NHRA officials have announced the 2016 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series schedule, headlined by the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Nostalgia Funny Car categories.

The season opens with a new event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, Arizona, January 16-17 for Groups 1 & 2, followed by the famed Good Vibrations March Meet and the kick off for the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Cars, March 4–6 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California, and The Nostalgia Reunion at Sacramento (Calif.) Raceway in early April.  The series then heads north for the first of two stops at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho, the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor.

The series benefits the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California through a pair of Hot Rod Reunions that are produced by the Museum.  The Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is the first on the schedule slated for June 16–18 and will be followed by the popular California Hot Rod Reunion presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California that will celebrate its 25th Anniversary event and will conclude the series, October 21–23 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif.

“The NHRA Motorsports Museum is proud once again to have our Hot Rod Reunions be a part of the NHRA Heritage Series,” said Larry Fisher, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. “The Hot Rod Reunions and the Heritage Series are just one of the ways that the NHRA Motorsports Museum and NHRA work with you to preserve and celebrate the story of American Hot Rodding.  By being a part of the Reunions, racers and spectators alike help us share this uniquely American story with future generations.”

The series returns to Rocky Mountain Raceways with a doubleheader weekend in early June with two separate events for racers in Groups 1 & 2 along with Funny Car action on Friday and Saturday. A Funny Car only event returns to Mission Raceway Park in July for its fourth year on the schedule before the series heads back to Firebird for its traditional Nightfire Nationals event that features both the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories in August. Group 2 classes then end their season at the Nostalgia Fall Championship at Auto Club Famoso in September.

The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series consists of two nitro categories—Nostalgia Top Fuel dragster and Nostalgia Funny Car—and two groups of additional classes. Group 1 includes A/Fuel, Jr. Fuel, and 7.0 Eliminator, and Group 2 includes Nostalgia Eliminator I, Nostalgia Eliminator II, Nostalgia Eliminator III, A/Gas, B/Gas, C/Gas, D/Gas, and Hot Rod eliminator. Racers in each class will run a combination of events at which they will score points toward the championships.

The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series was developed in 2008 to help preserve NHRA’s rich history and tradition while providing racing opportunities for those enthusiasts who enjoy nostalgia drag racing competition.

2016 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Schedule

Dates – Venue – Location – Classes

Jan. 16-17 – Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park – Chandler, Ariz. – Groups 1 & 2

March 4-6 – Auto Club Famaso Raceway – McFarland, Calif. – TF/FC/Groups 1 & 2

April 1-3 – Sacramento Raceway – Sacramento, Calif. – FC

June 10 – Rocky Mountain Raceways – West Valley City, Utah – FC/Groups 1 & 2

June 11 – Rocky Mountain Raceways – West Valley City, Utah – Groups 1 & 2

June 16-18 – Beech Bend Raceway – Bowling Green, Ky. – TF

July 23-24 – Mission Raceway Park – Mission, British Columbia – FC

Aug. 11-14 – Firebird Raceway – Boise, Idaho – TF/FC

Sept. 17-18 – Auto Club Famoso Raceway – McFarland, Calif. – Group 2

Oct. 21-23 – Auto Club Famoso Raceway – McFarland, Calif. – TF/FC

A facility rich in history will live to see another year of auto racing.

On Tuesday, Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC signed a lease agreement with Seacoast Investments LLC to operate Georgetown Speedway in 2016 with a second-year option in place for 2017. A limited schedule of unique and special events will take place next season at the storied half-mile clay oval located just off the heavily traveled Route 113 corridor.

“There is a tremendous amount of support in Delaware for Georgetown Speedway,” Deyo said of the opportunity. “When Laura (Schafer, who had been leasing the speedway) made it known she was not going to renew her lease, the wheels started turning this past August. A number of people in the local business community have stepped up to make this possible.”

During the last two years, Deyo and driver/racing businessman Eric Kormann have partnered to present the ‘Blast at the Beach’ midweek event at Georgetown. Both events were highly successful and drew large crowds and solid car counts with competitors from several surrounding states.

“I always respected the history of Georgetown, and definitely fell in love with the track after Eric led me down to promote our first race there in 2014,” Deyo said. “It’s an honor to have this opportunity to be part of the Georgetown legacy.”

The third annual ‘Blast at the Beach’ will of course be among the ’16 schedule highlights, again as a partnership with Kormann featuring the South Region of the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek. Kormann, who came on board with Schafer during the summer stretch last year, will again play a key role at Georgetown next season.

A number of different divisions are being looked at for the ’16 agenda. Scheduling will be done in conjunction with area speedways, namely neighboring Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, Del., to avoid conflicts and ensure maximum participation and attendance.

“We will be working closely with Charlie Cathell (Delaware Int’l owner and promoter) and his family for the betterment of racing in Delaware as a whole,” Deyo said.

“The plan is to bring a variety of different classes to the track and make each event something special and different.”

Circuit of The Americas has published the event schedules for its Fan Forum, autograph sessions and other fan activities for this weekend's Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Austin, Texas facility. A limited number of hospitality and reserved-seat tickets for the weekend are still available and general admission tickets can be purchased at www.circuitoftheamericas.com/F1 or by calling 512.301.6600.
 
F1 Driver Autograph Sessions

Each day, drivers from all teams will take to the stage throughout the weekend to meet and greet their fans, sign autographs, and pose for pictures in what is always one of the highlights of the race weekend for F1 fans.
 
The Autograph Sessions will take place in the Austin360 Amphitheater and are open to all ticket holders who receive a first come, first served wristband. Wristbands will be given out at the Autograph Session wristband booth located in the Grand Plaza (on the left side of the amphitheater) when gates open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
 
The schedule for the weekend’s Autograph Sessions is as follows:

Friday:
12:25 – 12:50 – Sauber F1 Team
 
Saturday:
3:30 – 3:55 - Infiniti Red Bull Racing
4:30 – 4:55 - Mercedes AMG Petrona F1 Team
4:55 – 5:20 - Scuderia Ferrari
5:05 – 5:30 - McLaren Honda
5:35 – 6:00 - Scuderia Toro Rosso
5:35 – 6:00 - Williams Martini Racing
6:00 – 6:25 - Q&A Haas F1 Team
 
Sunday:
10:00 – 10:25 - Lotus F1 Team
10:30 – 10:55 – Sahara force India
10:50 – 11:15 - Manor F1 Team
 
Elton John to perform during Grand Prix weekend

Legendary singer, songwriter, and performer Elton John will perform a special concert on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. after the 2015 United States Grand Prix race has been completed.
 
Elton John is one of the most acclaimed and beloved artists of our time, and his spectacular stage shows are attended by audiences around the globe. Race fans will enjoy a two-hour set featuring all of the iconic hits and classic album tracks spanning Elton’s incredible five-decade career on the new festival lawn located in the Circuit’s north infield. Accompanying Elton on stage will be His Band, featuring Nigel Olsson on drums (part of Elton's original three-piece band), musical director Davey Johnstone (who first recorded with Elton in 1971 and joined the band full-time a year later) on guitar, Matt Bissonette on bass, John Mahon on percussion, and Kim Bullard on keyboards.
 
Dallas Cowboy’s Cheerleaders, Mayer Hawthorne, Patriot Parachute, and Black Diamond Jet Teams to lead USGP Opening Ceremony

Race Sunday is always the most important day of the F1 weekend when the drivers battle it out on track in front of thousands of passionate motorsport fans. Sunday's ceremonies will begin with the F1 drivers’ parade, where each driver will travel in a vintage American car as they are introduced to the crowd before the racing action begins.

As if this isn’t reason enough to get excited, COTA has teamed up with the world famous Dallas Cowboy’s Cheerleaders. Following a performance by the Genesis drumline, wearing their iconic uniforms, the cheerleaders known as “America’s Sweethearts” will perform a dance routine that will be sure to set the tone for a day of high octane excitement.
 
Following the Dallas Cowboy’s Cheerleader performance, the Patriot Parachute and Black Diamond Jet Teams will combine to deliver an awe-inspiring air display above the Circuit of The Americas track, right after Grammy-nominated Mayer Hawthorne has sung the National Anthem.

Public Enemy to headline COTA Fan Fest on Austin’s famous Rainey Street

Public Enemy leads the all-star lineup for this year’s COTA Fan Fest. Also confirmed to perform are DJ, producer, and label head A-Trak; neo-soul singer Mayer Hawthorne; singer-songwriter Elle King, with her new hit single “Ex’s and Oh’s”; jazz-funk band Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; Latin-rockers Ozomatli, and more. With over 235,000 guests from across the globe partaking in last year’s F1 race weekend, Circuit of The Americas looks to take Fan Fest to the next level in 2015 by spreading the three-day party across downtown Austin.
 
Rainey Street will host the Fan Fest Bud Light stage and venues across downtown will offer an eclectic array of musical performances and activities. The downtown venues slated to participate in this year’s festivities as official Fan Fest venues include: The Mohawk, an anchor of Red River; the legendary Continental Club; Austin Rocks; Banger’s Sausage House; Bungalow; C-Boy's Heart & Soul; Concrete Cowboy; Half Step; Hangar Lounge; Parkside; Speakeasy; Summit Rooftop Lounge; TenOak; The Backspace; The Belmont; The Market; Toy Joy; Vulcan Gas Company, and Wild About Music.
 
Please visit circuitoftheamericas.com for more information leading up to Fan Fest.
 
Austin Fan Forum Returns on Thursday, Oct. 22

COTA last week announced the return of the Austin Fan Forum on Thursday, Oct. 22. The event will be hosted on the Main Stage of the COTA Fan Fest, situated on Austin’s famous Rainey Street.
 
The Forum will feature current F1 stars, including Alexander Rossi, the first homegrown driver to race at the Circuit of The Americas, and other key F1 figures answering fans’ questions and signing autographs. The full lineup of panelists confirmed so far is as follows:
 
7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Esteban Gutierrez – Scuderia Ferrari
- Felipe Massa – Williams Martini Racing
- Valtteri Bottas – Williams Martini Racing
- Nico Hulkenberg – Sahara Force India F1 Team
 
7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Alexander Rossi – Manor Marussia F1 Team
- Daniel Ricciardo – Infiniti Red Bull Racing- Gunther Steiner – Haas F1 Team, Team Principal
 
The Fan Forum is set for 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Attendance is free. Entry will be first come, first served.
 
POP AUSTIN International Art Show

One of the most exciting contemporary art events in central Texas, POP AUSTIN International Art Show is expanding its footprint this year. It will not only return to Fair Market, but will also host a satellite exhibit at Circuit of The Americas. The showcase at COTA will be available for the enjoyment of all race goers and will feature impressive collection of fine art, including pieces from Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Richard Orlinski, Desire Obtain Cherish, Shane Guffogg, Micky Hoogendijk, and others.  
 
POP AUSTIN’s keystone show “Illumination” taking place at Fair Market will feature a number of light-based works by celebrated artists such as Carlo Bernardini, Hans Kotter, Jeongmoon Choi, and Adela Andea, among others from around the world. Select local Austin artists will be featured in the show and works will be shipped in from Europe, Asia, New York, and Los Angeles. The works and installations will provide an interactive and immersive atmosphere for guests of all ages. For additional information and tickets, visit www.popaustin.com.
 
Official 2015 F1 USGP After Party Presented by Circuit of The Americas and POP Austin ‘APEX Nights’ announced

Circuit of The Americas has also announced the Circuit of The America’s official F1 after party APEX Nights, which will be held at 1100 E. 5th St., Austin, TX 78702 from Oct. 23-25. The weekend party will feature performances from a variety of acclaimed DJs including Beautiful Swimmers, DJ Harvey, Orthy, Marcellus Pittman, Loose Fit, Eamon Harkin & Justin Carter: Mister Saturday Night, and L Vis 1990.  For table and ticket information please write to info@apexnights.com.
 
Ticket info

Tickets for the 2015 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix race weekend, happening Oct. 23-25 at Circuit of The Americas, are still available for purchase but going fast at circuitoftheamericas.com or by phone at 512.301.6600. Turn 4, Turn 5 and Turn 12 are SOLD OUT, but a limited number of seats are still available in the Main Grandstand, Turn 15, Turn 1 and Turn 9. General Admission tickets, hospitality, and RV Camping options are also available. Please call 512.301.6600 for your weekend options.
 
If interested in only attending the Sunday races, which are headlined by a special performance from Elton John and His Band that evening, Sunday-only tickets are available for purchase starting at $99, in addition to Turn 9 tickets for $250, which offer ticket-holders the closest entrance to the race track’s Super Stage.

Veteran IndyCar and sports car race engineer Neil Fife has found a familiar home with BMW Team RLL as the factory IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Le Mans program prepares for its 2016 campaign.

Fife departs the race-winning Team Falken Tire GTLM program to engineer one of the team's new twin-turbo BMW M6s as part of a RLL homecoming.

"We worked together before when Neil was our lead IndyCar engineer in 2007 and 2008, and was there when we won Watkins Glen with Ryan Hunter-Reay," said Bobby Rahal. "Neil will be the lead engineer on one of the BMWs, and it was unfortunate we couldn't keep working together in IndyCar when we stepped out of IndyCar for a little while. Unfortunately with Derrick Walker losing the Falken deal, the opportunity came to bring him back.”

In addition to his familiarity with RLL's leadership group, Fife's previous experience with the team's engineering staff should ease the transition.

"It's great because Neil will get to work with Jeff Schaffner again," Rahal continued. "They were the lead and assistant engineers with us in IndyCar, and Jeff rejoined us last year, and now they'll be together again on the BMW program, so we're really pleased with how everything is working out."

BMW Team RLL is preparing for a busy off-season as the brand-new GTLM M6s are expected to arrive Stateside from Germany and begin private testing prior to the first official IMSA test at Daytona on November 17–18. The M6s are expected to share the track with Ford's new GTLM challenger and other new or revised GTLM and GT Daytona models prior to the Roar Before The Rolex 24 on January 8–10.

Start planning for the 2015 PRI Trade Show today by downloading the all-new PRI Trade Show app. Available in iTunes and the Google Play store, the app allows Show goers to search for exhibitors and products, organize their Show schedule, view PRI's interactive floor plan, and much more.  

Links to download apps:

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pri-2015-trade-show/id1034426877?ls=1&mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.mapyourshow.PRI15MobileApp

The International Council of Motorsport Sciences has announced its has added a Race Track Safety Program to augment the curriculum schedule for its Annual Congress in December. Registration for the Congress and the Race Track Safety Program is available now. The Congress begins on Wednesday, December 8 at the Indiana Convention Center and the RTSP will be held Friday, December 11.

“The new Race Track Safety Program curriculum will consist of educational sessions including; proper selection of firefighting equipment & extinguishing agents, the mechanics of safety team response, personal protection equipment to use at the track and drag racing safety programs & crew training,“  according to Don Andrews, Executive Director of the International Council of Motorsport Sciences. “These topics will be presented by the most informed professionals in the field including Doctor Tressa Naik, Rodney and Manuela Johnson, Mike Yates, Carson Wilkinson and others.”

The ICMS Annual Congress 2015 will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis December 8-11, 2015. The Advance Program, Conference Schedule and Registration are now available. To register for the Friday only Race Track Safety Program, a separate registration form is to be completed.

VP Racing Fuels marked the expansion of its retail branding program to Ontario, Canada, with the help of its newest distributor partner—Belleville, Ontario-based Rosebush Energies. Rosebush Energies owns and operates two retail locations and services 10 other retail sites in Eastern Ontario, in addition to distributing heating oil, propane and other products and services to residential and industrial accounts.
 
Owner Earl Rosebush sees VP’s branding program as the best chance for retail sites and small chains to differentiate themselves. “Everybody is competitive on price, so we have to stand out in other ways, which VP helps us accomplish with an entirely new concept,” said Rosebush. “With its race fuel component, VP-branded performance products and racing paraphernalia, VP has built a new marketing platform that enables a station to stand out and helps create a whole new experience for the retail customer.
 
“We try to provide an entire package to stations we work with,” Rosebush continued. “Besides the brand image, marketing support and new revenue opportunities, VP’s program has the expense side covered by allowing us to purchase fuel at low rack for higher margins, along with other savings.
 
“Having distributed race fuel in Ontario for 20+ years, I recognized VP as the most popular brand in Canada,” Rosebush added. “I anticipate it will help any station to be successful, but especially those located in racing communities with access to local race tracks.”
 
“We’re excited to establish a foothold in Canada and appreciate the confidence shown in our retail branding program by Earl and his team at Rosebush Energies,” said Alan Cerwick, President of VP Racing Fuels.  “Running a successful 3rd generation business, Earl knows all aspects of the industry and markets in Ontario and recognized the unique advantages offered by VP’s program.  We’re very happy to have Rosebush Energies carry the flag for us in Canada and look forward to working together to grow the VP brand in Ontario and beyond.”

Motovicity Distribution, an automotive performance aftermarket distributor, is announcing the addition of CSF to its line card.

CSF has been manufacturing sophisticated cooling systems for over 40 years. The company consists of three privately owned manufacturing facilities that use advanced technologies to produce performance and racing cooling systems. From OE replacement radiators, intercoolers, and condensers to high-performance radiators, CSF continues to bring the quality of OE engineering to the performance aftermarket.

CSF’s Racing & High Performance Manager, Ravi Dolwani said, “We are very excited to now have our full line of High Performance and OEM replacement radiators, intercoolers, oil coolers, AC condensers, and pressure caps now available through Motovicity and we’re looking forward to building a long term partnership with them as one of our premiere distribution partners in North America.”

CSF is now available for wholesale purchase through Motovicity Distribution. For product inquiries, call 888.SPEED.16 to speak to a representative.

Successful businesses consistently seek and implement new ways to add value for their customers. They realize and exploit the fact that much of the value they provide to customers is not only a superior product, service, or workmanship, but the superior knowledge they possess in their line of business. They even become known as value-added businesses because they know how important the knowledge and expertise they provide is, and how much it impacts their bottom line.

Below are a few examples of how to add value in addition to providing knowledge:

* Extend your warranties or return policies.

* If you own a performance automotive service business, stay open later hours to accommodate people who work late. Provide ”Tips" on car or parts maintenance for those who would like to know how to maintain their vehicles.

* Provide a "Value-Added Package Deal" by bundling products or services at a great price.

A construction equipment distributor has a value-added service practice that few others have. When a machine is delivered, they instruct the buyer to block out three to four hours for the "delivery presentation." During this period, the sales person and a service technician educate the buyer and operator. Usually, the construction company president, the equipment operator, and the mechanic are included.
 
The sales person and tech make a thorough one-hour presentation on the machine's features and benefits, the next hour on critical safety aspects and procedures, and the next hour on maintenance. They allow the last hour for Q & A. A few hours after leaving, the sales person makes a follow-up call to ask if they have any further questions. Then, the sales person and the service tech call again two days later to ask if they can be of further service.

This is a great example of a value-added practice. In addition, it helps to build profitable relationships. Not every customer has the time, but it's a great idea.

* Same-day service, if possible, is how a number of companies are adding value.

* Throw in some extra features or add-on's for free. Ship for free. Send reminders. Fix something for free.

* If you are asked to quote a project, educate the customer as much as you can…. And do it far more than the competitors will do it!


Christine Corelli of Christine Corelli & Associates in Chicago, Illinois, is best known as the author of the popular book, “Wake Up and Smell the Competition.” She has been an acclaimed speaker at numerous industry events, including the PRI Trade Show and the SEMA Show. Contact her at 847/581-9968.

The 4th Annual Race Track Business Conference has announced the 2015 lineup of motorsports professionals who will be speaking at this year’s event, held Wednesday, December 9, at the Indiana Convention Center during PRI Race Industry Week.

As announced earlier, the keynote speaker will be Charlie Whiting, Director of Formula One, FIA, and he’ll be discussing various aspects of the F1 world.

Other speakers include Andrew Craig, President, The Craig Company; Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President, Sports Management Worldwide; Dan Rossetti, Managing Director, Ascension Sports Partners; and John Waraniak, Vice President, SEMA. These panelists will be talking in-depth about motorsports careers.

Another group of speakers will discuss non-traditional track events and ways to utilize the venue. These speakers include Sherri Hackenast, President, Team Demo Association; Jim Liaw, President, Formula Drift; Jason Rittenberry, Chief Strategy Officer, Circuit of the Americas; and Heyward Wagner, Vice President, SCCA.

The cost to attend RTBC-2015 is $250. This cost includes lunch and admission to the PRI Trade Show.

More information can be found at www.racetrackbusinessconference.com or calling (847) 853-0294.