadn’t really thought about.”

Once again, the International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) played host to some of the world’s foremost medical and safety professionals for its Annual Congress, which addressed the latest advances in motorsports safety from around the globe.

“I’m involved with motorsports in my own country, and as a member of the FIA Medical Commission I always want to know what’s going on in the industry,” said Dr. Dino Altmann, chief medical officer of the Grand Prix of Brazil. “In the United States, they have a huge amount of experience with motorsports safety. Not only at the racetrack, but in outside research. It’s very important for us to be here at the ICMS to share in the latest developments in terms of safety that we can adapt to motorsports in Brazil.”

The 4th annual Race Track Business Conference (RTBC) reported record numbers, too, in conjunction with the PRI Trade Show. Keynote speaker Charlie Whiting, FIA Formula One Race Director, set the tone for an event that continues to create dialogue and interaction among motorsports professionals by incorporating track operators, sanctioning body executives, track designers, safety officials and more.

“There’s no better place than the Race Track Business Conference to learn what other people are doing in terms of track management,” said Scott Gobrecht of Susquehanna Speedway in York Haven, Pennsylvania. “The networking aspects are great. We’ll take a few ideas away from here and be able to learn from what others have worked through in the past. Whether you’re with a national facility, a local track or somewhere in between, there’s a true synergy across the board here. It comes down to people exchanging ideas on how to do business and sharing best practices.”

And, the Vehicle Dynamics and Data Acquisition Seminar by Claude Rouelle of OptimumG once again proved to be a popular addition to this year's Race Industry Week.

Mid-week activities extended beyond the aforementioned conferences to include the inaugural MIA International Business Sales & Trade Workshop, PRI's popular Day at the Speedway tour of IMS, and the always-exciting Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge, which culminates in its National Championship on Saturday.

Overall, more than 1200 motorsports industry suppliers will occupy some 3200 booths while exhibiting the latest in auto racing technology and services during the 2015 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis. Buyers from throughout the US and 70 countries are expected for the world's premier trade show for motorsports professionals. For additional information on the 2015 PRI Trade Show, visit www.pri2015.com.

Nearly 50 PRI Trade Show goers got the experience of a lifetime Wednesday at PRI's Day At The Speedway tour of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Guests took a morning shuttle from the Indiana Convention Center to IMS, and upon arrival enjoyed a lap around the famous 2.5-mile oval on comfortable tour buses. "It was fascinating. It brings back a lot of memories, and there have been a lot of changes since I was last here in 1981," said Danny Redkey of Eddie Sachs Racing in Mount Clemens, Michigan. "I'm quite amazed at what they have here, and the memories are terrific."

During their lap, buses stopped at the iconic Yard of Bricks, allowing all aboard to walk on the track and kiss the bricks at the start/finish line. Afterward, attendees took their place on Victory Podium, toured suites in the Pagoda, drove through Gasoline Alley, and more.

"Kissing the bricks, I never thought I'd get a chance to do that, but I did today," Redkey added. "I took pictures in Victory Circle, and in 2016 I intend to be there with my driver."

Guests also enjoyed a delicious lunch at Union Jacks, then headed back to the track to experience some incredible racing history in the IMS Hall of Fame Museum.

"I thought the tour was run really well. The track was unbelievable, and just being able to stand in those certain places was amazing," said Rick Osburn from Appomattax, Virginia.

Lucas Oil has announced the worldwide launch of LucasOilRacing.TV, the first streaming TV network dedicated solely to the world of motorsports - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The new network, set to launch as LucasOilRacing.TV on January 1, 2016, will be positioned as the world's premier motorsports destination. Programming will include live racing, expanded pre- and post-race action, behind-the-scenes content, unseen interviews, automobile build shows, and an extensive library of motorsports content and racing.

LucasOilRacing.TV will deliver unlimited access to all types of motorsports racing, including American Sprint Cars, Pro Pulling, GT racing, Short Course Off-Road racing, Modifieds, Drag Boats, Late Model Dirt, NHRA, stock cars, motorcycle racing, authentic build shows, and everything in and around the world of motorsports. In addition to an extensive VOD library of programming, LucasOilRacing.TV will also include interviews with some of the world's most popular and dynamic drivers, conducted by the sport's most iconic journalists.

“LucasOilRacing.TV consolidates all the best racing and automotive programming in the world into a single destination for viewers, making it available to anyone with internet access. LucasOilRacing.TV will give viewers access to their favorite motorsports, on demand, anywhere and any time they want it,” said Bob Patison, Executive Vice President of Lucas Oil.

LucasOilRacing.TV will be available worldwide across multiple digital media players and mobile devices, including products by Android, Amazon, Apple, Roku, Smart TVs and through LucasOilRacing.TV on computers. LucasOilRacing.TV is dedicated to continued development of its platform for additional devices, including popular gaming consoles.